28+ Exciting Experiments for Kids in Elementary School
Teachers Pay Teachers
MAY 21, 2025
Help students understand how wind, ice, and water wear things down by assigning group or partner investigations using simple foods like graham crackers.
How ZIP Codes Determine a Child’s Future — and What We Can Do to Fight Back
Edsurge
JULY 16, 2025
In the late '90s, I would walk to my zoned elementary school, a big red building, where the faces reflected my own. Two decades later, as an educator living in Brooklyn, I returned to visit my old elementary school, hoping for a spark of nostalgia. Let me take you back to my Brooklyn. It was home. Over 65 percent white.
Join 5,000+
Insiders
Sign Up for our Newsletter
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Trending Sources
When ZIP Codes Teach: How Geographic Inequity Shows Up in Our Classrooms
Faculty Focus
JULY 10, 2025
I grew up in a historically underserved neighborhood in Houston, Texas, zoned to one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in the city. But due to a granted academic transfer, I ended up attending a top-performing public school just three miles away. These weren’t just different schools—they were different worlds.
Teaching 
54
54 
When ZIP Codes Teach: How Geographic Inequity Shows Up in Our Classrooms
Faculty Focus
JULY 10, 2025
I grew up in a historically underserved neighborhood in Houston, Texas, zoned to one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in the city. But due to a granted academic transfer, I ended up attending a top-performing public school just three miles away. These weren’t just different schools—they were different worlds.
Teaching 54
54 
School Counselors Worry About Students’ Misguided Use of Social Media
Edsurge
JUNE 3, 2025
And they will say, No, Ive just been watching a lot of TikTok videos and I think that I have anxiety, said Hanna Kemble, an elementary school counselor and a counselor leader coordinator for the state of Kansas. School counselors across the country describe similar experiences to Kembles.
Ethics 161
161 
Up the Class Tempo with 17 Music Activities for Elementary Students
Teachers Pay Teachers
JUNE 25, 2025
Give them a try during Music in Our Schools Month in March. Add music to classic recess games When you think of music in elementary school, you might picture kids pounding out rhythms with Boomwhackers or squeaking away on recorders. Assign each note a number value and show students how to clap or snap the different notes.
Activities 52
52 
Teachers From Mexico Give English Learners a Boost in Small Texas School District
Edsurge
MAY 30, 2025
Armed with just two suitcases and far away from her Mexican home, Lopez Elizondo came to Crain Elementary School in Victoria, Texas, to work in the districts bilingual program. Lopez Elizondo said shes been impressed with the elementary schools students who helped her assimilate.
English 130
130 
‘Like having a hand cut off’: California schools reeling after AmeriCorps cuts
Cal Matters
JULY 18, 2025
Alexis Lopez got involved with AmeriCorps in part because she knows what life is like for kids with no place to go after school. When she was younger, she and her brother would wait for hours outside their Napa elementary school for their mother’s shift at a local senior facility to end.
Schools 86
86 
We are All Self-Educated
Teacher Toms Blog
JUNE 26, 2025
I know that I didn't think I read at all when I arrived in elementary school, but on my first day in class Miss McCutcheon had placed on our desks a construction paper cut out of the character Ted (a stuffed bear) from the Dick and Jane readers.
Education 89
89 
This is how we used technology to improve our school’s reading scores
eSchool News
OCTOBER 6, 2017
Two of the four elementary schools in our district have a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Often it is a challenge to provide a balanced, digital curriculum to all four schools in a consistent manner especially when some students do not have reliable Internet access at home.
Reading 416
416 
‘School Choice’ Causes Confusion for Families. Can Edtech Companies Help?
Edsurge
JULY 11, 2025
That includes school vouchers, which create a new incentive for families to shop around among charter and private schools rather than automatically enroll children in their assigned district public school. Mauskopf says that public charter schools also market heavily to families.
Schools 105
105 
5 edtech resources that support literacy in elementary school
eSchool News
NOVEMBER 13, 2023
It is the time of year where we analyze the data from the first two months of school, tweak instruction to meet student needs, and accelerate our efforts to help our students achieve as much growth as possible. You can create quizzes for the books your students are reading and assign collections to your students.
Grant helps elementary schools boost engineering enthusiasm
eSchool News
MAY 16, 2016
Some Iowa schools will incorporate engineering lessons into classrooms to boost creativity, problem-solving skills. This is about talking with kids that anyone can be an engineer, and an engineer is like an inventor that has a problem to solve,” said Kari Smith, an Ames math and science teacher on special assignment.
5 strategies for independent learning
eSchool News
JUNE 18, 2020
Fifth-grade teacher Kim Voge has had students literally beg her to give them more writing assignments. A big concern for teachers in shifting to remote instruction has been how to manage students and make sure they complete assignments without watching over them all day. Focus on student ownership.
Learning 324
324 
Middleschoolers design and build STEM carts for younger students
eSchool News
OCTOBER 28, 2016
Their assignment: Design a cart to carry today’s tools for STEM learning — the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math — in Hampton Township’s three elementary schools. “We The seventh-graders’ assignment also challenged each team to develop a logo and slogan for the cart production company.
