# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Playing with Stories: Using Books to Inspire Play

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are some ways I've used books for play with children. You can try these or come up with your own.

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating Dance and Movement Into Educational Curriculums

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating Dance and Movement Into Educational Curriculums

# data[].attributes.body
Movement in classrooms, and subsequently dancing, is an often forgotten form of learning. Growing up I did lots of different types of dancing and I am interested to see how we can integrate it into the classroom, and how it impacts our learning. Dancing can be a fun "break" for children and can be an influential way for them to learn certain self regulatory skills.

Source 1:
Development of a system for observing dance activities in the classroom environment (SODANCE)
Source 2:
Early Elementary Children Moving and Learning : A Physical Education Curriculum

Source 3:
Moving to the Beat: Using Music, Rhythm, and Movement to Enhance Self-Regulation in Early Childhood Classrooms

On Facebook I followed:
Rae Pica
Juliet Cadzow

# data[].attributes.body
I am really interested in integrating animals for many different purposes in my classroom. There are many ways to implement animals into education. The use of therapy animals, experiments (safe, ethical and non-harmful) and just general cuddly comfort. I believe animals are extremely important for multiple reasons; it builds responsibility, there are health benefits and more!

Source 1:
Assisted Interventions

Source 2:
People and Animals

Source 3:
Therapy Dogs in school

On Facebook I followed:
Kimberly Ann Sheckler
IAHAOI

# data[].attributes.headline
Why Representation matters in the Educational setting

# data[].attributes.subject
Why Representation matters in the Educational setting

# data[].attributes.body
This topic is one of the many reasons why I am becoming an future educator in the Early Childhood Department. There have been numerus studies that have been done by State of Washington Professional Educator Standard board on the befits of having POC teachers in the classroom. Ever since I graduated SVC I have become more aware of the barriers POC face when steeping into the preparatory programs and how bias the test you take to earn a certificate can be. I am super excited to dive into this topic even more and learning more about why representation matters.

Source 1: Testing barriers in Washington State report

Source 2: Why It Matters: What Is Disproportionate Representation?
Source 3: Challenges Facing Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century
On Facebook I followed: PESB
On Facebook I followed: WEA-MidState

# data[].attributes.headline
Strategies to make a safe classroom environment 

# data[].attributes.subject
Strategies to make a safe classroom environment 

# data[].attributes.body
One thing I am interested in learning more about is how to make the classroom environment good for everyone. I want to research strategies that will help me make my classroom a safe environment for all my students. An environment where children can learn.

Source 1:
Teacher and student perceptions of creativity in the classroom environment

Source 2:

Creating a Safe Classroom Environment

Source 3:

Build a Safe Environment

On Facebook I followed:
Education World

On Facebook I followed:
Washington State ASCD

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating music into lesson plans in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating music into lesson plans in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
This topic I find really interesting the idea of including music into lesson plans is such an unique way of learning. Having music in the lesson plans is a fun way to make learning fun for children something that they can gravitate to and help them remember what they have learned in a creative way.

Source 1:
Benefits of Music in the Classroom

Source 2:
How music impacts kids later in life

Source 3:
Teach Music to Grades K-5 with This Index of Fun and Educational Lesson Plans

On Facebook I followed:
Ashely Wright
Kara Carrero

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating Video games into the Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating Video games into the Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
The topic I found most interesting was video games in the classrooms. I love playing video games and I know that a lot of kids like to play video games too. I plan to research ways to integrate video games into classrooms that have educational values but are also enjoyable for the kids.

Source 1:
The Educational Benefits of Video Games

Source 2:

Video Games and the Future of Education

Source 3:
Using Video Games in Special Education

On Twitter I followed
Ian Bogost
Mark Griffiths

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating the arts into Early childhood classrooms

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating the arts into Early childhood classrooms

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to do this topic because I took a class on it a few quarters ago and absolutely loved it! this concept combines my two favorite things - theater and teaching. I think it's so important to let kids explore the arts early on, which is why I want to learn as much about including it in my classroom as I can.

