Edutopia’s “Celebrating 25 Years of What Works in Education” Schools that Work
The George Lucas Educational Foundation started Edutopia with the goal of improving student-achievement and provide research to prove that changes to education actually worked. Below is a list of school's that have proven their methods work, along with research to prove it. Skip to "Social Studies Examples" for lessons.
Edutopia’s list of “Schools that Work.” (With a few more added)
Elementary – PYP (Elementary schools are here to demonstrate it is not the grade level that matters when discussing “Schools that work.” What makes schools work is unrelated to grade level.
Middle School - MYP
High School
All Levels:
Universal Design for Learning: Learning for All.
1. Curriculum: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) UDL at a Glance: “Learning for all.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDvKnY0g6e4
2. UDL Center Director David Rose walks us through the UDL Guidelines, a detailed framework of principles, guidelines, and checkpoints for creating curriculum that supports all learners. The UDL Guidelines were developed over the past decade with federal and private support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfsx3DGpv5o For more videos from the National Center on UDL, visit the Screening Room: http://www.udlcenter.org/resource_library/videos/udlcenter
3. UDL: Principles and Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLTJw0GSxk&spfreload=10 - In written format: http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl/3principles PDF of the Guidelines: http://www.udlcenter.org/sites/udlcenter.org/files/updateguidelines2_0.pdf
4. UDL: Grade 5 Language Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8N8bnIlgs&index=4&list=PLDD6870F2D42327F3
Social Studies Examples:
Two new lessons from the Teaching Channel.
Just the Facts: A Social Studies Lesson Grade K / Social Studies / ELL
CCSS: ELA.SL.K.1a ELA.SL.K.6
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-facts-sfusd?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
Fact or Opinion: An Integrated ELD Lesson Grade K / Social Studies / ELL
CCSS: ELA.SL.K.1a ELA.SL.K.1b
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/fact-or-fiction-sfusd?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
5 Storytelling Tips with Karrie Korroch This educational video was produced by CeLTA for the East Lansing Public Library in preparation for the 2015 One World, Many Stories event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dLWG-uQVUM
Reading To Children - Tips & Techniques - "Winnie Wagtail" by Neil Griffiths – ELC Neil Griffiths, passionate storyteller and former headteacher, shares some of his tips and techniques for keeping children engaged and entertained with reading. And “Sneezy Bear.”’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgREFpqFfA
Just for fun:
Examples you might be able to use in your teaching (all are real television ads, mostly from Thailand with English subtitles). All are about important life lessons and important human values.
"A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple… that comes back to you."
An act of Kindness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ6WdCUttjE&spfreload=10
Garbage Man- a young boy as a superhero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oujqv98ZsZM
Helping a student in a Wheelchair fit it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFuwUiHo-WI
Super Mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zd6htgUdlU
Importance of Dads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeCSlhNM1ZM
What is True Giving? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY
Importance of Helping Others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU
Who is the most beautiful women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4QJjNaOTas
What is the role of a Teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xNtFHgApU8
Forget me not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqXYpZM57-4
Deaf Father https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMX6H6YY1M
Brothers and Sisters – a tight bond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW_l_L1gwIE
Lessons from Grandpa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5HyOJmzoU&spfreload=10
Sometimes what we see is not the entire story - Homelessness - http://imazeit.com/touching-viral-video-might-change-perspective-homeless-people.html or https://youtu.be/S-fvxEq_3DA
Elementary – PYP (Elementary schools are here to demonstrate it is not the grade level that matters when discussing “Schools that work.” What makes schools work is unrelated to grade level.
