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Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball

Clarity Is an Act of Service: Helping Middle School Students Know What Success Looks Like

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 8 What if one of the most meaningful things we can do for middle school students is simply remove some of the unnecessary confusion they experience throughout the school day? I have been reflecting on this question as Dr. … Continue reading →
October 16, 2026 Leave a Reply

Culture by Design, Not by Default: The Courage to Listen, Learn, and Lead With Intention

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 7 with Dr. Anita Harkins-Mehsling Sometimes the most powerful act of leadership is not offering a solution, but it is simply being present, listening, and acknowledging. This was one of the many meaningful reminders … Continue reading →
October 14, 2026 Leave a Reply

Deconstructed Retreat: Same Roads with an Intentional Way of Seeing

The journey is the retreat, gratitude is my compass, and JOY is found in the everyday. What if a retreat was not defined by where we go, but by how we choose to see and respond to what surrounds us? As educational leaders, we often encourage others to slow down, reflect, reconnect with their … Continue reading →
October 11, 2026 Leave a Reply

Belonging by Design: Every Student Has a Place, a Purpose, and a Part to Play

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 6 What if one of the most powerful ways to help middle school students experience belonging is to give them a meaningful responsibility within their school community? This question was at the heart of a wonderful … Continue reading →
October 8, 2026 Leave a Reply

Protecting the JOY: Sustaining the Educators Who Serve Our Students

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 5 There is so much good happening within our Catholic schools, and one of the greatest privileges of my work is having the opportunity to share it! On this Thankful Thursday, I am especially grateful for three … Continue reading →
October 1, 2026 Leave a Reply

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Amazing Publishers

  • Loyola Press Loyola Press is a Catholic publisher offering 3-Minute Retreat, books, ministry resources, articles, and educational program support.

Awesome Vendor Partners Supporting Schools Nationwide

  • Vendor Partner Middle School Mindset Portfolio of Services The Middle School Mindset Portfolio of Services represents a unique national collaboration between: ADAC | William H. Sadlier | Friendzy | Archangel Education & Technology. An à la carte portfolio of resources.
  • ADAC, Inc. ADAC partners with PK–12 schools, systems, and networks nationwide to help educators and leaders confidently meet the needs of every student.
  • Friendzy, Co. An effective curriculum that teaches a new generation of students character development skills.
  • Curriculum Associates Together with one million educators, we’re connecting every part of learning—from assessment to instruction, data to discovery—to empower classrooms and communities to thrive.
  • Archangel Education & Technology Archangel brings a human touch to technology, blending passion, deep expertise, and a strong community focus to enrich educational experiences.
  • William H. Sadlier Core and supplemental math programs teach the essentials students will use the rest of their academic and professional lives.

Blogroll

  • Learn WordPress.com
  • WordPress.com News
  • Get Support
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • WordPress Planet
  • International Online Science Contest Science Contest and Science Fair Project Resource
  • Education Rethink Vintage ISTE Tweets
  • Thomas Fordham Institute ~Advancing Educational Excellence Ideas that stick from Fordham‘s Education Gadfly team

Curriculum Standards and Benchmarks

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • National Standards in Gifted and Talented Education Standards provide a foundation for the policies, rules, and procedures necessary to deliver high-quality, systematic programs and services for high-ability students. Guidance and framework resources.
  • Standards and Assessments Raising academic standards for all students and measuring student achievement to hold schools accountable for educational progress are central strategies for promoting educational excellence and equity in our Nation’s schools.
  • Next Generation Science Science Standards Resource
  • Math Chimps Great online math games aligned to the Common Core State Standards~for ages 4-16

Educational Online "Free" Games

  • Learn to Read with Phonics Fabulous site for beginning or emerging readers. Books read to children too…
  • Knowledge Adventure Games for students 4-10 in all disciplines
  • Math Games for Free Online Awesome games designed to enhance math skills for ages 5-14
  • Science Games Making Science FUN! Great science games covering various aspect of science…lesson plans and activities too…free
  • Social Studies Online Games Excellent resource to utilize at home for ages 4-15. Geography, History etc.
  • National Geographic Science Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Fun Brain Great Educational Games
  • Science Bob Fun Science
  • Veggie Tale Games Great Games with a Good Moral Message
  • A+ Math Math flashcards and games for math practice.
  • Cool Math Fun math games.
  • Fun Brain All disciplines covered on this learning site. *Check out baseball game for math
  • Math Magician Games Math games for all ages.
  • Illuminations Math Factor Game
  • AAA Math Covers all fraction topics. NOTE: We think this is a fabulous site for scaffolding the learning process for all things fractions!
  • Learning Factory Fraction Frenzy
  • Visual Fractions Visual Fractions
  • Between the Lions A PBS Online Phonics and Reading Game
  • Dr. Seuss/ Seussville A wonderful world to explore, read and learn…so much fun!
  • Pinky Dinky Doo Fun and interactive. Great story podcasts!

Educational Resources for Parents and Teachers

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!
  • Kidz4mation Educational Enrichment Site
  • Science Fair Projects A Complete “How To” Guide for Science Projects
  • Science Buddies Science Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Science Bob Fun Science
  • National Zoo Great Science Resource
  • Science Club All Things Science
  • 3 Atlas Social Studies Resource
  • Teaching Kids About Money Great Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Presidents of the United States Great Social Studies Resource
  • Veggie Tale Games Great Games with a Good Moral Message
  • Kleininspiration A great educational resource.
  • Odyssey of the Mind An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.
  • Math Chimps Great online math games aligned to the Common Core State Standards~for ages 4-16

IPad Learning Apps

  • Class Dojo Classroom Management App
  • ThreeRing A virtual portfolio for student work.
  • Quizlet A great vocabulary flash card tool.
  • A+Pro A flash card application.
  • Educreations An app that allows students to make presentation videos with voice over capabilities.
  • Super Flash Cards Recommended by Missa, one of our Readers

Recommend Book Apps & at the Best Value

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!

Recommended YouTube Channels

  • Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball-A YouTube Channel Created to Inspire This YouTube Channel has been created to share the good and remind us all that when we train our eyes to see the good, amazing things happen!

Team Building and Problem-Solving Strategies for the Classroom

  • Odyssey of the Mind An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

Websites with Games and Activities Created by Authors

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!
  • Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too
  • John Flannagan's "Ranger's Apprentice" Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too
  • The Chronicles of Narnia Amazing graphics and wonderful interactive games and puzzles!
  • The Youngest Templar A great parent or classroom resource.
  • The 39 Clues Website A fun clue hunt!
  • The Mysterious Benedict Society Top Secret Adventures, Passwords and Amazing FUN!

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Best Practices from Awesome Educators Blogs that Inspire Us Common Core State Standards "Nuts & Bolts" Creating a Positive School Culture Curriculum Resources Educational Free Webinars educational leadership Educational Resources Educational Websites and Resources Educational Websites that are FREE Favorite Sites Grants and Funding Resources Hot Topics in Education Inspiration Learning is Fun Lessons/Activities Positive School Culture Principals and Administrator Tools Promoting Literacy Recommended Book from Teens for Teens Recommended Books to Read, to Learn, to Inspire Science Sharing the Good Sharing the Good in Education Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball Student or Industry Summer Learning Tips teacher retention Teacher Retention and Recruitment Team Building/Positive Work Environments The Middle School Culture-Reflections from the Field Series

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