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  • School Supplies: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck

    School Supplies: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck

    School supply hunting season is upon us. The first week in July reveals empty cardboard displays in bright, school bus yellow-gold, ready to be filled with pens, notebooks, sticky notes and day planners to be bought and sold. And buy...

  • New Math or Common Core

    New Math or Common Core

    The Common Core: reactions include arguments that it will be dumbed-down, too rigorous, too rigid, too lax, and, of course, will bring an end to education as we know it. Others view it as the same old system of education...

  • The Modern Latchkey Kid

    The Modern Latchkey Kid

    What is a latchkey kid? A latchkey kid is a child who is left home alone in the time after he or she gets home from school, but before parents or guardians return home from work. According to the After...

  • School Nutrition and Childhood Obesity

    School Nutrition and Childhood Obesity

    The obesity epidemic in the United States is staggering, with nearly a third of American children and adolescents overweight or obese. If you're anything like me, when you read that you wondered what really constituted 'overweight' and whether a figure...

  • How Sesame Street Changed Everything

    How Sesame Street Changed Everything

    It's almost impossible to imagine a trip down the toy aisle without spying Big Bird, Grover, or Oscar the Grouch peeking out from the shelves. Sesame Street has been providing its unique mixture of education and entertainment long before the...

  • The Pros and Cons of Personal Technology in Schools

    The Pros and Cons of Personal Technology in Schools

    Technology has become an integral aspect of life in the workplace, at home, and even in our schools. In this day and age, the thought of going a day or two without regular access to a computer or smartphone is...

  • The History of the Caldecott Medal

    The History of the Caldecott Medal

    Stories have stimulated imagination, creativity, and play among children for centuries. Sitting down to read a book together provides children and their caretakers with a short break from reality and time for bonding and togetherness. Books provoke curiosity and discussion,...

  • The Story of the Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller Friendship

    The Story of the Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller Friendship

    Many people think they know the story of Helen Keller, the girl who suffered from being blind and deaf. What many don't know is that without Anne Sullivan's patience, guidance, and friendship, Helen Keller never would have been transformed into...

  • It's Time to Say Goodbye: The Move Away from Standardized Testing

    It's Time to Say Goodbye: The Move Away from Standardized Testing

    Most educators (and parents) would agree that standardized tests have taken over the school system. Teachers have been teaching to the test for years and have agreed that the art of teaching has been dramatically altered; even destroyed. There has...

  • The Joy of Journaling: How Journaling Helps Students In and Out of the Classroom

    The Joy of Journaling: How Journaling Helps Students In and Out of the Classroom

    Journaling has been around for decades and is a popular way to help students put their thoughts on paper. It can be very therapeutic and it can also help students of all ages find a voice when writing. It's also...

  • The FAQ's of Coding in the Classroom

    The FAQ's of Coding in the Classroom

    Computer programming has become extremely popular and has been on the rise for decades. It's no wonder it's gaining such popularity with hit TV shows like The Big Bang Theory, which target America's youth. Most educators who do not have...

  • Easing the Burden of Different Student Levels in the Same Classroom

    Easing the Burden of Different Student Levels in the Same Classroom

    All children come to school with vastly different backgrounds, which can directly impact their core knowledge base and how they learn. Some students have parents who are more than willing to help in the education process, while other parents are...

  • 2015 Creativity Scholarship Winners

    2015 Creativity Scholarship Winners

    We received a ton of truly awesome entries for our creativity scholarship contest. After reviewing all of them, here are our winners: First Place: Ellen Bridget O'Connell from Minnesota. Second Place: Taylor Copeland from Connecticut. Third Place: Lilian Pham from...

  • Games like Bingo Increase Learning

    Games like Bingo Increase Learning

    It's been proven time and time again, learning is easier when kids are having fun. When learning is fun, kids not only enjoy what they're doing, but they tend to retain more of the information, so it's a win-win situation...

  • Can School Uniforms Really Impact Public Schools?

    Can School Uniforms Really Impact Public Schools?

    For years, private schools have required school uniforms as a means to increase efficacy and a sense of unity in the learning environment. Although it has taken public schools time to embrace the idea of uniforms, it is slowly gaining...

