• TWO Performance Based Assessments (PBA)

• TWO End-Of-Year Assessments (EOY)

• In-depth coverage of tasks assessing concepts, Skills, Procedures, Expressing Mathematical Reasoning, Modeling / Applications

• PLUS Online Workbooks
• Hundreds of practice questions with detailed answers
• Anywhere Access! Learn…

• TWO Performance Based Assessments (PBA)

• TWO End-Of-Year Assessments (EOY)

• In-depth coverage of tasks assessing concepts, Skills, Procedures, Expressing Mathematical Reasoning, Modeling / Applications

• PLUS Online Workbooks
• Hundreds of practice questions with detailed answers
• Anywhere Access! Learn…

• TWO Performance Based Assessments (PBA)

• TWO End-Of-Year Assessments (EOY)

• In-depth coverage of tasks assessing concepts, Skills, Procedures, Expressing Mathematical Reasoning, Modeling / Applications

• PLUS Online Workbooks
• Hundreds of practice questions with detailed answers
• Anywhere Access! Learn…

A Tool Kit for Grade 6 to 8 writers

• Creative ideas and tips
• Practical pointers to improve writing skills
• Analysis of student written essays and stories
• Explore different writing techniques
• Recognize common mistakes in writing
• Common Core State Standards aligned…

A Tool Kit For Young Writers:

• Creative ideas and tips
• Practical pointers to improve writing skills
• Analysis of student written essays and stories
• Explore different writing techniques
• Recognize…

Teachers today are being asked to focus on data-driven instruction and using analytics to inform their teaching and planning. But what, exactly, do these terms mean, and how can classroom teachers effectively use data to impact student learning?

Simply put, data-driven instruction is “instruction that is guided by, and responsive to, information (data) we have about our students… usually obtained through tests…and teacher observations” (excerpt from Dr. Joseph…

Like Reading and math, free online activities exist for all subjects… and writing is no exception. Check out the following free interactive writing activities, puzzles, quizzes and games that reinforce writing skills and encourage creativity:…

Good informative writing often begins by asking questions. “Why” questions often prompt some of the most interesting informative writing. You may wonder why relatives at a family reunion disagree so strongly about whether a particular flag should or should not be removed from state property. To understand the controversy, you could interview relatives on opposing sides of the issue, read articles and opinion pieces in newspapers or internet media outlets, or research the history of the…

With the implementation of the Common Core, teachers and administrators alike have made changes in their curriculum and instructional practices. To ease the transition between the old and new, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) has devised suggestions and a structure that will not only support the Common Core but also prepare students adequately for state assessments.

In the area of mathematics, there are many important…

Last week we looked at ways to prepare students for the PARCC assessment without falling prey to simply “teaching to the test”. With the following recommendations, math teachers will not only prepare their students for the new assessment but also continue to motivate them to enhance their mathematical proficiency.

Be aware of the “core” differences.

The PARCC test will reflect the Common Core Content standards, and those who have been teaching math for years must now adjust:…

A typical prompt you might see for an explanatory writing assignment might be to explain an old saying, such as “No news is good news.” Explaining an old saying can be a good exercise in clarifying something, which can help you write better on all of your writing assignments.

The challenge to explaining some old adages and sayings is that they refer to ways…

For teachers, getting a 3D printer into a classroom or lab setting is no easy feat. It will undoubtedly involve applying for a tech grant. Though the idea of having 3D printer technology available to enhance the learning experience of students is appealing to many teachers, the act of having to write out a lengthy grant to get one is not. Administrators take note: having your teachers apply for grants to procure 3D printing in their classroom is not leading, nor is it going to get you any…

It’s August, and two things are certain: it’s 100 degrees here in Texas (be glad if you live up north), and the new school year is upon us. One of my favorite bloggers, Jen Hatmaker, describes the feeling she gets as the activities of summer break begin to wear her down as a parent:

“The wheels have come off, dear ones. I did my part: the fun camps, the trips, the pool, the lake, the snow cones, the Good Times, and now it is all dead to me. I’ve reached the outer limits of my…

As parents, we often worry about how we can actively help ours children’s education. Most of us aren’t teachers; we do not work in schools. In fact, we do not always even understand the standards they are supposed to learn, let alone know how to help them. But there is one activity we can do regularly that keeps us engaged with our kids, and helps their education at the same time: reading.…

Good informative writing often begins by asking questions. “Why” questions often prompt some of the most interesting informative writing. You may wonder why relatives at a family reunion disagree so strongly about whether a particular flag should or should not be removed from state property. To understand the controversy, you could interview relatives on opposing sides of the issue, read articles and opinion pieces in newspapers or internet media outlets, or research the history of the…

Amidst much concern over the state of standardized testing across the nation, Little Ferry School District in North New Jersey has indicated it is one of several school districts pleased with the recent changes announced to next school year’s PARCC testing. In a recent article published in NorthJersey.com local news, a spokesperson for the district indicated the changes being made by PARCC are positive ones.



In May, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College…

PARCC Practice Worksheets:

1. These Math and English PARCC Practice Worksheets are aimed towards providing an overview of the type of content that is available in Lumos StepUp™.

2. StepUp™ is designed to promote yearlong learning. It consists of hundreds of grade appropriate questions based on the new Common Core State Standards in both Mathematics & English…

One of the most overlooked learning resources is the local library. For decades, the library has provided patrons with the ability to access hundreds of documents and texts they would not be able to be able to use otherwise. But the library no longer relies solely on text sources. As part of the technology migration of the 21st century, the local library joins a variety of others in enhancing learning through library learning programs. These resources offer patrons access to hundreds of…

Success in school is rarely an accident: students who excel tend to exhibit similar traits. As you consider your son or daughter’s progress in school, ask yourself, which habits does your child already practice? Which areas are in need of improvement? The list below summarizes some key behaviors that many academically successful students share:…

You’ve been in school for a few months now, and the work is beginning to pile up. Between lesson plans, grading, report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and your personal life, it’s easy to lose yourself in the never-ending “to do” list. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some easy actions you can take to ease your stress and busy schedule:…