Six Kentucky districts are testing a new inquiry-based math teaching method called “formative assessment.” The teaching and testing program was designed by experts to emphasize classroom activities that help teachers gauge the learning needs of individual students.

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Tags: Education Policy, Math, Math teachers, Mathematics

Who better to test the gaming aspects of a new online investment platform than 10- and 11-year-olds who have grown up with Wiis in one hand and PS3s in the other? At a school in Potomac, using “virtual” money, fifth graders tested the platform. Most students made money–and a few made a bundle.

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Tags: Classroom Technology, Technology for Learning

High school graduates from low- to middle-income families are finding it harder to enroll in four-year, public universities because the costs of attending the schools are rising well beyond what federal, state, and institutional grants will cover, the Department of Education reports.

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Tags: College, Education Policy, Public Policy, Research on Learning

LaMar Queen, a teacher at the Los Angeles Academy, has boosted his eighth-graders’ math grades by his use of rap music — which he writes and performs — to help them learn the rules of algebra.

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Filed under: K-12 Education News | 2 Comments »

Tags: Education Policy, Math, Math teachers, Mathematics, Teaching Aids

This informational Webpage on robotics clubs from RoboRealm provides resources and helpful tips for running a robotics club, as well as an international directory of clubs. It also features an online club that can be connected to from any location.

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Tags: Building robots, Internet Resources, Robotics, Robotics Competitions, STEM Clubs, Web Resources

At the annual meeting of the International Society for Technology in Education, attendees were told that in classrooms of the not-too-distant future, each student will be armed with a handheld digital education device, teachers will encourage tweeting and texting, and more lessons will be taught using computer games.

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Tags: Classroom Technology, Education Policy, Teaching Aids, Technology for Learning

For this activity, which can be done with a partner school, student teams design a package for a single Pringles potato chip that allow it to be sent through the mail and arrive intact.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5 | 3 Comments »

Tags: Class Activities, Corporations, Packaging Engineering

The Science Discovery Clubs Network’s SciZmic website provides in-depth help with creating, running, and even funding a science club. Activities and projects for use in a science club are available here.

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Tags: Internet Resources, STEM Clubs, Teaching Aids, Web Resources, Website

The Smithsonian Institution’s handsome new Ocean Portal includes information on ocean life and ecosystems, an ocean time line that dates back 3.5 billion years, photo essays, a section on ocean science, news about latest ocean developments, a blog, and videos. The Educators’ Corner offers free lesson plans and resources. This excellent site for teachers and students alike encourages greater public understanding and stewardship.

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Tags: Ocean, Ocean science