- Mr. Schwengel:: Rock and Roll Kindergarten, Santa Monica, CA. Mr. Schwengel has been teaching Kindergarten at Franklin Elementary since 1996 and insists that he "isn't going anywhere “because Kindergarten is where all the fun is!" Kurt is an NBC Crystal Apple Award winning teacher and travels the country presenting his original Kindergarten curriculum entitled "Rock and Roll Kindergarten". Kurt was born and raised in Santa Monica attending Madison Elementary, John Adams Middle School, Samohi and then went on to play baseball for UCLA. He then received both a Masters Degree in Education and an MBA from Pepperdine University in 1995. Kurt's passion for Kindergarten certainly stirred up some old memories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ye78F4Mnbk
- Financial Literacy - Piggy Bank Friday - Walter Bracken Elementary – Las Vegas: Through the Piggy-Bank Friday program, K-5 students at Walter Bracken STEAM Academy have saved over $30,000 in one year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ftrUFNCTqY&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Garden-Based Learning: Engaging Students in Their Environment: Walter Bracken Elementary, Las Vegas, NV transformed 32,000 Sq. ft of dry grass into student-centered learning gardens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hlx23fvxqs
- Principal Sherri Gahn: Whitney Elementary School – Las Vegas (2008) School goes all out to help poor kids learn. With needs met, students at Whitney can concentrate in the classroom and Homeless students find hope in the principal: CBS Video: also see Sherrie Gahn's Amazing Story | EllenTV.com
- Nature Kindergarten | Frances Krusekopf | TEDxVictoria Just amazing. Inspired by her child’s experience in a forest preschool in Germany, Frances Krusekopf, principal of Colwood Elementary School, has developed a pilot project for kindergarten children to take their learning outdoors. The Nature Kindergarten pilot project is held in the Sooke School District. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOngsiy67YY
- Ms. Amanda Baldwin: K-4 Arts Teacher. Inquiry in kindergarten: Amanda Baldwin at TEDx Amanda Baldwin is an elementary school teacher with Rocky View Schools. Amazing. “Universal Design for learning.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bbRP25vmO0
- Financial Literacy: An early start on financial literacy (family budgets) Ariel Elementary School, Chicago, IL Teaching about finance begins in kindergarten at Ariel Community Academy, a public K-8 school on the south side of Chicago, with the goal of helping students develop real-world decision-making skills that will guide them later in life.
- Differentiated Instruction Ignites Elementary School Learning: Forest Lake Elementary in Columbia, SC. Meet the faculty at Forest Lake Elementary in Columbia, SC. Starting as techno novices, they now use customizable software, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, and more to tailor lessons to the individual needs of diverse students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqepSNNjowU&index=36&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Project Based Learning: STEAM + Project-Based Learning: Real Solutions from Driving Questions: K-5 Drew Charter School, Atlanta, GA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LHsL0iB_w&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=2
- Field Trips: Learning Expeditions: Rethinking Field Trips, Normal Park K-8 Museum Magnet School. For Normal Park students, the entire community of Chattanooga, Tennessee -- from museums and cultural centers to local businesses and natural areas -- provides opportunities to make real-world connections to the curriculum.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovbGNiGWeLM&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=14
- Field Trips: Learning Beyond the Walls – By integrating visits to local museums and community organizations into the school day, students experience real-world connections to the curriculum. Normal Park Museum Magnet School, Chattanooga, TN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfKC5GAKCFw&index=15&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Art: Partner with Local Arts Organizations: Social Emotional Learning: Go Girls! to Kid Power! Glenview Elementary, Oakland, CA. Partnerships with local arts organizations can bring much-needed resources to your students without much cost, and can provide students with new outlets for creativity and ways to develop essential critical thinking and collaboration skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvo1d2gjBrk&index=16&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Arts Integration for Deeper Learning in the Middle School: Maryland Schools Alliance: Critical thinking, risk taking, and collaboration -- along with academics and discipline -- are just some of the areas where Bates Middle school educators report big improvements since integrating the arts across all subject areas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPbKUF2zbyw&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=22
- Success Spoken Here: Preparing Citizens of the World: Seattle's John Stanford International School Language Immersion – Spanish and Japanese: immerses students in global awareness as well as academic achievement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpruWdmwD8&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F&index=6
- Think Globally – World Geography and History – Festival of Lights: Diversity John Stanford International School, Seattle, WA At John Stanford International School in Seattle, teacher Nicole Silver offers a Festivals of Light unit to encourage global perspectives in her students.
- Decision Making, Critical Thinking and Social and Emotional Learning After-School Program Gives Kids Wings: Elementary School, Charleston, SC This program in South Carolina teaches elementary school children skills for success in school and life.
