*These programs are funded through the NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education.
Show #1
Sept. 11 & Oct. 16
Teaching 9/11- New Jersey educators participated in the development of a comprehensive curriculum to help teachers address the sensitive topic of 9/11 in the classroom. Teachers at Lake Hiawatha and Lake Parsippany Elementary demonstrate age-appropriate lessons that include bullying, tolerance, heroism, and remembrance. The curriculum is a collaboration of the Holocaust Commission, the Families of September 11, the Liberty Science Center and New Jersey school teachers who volunteered their time and expertise. 
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Dewey Who? - Seaview Elementary third graders are learning the Dewey decimal system with their dads during an evening event sponsored by an NJEA PRIDE in Education Grant. The Linwood program encourages dads to read to their children, who learn more about libraries by competing in a scavenger hunt to find books. Gallery
Nicky Fifth - How do you get children excited about reading, geography and history? Author Lisa Willever, a former Trenton teacher, uses Nicky Fifth chapter books to teach children about New Jersey history and tourism. While New Jersey is a geographically small state, it is packed with exciting adventures that include history lessons. See how the students and teachers at Ft. Dix Elementary use the chapter books to educate and excite the children about their state. Gallery
Books Come to Life - For Read Across America Day, students at Winfield Elementary School make “Books Come to Life.” All the students, from pre-k to eighth grade, bring the books and characters to life with a school-wide event. From Four and Twenty Blackbirds to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the children perform for their parents to share the joy of reading! Gallery
Show #2
Sept. 18 & Oct. 23
High School Heroes - Students at McNair Academy High School in Jersey City learn about organ donation directly from a recipient. This lesson is part of the NJ Sharing Network’s High School Heroes Program, which is designed to help schools address the New Jersey Hero Act. The legislation requires that every public high school in New Jersey include information about organ and tissue donation in its health and physical education curriculum. Gallery
Challenge Day - Gifted and Talented students from Burlington County and Pennsauken compete in a Challenge Day. About 120 students form teams and rotate through five activities that test their critical thinking and teamwork skills. The goal is to draw attention to the importance of learning to work together to solve problems, which today’s students will need for tomorrow’s jobs. Gallery
NJ Festival - Triton Regional High School’s American Studies class makes U.S. history relevant to New Jersey. This cross-curricular project combines English and history for the students living in and around Runnemede. The students write a research project and then create a visual that represents their topic. The topics range from the Civil and Revolutionary wars to current topics that have roots in New Jersey. The school invites parents and community leaders to observe the student presentations of their projects. Gallery
Oxford Archery - Physical Education has a new twist - Archery. Students in grades fourth through eighth at Oxford Central School are learning archery skills and successfully competing nationally. Students of all abilities, including those with physical challenges, participate in the archery lessons during PE classes. The school’s archery team recently won its fifth state title and went to place 18th out of 104 teams in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) national competition held in Louisville, Kentucky. Gallery
Show #3
Sept. 25 & Oct. 30
High Point Innovators - Students from High Point High School in Sussex County earned first place at the Technology Student Association National Conference in July of 2009 and are currently applying for a patent for their invention. The students are working on a device that could help millions of patients confined to hospital beds prevent bed sores. The device uses several vibrating sensors placed under a mattress pad to stimulate blood flow to the head, torso and heels. Every time pressure exerted on the sensor reaches a certain level, the sensors send a signal to special motors, which cause the sensors to gently vibrate. Gallery
*Global iPALS - Students at Washington Elementary School in Washington Township (Bergen County) are crossing the globe to communicate with students in a country nearly 9,000 miles away. Second and fourth graders learn about digital storytelling, vodcasting, and podcasting while focusing on cultural diversity, the arts and technology. A group of ESL, mainstream and classified students use those skills to communicate with partner schools in both Iowa and New Zealand. Gallery
Taylor Mills Jungle - Art teacher Robbie Schafler is turning Taylor Mills School in Manalapan into an art gallery. The students are learning about French artist Henri Rousseau and the educational themes around his artwork. This interdisciplinary project focuses on animals in art, and each grade features a different theme. Each class, including the specials such as music, computer, and Spanish, make connections between the curriculum and the art project. Gallery
