Comprehensive vs. Supplemental Instructional Materials What is the difference between comprehensive and supplemental learning materials? What are comprehensive instructional materials? A comprehensive curriculum, also called core and basal, is a primary instructional resource designed for a specific content area. It is a full course that addresses all, or nearly all, of the standards and foundational…
12 Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Elementary Students It is time to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month! What is Hispanic Heritage Month? National Hispanic Heritage Month is when we celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans. It began Sept. 17, 1968 when Congress passed a law proclaiming the week of September 15 and…
How School Leaders Can Support New Teachers New teachers have so much to offer your school. They bring a fresh perspective on education, knowledge of modern teaching strategies, and a desire to start their career with a bang. When supported by school leadership, new educators can dramatically improve student performance. While all teachers need support,…
5 Ways School Leaders Can Boost Team Morale You’ve hired a talented team to help your district increase student achievement, but how do you keep them motivated throughout the school year? Team morale refers to the enthusiasm educators have for their jobs, their pride in their schools, and their interest in increasing academic achievement, according…
How Is the New Studies Weekly Online Different from the Old One? Studies Weekly Online has a new look for a new school year. As educators like you turned to Studies Weekly Online for remote learning during the pandemic, we received a lot of feedback on how we could improve the platform. We took this…
Getting Started with Studies Weekly So you’ve received your Studies Weekly blue box and you’re thinking, “Now what?” Starting a whole new curriculum can be intimidating at first, but there’s no need to fear! Getting started with Studies Weekly is easy. First things first, let’s open the boxes. Your boxes will contain the Students Editions,…
Set Up a Classroom in 7 Easy Steps The new school year is almost here! That means new students and maybe a new school or classroom too. If this is your first year teaching, then all of this is new. One of the most important things you’ll do to prepare for school is set up…
Studies Weekly Online Tutorials for Parents and Students How can parents support their child as they use Studies Weekly Online? Studies Weekly tutorials show parents and students how to navigate a student’s account dashboard, track their progress, and enjoy online learning games and features that increase engagement. Parents can read these tutorials with their child…
3 Reasons to Offer Early Childhood Education Is early childhood education worth your school’s time and investment? A chorus of research studies says “Yes!” Early learning programs set students on the path to academic success by developing the skills they’ll need to excel in school. What is early childhood education? Early childhood education (ECE) includes…
Why Teachers Need Curriculum-Based Professional Development to Improve Student Learning You find a stellar curriculum that will take your district to new heights, but how do you guarantee your teachers will use it? A study published in Professional Development in Education shows that teachers implement a new program better when they receive curriculum-based professional development…
Using Tech in the Classroom Wisely Technology has revolutionized the way we educate our children. Images, virtual field trips, lab experiments, and other rich media are some of the countless ways technology creates an enriched learning environment. However, some argue educators shouldn’t use technology in the classroom because it means more screen time, distractions, and…
3 Factors that Keep Students Safe and Prevent School Violence Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without worrying about their physical or emotional safety. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case; recent school shootings have left school leaders wondering what more they can do to keep students safe. Whether…
One of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher is knowing that you positively influence your students, even when they’re not in your classroom. Unfortunately, it can be easy to get so focused on your students and their needs that you forget your own well-being. Here are 10 ideas for how you may achieve…
Florida educators can rely on Studies Weekly’s new social studies curriculum to cover the state’s recent changes to Civics and Government standards. The State Board of Education approved the revised Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies in 2021 to ensure students “attain a well-rounded knowledge base to understand how to become great citizens,”…
Curriculum Evaluation Rubric for School Board Members Your curriculum director sends you learning materials and asks you to evaluate them. What you say could determine whether students get the best education possible and your district achieves its goals. No pressure, right? It’s normal to question yourself when looking at curriculum after curriculum to determine which…
After the hectic testing windows have passed, the end of the school year can be a wonderful time to celebrate camaraderie, hard work, and accomplishments. Celebrating during your final days together will leave students with stronger feelings of self-esteem, self-worth, connections, and happiness. Activities that bring everyone together to share memories and have some fun…
Why is it important for school boards and superintendents to get along? Richard Goodman said it best in his book, Getting There from Here: “Strong, collaborative leadership by local school boards and school superintendents is a key cornerstone of the foundation for high student achievement.” Conflicts between board members and superintendents arise as they try…
Are parents or teachers asking you if Studies Weekly Well-Being teaches Critical Race Theory? If they do, here are facts that you may share with them. In the last few years, educators have looked to social-emotional learning (SEL) to help children grapple with the pandemic’s toll on their mental health. Through SEL, children learn how…
Have you heard? Studies Weekly has created a new core K-5 science curriculum that’s fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and incorporates the well-known 5E model. This program more powerfully engages students by inspiring them to explore, ask questions, and solve real-world problems. Phenomenon-Based Learning The new Studies Weekly Science is highly phenomenon-driven.…
Did you know May is Jewish American Heritage Month? In 2006, President George W. Bush declared May as a time to recognize the contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation’s history and culture. The first Jewish immigrants came to America in 1654 to escape religious persecution. Although Jewish Americans faced bigotry here too, they built…
Studies Weekly Online 3.0 is a completely revised online learning platform and is more user-friendly, built with teacher feedback, and ready for digital-first learning. Because it is similar to popular LMS platforms, you will find it easier to find lesson plans, videos, and activities in a design that appeals to all student learning styles. What’s…
A California 4th grade class is making a difference for California’s social studies curriculum. Tiffany Vandehoven’s class at Bishop Elementary in California recently collaborated with members of the Studies Weekly curriculum team to strengthen and amplify the voices of California’s indigenous tribes in Studies Weekly Social Studies. Vandehoven reached out to Studies Weekly in March…
Learning gains are more important than ever before, and there are many reasons your district may be considering designing a summer school program. Summer enrichment activities help students not only maintain, but also increase their academic skills, according to Miami Dade School District (2011). A Borman and Dowling study found that students from high-poverty schools…
School district leaders have a lot on their shoulders. Their decisions affect so many members of a community – parents, faculty, teachers, and most importantly, children. Choosing a proper curriculum that will support your established vision and help carry out your mission is critical. You can’t afford to risk your students’ education with a ‘fly-by-night’…