Kids Do Better When They Play!

Bobbie FrenchBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Play fosters creativity, social development, physical growth, language skills, and independent thinking, crucial in early education. Play supports creative thinking, social interaction, and decision-making, offering opportunities to enhance skills that aid in academic and personal life. Educators play a vital role in promoting play-based learning, focusing on creativity, problem-solving, physical development, language skills, and independence in young children. Play … Read More

Episode 12: Contagious Leadership with Jeff Springer

Darrin PeppardLeaning Into Leadership

Repurposed principal Dr. Jeff Springer sat down with Darrin to discuss the importance of building lifelong relationships with students, the concept of PLAY at school, and his work with DAD University. That, plus your #PepTalk and more on this week’s show. MORE EPISODES

Game-Based Learning: Evaluating Math Games

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Tech Better

TL;DR: Game-based learning is a great way to engage students in exploring a math concept in a new way. Not all free (or even paid) math games are created with equal care and research. Math games have an incredible opportunity to affect students’ mindsets about math, confidence in their abilities, perseverance, grit, and so much more. However, not all math … Read More

Play and Science Can Fuel a Love of Learning

BreAnn FennellBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: When planning your schedule, be intentional to include science so students can learn to ask questions to spark thinking, be wrong, and make mistakes. You can find time to teach the standards AND incorporate science. Try new ideas and explore with students. Have a space in your classroom, such as a wonder wall, to place student questions. Model questioning … Read More

Big Fun in the Sun

BreAnn FennellBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Manage Better, Self Care Better

TL;DR: Research has shown that playing outdoors has great benefits for adults and children alike.  Some examples of outdoor play is Giant Jenga, Human Foosball, and simply water! There are huge benefits to outdoor play for adults and children. Research shows that play has cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits. Moving play to the outdoors provides different stimuli and interactions … Read More