April 11, 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965:

Subjects: Arts & Humanities, Civics, Holidays, Language Arts, Social Studies, U.S. History Grades: 3-5, 6-8 In this lesson, adapted from an activity on Education World, students will reinforce their understanding of fact and opinion while learning about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Students with dyslexia are highly visual learners who benefit from multi-sensory learning environments. Because dyslexic students have a dominant right brain, it takes strategic effort and care to engage the left side of the brain. Engaging multiple sensory experiences into instruction will then engage multiple areas of the brain. This helps dyslexic students make connections, strengthen their left brain, and better retain information. (source) Students with dyslexia tend to be more visual in learning, therefore, visual tools are vital to their success in grasping concepts and problem solving. Here are three visual tools that can help students with dyslexia make connections, retain information, and deepen learning:

The weeks leading up to winter break can be chaotic in any classroom. Here are 8 teacher-created ecards for a bit of comedic relief:

Reposted from Edutopia.org--original article (found here) by Patrick Waters Maker education is a new school of educational thought which strives to deliver constructivist, project-based learning curriculum and instructional units. Makerspaces can be full high school workshops with a bevy of high-tech tools, or as small and low tech as one corner of an elementary classroom. What defines a makerspace isn't just the tools and equipment, but the learning that happens as students begin making and creating projects. Educators need to design these spaces to reach a diverse set of learners, particularly populations underserved in STEM subjects, and students with neurological differences, learning differences, and special needs. Makerspaces provide a number of benefits and opportunities for typical students. It just so happens that the type of learning Makerspaces promote best is also the type of learning that students with learning challenges need most.

'Tis the season! If you're like us, you have no idea where the year went. If you're feeling a little short on classroom ideas to fill out the weeks leading up to winter break, don't worry! We've compiled some great activities and lessons from teachers just like you, spanning subject and ages. Enjoy!

“Anchor charts are a wonderful tool to document students' thinking and learning and serve as a visual reference of our learning process. They keep what we are currently learning accessible and enable students to make later connections. Anchor charts 'anchor' our learning, bring focus to a particular strategy or standard we are working on and support students during independent practice, class discussions or whenever they just need a little reminder.” -Around the Kampfire We know how vital anchor charts are and how creative teachers are finding ways to incorporate these visuals into everyday lessons. However, what do you do with all the magnificent anchor charts you have created over the year? Surely not throw them away and start from scratch?!

“Although the Common Core and the Maker Movement grew from two very different places…both reflect a larger shift in how we think about teaching and learning, one that recognizes that rote testing isn’t going to prepare kids for the dynamic world ahead that will ask them to adapt to new technology and problems faster than we have ever had to.”

The United States Department of Agriculture continues its efforts to create a healthier generation with the introduction of "Smart Snacks in Schools" nutrition standards.

"For students to learn to their full potential, the classroom environment must be of minimum structural quality and contain cues signaling that all students are valued learners."