Teaching & Homeschool Articles

With a new virus sweeping the globe, it certainly is an unprecedented time for our nation as we grapple with the challenges that come along with containing a pandemic. For most families, this means a prolonged disruption in schooling, and the kids are at home and in need of virtual learning options. While helping children learn at home can seem scary, Kids Academy is here to help. Read this article to learn more about the integral role you play in your child’s learning, and actionable tips that parents can use today. 

For generations, students in America have been accustomed to receiving letter grades for their schoolwork. Most kids and parents have come to accept that letter grades from A-F measure a student’s success in a subject. But do those grades truly reveal the whole story behind a child’s proficiency? Many educational experts now think the answer is a resounding no! A new grading system has been sweeping the country, and it uses the best practices in grading and assessment to support student learning. Keep reading to find out more about Standards-Based Grading, or SBG, and discover how it benefits students, parents, and teachers. 

When your child is bored at school, it could seem impossible to reignite their previous curiosity and love for learning. For teachers, it’s common problem that strikes kids from elementary through high school, and it can seem just as hopeless an endeavor as it seems for parents. But like in anything else, there are many reasons for why it occurs, and just as many ways to tackle the problem. Read this article to find out why kids get bored with school, and how to make learning more meaningful and enjoyable! 

If you haven’t heard about flexible seating yet, it’s time that you do! Of all the trends sweeping through the educational world, this one has been embraced by educators all over the country, transforming classrooms into engaging learning spaces! No matter if you’re a parent or a teacher, every classroom or study space can be improved. This article discusses the benefits of flexible seating and gives you ten seating ideas that will make you want to kick your chairs and desks to the curb!

When it comes to critical thinking for kids, it’s important to remember that analytical thinkers aren’t suddenly created in kindergarten! Many parents and perhaps teachers may worry how today’s increasingly tougher curriculum standards can be taught when our children are hardly ready to think critically on their own. But as the popular saying goes, it’s about the journey, not just the destination! Read this article to learn more about what critical thinking looks like at the elementary level, and what parents and educators can do to help children develop the mindset needed for deep analytical thinking! 

All parents want their kids to love learning and enjoy school! But just like adults, kids can easily become burnt out and frustrated when faced with more than they can handle. Let’s face it: homework stress is a real concern for many families now that many elementary students are expected to complete more than double the amount of homework that has been suggested for decades. Keep reading to discover more about homework in the primary grades, and to find 10 tips to help kids manage it to reduce stress. 

Have you ever tried to ask your older elementary child how their day went, only to be met with an eye roll and a one-worded response? If you’re like most parents, the struggle to get kids to talk after school can be a lot like pulling teeth! While frustrating, it’s natural for children to pull away and become more private or independent as they grow older. Luckily there are a few tricks parents can use to get kids talking. This article discusses the importance of effective communication with kids and offers up helpful tips to use and questions to jumpstart afterschool dialogue with tight-lipped children! 

Teachers today know that the days of lecturing in front of students all day are long gone, as new technology in education has taken school districts by storm! This article discusses the hottest topic in the educational world: blended learning. Keep reading to learn about what it is, the methodology behind the concept, and strategies for implementing blended learning into your classroom or homeschool.

Since the implementation of the Common Core, wide-spread controversy regarding the initiative spread like wildfire. Many parents are left to wonder just what the Common Core is, and how it affects their child’s education.

America today is an increasingly diverse society. It makes sense for kids to learn a second language to function in this ever-changing society. Besides the obvious incentives for adults to become bilingual, children may have an academic advantage versus their monolingual peers. If you’re interested in raising a bilingual child, this article will shed light on the do’s and don’ts, even if you’re monolingual yourself.