Source 1:
NAEYC integrating music and drama into the classroom

Source 2:
Simple ways to integrate the arts

Source 3:
Center for learning in the arts and sciences

On Facebook I followed:
Pepitas Bilingual preschool
NAEYC

(Also this is Lisa Heffner - I don't know how to change it from saying anonymous)

# data[].attributes.body
The topic I found most interesting was service/ emotional support animals in the classroom. As a owner of my own emotional support dog I know the benefits they can bring. I plan to research the benefits and the potential risks of adding service animals, as well as emotional support animals to elementary school classrooms.

Source 1:
Companion Angels on a Leash: Welcoming Service Dogs Into Classroom Communities for Children With Autism

Source 2:
Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and Pets on Campus

Source 3:
Teachers' experiences with humane education and animals in the elementary classroom

On Facebook I followed:
American Service Animal Society

On Twitter I followed:
Therapy Animals CIC

# data[].attributes.headline
The use of Assistive Technology (AT) in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
The use of Assistive Technology (AT) in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that I am interested in within Special Education is the use of AT. I want to explore the use of AT in the various classroom types ranging from Sped, GenEd , and inclusive classrooms. I want to learn more about the benefits and possible negatives to AT in the education system and about the ways to integrate it into the classroom.

Source 1:
Perceptions of Using Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities in the Classroom

Source 2:
Students with Special Educational Needs and Assistive Technologies: A Literature Review

Source 3:
Georgia Department of Ed: Definition of Assistive Technology

On Facebook I followed:
Dreamscape Foundation

On Facebook I followed:
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program

# data[].attributes.body
I am a huge dog lover and have actually helped train Service Dogs in the past. In this topic I really want to explore the benefits of children having service dogs and taking them to their school (while also making sure to mention a few challenges with this that teachers will have to learn to navigate) as well as researching how to teach and manage a class with a new four legged student :)
Source 1:
Canine's in the Classroom: Service Animals in Primary and Second Education
Source 2:
Service Animals in Elementary Classrooms: Examining Educator and Family Perspectives of a Working Service Animal in an Elementary Classroom
Source 3:
Students With Autism, Service Dogs, and

Public Schools:  A Review of State Laws
On Facebook I followed:
Autism Service Dogs of America
On Facebook I followed:
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

# data[].attributes.headline
Active Engagement in the Classroom: How Can I Get There? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Active Engagement in the Classroom: How Can I Get There? 

# data[].attributes.body
What I am really interested in is being able to get my students fully engaged in what I would offer as an educator. I want my students to participate and thought I'd find ways to make sure my students want to engage in all aspects. Successful learning comes from engagement, so looking at all aspects in a child's life will help guide me in the right direction to work with each of my students.

Source 1:
Anti-Bias Education: Holidays

Source 2:

Tuning Out to Tune In: How Time Outside Can Improve Readiness to Learn Inside

Source 3:
Creating Drama-Sensitive Classrooms

Source 4:

Two Homes, One Classroom: Inclusive Practices That Work

On Facebook I followed:
Creating Engagement in the Classroom

On Twitter I followed:
Early Years Alliance

# data[].attributes.body
I am interested in music as a tool for creating an engaging and fun learning environment for children. I plan to explore how teachers can use musical instruments, playlists, and singing to set the right mood for learning. In addition, I want to explore how music also brings out each student's personality and culture.

Source 1:

How to Incorporate Music in the Elementary Classroom

Source 2:

Music in the Classroom for Quick Transitions

Source 3:

Elementary Music Center Activities

Source 4:

Integrate Multicultural Fun in the Classroom

On Twitter I followed:
Colleen LaFlamme Music

On Instagram I followed:
theartoffunology

# data[].attributes.headline
How the “Think-Pair-Share” strategy improves student speaking

# data[].attributes.subject
How the “Think-Pair-Share” strategy improves student speaking

# data[].attributes.body
This topic was something that came out of a broad search of this teaching strategy.  Think-Pair-Share doesn't just help participation and problem solving, it also helps improve student speaking in a multitude of ways. It helps enhance speaking competency as well as self-esteem. For those who are not native speakers, this strategy also helps the student feel motivated to learn English. I would like to find out more about this topic and how this process works step by step.

