To help students reduce their feelings of anxiousness about timed math tests, some teachers are trying new instructional methods, education researcher Youki Terada writes in this blog post. Methods include “gamifying” lessons through activities, such as “Mad Math Minute.”
Research correlating social-emotional learning with positive student outcomes has contributed to more schools testing such strategies. In one California elementary school, writing workshops have been designed to help develop listening and feedback skills.
Exposure to sunshine before the start of the school day could boost student achievement, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Resources. Researchers compared data for students living in the eastern time zone with those living in the central time zone.
Educators at a Massachusetts school created the “One School, One Story” summer-reading program to help boost engagement and make reading more meaningful for students. Students play a key role in choosing the book for the program each year.
Some schools have adopted restorative-justice programs as an alternative approach for addressing misbehavior and discipline. Teacher Mandy Hilliard says the approach has helped students concentrate on their work, rather than on problems they may be experiencing at home or school.
Melissa Greenwood is the director of education content at SmartBrief.
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