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Edutopia
@edutopia.org
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Sharing what works in education. ✨

Edutopia is an initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Edutopia.org | Check out our new community forum: https://www.edutopia.org/ask-and-answer
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edutopia.org
Ready to talk about the warm demander approach to classroom management? Jump into our January Jam Session: edut.to/3Zc6sb2

Join us, @marcusluther.bsky.social, @amirtaron.bsky.social, @jessicacabeen.bsky.social, and @alterishea.bsky.social for tips, resources, and advice you can use right away!
Jam Session: The Warm Demander Approach to Classroom Management. With Marcus Luther, Amir Taron Ayres, Jessica Cabeen, & Alissa Alteri Shea. Join us on Edutopia.org! January 11-17. Photos of all 4 featured educators.
January 11, 2026 at 10:29 PM
edutopia.org
Success is the sum - Robert Collier (✓)
January 11, 2026 at 10:58 AM
edutopia.org
Q: Why do math word problems confound so many students?

A: Because word problems can overload working memory.

Here’s what to do about it. 🧠

#EdResearch #MathSky #ITeachMath #EdutopiaVideos
January 10, 2026 at 8:58 PM
edutopia.org
Can giving kids more time on the playground lead to lower chronic stress levels? These researchers say it can. ⚽

#EduSky #EdutopiaVideos
January 9, 2026 at 11:28 PM
edutopia.org
Teacher Daniel Vollrath wants to know: How do you talk about and normalize learning accommodations in your classroom? 💬

Daniel shared some strategies in our most recent podcast episode, and he’s eager to hear your thoughts and answer questions that came up for you in the ep: edut.to/3Z3jSpT
Ask & Answer. How do you create an environment where communication about learning accommodations is comfortable, and students feel empowered to advocate for what they need? Asked by Dan V, Podcast Guest.
January 8, 2026 at 11:21 PM
edutopia.org
“Sometimes kids just need to know there is someone else in their corner. Thank you for being that someone.” —Danny Steele
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 AM
edutopia.org
Are you stuck, or are you thinking? 🤔
“One of my favorite things to ask kids is ‘Are you stuck? Or are you thinking?’ I do this because it gives them agency in whether or not I support them. Sometimes, kids just need extra time to think—and if we intervene too soon, we diminish their agency.” —Paul Emerich France, Educator
January 7, 2026 at 10:16 AM
edutopia.org
How do you talk about *and* normalize learning accommodations in class—without singling anyone out in front of peers?

In the new episode of School of Practice, HS special education teacher Daniel Vollrath and elementary teacher Jeremiah Kim share educator-tested tips! 🎧 🌟

#SpecialEducation #EduSky
New Episode from School of Practice: How to Talk About (and Normalize) Learning Accommodations. Listen on Apple Podcasts
January 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
edutopia.org
“My partner teacher does this lovely thing when a student in his class gives him an ‘I don’t know’ response. He simply says, ‘Tell me something you do know that might be helpful.’” —Tom Brassington, Teacher
January 6, 2026 at 12:25 PM
edutopia.org
💚
“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” —Helen Hayes
January 5, 2026 at 10:25 AM
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🎉 🧡
“Remember to celebrate even the smallest victories because they are BIG to the students who achieve them.” —Julia Ward Ortloff, Educator
January 3, 2026 at 10:25 AM
edutopia.org
Wishing you a restful winter break! ☃️ See you in the new year.
A bright blue graphic reads “Winter Break Loading…” in large white bubble letters. Below the text is a playful loading bar illustration with a winter-themed scene, including candles, a fireplace, snow, mountains, and a snowman wearing a scarf and hat while holding an orange notebook. The loading bar shows “99%” on the right side. At the bottom of the image, bold white text says, “See you in January!”
December 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
edutopia.org
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” —Anne Lamott, Author
December 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM
edutopia.org
❄️
Comic titled "The Educator's Guide to Winter Break." It shows a series of steps, each with a corresponding illustration. 1: Sleep in (alarm clock). 2: Make a list of all the things you want to get done (to do list with multiple chores and tasks). 3: Realize you deserve a break (light bulb). 4: Make a new list (to do list with only 2 tasks, relax and watch a movie). 5: Get started! (couch in front of a TV, with orange-socked feet hanging off the end)
December 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
edutopia.org
These 5 indoor games are perfect for when your students need a brain break, but you can’t head outside: https://edut.to/3MLWHNT

