Van Andel Institute for Education strategies Archives - Van Andel Institute for Education

20 May 2022

Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month Together

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Tagsauthenticity, classroom culture, connection, culture and climate, education, Growth Mindset, relevance, Ryan Duncan, strategies

School can be a busy place. There are lessons to be taught, homework to be graded, tests to take, and a myriad...

18 May 2022

Ending the School Year with SEL

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Tagsauthenticity, Ben Talsma, classroom management, connection, education, Empathy, inspiration, lesson planning, strategies, teaching profession

The azaleas are in bloom right now; they will last for two more weeks. They’re wonderful flowers: big and bright and strong....

13 May 2022

Engaging Students in Scientific Inquiry

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Tagscuriosity, education, Growth Mindset, instruction, relevance, strategies, student choice, student engagement, teaching profession, Terra Tarango

What makes a good scientist? I asked this question of more than 20 biomedical researchers at the Van Andel Institute and you...

11 May 2022

How Nature Inspires a Sense of Wonder

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Tags21st century skills, classroom management, creativity, critical thinking, education, Growth Mindset, Jamie MacPherson, lesson planning, strategies, teaching profession

Yesterday was beautiful. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I could finally begin to feel the weight of winter...

9 May 2022

The Power of Play

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Tags21st century skills, classroom culture, creativity, education, Growth Mindset, Jamie MacPherson, strategies, student engagement, teaching profession, Terra Tarango

One of the biggest challenges teachers often face is trying to balance age-appropriate academic rigor with the need for kids to just...

4 May 2022

A Lesson from the Flowers

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Tagsclassroom culture, creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, education, Growth Mindset, perseverance, strategies, teaching profession, Terra Tarango

On a drive through central Texas recently, I admired the colorful splashes of wildflowers along the highways. I couldn’t help but think...

29 Apr 2022

A Taste of STEM

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Tags21st century skills, Blue Apple, education, instruction, lesson planning, Ryan Duncan, STEM, strategies, student engagement, VAEI

I have unfortunately reached the stage of my life where my metabolism no longer functions. I’m sure many readers have also experienced...

20 Apr 2022

Remembering Earth Day

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Tagsauthenticity, inspiration, instruction, lesson planning, relevance, Ryan Duncan, storytelling, strategies, student engagement, teaching profession

Nature is filled with countless, extraordinary wonders. A pufferfish that can create brilliant artistic designs. A spider with superpowers that allow it...