Source 1:
Using the Think-Pair-Share Strategy to Improve Students’
Speaking Ability

Source 2:
The effect of think pair share teaching strategy to students self-confidence and speaking competency

Source 3:
Teaching speaking for senior high school students using cooperative learning using think pair share

On Twitter I followed:
Reading Rockets

On Facebook I followed:
Larry Ferlazzo

# data[].attributes.body
One topic I am passionate about is Project Based learning (PBL). PBL is a series of teaching methods that actively engage students through creative learning experiences that help them understand their own learning, as well as getting involved in the real world. I plan to explore how project based learning and hands on experience benefits students in the classroom as opposed to learning through lecture.

Source 1:
Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century: Skills for the Future

Source 2:

Project-Based Learning: 7 Ways to Make It Work

Source 3:
Project-based learning in primary schools: effects on pupils' learning and attitudes

On Facebook I followed:
Edutopia
and
Project Based Learning

# data[].attributes.headline
Effects of hunger on children and their education/ability to learn

# data[].attributes.subject
Effects of hunger on children and their education/ability to learn

# data[].attributes.body
A topic that really interests me is how hunger effects the ability for children to learn and comprehend what they are being taught. My dad runs the food bank in my hometown, so I grew up around children who were not properly nourished, and now I want to know how that effects them in the realm of education. I know that when I am hungry I don't concentrate, and I am well nourished, so how bad is it for those who don't have a steady supply of food? And should us as educators keep some sort of snack for students in our classrooms? These are a couple things I would like to learn from the articles.

Source 1:
The Faces of Hunger
Source 2:
Too Hungry to learn
Source 3:
Nutrition and the effects on student Behavior and Academics
On Facebook I followed:
No kid hungry
On Facebook I followed:
End childhood Hunger

# data[].attributes.headline
Benefits of Having Musical Instruments in a Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Benefits of Having Musical Instruments in a Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
The topic that I was most interested in was the use of instruments in a classroom and how they are used as a learning tool for students. I plan to research the benefits and outcomes when instruments are present in class and how students interact with them and which instruments are most popular to interact with. Playing with instruments can actually have an impact on other learning skills and their physical, mental, and social development.

Source 1:
Children and Music: Benefits of Music in Child Development

Source 2:
Using Preschool Musical Instruments for Increased Learning

Source 3:
The many benefits of music - Early Years Count

On Facebook I followed:
Instruments 4 Life

On Facebook I followed:
Red Ted Art

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrating Music/Singing in the classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrating Music/Singing in the classroom

# data[].attributes.body
One topic that really interests me is music and singing and how that can help younger children learn in the classroom. As I was looking at the sources, it seems like incorporating directions and instructions into music can be very beneficial to all students, and especially students with disabilities, which I think is very interesting. I would like to continue to learn about the benefits of incorporating singing into curriculum and the effect it has cognitive skills in the classroom.

Source 1:
Use Music in the Classroom

Source 2: (video)
Singing and Songs

Source 3:
Music as a Cross-Curricular Teaching Device in Elementary School

Source 4:
The Power of Simply Singing Together in the Classroom

On Facebook I followed:
The Children's Music Network

On Instagram I followed:
Musically Minded Kids

# data[].attributes.headline
Language/Literacy Development & Practices in Early Childhood

# data[].attributes.subject
Language/Literacy Development & Practices in Early Childhood

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to research Language & Literacy in early development. I think it's interesting how children learn to read and what practices are the most motivating. So far, I want to focus on the hands-on approaches to reading and the creative strategies which encourage their curiosity in all subjects.

Source 1: Equalizing Opportunities to Learn: A Collaborative Approach to Language & Literacy Development in Preschool

Source 2: Rocking & Rolling: Reading with Babies Matters!

Source 3: Playing with Stories: Using Books to Inspire Play

Source 4: Parent Involvement in Early Literacy

Source 5: The Book Matters! Choosing Complex Narrative Texts to Support Literary Discussion

On Facebook I followed:
Imagination Soup

On Instagram I followed:
Stepping Stones Museum for Children

# data[].attributes.body
The topic that interested me most was technology as a tool for learning and how it can be applied in a classroom setting. I plan to explore how teachers can use technology as a way to foster creativity, critical thinking, risk management, and build social competency.

Source 1:

What Does a 21st Century Classroom Look Like: Technology Integration

Source 2:

The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom

Source 3:

8 Strategies to Manage the 21st Century Classroom

On Facebook I followed: TechClassEd

On Twitter I followed:
Sara Hennessy, Educational Researcher