STEM 279
279 
Why this instructional technologist supports print materials
eSchool News
JANUARY 27, 2021
As a coordinator of elementary schools and instructional technology at Talladega County Schools in Alabama, I play an interesting dual role for the district. Our blended model provides two days of learning at home and two days at school. Essentially, the pandemic forced us to adjust our methods of delivering instruction.
WeVideo Releases WeVideo Classroom for Educational Multimedia Creation
eSchool News
JANUARY 14, 2022
Tailored specifically for the unique needs of education environments, WeVideo Classroom features intuitive organizational tools that allows teachers to easily create and assign multimedia projects, set up collaborative student groups, monitor progress, and share feedback. said Rhonda Jenkins, LMC Director, Kendall Elementary School.
Hybrid Learning 348
348 
Teachers need emotional support this school year
eSchool News
AUGUST 20, 2020
At Hicks Canyon Elementary School in Orange County, Calif., students have been learning with digital devices since the Tustin Unified School District went 1:1 six years ago — so the shift to remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t as jarring as it could have been. Yet, it was still a profound change.
Teachers 297
297 
What does a flipped classroom look like at each grade level?
eSchool News
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
We asked three flipped teachers — one from an elementary school, one from a junior high, and one from a high school — to describe what learning looks like in their world. Burkett Elementary, Pennsylvania. Beth Hobbs, third-grade teacher.
Grades 280
280 
Helping students use smartphones responsibly
eSchool News
AUGUST 16, 2015
For many tweens heading into middle school, the transition from elementary school won’t be marked only by new teachers, class schedules and locker assignments but also by a gleaming new phone. Rules for responsible smartphone use can vary by age and student.
Students 268
268 
Teachers need emotional support, too
eSchool News
JUNE 25, 2020
At Hicks Canyon Elementary School in Orange County, Calif., students have been learning with digital devices since the Tustin Unified School District went 1:1 six years ago — so the shift to remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t as jarring as it could have been. Yet, it was still a profound change.
Teachers 291
291 
Rural schools implement personalized curriculum to close skill gaps
eSchool News
OCTOBER 20, 2015
Oak Heights Elementary School in Sweet Home, Ore., MobyMax … finds the holes in my students’ academic experience and fills them, contributing to a rock-solid foundation,” said Tim Swanson, a second-grade teacher who is also the school’s technology coach. grade levels after an average of 26 hours using MobyMax.
Curriculum 274
274 
CodeHS Launches Comprehensive, Easy-to-Use Computer Science Curriculum for Elementary
eSchool News
AUGUST 11, 2023
While the emphasis on computer science curriculum is often placed on middle and high schools, the need for elementary students to acquire the skills necessary for success in a technology-driven world is becoming increasingly crucial. The In Focus Pathway is designed for a dedicated computer science or technology class.
Science 245
245 
3 steps we’re taking to ensure true digital equity
eSchool News
OCTOBER 12, 2016
We have a fiber network connecting our 13 schools. We have a one-to-one initiative in our high schools, and we’re looking to extend that opportunity to our middle and elementary schools as well. 1) High-speed internet access at home as well as school. At school, students have access to high-speed internet service.
Mobile Devices 278
278 6 key principles for a successful SEL program
eSchool News
AUGUST 15, 2018
Derrick Hershey, principal at Shiloh Point Elementary School in Georgia, added that you can’t just provide teachers with a resource; you have to offer training to really dig into the subject. Rather than always following a strict curriculum of assignments, give students the opportunity to work on passion projects.
School leaders of color face high levels of burnout–here’s what they need to thrive
eSchool News
AUGUST 12, 2024
At some point, though, our experiences at the same Florida elementary school diverged. While my colleague was asked to lead a grade-level team, I was tapped to head up the school’s Black History Month programming. After school, she oversaw academic enrichment while I supervised detention. My colleague was a white woman.
Schools 321
321 
District implements new school locator technology
eSchool News
MARCH 1, 2015
Iowa school district aims to better help families navigate school boundary changes. The Iowa City Community School District recently launched a new school locator technology as part of the district’s comprehensive plan to communicate 2015-2016 elementary school year boundary changes to students’ families.
Technology 222
222 
iTutor’s Virtual Quarantine Classroom Offers Educational Lifeline for COVID-Affected South Carolina and New York Students
eSchool News
OCTOBER 15, 2021
In the Richland Two School District, Columbia, SC, iTutor is serving all 24 elementary schools, providing group classes in ELA and Math for eight hours each week throughout the school year. Students receive instruction from iTutor teachers while they complete assignments from their classroom teachers.
4 educator reflections on the 2023-2024 school year
eSchool News
MAY 15, 2024
In response, I’ve adapted my teaching approach to make assignments more interactive. These days, I’m assigning far less homework and have shifted away from busywork toward more purposeful and enriching activities. Nancy Chung is a 5th-grade teacher at Orchard Hills School and host of The Schoolyard Podcast by School Specialty.
