VariQuest Blog
The VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite Blog contains resources on classroom ideas, lesson plans, industry news, events, and offers throughout education.
Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | VariQuest Tools: Trifecta 800 3D Printer
By:
Melissa Hughes, Ph.D.
April 18th, 2017
We used to call it hands-on learning. Before high-tech classrooms, learning labs, and makerspaces, kids would build and create and make things using buttons, bottle caps, popsicle sticks, and glue. The focus was on exploration, discovery, creativity, and problem-solving. There was no clear distinction between the arts, engineering, science, and math. Kids were making things, expressing their creativity, and they were learning how things worked. The current buzzword is experiential learning, but the concept has been around for over 100 years. Dr. Maria Montessori would be thrilled to see the future of education rooted in her research. The movement of “making” brings engineering, science, technology, art and design together and overlaps those instructional principles with the natural inclinations of children the power of learning by doing.
Perfecta | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 3600
By:
Heidi Glasow
March 9th, 2017
PRESS RELEASE
This helpful guide includes an explanation of the grant process, including a checklist (with samples!), and useful links and resources to find funding!
Student Engagement | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | student achievement
By:
Melissa Hughes, Ph.D.
January 20th, 2017
Think about the discussions that happen in your classroom. Are they frequent? Do all students participate or are they monopolized by a handful of students? Do you use discussion to merely check understanding or do you engage students into purposeful conversations to develop thinking?
Perfecta | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400
By:
Geena Maharaj
June 24th, 2016
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) boasts one of the largest ed tech conferences in the nation, drawing from 16,000 educators across the globe for professional learning, collaborative networking opportunities, and of course, some big prizes.
Perfecta | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400
By:
Geena Maharaj
December 3rd, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
Perfecta | Student Engagement | Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600
By:
Geena Maharaj
August 21st, 2015
Fill in the blank. Students who are ______ are more likely to bring a weapon to school. One in eight children who are ______ fear being attacked at school. Over half of teens have been ______, and nearly the same number of teens has ______ a peer.
Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download
By:
Geena Maharaj
May 22nd, 2015
The following lesson plan is part of our partnership with two creative educators from The Curriculum Corner, bringing you free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources, and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest® Perfecta® Poster Design System - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software!
VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Classroom Celebrations/Holidays | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download
By:
Margo Ensz
April 20th, 2015
Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. This special holiday provides an opportunity to teach children and young adults about sustainability, day-to-day "green" practices and the importance of environmental care. Below are 5 high-resolution, downloadable posters meant to provoke thoughts, lend ideas, and inspire students, staff, and parents to make green choices.
Featured Topics: Character Education | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Awards Maker 400 | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | VariQuest Tools: Cold Laminator 2510
By:
Margo Ensz
April 14th, 2015
“One of the foremost advances in school-wide discipline is the emphasis on school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments.” (source)
Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: STEM | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics
By:
Margo Ensz
March 31st, 2015
April is Mathematics Awareness Month! This year's theme is "Math Drives Careers." Math can be an engaging and intuitive subject for some students, but often it is a dry subject for others. These students ask, "When will I use this in real life?" One way to answer that question and engage learners is to demonstrate that math is all around us.