International Education

Have you ever been in the middle of delivering a great lesson that’s full of important information only to look out and realize none of your students are taking notes? It’s not surprising—many kids these days expect handouts or other materials they can refer back to later. But taking notes is actually a pretty important skill for kids to learn. Here’s why, along with some note-taking strategies they should try.

Why are good note-taking strategies important?

Study after study has shown the importance of actively taking notes rather than passively reading a handout later on. The act of writing engages different parts of the brain, forging new pathways that help students retain information in long-term memory.

What’s more, the studies show that the more detailed the notes, the better. And using different note-taking strategies helps too. In some cases, a general outline can be effective. But when you want students

All the conversations happening about literacy learning and the science of reading definitely encourage teachers and schools to look carefully at their instructional practices—and, often, to explore new ones that help kids. One of these is the sound wall. Check out these fantastic resources to get you started using one in your classroom.

What is a sound wall?

This student resource shows the 44 phonemes (sounds) in the English language. It includes consonant sounds and vowel sounds and the various ways to spell each sound.

How is a sound wall different from a word wall?

A sound wall is not a word wall. These two resources are different because:

• To use a word wall, one must be able to read the words, so kids often need teacher help. A sound wall encourages independent use. It helps kids progress from what they can do—say sounds—to what they are learning to do—spell

As we say goodbye to another year, it’s normal to have mixed feelings. When we look back, it might be easy to focus on all of the things that didn’t work out, but it’s more important to celebrate our accomplishments—no matter how small. If you’re ready for a fresh start, we’ve put together this list of New Year quotes to motivate and inspire you. The best is yet to come!

New Year Quotes by Poets and Playwrights

Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. —Oscar Wilde

You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind. —Hillary DePiano

We all get the exact same 365 days. The only difference is what we do with them. —Hillary DePiano

The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off! Things haven’t

It’s hard to imagine an elementary school without a playground! Swings, slides, monkey bars … playground equipment for schools pretty much looked the same for a long time. These days, though, there are so many fun options. We’ve rounded up our favorite playground must-haves, along with advice on where to buy them—and how to afford them.

Playground Equipment Suppliers

Wondering where to buy outdoor playground equipment for schools? Here are some of the top suppliers, known for their quality and commitment to safety. Some offer complete playground design and installation, while others simply supply the equipment you need. Choose the one that’s right for your school.

Grants for Playground Equipment

There’s no doubt about it: Playground equipment is pricey. Whether you want to add a piece of equipment or build a whole new play space, you’re looking at thousands of dollars, minimum. If your school doesn’t have those kinds of