  • Teaching to Prevent and Treat Dyslexia

    Teaching to Prevent and Treat Dyslexia

    Dyslexia is considered one of the most common learning disabilities. A cognitive language disorder related to both reading and speech, dyslexia is characterized by difficulty learning to read and comprehend written language, despite normal or even above-average intelligence. Although it...

  • Determining the Best Classroom Size for Maximum Student Performance

    Determining the Best Classroom Size for Maximum Student Performance

    Classroom size can directly impact student performance, a point that has been well established over the years. The problem is that most public schools have limited funds and only so many classrooms and teachers available. During the recession that started...

  • A Bilingual Mind

    A Bilingual Mind

    There is no denying that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are vital to the future of our country. As such, STEM instruction is playing a much bigger role for today's students than those of past generations. A successful STEM education...

  • Why Flash Cards Work

    Why Flash Cards Work

    Some students swear by cramming right before tests. Others insist on highlighting or underlining important material while reading textbooks. From neumonic devices to silly rhymes or songs, effective study techniques vary from person to person, but flash cards have been...

  • The Case for Recess

    The Case for Recess

    Imagine going to work for seven or eight hours straight without taking a single coffee break. Never spending a few moments chatting with your coworkers around the water cooler. Never getting up from your desk to stretch your legs or...

  • The Rise of Common Core Math

    The Rise of Common Core Math

    Just as advancing technologies have changed the way we live our daily lives, teaching techniques and the composition of schools, in general, have evolved greatly over the past century. We have morphed from one room schoolhouses to large campuses that...

  • The Tao of Mister Rogers

    The Tao of Mister Rogers

    Have you ever met someone who is incredibly intelligent, yet seems awkward or uncomfortable in social situations? Not necessarily at parties, but in the workplace or even out in public? The ability to communicate with others while treating them with...

  • Cursive in the Classroom

    Cursive in the Classroom

    As society evolves, changes in both school curriculum and teaching styles are inevitable. Today's elementary school aged children are often surprised to learn that their parents did not have iPads or laptops in school when they were younger! Cursive handwriting,...

  • Introducing GEDDES Imprinting

    Introducing GEDDES Imprinting

    We are very excited to announce GEDDES Imprinting - a new website where you can get pens, hats, bags, mugs and other great items imprinted and customized with your school or business’s name, logo, tagline or mascot! Just visit imprint.raymondgeddes.com...

  • Our Favorite Blogs of 2014

    Our Favorite Blogs of 2014

    At Geddes, we pride ourselves on offering all the essential school supplies and resources necessary to teachers and parents alike. To stay abreast of the needs and culture of the modern classroom, we spend copious amounts of time combing education...

  • 7 Insightful Tips for Teaching Kids with Hearing Loss

    7 Insightful Tips for Teaching Kids with Hearing Loss

    Students with disabilities can face a variety of academic and social hurdles. This can make school a difficult experience, even for children who love to learn. It's critical that teachers comply with federal laws as well as 504 plans and...

  • What Makes a No. 2 Pencil Different?

    What Makes a No. 2 Pencil Different?

    Take a quick trip down the office supply aisle at your favorite superstore and you'll see hundreds of writing supplies, including markers, crayons, highlighters, pens, and—of course—pencils. Ever since you were old enough to first grip your fingers around a...

  • Are Time-Outs Actually Harming Our Children?

    Are Time-Outs Actually Harming Our Children?

    Even the best-behaved children break rules or act out from time to time, whether at home or at school. It is a normal part of growing up. Punishment, which can be physical or verbal, is intended to make a child...

  • The Relationship Between Math and Music

    The Relationship Between Math and Music

    Music is usually a favorite class among elementary school children. Older students often opt to continue their study of the subject by joining the school band or orchestra to learn how to play an instrument. Math, at first mention, may...

  • Prepare for the Holidays with Holiday School Supplies!

    Prepare for the Holidays with Holiday School Supplies!

    The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with holiday-themed school supplies? Raymond Geddes has all of your holiday school supply needs. From holiday takes on classics like pens and pencils to fun toys and...