S.A.I.L. - Students Achieving Independent Life Skills is a transition program that provides students with disabilities with job development and training. Through class work at Piscataway public schools and workplace experience, students learn the basics for independent living. Gallery
Show #4
Oct. 2 & Nov. 6
Read Across America-Asbury Park is joining the nation-wide celebration of Read Across America and the birth of Dr. Seuss. Bradley Park Elementary brings in guest readers from the community readers to share the joy of reading. Gallery
*iREAD - iPads are becoming increasingly popular, even in the schools. Students at Edgemont Elementary School in Montclair are using iPads to help improve their reading skills. Teacher Jennette Williams will show us how iPads are used in her classroom as an educational tool. Gallery
Survivor - Preparing for tests is a daunting task and can overwhelm many high school students. The High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) is used to determine student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics as specified in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Burlington City High School math teacher Stacy Colon has found a way to make preparing for the HSPA tests fun and less daunting. Gallery
Plan Your Future - Abraham Clark High School students are part of a national movement in education to develop personal and career paths to the future. The students from Roselle are among 16 pilot schools in New Jersey that are implementing a Personalized Student learning Plan. Currently 21 states have mandated the use of the PSLP, and last year 9th graders began participating in the project. A Kuder web-based program help the students develop their personalized plans, investigate careers and colleges, take career interest inventories, prepare a resume and keep record of activities and course work completed at school. Gallery
Show #5
Oct. 9 & Nov. 13
Block the Bullying - Students from Ridgewood Avenue School in Glen Ridge are learning how to block bullying. The power behind this program is the importance placed on the bully-free message by having the entire school break from its regular schedule to simultaneously participate in the lesson or "block". Each month's lesson is designed by teachers from the school's volunteer Character Education Committee. Gallery
March of Fashion - Sixth and seventh graders at Community Middle School in West Windsor-Plainsboro are learning leadership skills while producing a fashion show as a fundraiser for the March of Dimes. The show is run by the Amigos, a leadership group at the school. This is the fourth year the students have put on a fashion show, raising over $8,000. The students ask local business for donations and contributions which include clothing, gift baskets and other prizes. Gallery
Poetry Slam – Jersey City Lincoln High School hosts the annual Poetry Slam. Everyone – from the students to parents, teachers, administrators, and school support staff –participate in the poetry competition. New Jersey was home to poets like Robert Pinski and William Carlos Williams, and there may be some future poet laureates in the group at Lincoln High School. Gallery
The Leader in Me - Each month, students at Ardena Elementary School in Howell practice one of the seven habits identified in Steven Covey’s Highly Effective Children’s Leadership Model. Details about the model can be found at www.theleaderinme.org. The habits are highlighted in the morning and afternoon announcements and practiced daily in each classroom. Gallery
Show #6
Nov. 20 & Dec. 25
Learning in the 21st Century - New Jersey’s public school teachers are asked to prepare children today for jobs of tomorrow. Teachers at Long Valley Middle School in Washington Township are working toward a community of 21st century learners. Despite the budget cuts, New Jersey educators are finding creative ways of keeping students connected to the latest in technology. Gallery
50 Sterling Years – In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Sterling High School, dozens of retired teachers are honored for the lasting impression they left on the community. The Junior Knights preschool lab host a special recognition brunch for the retired and previous staff members of the school. The preschool lab is part of the family and consumer science class. Gallery
River Day - Sixth graders at Emil Cavallini Middle School in Upper Saddle River learn the lessons of the river which runs through their campus. With the help of volunteers from the community and several outside organizations, the students participate in hands-on learning activities at a variety of stations. The students learn all about the river, from flora and fauna to chemical and biological river assessment. Gallery
Interact in New Orleans – Last April, Raritan High School math teacher and Interact advisor Andrew LaBarbera, took a team of students to help New Orleans Habitat for Humanity build homes for families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The goal of the club is to provide the students with opportunities to make a difference in their community, their country and their world. Gallery
Show #7
Nov. 27 & Jan. 1