- Departmentalization and Curriculum Integration: Deeper Learning for Elementary Students: Ralston Elementary, Golden, CO - Social Studies and English Language Arts and Game Based Learning See how Ralston Elementary teachers combine two subjects in one lesson, giving their students a deeper understanding of the content and its applied interconnectivity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unwSzbwHuBU&index=4&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Inquiry-Based Learning: From Teacher-Guided to Student-Driven Ralston Elementary School Golden, CO is creating a culture of inquiry to nourish 21st-century learners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYh4nWUkU0
- Learning Partners: Co-Teaching with Community Experts: Crellin Elementary, Oakland, MD Inviting community members into the classroom to share their expertise can help bring lessons and learning to life for students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tr6ebntTbw&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=5
- Real-World Problem Solving: Finding Solutions Through Projects: Crellin Elementary, Oakland, MD By using real-world problems as projects for children to solve, Crellin Elementary empowers, engages, and excites students about what they can learn and how they can use that knowledge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD7CZL9PpF4&index=6&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Place-Based Learning: Using Your Location as a Classroom Crellin Elementary School, Oakland, MD By taking down the walls of their school and bringing learning into the community around them, Crellin makes education meaningful and magical for their students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ij_dFpZgw
- Inquiry-Based Learning: Developing Student-Driven Questions Wildwood IB K-8 Magnet School, Chicago, IL Wildwood IB World Magnet School uses the inquiry-based model to put students in charge of their learning, with lessons that stem from student questions and harness the power of curiosity. Essential Questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdYev6MXTOA&index=8&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Inquiry-Based Learning in the Science Classroom –Casey Middle School Boulder, CO Beginning with a central question and driven by curiosity and personal passions, science students at Casey Middle seek answers through research, experimentation, and data analysis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbqPaKTsDIU&index=9&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Social Emotional Learning Morning Meetings: Creating a Safe Space for Learning Symonds Elementary School, Keene, NH At Symonds Elementary, teachers use morning meetings to develop valuable social-emotional skills, create a culture of respect and trust, and prepare students to learn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMctALPpLF4&index=10&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- How to Get Students Ready for Learning Social Emotional Learning: Elementary in Rural Maine. Teachers at Mount Desert Elementary School in Northeast Harbor, Maine, use proven Responsive Classroom techniques -- such as relationship-building morning meetings and engaging student-led activities -- to get students focused and ready to learn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O8t__3Vu9I&index=18&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Investing in Professional Development for Technology and Inquiry-Based Learning, Hartsville Schools, Hartville, MO n rural Missouri, a job-embedded PD program called eMINTS has made a positive impact with long-term, relevant, and hands-on technology training. From to Traditional Teacher to 21st Century Teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5sfuo3ojr4&index=23&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&spfreload=10
- Simulated Environments Engage Students on Field Trips Vandenberg, Elementary Las Vegas, NV. A rainforest dome and a mock-up of a historic silver mine bring science learning alive for elementary school students in Clark County, Nevada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQWTBkCw-5s&t=23s
- Students Take School Field Trip to Real World Financial: Jr. Achievement Finance Park. Learning real world finances. "Money doesn't grow on trees," parents often tell their kids. Since 1965, the Junior Achievement organization, known as JA, has been working with local businesses to teach students of all ages about money, where it really comes from and how to handle it. Faiza Elmasry joined a group of middle schoolers as they got a chance to walk in their parents' shoes for a few hours, earning money and making their own decisions about spending or saving it. Faith Lapidus narrates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r38jd29M_4k
- Google helps students take virtual reality field trips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_whw6oSv4 link to Google Expeditions: Google is teaming up with hundreds of schools to teleport students to far-flung places often seen in their textbooks. The program called Expeditions uses virtual reality. This is part of a widening initiative not just in the U.S., but also in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the U.K. Vinita Nair visited a New York City school using the technology. https://edu.google.com/expeditions/#about
- Solving Real-World Problems: Bringing Authentic Context to Learning Pre-K– 8 Two Rivers Public Charter School, Washington, DC. The perfect problem connects content, student interest, and an authentic context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3IL0J3XMbA
- 1st Grade Integrated Thematic Social Studies Center/Display (Just to prove some teachers do teach Social Studies in Elem.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehN1wI-1Odc
