// Rising Minds

From dynamic book club discussions and apparent star brightness, to fraction sense and designing their own bedrooms, these lessons showcase a diverse range of skills that fostered a vibrant and collaborative learning environment. My student’s enthusiasm not only enriched the classroom experience, but also sparked their capacity for critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine passion for learning…

“Unforgotten: 25 Years After Willowbrook” is a poignant documentary that revisits the tragic history of Willowbrook State School, an institution notorious for its mistreatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Released a quarter-century after its closure, this film not only exposes the horrors of the past but also underscores the transformative changes in education and care for those with diverse needs…

Media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, often influencing public opinion and fostering either understanding or perpetuating stereotypes. “Wonder” confronts these notions head-on by showcasing Auggie, a young boy with facial abnormalities, as a complex character beyond the superficial aspects of his appearance…

A hyperdoc is a valuable tool for elementary educators as it integrates various multimedia elements, interactive links, and engaging activities to organize and present information in a user-friendly way. This structured format allows teachers to guide students through a single document for students to Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate their learning — with a bit of Extra Fun built in at the conclusion of the lesson, too. Another benefit is that the self-guided format promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, while fostering flexibility for students to move at their own pace…

Virtual field trips offer students meaningful learning experiences by breaking through traditional educational confines and providing immersive journeys into diverse subjects. These three virtual field trips are a wonderful complement to New Jersey fifth grade learning standards…