Month: May 2020

‘The Power of Public Speaking’ by Laura Davies in Wrangell

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At the beginning of each school year, I inform fifth-grade students that by the end of the year, they will all write a persuasive speech and say it aloud to their friends and family. Most students are already aware of this ten-year tradition, but many still give me a look of shock and disbelief. During the year, students work on speaking in front of their peers during daily student-run morning meetings and throughout the day when they share their ideas, knowledge, and questions with their peers. Using a microphone they learn to stand up, speak aloud to their peers, and over time develop confidence with this skill.

Students have numerous opportunities throughout the school year, like this Mystery Skype session, to practice public speaking skills and gain confidence in their public speaking abilities.

Continue reading ‘The Power of Public Speaking’ by Laura Davies in Wrangell

‘Celebrating our Seniors in New Stuyahok’ by Assistant Principal Meghan Redmond

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Graduation Week is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite week of the entire school year, and being the senior advisor is one of my favorite parts of my job. I look forward to the planning, the stress, the excitement, the traditions, the pictures (so many pictures!), the hugs, the handshakes, the smiles, and the tears all year long.

Chief Ivan Blunka School in New Stuyahok is part of the Southwest Region School District in western Alaska

Continue reading ‘Celebrating our Seniors in New Stuyahok’ by Assistant Principal Meghan Redmond

‘BrainPOP Offers Huge Set of Learning Resources for Alaska’s K-12 Classrooms’ by Geoffrey Wyatt at Juneau Public Schools

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Up until a few years ago, the mention of BrainPOP or BrainPOP Jr. conjured a much different vision in my mind than it does now. My first encounters came from searches for quality educational videos.

BrainPOP’s short movies famously feature a robot named Moby as he and his friends explore the world. Each animated video tackles topics which range from how a food chain works to economic recession to Abraham Lincoln and much more. Science, social studies, math, the arts, engineering, and math, are a few of the categories offered on the site. Continue reading ‘BrainPOP Offers Huge Set of Learning Resources for Alaska’s K-12 Classrooms’ by Geoffrey Wyatt at Juneau Public Schools