- Using Technology to Discover Geography and Geology Outside the Classroom: Third graders become historians, writers, and videographers as they explore the geography and geology of their community. Geo-Literacy Project: Tolenas Elementary School. Fairfield, CA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB2AgF1xt5g&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F&index=9
- Technology Empowers Student Fieldwork - Fourth-grade students make meaningful contributions to science through the nationwide Nature Mapping program. Students learn mapping skills by participating in a national mapping program in their own community. Seems like a great social studies and science project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8I8Gw9EZpE&index=7&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F
- Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project Learning: Student-driven class activities, enhanced by technology, launch kindergärtners on a journey of lifelong learning. See more ideas about immersing young learners in self-directed projects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eyucHMifto&index=2&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F
- Using Today's Technology Tools to Study Yesterday's A field trip from Ferryway School, near Boston, to the nation's oldest ironworks is captured with the latest tech.5th Grade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6yGzjmVh7s&index=3&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F
- Hula to High Tech: Hawaiian Students Re-Create History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkIYArDbuCg&index=4&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F
- From Worms to Wall Street: Projects Prompt Active, Authentic Learning : You can't tear students at Newsome Park Elementary School away from their schoolwork when it involves in-depth investigations with real-world applications https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HyFVEpZyEY&list=PL1A80AFF51CE8015F&index=5
- Project-Based Learning at Clear View Charter Elementary School (Learn and Live) (With comments from Howard Gardner) This school in Chula Vista, California, has been recognized for its innovative efforts to support the needs of its multilingual student population through the use of technology-enhanced project-based learning. This long-form video from 1997 was one of Edutopia's first productions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3jD7LJ6AWw&t=35s
- Finland's Formula for School Success (Education Everywhere Series) Early intervention and sustained individual support for every student are keys to educating the whole child in Finnish schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsdFi8zMrYI
- Service Learning: Bring learning to Life: Across America, service-learning is helping students perform better in school while improving their communities through service. By connecting classroom lessons with community service projects, service-learning engages students and brings learning to life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-eoEi6FCo
- What is Service Learning? Service-Learning is an educational practice where teachers intertwine classroom academics with community focused projects which strive to aid a local need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAQDg56VDs
- What is Authentic Learning? Excerpt from Google Hangout Panel Discussion on Authentic Learning hosted by Drew Perkins featuring: Dayna Laur (http://laurprofessional.wikispaces.com/) Tim Kubik Ph.D. (http://about.me/tkubik) Ted Malefyt (http://coachmalefyt.weebly.com)
- Authentic Learning at Schrader Elementary Sarah Holland. Making Learning Meaningful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y91flkGcyX4
- Restaurant Project at DiLoreto School The Restaurant Project at DiLoreto School is a cross-curricular project that engages the students in the hands on authentic learning of math, science, social studies, and language arts. The first Restaurant Project was developed in 1998 by teachers Patricia Tierney and Deirdre Falla, running off and on over the years, with this being the 13th project. This year, the school also a Lemonade Stand that raised money for books for children with cancer at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. This was their second fundraiser of the year for this cause. In the fall, DiLoreto raised over $1,000 dollars for CCMC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKF2IWUKGZU
- Constructivist Social Studies Lesson Grades 4/5 Tim Bedley is the 2013 Riverside County Teacher of the Year. Students in his class work in pairs to research and present findings. This video shows interviews with students engaged in the learning process. Notice the high level of involvement and enthusiasm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pFMPSWBds
Middle School - MYP
- Assessment: Using Exhibits as Assessment: Middle School Normal Park Museum Magnet School, Chattanooga, TN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOT-9J-iapU&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=13
- Meditation Helps Lower Truancy and Suspensions at Vistacion Middle School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-phWL8t08&index=26&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Lessons from a Public School Turnaround: Once the eighth lowest-performing middle school in the state, Cochrane Collegiate Academy Middle School, North Carolina reversed course and is swiftly raising student achievement by investing in research-based teaching strategies, enhancing teacher excellence, and fostering strong relationships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FtyoFwN17M&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=27
- Critical Thinking: “Authentic Assessment.” Comprehensive Assessment: A NYC Success Story, School of the Future, NYC, NY Through constant investment in the assessment process, both students and teachers strive for true learning at School of the Future, a 6-12 school in Manhattan.
