Take5: Writing to Learn, the Science Fair, Midterm Election Learning, Student Mental Health, and Libraries as Life.

This week's Take5 touches on writing to learn and the power of science fairs. Plus, we highlight ways to bring the Midterm Elections to life for your students and outline the steps one state is using to teach kids about mental health (and remove the stigma surrounding it). And to finish: an eloquent story about libraries and how they represent the legacy so many of us work toward in life. So pour a cup of coffee or tea, put your feet up, and read Take5 for a little educator inspiration.

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As part of an ongoing literacy project, our school is focusing on writing across content areas. In my search for resources, I came across this video from Edutopia. The featured school's approach to writing really resonated with me and I especially loved framing certain writing activities as "low-stakes" writing.

It's so easy to run into brick walls as a teacher. This story shows how one Oklahoma teacher never gives up -- battling obstacles (decreased funding, four day school weeks, and standardized testing) to get her students interested in science at an early age. Her secret: the science fair.

This article, entitled Seven Ways to Teach the Midterms, from the New York Times Learning Network caught my eye. I especially liked the way the ideas came straight from teachers, complete with resources to use in your own classrooms.

Teachers know that mental health is an issue for so many of our students. I was heartened to read that New York is mandating a mental health curriculum, one aimed at helping kids know how to respond to their emotions and feelings. You can learn more here. 

Lastly, I hope you will read this lovely piece by Susan Orlean: Growing up in the Library, featured in this week's New Yorker Magazine. The last paragraph left me with just the inspiration I needed in a crazy, hectic week of teaching and learning. I needed the reminder. Perhaps you do too?

-Corey

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You might also like:

• BubbleUp Take5:  Reading, Writing, Speaking -> Literacy (April 29, 2018)
• Three Big Ideas for School Librarians (November 7, 2017)