The blog has evolved as a genre, giving it limitless potential as a form of writing, and that’s just as true for student writers as it is for everyone else.
If we want to provide timely, regular, formative, and meaningful feedback, we need to diversify our practices. These three strategies pack a lot of punch in very little time.
These tips will help you improve your practice and avoid some of the faux pas that come with teaching students who look, think, or opine differently than you.
The U.S. Department of Education’s President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) would like to express best wishes to 2020 high school graduates who had quite a different conclusion to their school year but persisted and are ready for their next steps. Since 1983, PEAP has recognized millions of elementary, middle, and high school graduates from across
Continue Reading
The post 2020 High School Graduates “Their Stories, Their Lives” appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
The ED Games Expo is the Department of Education’s annual showcase and celebration of innovation in education for students of all ages and practitioners in education and special education. The different technologies showcased at this year’s Expo were developed by 115 teams with funding support from 33 programs across the Federal government, including seven Department
Continue Reading
The post Recapping ED Games Expo Week 2020 appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
We’re excited to announce the inaugural competition of the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award to spotlight classified school employee’s outstanding contributions to quality education in the United States. Classified school employees include paraprofessionals, clerical and administrative services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical
Continue Reading
The post Announcing the RISE Award for Classified School Employees appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
By: Julie Richardson School psychologists are trained to wear many hats such as providing direct support and interventions to students, consulting with teachers, families, and other professionals, working with administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborating with community providers to coordinate needed services. School psychologists strive to meet each student where they are emotionally and academically,
Continue Reading
The post Who are School Psychologists? appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
Earlier this year Antoinette Love, a charter school student in New Orleans, was accepted into a record-setting 116 colleges and was offered more than $3.7 million in scholarships. As notable as her college acceptance feat is, her journey is even more remarkable. Antoinette was born to teen parents. While her mother was able to
Continue Reading
The post Antoinette Love’s Inspiring Education Story appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the student’s application, we know that parents often play a large role in the process. After all, students who are considered dependent have to provide parental information on the FAFSA form anyway and must have a parent sign it. While we recommend that the student start his or
Continue Reading
The post The Parent’s Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA® Form appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
Across the nation, innovative programs are preparing students to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These subjects, often called STEM, can open up new pathways to success in the 21st century workforce and also means new opportunities for students and teachers alike. Technology can play an important role in the STEM learning
Continue Reading
The post Nine Ways Technology Can Boost STEM Learning appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
Did you submit a 2020–21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form? Wondering what happens next? Here are a few things to look out for: 1. Review Your FAFSA® Confirmation Page After you complete the FAFSA form online and select “SUBMIT,” you’ll see a confirmation page like the one below. This is not your financial aid offer. You’ll get that separately
Continue Reading
The post 5 Things to Do After Filing Your FAFSA® Form appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are special places, each unique to their communities, their students, their staff, and their leaders, and are producing outstanding results for all their students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or zip code. They are closing the gaps in student achievement and, in most cases, demonstrating consistent excellence. Each year, the National
Continue Reading
The post National Blue Ribbon Schools—Learning Requires Engagement appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are special places, each unique to their communities, their students, their staff, and their leaders and are producing outstanding results for all their students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or zip code. They are closing the gaps in student achievement and, in most cases, demonstrating consistent excellence.Each year, the National
Continue Reading
The post National Blue Ribbon Schools— Learning in Creative Contexts appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program that could eliminate some of your federal student loan debt if you meet all the requirements. This program was created to benefit individuals whose debt would be unaffordable without loan payments tied to income because they are working in lower-paying, but vitally important public sector jobs such