*YES - Youth Engaged in Service learning is a recognized effective pedagogy for cultivating responsible citizens capable of democratic participation. About 600 fifth and sixth grade students at Hillside Intermediate School (Bridgewater-Raritan School District in Somerset County) participate in a service-learning fair. The students come from various communities, so they use email and web-chats to collaborate on global issues such as hunger and homelessness. The sixth graders participate in service projects, and during the fair they share how they plan to make community service a part of their life. Gallery
Exceptional Students Climb Mountains – A group of students at Warren Hills Regional Middle School climb a mountain to symbolize the challenges they have overcome during the school year. Seventh and eighth grade students hike the Appalachian Trail at the Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown. Each student has a specific learning or an emotional disability that has impeded past academic progress. Teachers Jessica Rader and Dan Cullen help the students work through their challenges to reach academic and social success. Gallery
Get on the Wall – Students at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School create murals on the walls of their school as members of the Mural Club, an afternoon program for fifth and sixth graders. Art teacher and club advisor Cate Sewall partners with fellow faculty to help students research and design murals that compliment the school's curriculum. For more information go to the website. Gallery
Rescue Mission - Pinelands Regional High School students learn about empathy, compassion and kindness through their volunteer efforts with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. The mission serves people in need of food and shelter. Gallery
Show #8
Dec. 4 & Jan. 8
Inspiring Teachers-Each year the College of New Jersey runs a summer high school Urban Teacher Academy which provides students with the knowledge and encouragement to pursue the field of education. One of the criteria for applying to this academy is for each student to write a letter to the teacher who inspired them the most. A few selected letters are read to their teachers, creating emotional and inspiring moments. Gallery
Friends of Forsythe – Fourth graders at Marsh Elementary in Absecon receive hands on experience cleaning up an oil spill. The Friends of Forsythe visit schools in Atlantic County to provide programs on environmental education and conservation. The volunteers include a retired teacher, a retired school maintenance man and a retired doctor. Gallery
Urban Success - Elizabeth's magnet for multidisciplinary learning, the Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School No. 26, outperforms most the schools in the district, despite the fact that they have a large transient population. The school houses the Union County Teacher of the Year, Erin Devany. Some unique aspects include the fact that kindergartners learn Mandarin Chinese, the school has a longer school day and year, and many of the student often go on to the gifted and talented high school. Gallery
Rachel’s Challenge - Students at Pineland Regional Middle School in Tuckerton learn lessons of kindness and compassion from a program called Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. The contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for a national school program that includes an assembly and a powerful workshop. Gallery
Show #9
Dec. 11 & Jan. 15
Dewey Who? - Seaview Elementary third graders are learning the Dewey decimal system with their dads during an evening event sponsored by an NJEA PRIDE in Education Grant. The Linwood program encourages dads to read to their children, who learn more about libraries by competing in a scavenger hunt to find books. Gallery
Real Men Read - Statistics show that boys in grades four through six are more interested in sports than books. So basic skills teacher Marilu Bicknell came up with a plan. Boys at Thomas E. Bowe Elementary School in Glassboro are targeted with a program called Real Men Read Literacy Project. Male role models in the school and community participate in a kick off breakfast, pose for posters that are displayed at the school and the local library, and serve as examples of strong men who love books. Gallery
Teaching From Space - Five educators from Mountview Road Elementary School in Hanover Township bring their experience from NASA back to the classroom. As part of the Teaching from Space program, the teachers participate in a Reduced Gravity Flight Week at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. The educators designed an experiment using magnets and gravity and the students race the magnets to demonstrate the lesson from space. Gallery
Educaching - Students at Woodland School in Barrington learn about GPS technology through a treasure hunting activity called educaching. Educaching melds geocaching with education. Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasures. A geocacher places a geocache somewhere in the world, and locates it using GPS technology and then shares the geocache's existence and location on line. The project uses language arts, math, geography and logic skills. It combines treasure hunting, puzzles, logic skills, writing, and creativity for gifted and talented students. This project is made possible through an NEA Learning and Leadership Grant. Gallery
