George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

9-12 High School

Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop in grades 9-12.

  • 5 Ways to Boost Critical Thinking in World Language Classes

    One way to raise students’ engagement is to ask them to do more work—meaningful work with authentic materials from the target culture.
    Elena Spathis

  • 11 Meaningful Writing Assignments Connected to the Pandemic

    Writing gives students an outlet to express their feelings and connect with others during this unsettling time in their lives.
    Shveta Miller

  • Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students During Distance Learning

    Being separated from trusted peers and teachers can be particularly challenging for these students, but educators can take steps to help them feel cared for and safe.
    Cait O’Connor

  • 4 Ways to Celebrate High School Graduation This Year

    With coronavirus school closures extending into the fall, districts are coming up with clever alternatives to give seniors the graduation ceremony they deserve.
    Nora Fleming, Emelina Minero

  • A Student-Centered Model of Blended Learning

    When educators at a Washington, DC, high school ditched their lectures and devised a self-paced blended learning model, their students thrived.

  • Innovative Ways to Make Coronavirus a Teachable Moment

    When the world feels dangerous, harnessing learning can provide some measure of clarity and perspective.
    Sarah Gonser

  • 22 YA Novels to Help Students Process the Pandemic (or Forget It for a Bit)

    A former school librarian shares recent young adult novels to boost kids’ resilience or give them some laughs. A few dystopian picks may provide a new perspective on the current situation.
    Terri Grief

  • A Handy Strategy for Teaching Theme

    Analyzing the themes in a literary work can be tricky for students, but a simple formula can scaffold the process.
    Zach Wright

  • 60-Second Strategy: Appreciation, Apology, Aha!

    A quick, low-key way to build community in your classroom on a daily basis.

  • 60-Second Strategy: Snowball Toss

    A quick, fun classroom activity fosters open dialogue while releasing pent-up energy.

  • Decoding the Teenage Brain (in 3 Charts)

    New technologies are shedding light on what really makes adolescents tick—and providing clues on how we might reach them better.
    Stephen Merrill

  • The Case for Not Allowing Test Retakes

    As more educators drop penalties for late work and allow students to redo tests, a high school teacher says that traditional policies are better for the majority of students.
    Anthony Palma

  • Keeping Students With Learning Disabilities Motivated at Home

    Using movement breaks and improving skills like the ability to focus can help high school students with learning disabilities stay on track in this unsettled time.
    Daniel Vollrath

  • There’s a Cell Phone in Your Student’s Head

    A 2017 study found that cell phones that were turned off and stashed away silently reasserted themselves—distracting working students anyway.

  • As Teen Stress Increases, Teachers Look for Answers

    Seventy percent of teens say stress is a major problem. Research backs that up—and teachers are beginning to offer solutions.
    Andrew Simmons