- Project Based Learning: Full Speed Reform in Whitfield Middle School, Whitfield, GA Gerogia: A public middle school and high school in Whitfield County, Georgia show how to recreate the learning strategies of a renowned charter school in a traditional setting. “It used to be Teacher vs the Kids” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1vhn8w85GY&index=33&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Project Learning: Expeditions Integrated Learning – King Middle School and Casco Bay High School, Portland, Maine. Every student at Helen King Middle School and Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine, has a laptop. But that's not the whole story -- they use it in project-learning curricula that takes them outside the confines of their classrooms and into the world at large. Their success is rippling around the globe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Y_VFvPjrA&index=37&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Core Social Skills: A Breakthrough in Social and Emotional Learning – Giving students voice and ownership of learning –Carrithers Middle School, Jefferson, KY Two years ago, Louisville, Kentucky, committed to a districtwide CARE for Kids program; now, the positive results are rolling in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXy2V1JmJUs&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=38
- Project Based School – College Bound Culture Yes Prep High School, Houston, TX YES Prep North Central, serving grades 6-12 in Houston, does whatever it takes to prepare students for college success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puJIFgTNqrc&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=39
- Response to Intervention: Collaborating to Target Instruction – Meyer Elementary, Lexington, Meyer Elementary School's Response to Intervention practice has contributed to their ranking in the top five percent of all Michigan schools. MI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpPZjcFw7xc&index=3&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Service Learning: Engagement - Real-Life Applications for Learning Montpelier High School, Montpelier, VT Montpelier High School's service learning program integrates across the curriculum, utilizing a school greenhouse and gardens to provide food for the school district's lunch program. Authentic Learning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t30ZMX8uGw&index=11&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Students Take School Field Trip to Real World Financial: Jr. Achievement Finance Park. Learning real world finances. "Money doesn't grow on trees," parents often tell their kids. Since 1965, the Junior Achievement organization, known as JA, has been working with local businesses to teach students of all ages about money, where it really comes from and how to handle it. Faiza Elmasry joined a group of middle schoolers as they got a chance to walk in their parents' shoes for a few hours, earning money and making their own decisions about spending or saving it. Faith Lapidus narrates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r38jd29M_4k
- Google helps students take virtual reality field trips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_whw6oSv4 link to Google Expeditions: Google is teaming up with hundreds of schools to teleport students to far-flung places often seen in their textbooks. The program called Expeditions uses virtual reality. This is part of a widening initiative not just in the U.S., but also in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the U.K. Vinita Nair visited a New York City school using the technology. https://edu.google.com/expeditions/#about
- Mr. Olazagast:: Thinking Big About Engagement: “Curriculum from the heart.” Even the smallest things, like the living cell, become big enough to grasp in Rob Olazagasti's middle school science class, where he enables students to learn by creating, remember by experiencing, and show what they know by teaching. Middle School Science. School of the Future, NYC, NY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDPGUSQNes Although this is a middle school science class, imagine the giant cell as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
- Teaching Wellbeing: Helping Students Tackle Social Issues School 21, Stratford, London, UK Learn how School 21 explores topics like culture, diversity, and responsibility using drama techniques, group discussions, and controversial statements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nralkrM43uQ
- Place-Based Learning: Connecting Kids to Their Community: Hood River Middle School, Hood, OR At Hood River Middle School, place-based learning makes student learning relevant and engaging by turning their local geography, culture, history, and economy into classroom lessons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQi2UWzba3g
- Solving Real-World Problems: Bringing Authentic Context to Learning Pre-K– 8 Two Rivers Public Charter School, Washington, DC. The perfect problem connects content, student interest, and an authentic context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3IL0J3XMbA
- Game-Based Learning Brings the History of Civilization to Life 6th Grade. Lanier Middle school students learn social studies through Historia, a paper-based simulation game that incorporates a world cultures curriculum aligned to state standards. This video is part of the Made With Play series, a co-production with Institute of Play. Videos were made possible through generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2EV8nLeBK4