Show #10
Dec. 18 & Jan. 22
Oxford Archery - Physical Education has a new twist - Archery. Students in grades fourth through eighth at Oxford Central School are learning archery skills and successfully competing nationally. Students of all abilities, including those with physical challenges, participate in the archery lessons during PE classes. The school’s archery team recently won its fifth state title and went to place 18th out of 104 teams in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) national competition held in Louisville, Kentucky. Gallery
Interact in New Orleans – Last April, Raritan High School math teacher and Interact advisor Andrew LaBarbera, took a team of students to help New Orleans Habitat for Humanity build homes for families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The goal of the club is to provide the students with opportunities to make a difference in their community, their country and their world. Gallery
Poetry Slam – Jersey City Lincoln High School hosts the annual Poetry Slam. Everyone – from the students to parents, teachers, administrators, and school support staff –participate in the poetry competition. New Jersey was home to poets like Robert Pinski and William Carlos Williams, and there may be some future poet laureates in the group at Lincoln High School. Gallery
Taylor Mills Jungle - Art teacher Robbie Schafler is turning Taylor Mills School in Manalapan into an art gallery. The students are learning about French artist Henri Rousseau and the educational themes around his artwork. This interdisciplinary project focuses on animals in art, and each grade features a different theme. Each class, including the specials such as music, computer, and Spanish, make connections between the curriculum and the art project. Gallery
Show #11
Jan. 29 & March 4
Outdoor Experiential Education - Cape May County Special Services School District embraces the concept that recreation and leisure education is a vital service and innovative tool for students with moderate to severe special needs. As the nature and needs of the district’s students grew in severity and scope to include autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, cognitive/developmental disabilities, and multiple disabilities, OXE evolved into a cross-content, multi-disciplinary, NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards based program that uses the Experiential Learning Model to help meet the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals for students ages 7-21. Gallery
Patchwork of Diversity - Ninth graders at Freehold High School learn about the important contributions of Hispanics while instilling pride in Latin culture. A HOPE assembly (Hispanic Outreach to Promote Education) features Denisse Oller, a former news anchor turned chef and culinary expert. The students display a Patchwork of Diversity Quilt which features famous Hispanic celebrities. Gallery
Day School - Middlesex County Teacher of the Year Terri Thompson shares an unforgettable day with her students at the Piscataway Regional Day School, a facility for students with autism and severe multiple disabilities. None of her students are verbal or ambulatory, but with help of aids, nurses, therapists and parental support, Terri changes the lives of her special students. Gallery
*Discovering Citizenship - Warren Hills Middle School in Washington (Warren County) students learn about citizenship by gathering ingredients for a recipe to make and become responsible citizens. The students, many who face emotional and social challenges, learn that it takes action to become a responsible citizen. After touring locations that represent the history of citizenship, from Ellis Island and Philadelphia, to their hometown police and fire departments, the students decided to complete their project by participating in a community-wide litter clean up. Gallery
Show #12
Feb. 5 and March 11
Red White & Blue - Each year students at Lanning Avenue School in Verona invite veterans to attend a celebration to honor them for their service to our country. All of the veterans are family members, neighbors and even a member of the school custodial staff. It is an emotional and inspiring ceremony, including a musical tribute to each branch of the military. The Veteran's Day celebration is one of the key components for the State Department of Education naming Lanning Avenue School a "Star School". Gallery
Helping Hands for Hunger - Students from the Peer Leadership Program at Manchester Township High School coordinate the Helping Hands for Hunger project, a Thanksgiving food drive for area families in need. Working alongside senior citizens from the community's intergenerational committee and middle school students, the group compiled over 200 food baskets. Visit website for more information.
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Speaking of Reform - State and national education experts share professional development strategies and opinions about the state of today’s public schools during the annual NJEA Convention. Acting NJ Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf, and education historian and author Diane Ravitch, are the highlights of this year’s convention. They discuss controversial issues including merit pay and standardized testing.