Continue Reading
The post Applying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 5 Tips for Success appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
“Loan discharge” means you don’t have to pay back some or all of your loan(s). A total and permanent disability (TPD) discharge relieves you from having to repay any of your federal student loan(s) and from completing any TEACH Grant service obligation. General Qualifications and Application Process for TPD Please note: If you received notification that you are eligible for
Continue Reading
The post Explained: The Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Process appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
This post was written by teacher coach and consultant James Fester. “When will this decade of a month be over?” I recently stumbled across this deeply resonant tweet as I struggle to make online learning work. As the pandemic drags on and more states release their complicated back-to-school plans, I find myself immobilized with worry and stress, longing for simpler times when travel, collaboration, and …
This post was written by Chief Education Officer Vicki Phillips. Who was the last person who inspired you? And why? What qualities did they have that left an impression? Inspiration has the ability to transcend limitations—real or perceived—to explore new possibilities, drive us forward and give us hope. In my role as Chief Education Officer at the National Geographic Society, I have the great honor …
This post was written by 2020 Education Fellow Andrew Brennen. I was 15 when I first became interested in solving problems in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. I noticed early on that if you were poor or looked like me, you received a lower-quality education. I also realized that while my classmates and I spent hours in the classroom — thinking critically about everything from …
Looking for quick and meaningful things to do this summer? With these resources, learners of all ages can explore questions they’ve always wanted to answer, use their imaginations, and hear from National Geographic Explorers. The best part of these activities is that they require minimal supervision and can be easily done at home in 15 minutes or less! Learn something extraordinary Why is the ocean …
When Charles Best founded DonorsChoose from his Bronx classroom in 2000 — years before social media would exist or crowdfunding would become a word — he didn’t have many places to look for guidance. Yet when he found himself making copies of a book for his students to share early one morning, he found unusual […]
By: Chief Operating Officer Mark Brown, Federal Student Aid You may have heard that changes are coming to student loan servicing, and that’s true. But, there’s no need to panic. Your loan servicer will not be changing this year. In fact, long before your loan servicer changes, we’ll communicate with you. We’ll make sure you
Continue Reading
The post We’re Taking Steps to Improve Federal Loan Servicing appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
This post was written by educator Emily Vizzo. Many teachers found themselves teaching online for the first time when COVID-19 shut down schools last spring. Making that transition from classroom to online learning may feel overwhelming, but evidence-based practices, teaching strategies, and professional intuition still translate to a virtual environment! Having high-quality, age-appropriate, and interesting resources at your fingertips can help keep students engaged, even …
Supporting racial equity in education is essential to racial justice. We’re thrilled to share our new partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit that works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality. Starting on August 6, projects that request Just Mercy alongside other books from a special list focused on racial justice […]
Maybe you’re adapting your entire curriculum to work in a hybrid or remote teaching environment. Maybe you’re teaching in-person—but in a classroom environment that doesn’t feel like any you’ve experienced. Or maybe (and, oh man, our hearts go out to you), you’re still just not sure what your school has planned for the school year. […]
Since the beginning of this Administration, Secretary DeVos has encouraged creativity and innovation at every level, challenging state and local leaders to “rethink” education for our nation’s students while calling on the Department of Education to “rethink” how we engage with and serve students and parents. Given that challenge, we set out to “rethink” the
Continue Reading
The post A Bright New ED.gov is on the Horizon appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
This post was written by Sam Northern, a National Board Certified Elementary School Librarian, National Geographic Certified Educator, and Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. There’s a common misconception that a school librarian’s work is distinct from a classroom educator’s work. But as a school librarian, I want to show my peers that I can serve as a curriculum specialist and directly support their professional growth. Unexpectedly, the …
If you've been looking for a fresh way to get students thinking outside the box, this may be just what you need.
The post Hexagonal Thinking: A Colorful Tool for Discussion first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
In a teaching tailspin? These four research-based principles of instruction will help you focus on what really moves the needle.