- Katie Salen on the Power of Game-Based Learning (Big Thinkers Series) Quest to Learn, NYC, NY Katie Salen, executive director of nonprofit design studio Institute of Play, offers a look inside the ground-breaking school in New York City that she co-founded, Quest to Learn. The school uses core principles of game design as a framework to help students become lifelong learners and design thinkers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk_OfUHpCbM
- Grade Social Studies: Building Formative Assessment into Game-Based Learning: Quest to Learn, NYC, NY In a sixth grade classroom at Quest to Learn, ongoing feedback is embedded throughout the course of a collaborative geography game called Galactic Mappers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c2-kYxNyMc
- Singapore's 21st-Century Teaching Strategies (Education Everywhere Series) Technology infused Future Schools, By cultivating strong school leadership, committing to ongoing professional development, and exploring innovative models like its technology-infused Future Schools, Singapore has become one of the top-scoring countries on the PISA tests. (English is the official language in Singapore). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4
- Finland's Formula for School Success (Education Everywhere Series) Early intervention and sustained individual support for every student are keys to educating the whole child in Finnish schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsdFi8zMrYI
- Service Learning: Bring learning to Life: Across America, service-learning is helping students perform better in school while improving their communities through service. By connecting classroom lessons with community service projects, service-learning engages students and brings learning to life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-eoEi6FCo
- What is Service Learning? Service-Learning is an educational practice where teachers intertwine classroom academics with community focused projects which strive to aid a local need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAQDg56VDs
- What is Authentic Learning? Excerpt from Google Hangout Panel Discussion on Authentic Learning hosted by Drew Perkins featuring: Dayna Laur (http://laurprofessional.wikispaces.com/) Tim Kubik Ph.D. (http://about.me/tkubik) Ted Malefyt (http://coachmalefyt.weebly.com)
- Bring Learning to Life Across America, service-learning is helping students perform better in school while improving their communities through service. By connecting classroom lessons with community service projects, service-learning engages students and brings learning to life! A great social studies and interdisciplinary learning project. Citizenship Skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-eoEi6FCo&t=128s
- School 21, Stratford, London Teaching Wellbeing: Helping Students Tackle Social Issues School 21, Stratford, London, UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nralkrM43uQ
- School 21, London, Take Civic action to stop air pollution: Math, Civics and ELA Project Based Unit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJAtl--rwKo
- School 21, Stratford, London How School 21 Educates the Whole Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1IteY-iJH0
- School 21, Stratford, London Teaching at School 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qViEZnUdwM. Teachers at School 21 talk about their views on teaching at the school.
High School
- Internships: Real-World Internships lead to College and Career Readiness STEM High School, Cleveland, OH At MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland, Ohio, students are paired with industry mentors in order to learn science, technology, engineering, and math skills and prepare for college and career. For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1GVX_jegxw&index=19&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&spfreload=10
- Group Work: Collaborative Learning: Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding: (College Prep High School Oakland, CA. By working together on problem sets in math and sharing their perspectives in roundtable discussions in English, students at The College Preparatory School are making collaboration the driving force in their learning. (The Harkness Table) One of the top schools in the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWEwv_qobpU&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=21 Read about the Harkness Philosophy: http://www.exeter.edu/admissions/109_1220.aspx
- Project Based Learning- Success Start to Finish: Manor High School, Manor, TX Go inside Manor New Technology High School, where an unwavering commitment to an effective schoolwide PBL model keeps both students and teachers motivated and achieving their best. (60 projects per year). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OWX6KZQDoE&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=24
- Critical Thinking Wins the Day at KIPP King High School San Marino, CA At KIPP King Collegiate High School, in San Lorenzo, California, the mission is to provide students with the critical-thinking skills required to succeed in college -- and the confidence to use them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dazO9o2aJU4&index=30&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Mixing Art + AP Government - Politics -- Integrated Studies Central York High School, York, PA Teachers Dayna Laur (AP Government) and Katlyn Wolfgang (Art) at Central York High School in York, Pennsylvania, share their strategies for creating successful integrated studies projects. (Can you think of other possible subjects to integrate? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaRmEzz-Gs&index=31&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Critical Thinking: “Authentic Assessment.” Comprehensive Assessment: A NYC Success Story, School of the Future, NYC, NY Through constant investment in the assessment process, both students and teachers strive for true learning at School of the Future, a 6-12 school in Manhattan.
