Archive
Recent Newsletter Articles
Multiply without Memorizing
This workbook has activities to help students develop their conceptual understanding of multiplication. As they work through the activities, they will look at different strategies for grouping, including arrays and decomposing larger multiplication problems into friendlier numbers. The workbook offers strategies, examples for students to develop their own strategies, and then space to reflect on their learning. An optional video and asynchronous mini-course are also available. Read More
Playing with Patterns
This workbook has activities for students to develop their algebraic reasoning through an investigation of patterns. As they work through the activities, they will look at different kinds of patterns, find rules for how those patterns work, and use what they notice to guess what comes next. The workbook offers different ways of looking at patterns, examples for students to develop their own ways of seeing, and then space to reflect on their learning. An optional video and asynchronous mini-course are also available. Read More
Three-Dimensional Geometry: Shapes
In these materials, students explore concepts in three-dimensional (3D) geometry and measurement, including: identifying the types of solids in the world around us, measuring the surface area and volume of solids, and understanding where the geometric formulas on the HSE come from. Read More
Three-Dimensional Geometry: Area
In these materials, students explore concepts in three-dimensional (3D) geometry and measurement, including: identifying the types of solids in the world around us, measuring the surface area and volume of solids, and understanding where the geometric formulas on the HSE come from. Read More
Three-Dimensional Geometry: Volume
In these materials, students explore concepts in three-dimensional (3D) geometry and measurement, including: identifying the types of solids in the world around us, measuring the surface area and volume of solids, and understanding where the geometric formulas on the HSE come from. Read More
Do You Know Your Bill of Rights?
Activity where students refer to "The Constitution and Rights" section of the Judicial Learning Center's website, which explains the amendments in the Bill of Rights, and fill in a handout with key vocabulary. A good intro to constitutional rights; could be used as a vocabulary activity for high-level ELL or GED students, or a digital literacy activity. Note: This website also has an Educator Center with a variety of additional podcast and video activities, online learning modules, lesson plans, and other resources. Read More
Citizenship News
Collection of links to free citizenship test prep materials. (The author also has her own citizenship class textbooks for sale.) The "News" page tracks changes to the N-400 citizenship application form and USCIS administration of the test. Read More
Native Land Digital
The Native Land Digital interactive map shows which Indigenous lands you live on in the Americas and in other parts of the world. Users can click on labels or enter their city, state or zip code and see which Indigenous peoples lived in that specific area. Accompanying the interactive map is a useful teacher's guide that provide suggestions on how to use the map in the classroom and a number of lessons that utilize the map and cover other topics related to the Indigenous peoples. Read More
BallotPedia
Ballotpedia is a free, comprehensive digital resource that provides unbiased information on elections, voting, politics, and public policies. Users can see a sample ballot based on their address, along with reviewing content related to the cuurent year's federal, state, and local elections and ballot measures. In addition to election and voting information, the site provides background on the current presidential administration and also statistics, snapshots, maps, and other details about the three branches of the federal government, state and municipal governments, and even information about local school boards in large U.S. cities. Read More
Vote411
Developed by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, Vote411 provides users with all types of nonpartisan election related information for national and state/local specific races and ballot questions. Users can simply click on their their state and get up to date information about upcoming elections. Moreover, users can access a polling place locator where they can type in their home address find their exact voting location. In addition to these options, users can retrieve information about early voting procedures, ID requirements, and tips on how to watch debates with a critical eye. Read More