Teaching & Homeschool Articles

Kids Academy is excited to introduce a brand-new incentive to motivate your little learners as they progress through the Kids Academy app! As you may already know, each time your child finishes an activity, they earn “learning stars”. These are points that they can exchange later for fun rewards, like fancy accessories for Eddie to make him look handsome and fun.

There has always been a gap between parents and students and nowhere is that more obvious than at the homework table. No matter how helpful and well intentioned parents are they can be met with hostility and stubborn students. These 10 tips will help build a successful bridge between learning in the classroom and learning at home. 

Even before the pandemic, reducing or even eliminating homework has been a subject up for debate in both teachers and parents. Now that many classrooms have pivoted to online learning, it has again become a controversial subject. Understandably, homework poses unique challenges in the online learning environment, when there isn’t very much to separate home versus classwork. Read this article to discover how rethinking homework might be necessary and explore 5 strategies for creating successful assignments geared toward online learning environment.

Most of us already know that students with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) make up an increasing population in today’s classroom. Many of these special kiddos require hands-on approaches and accommodations that rely on being in a physical classroom. So, what can teachers do to support these kids when many classes are taking place online? Read this article! 

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! 

For parents and teachers of kids with special needs, distance learning presents an entirely new challenge: how to support the neediest of children when they are stuck at home learning through a screen! When cameras are off, and teachers and their aides are all on the same call together, it can seem impossible for these kids to get the accommodations they so desperately need. Fortunately, there are a few tips and tools we can offer for both families and educators. Keep reading to find strategies for supporting students with special needs during virtual classes.

The 2020-2021 school year has just begun, and already it is proving to be one of the toughest that teachers and families have ever encountered. With children finding themselves in a mix of online and in-person learning, more instruction and assignments are moving online with digital formats dominating teaching methods this fall. So, as everyone adjusts, what can teachers do to support their students as they adapt to changing guidelines and new learning tools? The answer is none other than flexibility and grace. Keep reading to discover the importance of flexibility in the classroom, and to find a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to teaching practices this school year.

For working parents, including teachers, the pandemic presents a whole host of problems that didn’t exist just six or seven months ago. One of the largest hurdles for teachers headed back to the classroom this fall is the prospect that their own children may be expected to learn at home virtually while they themselves have to report to campus. What can educators, or any other essential workers do? While the answers are less than perfect, there are some potential solutions. Keep reading to learn more about utilizing classrooms as online monitoring stations and find alternative ideas for childcare during the coronavirus.

When it comes to the upcoming school year, there’s no shortage of worries that parents may have regarding the transition from online to in-person or hybrid learning. With many areas still facing virus outbreaks, it’s understandable to have questions about how to keep kids safe. Though some schools are beginning the year online, the ultimate goal is to get back to the classroom sooner rather than later. If you’re worried what that might look like, you’re not alone! This article gives a broad overview of where schools stand with reopening and offers 6 key considerations for transitioning your child back to the classroom when the time comes!