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Tech Teaching Tools - As educators continue to explore the role of technology in the classroom, the list of Web 2.0 tools grows longer. In High Tech Tall at the NJEA Convention, teachers present one-on-one and small group demonstrations of technology activities tested in their own classrooms. Gallery
Show #13
Feb. 12 and March 18
Shadows – A drama developed by students at Franklin High School in Somerset explores the effects of bullying and building awareness of the role students can play in preventing it. Drama teacher Jennifer Little teams up with video production teacher Michael Pinnix in guiding their students through an emotional journey. After extensive research, surveys and interviews with experts and victims, the drama takes on three perspectives – the bystander, the bully and the victim. A recipient of the prestigious 2011 Golden Bell Leadership Award from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Shadows is performed for students and also as professional development for educators. Gallery
Young Architects - High Point High School in Sussex has one of the only four year high school architecture programs in the state. Teacher Ben Kappler focuses on green sustainable concepts and requires his students to make energy efficient designs. In addition to technology competitions where the students win national awards, the students are encouraged to participate in real projects, such as plans to make the school more energy efficient and designs for a Day Care for seniors. Gallery
Puerto Rican Festival - Woodbine Elementary School in Cape May County celebrates the sights, sounds and cuisine of Puerto Rico during the annual cultural festival, now in its 24th year. Parents, former students, and special guests join in the celebration featuring students performing songs, poetry, and skits. The highlight of the assembly includes the unveiling of student role models, Mr. and Miss Puerto Rico, and an appearance by the Coquí, the unofficial mascot of Puerto Rico. Gallery
Rachel’s Challenge - Students at Pineland Regional Middle School in Tuckerton learn lessons of kindness and compassion from a program called Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. The contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for a national school program that includes an assembly and a powerful workshop.
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Show #14
Feb. 19 & March 25
Dare 2 Be Fit – Mount Pleasant Elementary School students are wellness ambassadors who spread good healthy habits. Dare 2 Be Fit is a way for the school to fight and reverse the obesity crisis that is plaguing the nation. Students in third to fifth grade attend the program one day a week for an hour before school to learn fitness and nutrition related activities. Gallery
Fiscal Responsibility - Eighth graders at Julia A. Barnes No. 12 Elementary School in Jersey City learn how to handle personal finances through a Junior Achievement program. JA Finance Park is a month-long economics education program that introduces personal financial planning and career exploration. Math teacher Henry Saminski shows students about the principals of budgeting and economic options.
Stay Gold - Jefferson Middle School students unveil their website dedicated to ending modern day slavery. Students in Dan Papa’s social studies classes produce videos dedicated to the topic of human trafficking. The project is called Stay Gold, inspired by the book “The Outsiders”. As background, the students also learn about slavery of the past, and the Underground Railroad. The students also conduct fundraising efforts help end slavery and human trafficking. Gallery
Cinnaminson Lip Dub - Cinnaminson High School's Advanced TV Production class release their most ambitious video project to date: a school-wide "lip dub" of the Loverboy song "Working for the Weekend" done in one take with no edits. This endeavor, referred to as "Project X", required the participation of all students, staff, and administrators, and was shot prior to the Spirit Week pep rally.
Show #15
Feb. 26 & April 1
Digital Citizenship - Because of cuts in funding, Paterson educators have had to come up with creative ways of keeping lessons dynamic with the help of William Paterson University. Paterson No. 12 Elementary School teacher Carlene Anderson uses lessons created by the university on music, archeology, art, world languages and social action. Using Skype, these learning opportunities are shared with colleagues across America and around the world. Paterson students share cultural lessons with students in Guyana, Maine, South Dakota and Hawaii, to name a few. Gallery
Holocaust Resource Center - With each passing year, fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors remain to share their stories. Students from Randolph High School in Morris are learning how to contribute to preserving the history of the Holocaust through an extracurricular writing project. The students travel to the Holocaust Resource Center of Kean University to hear Holocaust survivor, Clara Kramer's story and discuss their writing projects with Holocaust scholar, Alexandra Zapruder. Gallery
Kindergarten Humanities - The NJ Council for the Humanities named Ellen Cahill the 2011 Teacher of the Year. Her kindergarten students at Bradford Elementary in Montclair vote at the beginning of the year on topics that interest them. The most popular topic is light, shadows and rainbows. Cahill demonstrates what’s possible in early childhood education, and she uses complex ideas that spark children’s passion for learning. Gallery
Civil War Letters - The 2012 New Jersey Teacher of the Year Jeanne M. DelColle works with her students on an after school project to transcribe civil war letters. Students at Burlington County Institute of Technology work with the Burlington County Historical Society on this history project. Some of the letters are from a local 17-year-old Civil War soldier, David Hankins, and his cousins who were serving with him. The students also make some of the letters into iMovie documentaries to help people understand the story behind the letters.
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Show #16
April 8 & May 16
#1 in the Nation - US News ranks High Technology High School in Lincroft the #1 high school in the nation for math and science. After evaluating student participation rates and performance on AP exams in math and science, the New Jersey school tops the nation. The students apply for admission and most of them participate in high level research projects and mentoring programs with top companies. Principal Daniel Simon says the best indicator of success is the number of students attending and graduating from the top colleges and universities and going on to impressive careers. 
