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How to Use Design Thinking to Empower Student Problem Solvers
How do we prepare students for a changing world? Discover how West Michigan Design Prize scholars use design thinking to solve real-world challenges like school belonging. Explore the “durable skills” framework and Kent ISD’s Engagement Accelerators that empower students to move from passive learners to innovative, future-ready creators.
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AI in Elementary School: One Simple Lesson That Sparked Powerful Student Engagement
What can a simple 5th grade AI lesson teach educators about student engagement? At Kent City Elementary, students trained AI models during Michigan’s Hour of AI, and the results naturally aligned with all five Essential Accelerators of Engagement. Here’s what it looked like and what you can take away.
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Beyond Information Overload: 5 Ways to Teach Students to Think Like Experts
Students consume endless information but struggle to think critically about it. Learn how inquiry-based disciplinary literacy helps students move beyond surface facts to build deep understanding. Explore the five phases of this framework and discover practical strategies for your secondary classroom.
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The Missing Piece: Why Every Teacher Needs to Experience The Amazing Shake
Every teacher has witnessed moments when students rise to the occasion—when they find confidence they didn’t know they had. The Amazing Shake competition at Oakestown Intermediate is creating these moments intentionally. But here’s the critical question: why are these powerful learning experiences often treated as extracurricular novelties? Discover why durable skills like communication, collaboration, and…
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How Kentwood and GRPS Students Are Developing Durable Skills Through Design Thinking
The post emphasizes the need for education to move beyond memorization, focusing instead on Durable Skills such as creativity, communication, and critical thinking. It highlights design thinking as an effective teaching approach, showcased through the West Michigan Design Prize, which enhances student collaboration and problem-solving for real-world challenges.
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Exhausted? Amazing AI Strategies Reignite Student Engagement This Winter
Winter teaching feels like survival mode, but AI strategies can help. This post explores how K-12 teachers use AI tools to increase student engagement, save prep time, and create personalized learning experiences. Discover the connection between AI and Kent ISD’s 5 Student Engagement Essentials, plus learn about professional development opportunities.
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Student Voice Reveals What Really Drives Engagement in Secondary Classrooms
Be that teacher that treats students like family, because I promise you they will love you back.’ This student insight sparked a transformation for 72 secondary educators. Discover the 5 research-backed engagement accelerators that actually work.
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7 Local Partners That Boost Reading Scores & Build Literacy Success
Discover proven strategies for literacy community partnerships that increase student engagement. Learn how schools partner with libraries, museums, and local organizations for reading success.
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New Tool Helps Students Explore 100+ STEM Careers
Students design submarines and explore dream jobs
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What Do Secondary Students Want? Kent County Learners Share 5 Key Insights
Kent students reveal 5 keys to boost engagement.