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"Educators have taken many approaches to solving the problem of bullying, whether making it "uncool" to bully, meting out scary punishments, or teaching tolerance. Tolerance is certainly part of the issue, but even that starts with highlighting differences between people and suggesting that one "tolerate" the other. There is no solving the issues, but there can be improved transparency, and a new tone for how we respond -- educating in kid-friendly and authentic language, using real-world examples with updated definitions, all in pursuit of total transparency for a growing problem."

"Many teachers are excited about the maker movement andcreating projects for their classrooms. How will assessment be done? How can teachers prove that deep, rich learning is occurring through making? How do we justify a grade to students and parents alike? By crafting a three-part rubric that assesses process, understanding, and product, teachers can rest assured that they are covering all the bases."

Good article about Makerspaces (& STEM /STEAM) and schools. The discussion puts perspective into the equation. The authors talk about three values of student learning and empowerment: agency, authenticity, and audience and these are used as a basis for decisions about what happens in classrooms. I like the last few sentences. "Defining making in education in terms of tools, spaces, or disciplines is insufficient. Learning through making is a philosophical approach that can affect classes across the curriculum and schools across the globe. It's time to change the paradigm."

"Children learn through play and exploration. From floating sticks downstream to ducks in the tub, early lessons in how the world works come from play.  By building upon play, a mode of learning that is rooted in curiosity and joy, we can engage our students in a truly authentic way. For instance, a project involving electronics can be launched with a session with circuit boards, or wood working with a one-block challenge. Both of these activities originate from two of my favorite resources for exploration-based maker activities: the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium, and the Makerspace at the New York Hall of Science. "

A post that discusses some resources that will help you teach your students to find accurate information, manage their social media feeds and make good choices about what to share