The post 4 Laws of Learning (and How to Follow Them) first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
Whether you’re currently in college for a few years or have recently returned to college, we understand this is a time of uncertainty. You may be wondering how the impact of the COVID-19 emergency affects your federal financial aid. Below, we’ve outlined flexibilities that are available to students during this time. 1. Tuition Refunds and
Continue Reading
The post 6 Things Students Need to Know During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
Dear Moms and Dads across America, It’s back-to-school season, but it sure feels different than any other year. So, let’s talk about something that’s been weighing heavily on your minds, and on mine. How can students—your daughter, your son—safely continue to learn and to grow this fall? I know many of you feel overwhelmed or
Continue Reading
The post Secretary DeVos: A Letter to America’s Parents appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
For many students and their families, getting a higher education means getting federal student loans. To help you decide how much to borrow and understand what repayment would look like, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid provides a loan calculator called Loan Simulator. Loan Simulator can help current loan borrowers estimate
Continue Reading
The post The Versatile Student Loan Calculator: Loan Simulator appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
This post was written by English Language Arts educator Dr. Aspen Mock. “In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is a story of the earth.” –Rachel Carson Which of the following disciplines is inherently geographic? Science? Social Studies? Geography? World Cultures? Fine Arts? English Language Arts (ELA)? The correct answer is: all the above. Every academic discipline connects …
Join us for a series of free webinars to learn from Willie and other experts how you can safely do a BioBlitz with students or children at home. A BioBlitz is a great way to connect with nature while social distancing, and can be done individually or in groups, outside or from home, and with or without technology and devices. Learn more and register here! …
This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Richard Turere. I’ve always had an interest in electronics, which was very different from most people in my village. If someone’s radio was destroyed in the village, I’d fix it. I was self-taught by breaking things. My family bought our first TV and the first day we had it, we watched it. The second day we had …
This post was written by student learning specialist Kelly Koller and psychologist Byron McClure. Kelly: Last spring when schools shifted online, I was worried about kids spending too much time on their screens. I started wondering, “What gifts do I have to contribute and how can I help?” The environment and the outdoors have always been an interest of mine and I’ve done lots of …
Reopening and safely operating schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented and ongoing challenge across America. Educators are on the front lines of our national effort to overcome COVID-19. The Department has received questions about whether CARES Act funding can be used for personal protective equipment (PPE). We want to be clear that
Continue Reading
The post May CARES Act Funds be Used to Purchase Personal Protective Equipment? appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
By: Kevin Herms, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office Do federal privacy laws allow schools to disclose information about cases of COVID-19? The Student Privacy Policy Office at the U.S. Department of Education provided guidance on that subject in March 2020. Today, we are reminding schools of this guidance and answering four of the
Continue Reading
The post May Schools Disclose Information about Cases of COVID-19? appeared first on ED.gov Blog.
This post was written by Vicki Phillips, Chief Education Officer, National Geographic Society Dear GeoBee Community and Friends, The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world we live in. And it’s changed education. We are experiencing a tremendous amount of disruption. Closed schools. Cancelled events. Remote learning. Hybrid learning. Around the country, school districts at every level are grappling with how to safely carry out their …
This post was written by educator Julie Yeros. Some of the most powerful tools in the classroom are books. And in my elementary classroom, diverse picture books helped propel my students toward learning about themselves and the world around them. As a teacher, I loved to travel during holiday breaks and summers. My students were excited to hear where I had gone and what I …
This post was written by Vicki Phillips, Chief Education Officer, National Geographic Society. If there is one thing we can’t say enough to educators, it is “Thank you.” The National Geographic Gilbert M. Grosvenor Educator of the Year award is an opportunity to do just that—to show our profound appreciation for an individual who’s demonstrated exceptional achievement in education. I’m honored to share that this …
The mission of National Geographic Education is rooted in creating an inclusive learning environment where all can thrive. And so in celebration of Deaf Awareness Week 2020, we asked five Deaf educators what the National Geographic Education community should know about Deaf culture, Deaf history, ASL, and Deaf education to be more inclusive. Read on for their responses and reflections on the Deaf community, inclusive …
Some students are in the room with you. Some are home. Everyone is spread far apart. How do you teach this way? How do you build community? Here are some ideas.