#EduSky #ElementaryTeacher
5 Simple-to-Play Indoor Classroom Games. 1: The Floor Is Lava, 2: Vocabulary Moves, 3: Slow-Motion Relay Races, 4: Mirror, Mirror, 5: Shape It! These games can transform a day of pent-up energy into one filled with laughter, movement, and focus!
December 21, 2025 at 7:46 PM
edutopia.org
Build stronger math skills with these fun, low-prep dice games! Perfect for quick practice breaks in the classroom. 🎲

#MathSky #EduSky
December 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
edutopia.org
We’re not so different from our Paleolithic ancestors, writes instructional coach @mrrablin.bsky.social. Our brains still seek the most efficient path. 🏃

If students are using AI to accomplish a goal, the real problem is that their goal isn’t learning—it’s accumulating points for a grade.

🧵 1/5
1-Minute Read. ChatGPT & Generative AI. AI Isn’t the Main Problem—It Just Shows Us What That Problem Is. By Tyler Rablin
December 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
edutopia.org
—@mrrablin.bsky.social
“‘I’m gathering evidence of learning.’ That shift in language in how I approach the assessment process opened so many doors for how I assess students and what I pay attention to in order to determine where a student’s at in their learning.” —Tyler Rablin, Teacher
December 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
edutopia.org
“Teachers, your students don't love you because of your class decorations, clothes, bitmojis, lessons, etc. It's you. They love you for who you are and how you treat them. Just be you.” —Samuel Vo, Teacher
December 19, 2025 at 10:58 AM
edutopia.org
Winter break is around the corner, which means students might be a little more wound up than usual. ⛄

But how do you maintain a calm classroom amidst the anticipation? ❄️

Sixth-grade humanities teacher Thomas Courtney has a few tricks to keep students engaged.

🧵1/5 #EduSky
Cultivating a Peaceful Classroom Before Winter Break A classroom veteran shares some tips for times when students are all wound up and you still have lessons to teach.
December 19, 2025 at 1:31 AM
edutopia.org
Need a quick and easy way to get students thinking creatively at the start of class? Try Board Splash! 🌊

#60SecondStrategies #EduSky
December 19, 2025 at 12:17 AM
edutopia.org
Amanda shares the practices and mindsets that have helped her: https://edut.to/4iR7IJL

#EduSky
“Living and teaching with chronic illness has forced me to redefine strength, presence, and sustainability. And while the details of my story are personal, the lessons apply to all of us, because many teachers navigate invisible illness, chronic pain, or ongoing burnout, often silently.” —Amanda Perra Oviedo, Teacher
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
edutopia.org
⭐ Bonus content alert ⭐

We just dropped a special podcast episode with *more* insight from 2025’s biggest studies!

Listen on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4pJBX84

Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/4p3oQxE
Bonus Episode! School of Practice: The Most Significant Education Research of 2025! Handwritten text in the bottom left corner reads "(Lots more like this!)", with an arrow pointing from the text to an Edutopia Radio logomark.
December 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
edutopia.org
“Lots of kids come to school with invisible backpacks weighted with struggles. Stress, worry, fear, anxiety, trauma, unmet physical needs, loneliness, anger, sadness, and hopelessness can make them so heavy; too heavy for learning to happen. Notice and love them instead.” —Bethany Hill, Principal
December 18, 2025 at 10:28 AM
edutopia.org
You might remember our video from earlier this year exploring the benefits of nature journaling, with @biblio-phile.bsky.social breaking down the research! Well, after Christina created that video, she decided to try out nature journaling in her high school English classroom. 🌸✍️🌿

#EduSky
December 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM