Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), is a week-long, overnight camp at USNA each year for students currently in the 7th-10th grades. Here’s information from the USNA website:

Engineering is all about creating, building, and making things better! So what does it take to be an engineer? If you like math and science, you are off to a great start. If you enjoy discovering new things, solving problems, and learning how things work – even better! Creativity, persistence, and the desire to make the world a better place are also important qualities. Becoming an engineer requires hard work and a good education. Our summer program will be a great start to your career in science and engineering.

The schedule:

Monday: Travel and Check-in

Tuesday: Air and Space Museum/DC Tour

Wednesday – Friday: Stem modules and presentations (Students will visit all science and technology majors at the US Naval Academy)

Saturday: Open House and Demonstrations—Share your new skills with your parents and friends. End the week by putting your projects on display.

Spelling Force by EdAlive:

A Smart Solution for Mastering Spelling

Spelling Force, developed by Australian edtech company EdAlive, is a powerful and engaging platform designed to boost spelling proficiency in children through interactive learning, intelligent adaptation, and curriculum alignment. With a proven track record in classrooms across Australia and beyond, Spelling Force is a valued resource for teachers, students, and parents alike.

What is Spelling Force?

Spelling Force is an online spelling program designed for students from Year 1 to Year 10, although it is most commonly used in primary and lower secondary classrooms. It combines dynamic learning activities with a powerful adaptive learning engine that tailors content to each student’s individual needs. Students work through interactive spelling exercises, games, and quizzes that are designed not just for repetition, but for true understanding and mastery.

Unlike many spelling tools that simply drill lists of words, Spelling Force offers a much richer and more strategic approach. It identifies each student’s weaknesses and presents targeted exercises to improve their skills, building confidence and competence along the way.

Intelligent Automated Learning

One of the standout features of Spelling Force is its Automated Learning system which combines a powerful adaptive learning system that levels students with a mastery learning system that presents spelling appropriate to the level of each student from its bank of over 12,500 sequenced words. The system tracks student performance in real-time and adjusts the difficulty and content to match the learner’s pace and progress. If a student struggles with certain phonetic patterns, tricky letter combinations, or irregular spellings, Spelling Force  will present lists of similar words and cycle words until the student demonstrates mastery. Additionally, Spelling Force has inbuilt spelling lists that teachers can select to address the identified weakness.

This Automated approach makes Spelling Force suitable for students of all ability levels. Whether a student is ahead of the curve and needs challenging words, or is struggling with foundational spelling patterns, the program delivers relevant content to meet them where they are.

EdAlive has many years of experience in the creation of adaptive learning and mastery learning systems with this technology being featured in Baggin the Dragon Maths, Math Invaders, Words Rock and Volcanic Panic Reading Success. Typing Tournament also features a mastery learning system. This is the first time that EdAlive as combined both technologies into the one learning tool.

Curriculum Alignment

For educators, one of the key strengths of Spelling Force is its close alignment with the curriculum, particularly in English and literacy strands. The program covers a broad range of spelling rules, word families, and vocabulary lists that reflect classroom learning outcomes. Teachers can be confident that the words and skills being reinforced in Spelling Force are not only educationally sound but also directly tied to what students are expected to learn.

In addition, Spelling Force supports both NAPLAN preparation and general classroom instruction. Its design encourages the development of transferable spelling strategies that help students in written tasks across subjects.

A Motivational and Game-Based Approach

Students are far more likely to engage with learning when it’s enjoyable, and Spelling Force recognises this through its game-based design. The program integrates mini-games and animated challenges that reward effort and progress, motivating students to keep improving. These gamified elements create a positive feedback loop, where learning becomes not just productive but fun.

Progress tracking is another major motivator. Students can see their growth over time, unlocking achievements and earning certificates as they go. This visibility empowers students to take ownership of their learning and helps to build a sense of accomplishment.

Teacher and Parent Tools

For teachers, Spelling Force includes a comprehensive suite of tools to manage classes, set tasks, and review results. Teachers can assign specific spelling lists, track individual student progress, and generate detailed reports on strengths and weaknesses. This data-driven insight supports differentiated instruction and allows for timely interventions when needed.

Parents can also take an active role in their child’s spelling journey. With home access options available, families can reinforce classroom learning at home, encouraging consistent practice and engagement.

Broad Word Coverage

The breadth of vocabulary in Spelling Force is extensive. It includes high-frequency words, irregular spellings, homophones, prefixes and suffixes, and words that are often seen in standardised testing such as NAPLAN. This expansive database ensures that students are exposed to a wide variety of words, enhancing not only their spelling but also their overall vocabulary and written expression.

Words are presented in context-rich sentences and activities that reinforce meaning and usage—not just rote memorisation. This ensures that spelling learning is meaningful and connected to broader literacy development.

Custom Word Lists

One of the most powerful features for classroom use is the ability to create and upload custom word lists. Teachers can design lists based on weekly spelling homework, specific topics being studied in class, or areas where students need additional support. This customisability makes Spelling Force an incredibly flexible tool that can adapt to any teaching style or curriculum requirement.

Accessibility and Usability

Spelling Force is web-based and compatible with most modern devices, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. This accessibility makes it suitable for both in-school and at-home learning. Its user-friendly interface is intuitive for young learners and doesn’t require significant tech skills to navigate, ensuring that students can focus on learning rather than navigating complex menus.

Data Security and Student Safety

EdAlive takes privacy and data security seriously. The company complies with strict standards to protect student information, which is especially important in the education sector. Schools can trust that their students’ data is handled responsibly and in line with Australian privacy regulations.

Continuous Updates and Support

EdAlive regularly updates Spelling Force to improve performance, introduce new features, and respond to feedback from teachers and schools. Its Australian-based support team is available to assist with onboarding, troubleshooting, and technical questions, making the implementation process smooth for schools of all sizes.

A Valuable Investment in Literacy

With literacy being a cornerstone of academic success, tools like Spelling Force offer schools and families an effective way to reinforce one of the most essential skills. Whether used as a supplementary tool for literacy programs or as a primary resource for spelling instruction, Spelling Force delivers real results in an engaging, adaptive, and educationally sound format.

Its blend of intelligent learning, rich content, curriculum alignment, and student motivation makes it more than just a spelling app—it’s a full-scale educational tool that empowers learners and supports educators. In a time where digital tools are increasingly important in classrooms, Spelling Force stands out as a robust and thoughtful solution for developing confident, capable spellers.

Free Trials available for teachers and parents

To start a free Spelling Force trial go to Spelling Force and follow the prompts.

Copyright ©2025 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. To non-Christians (or non-traditional Christians), that event signifies a rebirth of spring that is filled with joy and gifts — and chocolate! Overall, it is America’s most-popular holiday with Christmas a close second. Here’s a good mixture of games, lesson plans, stories, and songs that can be blended into many academic subjects (for updates on Easter-themed websites, click here):

18+ Interactive Easter websites

Preschool-2

This website includes a colorful collection of Easter (and Spring) games and information that is visual and enticing to youngers. Games are Easter Math, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Egg Dress-up, Easter Word hunt, complete-the-sentence, and more. Also, viewers will find websites about the history of Easter around the world.

ABCYa Easter Egg Hunt

Preschool-Kindergarten

Like all of ABCYa’s games and activities, Easter Egg Hunt is a colorful and intuitive educational game for young children.  It is easy-to-understand, playful, with favorite Easter symbols and energetic music that will engage children. The five Easter-themed games are easy-to-understand (no directions required) with a countdown clock to motivate activity. Nicely, it also aligns gameplay with the national standards met.

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Starting tomorrow, on my writer’s blog, WordDreams, my wonderful efriends are helping me launch my latest prehistoric fiction, Badlands. Early reviews…

“Your best ever”–husby (you say he said the same thing last time? I don’t remember)

“…prehistoric man takes on nature in all her fury and survives.” –Sandra Cox

I’ll be visiting writer friend blogs April 15-26th. We’ll chat about Badlands and writing in general. Here are articles you can read in alphabetic order. The first are about the Neanderthal world and the last few writerly topics:

1. Neanderthal Doors
2. Neanderthal Healing Tips
3. Neanderthal nomadic life
4. How to research prehistory
5. What I Learned from my Neanderthal Characters
6. 8 Bits of Life Wisdom From My Computer
7. 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me Park II

Here’s the schedule of who I’ll visit when:

April 15: Sally Cronin–Spotlight

April 16: Life of a Neanderthal Nomad–Liesbet Collaert

April 17: 8 Bits of Life Wisdom From My Computer–Chris?

April 18: 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me Part II–Sandra Cox

April 19: What I Learned from my Neanderthal Characters?–Liz Gauffreau

April 21: Prehistoric research–Alex Cavanaugh

April 22: Miriam Hurdle–Spotlight

April 23: Anneli Purchase–Spotlight ???? Confirm that 

April 24: Healing Tips from Neanderthals–Colleen Chesebro

April 25: Neanderthal doors–Dan Antion

April 26: Lynette d-Arty-Cross–Spotlight?

Each day, I’ll post a short introduction to the host. It’ll include a link to their blog.

Badlands by Jacqui Murray,

Book 2 in the Savage Land trilogy

Book 8 in the Man vs. Nature series

Editor: The extraordinary Anneli Purchase

Amazon Universal link  http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DFCV5YFT

To celebrate the launch of Badlands, Book 1 in the trilogy, Endangered Species, will be

FREE on Amazon Kindle April 15-20, 2025

  If you miss the freebie, all of my prehistoric fiction is on KU which makes it free to KU readers all the time.

Copyright ©2025 worddreams.wordpress.com – All rights reserved. Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://jacqui-murray.aweb.page/p/46e8c9bf-eaed-4252-8aad-3688e233a4cc

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Man vs. Nature saga, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the acclaimed Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, an Amazon Vine Voice, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Balance of Nature, Winter 2026

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

Today’s tip: Basics in Every Lesson Plan

Here are four skills to be included and reinforced in every lesson plan. Don’t teach them! Blend them into your core lessons, as part of the workflow. Include them as you do when you teach reading (in non-reading classes), using a pencil, and handwriting:

• Keyboarding
• Digital citizenship
• Vocabulary
• Problem solving

For the other two, watch this video:

–summarized by NoteGPT

Summary

In this informative video, Jacqui Murray discusses effective technology integration in K-8 classrooms, highlighting the current supportive landscape for using technology in education. Murray emphasizes that this is an ideal time to be involved in teaching technology, whether or not one considers themselves a tech expert. The discussion begins with an introduction to Murray’s extensive experience in education, focusing on technology’s role in lesson delivery and integration into the curriculum. She introduces six key topics or “strands” that are essential for creating engaging lessons that reflect modern educational standards, blending subjects together rather than treating them in isolation.

The six strands include digital citizenship, keyboarding skills, problem-solving, research skills, vocabulary expansion, and publishing and sharing. For each topic, Murray offers practical strategies for teaching and integrating them into existing lesson plans. She talks about how to establish a foundation of digital citizenship by making students aware of online safety and etiquette from early grades. Murray discusses the necessity of keyboarding skills in today’s tech-driven world and how to incorporate them seamlessly into instruction.

Murray further explores the importance of problem-solving skills, encouraging students to troubleshoot and find solutions independently. She emphasizes safe and effective research tactics, urging students to critically evaluate sources. Expanding vocabulary through digital tools is highlighted, as is the critical element of sharing and publishing student work for collective learning and empowerment. Ultimately, Murray encourages teachers to view these strands as a cohesive framework that enhances learning and prepares students for future academic challenges.

Highlights

• 🎓 The importance of blending subjects to create cohesive lessons that reflect modern educational standards.
• 💻 Digital citizenship is essential from an early age, requiring ongoing discussions about online safety and etiquette.
• ⌨️ Keyboarding skills should be integrated into lessons, enhancing students’ competency with technology.
• 🛠️ Problem-solving skills transform students into independent learners who can troubleshoot tech issues.
• 🔍 Research skills empower students to critically evaluate sources, making them more informed consumers of information.
• 📚 Vocabulary expansion is essential in education, encouraging students to actively engage with words and definitions.
• 🔗 Publishing and sharing student work creates a sense of community and enhances collaborative learning.