Education 302
302 
This ESL teacher is doing everything she can to connect with students remotely
eSchool News
JULY 3, 2020
West Oxford Elementary School. Granville County Public Schools. “If Before school closures, what did a typical day look like? While we are starting to have more and more assignments online, I do have a lot of students working on these hard copy packets. Ann Grey Newcomb. ESL Teacher.
Teachers 246
246 
The New Librarian: Implementing a district-wide Library Learning Commons initiative
eSchool News
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
A few years ago, while working as a teacher librarian at Templeton Elementary School in Oregon, I had the opportunity to redesign the school’s library website to include digital resources for the students to use as part of a shift to 1:1 iPad learning.
Quizzes 250
250 
5 ways to create a stellar online elementary learning program
eSchool News
DECEMBER 27, 2022
Online learning has become a growing trend among K-12 students, including elementary students. In fact, we successfully launched our own online elementary schools, which grew by 10,000 students over the past four years. For example, what do your teachers and staff do when a student stops responding or submitting assignments?
Blended Learning 277
277 
Why we love our PD tools
eSchool News
MAY 13, 2019
Northwood Elementary School, Napa, Calif. Elizabeth Leone, EL teacher, Webster Elementary School, Manchester, New Hampshire. “In This year, we will use video as an informal look at the level of math conversations going on in their classrooms.”. Barb Corna, lead academic specialist for the Accelerate Math program.
Coaching 279
279 
Instructure Launches Canvas for Elementary User Experience for Back to School
eSchool News
JULY 1, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY — June 28, 2021 — Today at ISTE Live 2021, Instructure launched the Canvas for Elementary user experience, a combination of features that make Canvas more user-friendly for elementary students. Student Annotations. ABOUT INSTRUCTURE.
Hybrid Learning 220
220 Looking inside classrooms can reveal surprising innovation
eSchool News
FEBRUARY 26, 2017
And sometimes, as Arizona’s Yuma Elementary School District One discovered, those innovations are already sitting in the classroom, waiting to be discovered. The students work with a teacher at each school and build problem-solving and teamwork skills.
The importance of jaggedness in personalized learning
eSchool News
MAY 15, 2019
Educators need to think about what elements are impacting a student’s ability to learn when they’re examining assignments and assessments. For example, in the high school they are gradually introducing teachers in main content areas that focus on highly personalized learning.
Learning 275
275 
5 fun presentation tools for end-of-year projects
eSchool News
MAY 10, 2019
Multimedia presentation tools can reduce student anxiety by encouraging a creative approach that not only builds design and tech skills but also can turn an intimidating final assignment into a fun experience. Shadow Puppet Edu has so many excellent features it’s a creative must-have for elementary school classrooms.
Languages 269
269 
I’m a first-year teacher. How can I find success in the classroom?
eSchool News
DECEMBER 19, 2023
To fix the problem, I planned amazing lessons that would flop because the kids would either stare at me without paying attention or refuse to turn in assignments. Today, during parent-teacher conferences, a parent approached me and asked, “Did you used to teach at Meramec Elementary School?”
Teachers 317
317 
5 technologies that support differentiated learning
eSchool News
AUGUST 28, 2017
It’s no secret that 21st century teachers and school administrators are under enormous pressure to differentiate instruction to enhance learning for all students, regardless of ability or their innate interest in the material. Enter classroom learning centers.
Technology 236
236 
How Has the Pandemic Changed the Way Educators Think About Homework?
Edsurge
JANUARY 19, 2022
Instead, he crafted an entirely new curriculum that he felt would better resonate with students, a series of reading and writing assignments that looked at the stages of grief. “I They’re providing additional flexibility, assigning and grading less homework in light of the pandemic. I don’t believe in talking about how we’re behind.
Education 213
213 
HEARBUILDER Online Foundational Literacy Program Builds Basic Skills in Young Students
eSchool News
AUGUST 19, 2020
HearBuilder provides an excellent way for parents, teachers and therapists to help students catch up and continue building skills, whether or not their school is doing in-person instruction.”. Dr. Debee Tanzer of Tamarac Elementary, Florida, states “I have used HearBuilder in my therapy room for two years now.
Skills 246
246 
#10: What does a flipped classroom look like at each grade level?
eSchool News
DECEMBER 18, 2016
We asked three flipped teachers — one from an elementary school, one from a junior high, and one from a high school — to describe what learning looks like in their world. Burkett Elementary, Pennsylvania. Beth Hobbs, third-grade teacher.
Grades 190
190 
New Google Classroom features make it easier to learn, teach, manage, and build
eSchool News
JANUARY 11, 2017
But starting today, Classroom makes it a lot easier for teachers to assign work to individual students and groups based on their unique needs. As they’re creating an assignment, post, or question, teachers can choose whether to share it with the entire class or only with a subset of students.
Teaching 180
180 
SplashLearn Announces Winners of SpringBoard Math Challenge 2021
eSchool News
MAY 26, 2021
SplashLearn announced Ann Salway’s class from Abner Creek Elementary School, South Carolina as the National Champions of SpringBoard Math Challenge 2021. Many weekends, I sat by my computer to respond to students who emailed me asking for more assignments! said Ann Salway, teacher of the winning class.
Math 246
246 
Let's personalize your content