The post How to Teach When Everyone is Scattered first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
This post was written by educator Katie Harnish. Near the school where I teach, the kids live in a lot of high-density housing and have limited access to green space. My school sits on a big campus and I thought it was a real opportunity for students to go out and explore, take an explorer mindset, and make a guidebook to teach others about our …
This post was written by K-5th special projects teacher Jennifer Burgin. In March, our worlds felt topsy-turvy. Schools closed, children went home, families encountered one another all day. In a blog post, I shared how it impacted my teacher’s heart, and how I was spurred to action through encouragement from my National Geographic Education peers. This perpetuated across the summer and into the Fall, and …
This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Shriya Rai. Sometimes the smallest moment can put us on a path of exploration. For me, this was researching and writing a really interesting paper called “Environmental History of India” while I was studying political science. The Indian environmental movement is reflective of Indian society at large. Social justice and sustainability are inextricably linked and reflected through …
This post was written by Climate Change and Climate Justice Programs Manager Nichole Berg. My childhood is full of cherished memories of time spent with my Aguilera family in Manly, Iowa. It was a period full of cheese-stuffed enchiladas, Maid-Rites, home-made tortillas filled with bologna and cheese and Great-Grandpa Ray’s fiery-hot salsa. It was best-friend cousins, softball, practical jokes, tire swings, chicken coops, and late …
Teachers across the country are relying on digital resources to help them make the shift to online and hybrid learning. Digital courseware helps engage students, pace individual work time, develop lesson plans and curriculum, and support standards-based teaching. Do you need digital resources to bring your students’ learning to the next level? There is a […]
Sometimes, to do right by their students, good teachers have to break the rules.
The post Subversion: An Essential Tool of the Master Teacher first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
This post was written by educator Jaclyn Foster. Last year, I started an after-school club to work on the National Geographic GeoChallenge and service-learning projects. It was all student-driven; we had a camera spot on Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants that talked about plastic pollution in the oceans and the impact it was having on marine life. This sparked an interest in my …
This post was written by Dr. Vicki Phillips As students are challenged with 21st-century issues, geography is a skill, insight, and vision that allows learners to better understand the interconnected world. Given the complex social, environmental, and political challenges today’s learners will inherit, it is essential that we leverage the power of geography to teach them to measure the impact of our actions. That’s why …
Educators are among the many on the frontlines of COVID-19. During a time of immense disruption, you have been adapting your teaching methods, testing new skills, and discovering new solutions to advance learning in profoundly new ways. At National Geographic Education, we see you and we’re here to support you. That’s why we have launched an emergency fund for educators who are designing instructional resources …
Whether you’re teaching from home or in your classroom, one thing hasn’t changed during this unusual back-to-school season: Books are still an essential learning resource for students everywhere. Some teachers are sending books to kids at home, some are doing read-alouds over video chat, and others are trying to make sure each kid can have […]
This simple, affordable method offers so many possibilities for deep learning and creativity across all grade levels and subject areas, even in remote learning.
The post What's Possible with Green Screens in the Classroom first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
This post was written by Dr. Vicki Phillips. As students are challenged with 21st-century issues, geography is a skill, insight, and vision that allows learners to better understand the interconnected world. Given the complex social, environmental, and political challenges today’s learners will inherit, we must leverage the power of geography to teach them to measure the impact of our actions. That’s why I’m thrilled to …
This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Zoë Jenkins. In middle school, I was placed into the gifted program. To me, it seemed like administrators put the gifted students into some of the lowest-performing schools in the district. The kids in the gifted program tended to be bussed in from the other side of town, and I felt like we were unfairly placed on …
In a self-paced classroom, each student is given an appropriate level of challenge and grows at a steady pace throughout the school year. Here's how it works.
The post How to Create a Self-Paced Classroom first appeared on Cult of Pedagogy.
This post was written by Jim McDonald, Professor of Science Education at Central Michigan University, a National Geographic Certified Educator, and educator. More than ever, our world is interconnected. Today’s students need to understand how the complex and dynamic human and natural systems interact to make smart decisions and function effectively. The study of geography is essential to the comprehension of how our world works. …
)