Key Insights

• 🌐 Digital Citizenship is Essential: Murray highlights that it’s crucial to integrate discussions about digital citizenship into lessons at every grade level. This approach trains students to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, emphasizing that education about digital behavior is continuous and should evolve as students progress in their understanding of technology.
• 💡 The Role of Keyboarding Skills: Teaching keyboarding isn’t merely an added layer; it’s essential for enhancing classroom efficiency. By embedding keyboarding education into daily lessons, teachers equip students with necessary tools for success across subjects. This practice fosters dexterity that will serve students well in their digital interactions, allowing them to focus more on the content rather than the act of typing.
• 🔄 Encouraging Problem-Solving: Murray’s emphasis on fostering problem-solving abilities reflects a shift toward student autonomy in learning. By guiding students to find solutions independently, teachers streamline classroom management and empower students to take control of their learning experiences, ultimately making the educational process more dynamic.
• 🔍 Effective Research Skills: Educators must emphasize the importance of teaching students how to ascertain reliable information online. By preparing them to discern reputable sources from biased or misleading content, students become not only consumers of knowledge but also critical thinkers capable of navigating the complexities of information on the internet.
• 📖 Vocabulary Matters: The intentional teaching of vocabulary through multiple mediums can enhance comprehension and engagement. Murray suggests that using technology to aid vocabulary acquisition allows students to seek definitions and gain deeper understanding dynamically, rather than superficially glossing over complex content.
• 🌐 Collaborative Learning Through Sharing: Emphasizing the importance of publishing and sharing work transforms how students interact with their learning. In fostering an environment where students contribute to a collective body of knowledge not only democratizes learning but also leverages peer feedback for continuous growth, helping students to learn from one another.
• 🤝 Integration Across Subjects: Murray’s call for the integration of the six strands across disciplines underlines education’s interconnectedness. Teachers should consider these elements as intertwined rather than isolated, optimizing educational outcomes by enhancing student engagement and contextual understanding across subjects.

To finish up, read this article:

“What is the 21^st Century lesson plan”

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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From We Are Teachers, a run-down on the top tech careers for 2025:

15 Best Technology Careers for the Future in 2025

Computer and information technology might be one of the most exciting fields for teens to consider as they think about their future careers. These jobs are often very well paid (the average salary in this field is more than double compared to other occupations). The growth outlook for technology careers is terrific too, at around 11% over the next 10 years (the average for all jobs is about 4%). Here are some of the top tech jobs for high schoolers to consider as they plan for the future.

Read on… (more…)

Here are the most-read posts for last month:

1. How to Leverage AI Tutors for Effective Learning Tips for Parents, Educators, and Students
2. Subscriber Special: 50% Off Sidebar Sponsors
3. Didn’t Get in College? Interested in the Military? Try NAPS
4. 11 Ways X/Twitter Improves Education
5. LOTS of Resources for Kids’ Online Research
6. Celebrate Pi Day and Maths Day
7. 9 St. Patrick’s Day Resources For Your Class
8. Minecraft Builds Coding Skills
9. Invention Convention 2025 is coming
10. Websites that add sparkle (and learning) to Spring

Here’s what’s coming up next month: (more…)

Financial Literacy Month is recognized annually in Canada in November, and the United States in April. It’s purpose: to teach how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.

When kids read America’s almost $37 trillion debt is accepted by many as ‘business as usual’, I wonder how that news will affect their children. Do they understand the consequences of unbalanced budgets? The quandary of infinite wants vs. finite dollars? Or do they think money grows on some fiscal tree that always blooms? The good news is: Half the nation’s schools require a financial literacy course. The bad new is: Only half require a financial literacy course.

If your school doesn’t teach personal economics but would like to, there are many online sites that address the topic as mini-lessons. Some are narrative; others games. Here are some I like. See if one suits you (check here for updates on links):

1. BizKids–games to teach business and finance
2. Cash Crunch–games for youngers and olders (HS and college)
3. Financial Literacy Games for Students
4. Financial Literacy Quizzes–in a variety of financial topics for high schoolers
5. General Financial Literacy Course
6. Living Wage–what’s it cost to survive–by state, cities, counties
7. Personal Finance for MS
8. Personal Finance Lab–stock market game
9. Practical Money Skills
10. Spent
11. Stock Market Game

Curriculum

1. Banzai
2. Budget Challenge
3. EverFi–course in financial literacy for high schoolers
4. Financial Literacy for High School Students–a course
5. General Financial Literacy Course–an online course in meeting financial literacy needs
6. Next Gen Personal Finance

Calculators

1. Auto and home load calculators–from Arizona Central Credit Union

–image credit Deposit Photos

Copyright ©2025 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

---

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.