Children across all age groups are struggling with reading—be it fourth graders who can barely sound out words, or incoming college freshmen who can’t finish their assigned readings. Reports have indicated that literacy rates have dropped significantly. Various factors have contributed to the crisis, with the pandemic exacerbating some of its effects. Let’s take a closer look at what data shows, what’s happening [...]
What is a Student Literary Magazine? Firstly, it is crucial to establish what exactly a student-run literary magazine is and what role it can play in students’ lives. In participating in creative writing through a literary magazine, students can learn the value in expressing their authentic voice and build a community as a result.[1] Additionally, there are specific guidelines within these magazines that [...]
Since the pandemic, the demand for alternative modes of education has risen, with many parents choosing to homeschool their children for more freedom, opt for private schools for supposed higher quality education, or try to find ways to improve already existing systems. A growing number of parents, however, are choosing to find or join “microschools,” which many refer to as the sweet spot [...]
What Does It Mean to Integrate Arts Education? Does It Benefit Students? Arts education refers to the activities outside of a student’s regular curriculum, including visual arts, music, instrumental music, theatre, etc. Specifically, studies are showing the positive outcomes in arts integration and intentionally aligning learning in arts within all other subjects.[1] In support of this integration, fine arts programs are stressing the [...]
What is Differentiation? Differentiation is an important aspect of a classroom environment, where its purpose serves to convey the individual needs of students, then giving educators the opportunity to cater learning based upon each student’s unique strengths and reflect on areas that are more challenging. This element is an important aspect of the classroom as it requires teachers to get to know their [...]
What is ESD and Why is it Valuable Education? The idea of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) surrounds the emphasis of environmental and sustainability learning within classrooms. In placing importance on these subjects, students are able to better advocate for their environment and be driving forces in the push towards future sustainable development. There are key components to ESD that serve as the [...]
Why the boom? Homeschooling has only been around (legally) for about 30 years or so in the states and has steadily increased in use—though after 2020 and a pandemic that forced traditional schools to close their doors, a boom occurred.[1] The percentage of homeschooled students nearly doubled, from being only about 2.5%-3% of school-age children to almost 6%.[2] But what has spurred such rapid [...]
What Factors Influence This Decline? Schools are seeing a continuous decrease in positive mental health attributes in their K-12 students, an issue that affects their well-being in the classroom and negatively impacts their personal and academic growth. As detailed within the American Psychological Association digital magazine - Monitor on Psychology, author Zara Abrams explains the various difficulties faced by students currently that contribute [...]
What is Microlearning? Technology has evolved rather rapidly in the last five years or so, and with these advancements, new helpful tools have emerged for education. One such “tool” is microlearning. Microlearning is a teaching and studying method that encompasses a variety of effective short-form mediums used at the learner's convenience that takes into account short attention spans.[1] These bursts of information tend to [...]
Introduction As the world grows increasingly interconnected and interdependent, many educators are calling to strengthen the global citizenship education of K-12 students. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines global citizenship education, or GCED, as “a framing paradigm which encapsulates how education can develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes learners need for securing a world which is more just, [...]