Essential Teaching and Learning

(C) 2007 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger As we step outside and feel the proverbial autumn winds of change upon us, the lyrics to “Some Things Never Change” from Disney’s feel-good franchise hit “Frozen 2” reverberate: “Yes, the wind blows a little bit colder, and we’re all getting older, and the clouds are moving on with every autumn breeze...that’s why I rely on certain certainties.”   In spite of the pandemic, some things really do never change, like the need for providing all children a warm, welcoming, world-class education. As the new school year commences like a novel, unscripted movie, it seems we could all use some stress-reduction.   Take a deep breath as you prepare scholars for powerful new classroom experiences, and upgrade the new normal with substantial scholastic technology.   Here are five telltale tips for providing prodigious in-person learning. 1.       Soft-Serve a Superabundance of SEL I had penned about the i...

Photo credit: (c) 2020 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger As most of us know, summer is typically a time when unenthusiastic youth become even more unmoved.   With summer camps and many outdoor events cancelled due to COVID-19, planning enlightening activities that spark scholastic spirit becomes even more challenging.   While “summer slide” may jog memories of slippery theme park water slides , the term actually refers to slippage in reading and math levels that tends to occur during the summer, from one grade to the next, when children prefer to practice their gaming guile over polymath pursuits.   Can we keep children engaged in cerebral celebrations over innocuous inclinations?  Don’t throw in the Tinkerbell towel just yet!   Here are seven inventive ideas to stop the summer slide. 1. Establish a Conversation Corner In the delightful Dairy of a Terrific Teacher , accomplished children’s book author Christopher Holley (“Mr. Hollywood”) sets aside a...