- Project Based Learning: Internships - Connecting High School to College and Career – Linking learning to careers. Elk Grove Schools, CA Similar to CCSD Career and Tech Academies: A new approach to career and technical education is engaging high school students by combining rigorous academics with hands-on learning in specific fields of professional study and training. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu8kfigkQt0&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=34
- Blended Online Learning: Online School Schools and districts around the country are discovering the benefits of online learning: flexible scheduling, personalized learning, and expanded course offerings despite budget cuts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhzIYo2e5kY&index=35&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Project Learning: Expeditions Integrated Learning – King Middle School and Casco Bay High School, Portland, Maine. Every student at Helen King Middle School and Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine, has a laptop. But that's not the whole story -- they use it in project-learning curricula that takes them outside the confines of their classrooms and into the world at large. Their success is rippling around the globe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Y_VFvPjrA&index=37&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Project Based School – College Bound Culture Yes Prep High School, Houston, TX YES Prep North Central, serving grades 6-12 in Houston, does whatever it takes to prepare students for college success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puJIFgTNqrc&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0&index=39
- Reaching All High School Students: A Multi-Tiered Approach Yonge Developmental Research School: Gainesville, FL P.K. Yonge provides a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that is tailored not only to fit the increased academic demands but the unique social and emotional challenges of secondary students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_lqi7KYKTA&index=12&list=PLD7163B00D4B478E0
- Students Take School Field Trip to Real World Financial: Jr. Achievement Finance Park. Learning real world finances. "Money doesn't grow on trees," parents often tell their kids. Since 1965, the Junior Achievement organization, known as JA, has been working with local businesses to teach students of all ages about money, where it really comes from and how to handle it. Faiza Elmasry joined a group of middle schoolers as they got a chance to walk in their parents' shoes for a few hours, earning money and making their own decisions about spending or saving it. Faith Lapidus narrates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r38jd29M_4k
- Google helps students take virtual reality field trips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_whw6oSv4 link to Google Expeditions: Google is teaming up with hundreds of schools to teleport students to far-flung places often seen in their textbooks. The program called Expeditions uses virtual reality. This is part of a widening initiative not just in the U.S., but also in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the U.K. Vinita Nair visited a New York City school using the technology. https://edu.google.com/expeditions/#about
- What is IB Geography? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubqy_970UWY and an interesting resource: IB Geography Globalization - Reduction in the friction of distance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLqmjJTbigU&spfreload=10
- What is IB History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdaAQWVQVbM
- What is IB Psychology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_uM2EK4CCY
- Community-Based Learning: Connecting Students with their world at Montpelier High School, community-based learning focuses on student interest to create internship opportunities that are designed to connect academic learning to the real world. Montpelier, VT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA1e2kz_adc
- University: Teaching Spanish through Community Based Learning. University of Notre Dame Professor teaches Spanish by sending her students into the Spanish speaking community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fydXgNUw694
- University: The Majic Bus. A former colleague of mine, historian Doug Brinkley, created a course for college and then another version for high school students to travel around the country on a “Majic Bus” and visit historical places, meet famous people, read books written by authors they will meet and visit the settings of the books, etc. He created a two week “Civil Rights Tour” for high-school students where the students visited historically significant civil rights landmarks, met civil rights leaders, read books about the civil rights movement, etc. C-Span covered his adventure. Here is his initial interview as the group was ready to embark on their journey: VIDEO https://www.c-span.org/video/?89094-1/majic-school-bus-civil-rights-tour It is an amazing educational experience. BTW, you can see Doug Brinkley on most networks as he is very popular guest on news shows discussing current politics and Presidents.
- Mr. Olazagast:: Thinking Big About Engagement: “Curriculum from the heart.” Even the smallest things, like the living cell, become big enough to grasp in Rob Olazagasti's middle school science class, where he enables students to learn by creating, remember by experiencing, and show what they know by teaching. Middle School Science. School of the Future, NYC, NY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDPGUSQNes Although this is a middle school science class, imagine the giant cell as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
- Teaching Wellbeing: Helping Students Tackle Social Issues School 21, Stratford, London, UK Learn how School 21 explores topics like culture, diversity, and responsibility using drama techniques, group discussions, and controversial statements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nralkrM43uQ
- Service Learning: Bring learning to Life: Across America, service-learning is helping students perform better in school while improving their communities through service. By connecting classroom lessons with community service projects, service-learning engages students and brings learning to life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-eoEi6FCo
- What is Authentic Learning? Excerpt from Google Hangout Panel Discussion on Authentic Learning hosted by Drew Perkins featuring: Dayna Laur (http://laurprofessional.wikispaces.com/) Tim Kubik Ph.D. (http://about.me/tkubik) Ted Malefyt (http://coachmalefyt.weebly.com)
- Bring Learning to Life Across America, service-learning is helping students perform better in school while improving their communities through service. By connecting classroom lessons with community service projects, service-learning engages students and brings learning to life! A great social studies and interdisciplinary learning project. Citizenship Skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-eoEi6FCo&t=128s
- What is Service Learning? Service-Learning is an educational practice where teachers intertwine classroom academics with community focused projects which strive to aid a local need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAQDg56VDs
- Teaching Wellbeing: Helping Students Tackle Social Issues School 21, Stratford, London, UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nralkrM43uQ
- School 21, London, Take Civic action to stop air pollution: Math, Civics and ELA Project Based Unit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJAtl--rwKo
- How School 21 Educates the Whole Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1IteY-iJH0
- Teaching at School 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qViEZnUdwM. Teachers at School 21 talk about their views on teaching at the school.
