VariQuest Blog
The VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite Blog contains resources on classroom ideas, lesson plans, industry news, events, and offers throughout education.
Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Featured Topics: Education Policy
By:
Margo Ensz
January 27th, 2014
In July of 2013, Congress passed the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), which is commonly seen as an amendment to the No Child Left Behind legislature. Though the new legislation has not yet seen an academic year through, individuals and organizations are speaking out about what they think of H.R. 5. Here we have compiled key points from letters, statements, and op-eds, but first, what is the Student Success Act?
Featured Topics: Character Education | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | Featured Topics: Professional Development
By:
Margo Ensz
January 25th, 2014
Regular attendance is vital to student success. A from America's Promise Alliance emphasized that, for some students, getting to school isn’t as easy as waking up to catch the bus or getting dropped off by a parent. “Many students, particularly those living in poverty, face systematic barriers that make going to school challenging…Often times students struggling with these issues are chronically absent.” Teachers or counselors can meet with these students to set goals, troubleshoot challenges, and help to problem solve. All schools can use tips from the following list to increase student attendance, compiled from programs Count Me In! and Attendance Works.
This helpful guide includes an explanation of the grant process, including a checklist (with samples!), and useful links and resources to find funding!
Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Academic Subject: Career & Technical Education | Academic Subject: Special Education
By:
Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013
Each semester, Aaron Walls, teacher at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona, teaches a transition class for students with special needs. It began in 2009, when a group of special education students in his marketing class decided they wanted to start a student-run business. In considering their options, they learned about VariQuest Visual Learning Tools, and voted to decide they would be the best option for their student-based enterprise, called MACH Replica (meaning “fast republication”).
Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities
By:
Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013
Students utilize close reading strategies in order to determine the central idea of a text and provide an objective summary.
Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities
By:
Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013
A plot diagram aids students in mapping out how a story’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes.
Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities
By:
Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013
Use a graphic organizer to help students identify and describe the characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. (RL.1.3)
Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400
By:
Lindsey Graff
December 2nd, 2013
Academic Subject: English Language Arts | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download
By:
Lindsey Graff
November 19th, 2013
Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | VariQuest Tools: Awards Maker 400 | Academic Subject: Career & Technical Education | Academic Subject: Special Education | VariQuest Tools: Cold Laminator 2510
By:
Lindsey Graff
November 18th, 2013
Osseo Area Schools District 279 Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Featured Topics: Differentiated Instruction | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | VariQuest Tools: Awards Maker 400 | Featured Topics: Student Engagement
By:
Lindsey Graff
November 18th, 2013
Butterfield Elementary School Libertyville, Illinois