Happy 30th Birthday to the Americans With Disabilities Act!
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jul 27, 2020
How in One Generation, Accessibility and Opportunity Became a Human Right for Everyone
Thirty years ago on July 26, President George H.W. Bush signed The Americans With Disabilities Act into law. The legislation literally removed physical barriers –and along with them certain social and employment barriers too – so people with disabilities could experience a greater sense of independence and gain access to places and opportunities ...
State Testing and Special Education
By: Cailyn Dougherty | Jun 13, 2016
Teaching has been one of the greatest joys of my life and I am constantly thrilled to be given the privilege to influence young minds as far as literature goes. Recently, I have noticed in my students an increase of stress due to the expectations of state testing. What breaks ...
Sleep vs. ADHD: 21 Questions to Ask
By: Jon Konen | Jun 13, 2016
As a teacher or parent have you ever sat and watched a kid buzz around like a bubble bee and wonder where that kid gets all his energy? I think about all the renewable resources our state of Montana is trying to tap: wind, solar, water, and more. How can ...
Spreading The Word About Literacy Through the INT’L BOOK PROJECT
By: Michelle Areaux | Jun 8, 2016
If you are like me, you are always searching for ways to promote literacy among your students. During the school year, we all deal with reluctant readers, those that have difficulty comprehending, and those that do not have access to quality books. This struggle can be disheartening to both educators ...
The Power of Buddy Classrooms: 19 Ideas
By: Jon Konen | Jun 8, 2016
Back to the main Bully Prevention Guide.
PU#113 – Use Buddy Classes
Read to me, draw with me…let's create something together!
Creating a community of learners in a school can be done in many ways by students and staff. One way to quickly build relationships between students and staff is to create Buddy Classrooms. ...
The Things She Carried
By: Mary Hardin | Jun 6, 2016
Right now, I am the most popular teacher in my building. It’s not for any typical reason—no, I don’t give out tons of extra credit, and I certainly can’t be the prettiest or funniest. No, the reason is because I have a sizable box fort in my room. Am I ...
Teachers: Saints or Sinners
By: Mary Hardin | Jun 6, 2016
Yesterday a student asked me a seemly simple question: “Is teaching just your job or is it your life or something?” On the spot, I didn’t know exactly how to answer that question. I mean, I know that I probably should answer the question with a resounding, “Yes! Teaching is ...
Special Education and Family Involvement
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jun 6, 2016
One of my friends realized school had let out for the summer and asked me what were my plans for my “time off.” That always cracks me up. Teachers don’t have time off, but that’s a blog entry for another day. Anyway, this pal—a retired Special Education Teacher--also asked how ...
The “Double Scoop” – Student Emotions
By: Jon Konen | Jun 2, 2016
It's at this time of year we see behaviors in students that we may not have seen since the first days of school in the fall. We wonder what has changed in the student's life to warrant these behaviors. We have to keep the big picture in the forefront. Many times ...
Summer Reading: Friend or Foe?
By: Michelle Areaux | May 31, 2016
The idea of summer reading, as wonderful as it sounds to educators, is usually a dreaded phrase to students and parents alike. For kids, summer is supposed to be full of sunshine, fun, and freedom. Not reading some boring book their lame teachers selected. Right?
No! This is a mindset that ...
Can a Kindness Campaign Truly Change Your School?
By: Jon Konen | May 30, 2016
Back to the main Bully Prevention Guide.
PU#151 – Kindness Campaign
After trying many things to lessen discipline referrals in our school, we had to step out and think “inside the box.” What do you focus on, the discipline of a few naughty students or the kindness of the majority of students? That ...