All Levels:
Universal Design for Learning: Learning for All.
1. Curriculum: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) UDL at a Glance: “Learning for all.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDvKnY0g6e4
2. UDL Center Director David Rose walks us through the UDL Guidelines, a detailed framework of principles, guidelines, and checkpoints for creating curriculum that supports all learners. The UDL Guidelines were developed over the past decade with federal and private support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfsx3DGpv5o For more videos from the National Center on UDL, visit the Screening Room: http://www.udlcenter.org/resource_library/videos/udlcenter
3. UDL: Principles and Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLTJw0GSxk&spfreload=10 - In written format: http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl/3principles PDF of the Guidelines: http://www.udlcenter.org/sites/udlcenter.org/files/updateguidelines2_0.pdf
4. UDL: Grade 5 Language Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8N8bnIlgs&index=4&list=PLDD6870F2D42327F3
Social Studies Examples:
- IB Geography: What is it? (International Baccalaureate) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=44&v=ubqy_970UWY
- Curriculum Guide - IB Geography
- NAF Curriculum Focus: Geography for Tourism
- IB World History Lesson Using Technology
- IB Global Politics Class – Inquiry Learning. Mp4 file in folder
- IB Examples of Inquiry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHb4cBn7wIA
- Bloomfield Hills Schools: Transforming Classrooms through Inquiry
- IB History: Explained.
- IB History via Skype
- Curriculum Guide - IB Economics
- IB Personal Project: Poverty in India
- Curriculum Guide - IB History
- Curriculum Guide - IB Psychology
- Life at Minnetonka High School
- Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
- An Introduction to Sevenoaks School:
Two new lessons from the Teaching Channel.
Just the Facts: A Social Studies Lesson Grade K / Social Studies / ELL
CCSS: ELA.SL.K.1a ELA.SL.K.6
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-facts-sfusd?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
Fact or Opinion: An Integrated ELD Lesson Grade K / Social Studies / ELL
CCSS: ELA.SL.K.1a ELA.SL.K.1b
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/fact-or-fiction-sfusd?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
5 Storytelling Tips with Karrie Korroch This educational video was produced by CeLTA for the East Lansing Public Library in preparation for the 2015 One World, Many Stories event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dLWG-uQVUM
Reading To Children - Tips & Techniques - "Winnie Wagtail" by Neil Griffiths – ELC Neil Griffiths, passionate storyteller and former headteacher, shares some of his tips and techniques for keeping children engaged and entertained with reading. And “Sneezy Bear.”’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgREFpqFfA
Just for fun:
Examples you might be able to use in your teaching (all are real television ads, mostly from Thailand with English subtitles). All are about important life lessons and important human values.
"A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple… that comes back to you."
An act of Kindness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ6WdCUttjE&spfreload=10
Garbage Man- a young boy as a superhero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oujqv98ZsZM
Helping a student in a Wheelchair fit it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFuwUiHo-WI
Super Mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zd6htgUdlU
Importance of Dads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeCSlhNM1ZM
What is True Giving? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY
Importance of Helping Others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU
Who is the most beautiful women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4QJjNaOTas
What is the role of a Teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xNtFHgApU8
Forget me not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqXYpZM57-4
Deaf Father https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMX6H6YY1M
Brothers and Sisters – a tight bond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW_l_L1gwIE
Lessons from Grandpa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5HyOJmzoU&spfreload=10
Sometimes what we see is not the entire story - Homelessness - http://imazeit.com/touching-viral-video-might-change-perspective-homeless-people.html or https://youtu.be/S-fvxEq_3DA