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Spanish E-Pals - Seventh graders in Upper Saddle River are E-Pals with students in a small town on the outskirts of Seville, Spain. Cavallini Middle School Spanish teacher Kristine Tesoriero uses laptops funded by a grant from the Upper Saddle River Education Foundation to connect her students with students in Spain to practice writing skills and promote cultural connections. Through a website,www.epals.com, the students practice their Spanish skills with a native Spanish speaker of their age. Having a peer to connect with in Spain takes all of the grammar and vocabulary out of the textbook and puts it into an authentic and meaningful task. Gallery
YES A+ - Thanks to an NJEA Hipp Grant called YES A+ (Youth Engaged in Service through the Arts) students at Hillside Intermediate School are learning the benefits of community service. As part of the project, the students will participate in a community-wide service project on Martin Luther King Day. The Bridgewater-Raritan School District joins with local agencies to address community needs. The activities include a variety show and an art project at two assisted living homes. The students connected with seniors through the arts, with the help of guest artist Timothy Macht. Gallery
Freedom Writer – Manuel Scott is an original freedom writer. He dropped out of school and his English was so poor he was classified as an ESL student. He had a rough childhood, which included drug and alcohol abuse at an early age. He credits his placement in Erin Gruwell’s (Hillary Swank plays Erin in the movie Freedom Writers) class at a school in California as a factor in turning his life around. He holds two degrees and is working on his Ph.D. His story is one of courage, strength and determination to overcome adversity.
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Show #17
April 15 & May 13
Blue Skies - Inspired by a personal family crisis, New Egypt art teacher Rita Williams developed a project that brings hope to patients and family members. Students at Dr. Gerald Woehr ES & New Egypt Primary School produce and donate books, videos and calendars to hospital waiting areas, chemotherapy centers, rehabilitation hospitals, doctor’s offices and other medical facilities. Blue Skies is a Hipp Grant project that highlights the power of children's artwork. Gallery
Art of Comprehension – Educators at Elms Elementary School in Jackson Township are perfecting the art of teaching comprehension skills. When art teacher Trevor Bryan, fourth grade teacher Donna Donner and fifth grade teacher Justin Dolcimascolo realized that the cognitive processes involved in reading comprehension are nearly identical to the cognitive processes involved in pictorial comprehension they incorporated art into lessons across the curriculum. Art can be used to help students relate to social studies, vocabulary and even science. Early data suggests that the program is having a beneficial effect on students' standardized test scores.
Beyond Recycling - A teaching artist from Young Audiences is helping gifted and talented students from Lawrence Intermediate School create a performance that addresses the topic of sustainability. Beyond Recycling is a program made possible by a grant from MetLife with matching funds from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Teaching artist Eloise Bruce, a local poet and actor, works with Jessica Heller’s students to write and perform the skit. This project combines the efforts of Sustainable Jersey, which is a program for municipalities to go green, save money and sustain quality of life over the long term. Gallery
Drum Line - Students with special needs join a drum line to help them develop retention skills, coordination and self-esteem, as well as physical and cognitive functioning. Mercer County Special Services High School teacher Julie Braeckman believes percussion instruments are effective with students with special needs ranging from dyslexia, ADD, autism, Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome. Gallery
Show #18
April 22 & May 20
Zombie Apocalypse –Technology teacher Cristen Serdy from Sovereign Avenue School in Atlantic City coordinates a multidisciplinary lesson about emergency preparedness through a project called the Zombie Apocalypse. In science they work on cells, disease transmission and vaccines. In social studies they make emergency preparedness kits, find a secure shelter and plan an escape route. In math they calculate the rate of infection across the population. In language arts they use digital storytelling to produce emergency broadcast warnings. The culminating event is an assembly about the importance of being prepared for an emergency and a student performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Gallery
Music Memories - Fifth graders at Warren Point School in Fair Lawn use music to trigger memories and emotions that are then nurtured into narrative writing selections. The students' personal memoirs are an effective way of eliciting the descriptive and figurative language that many young writers struggle to achieve. Gallery
SELECT - Marion P. Thomas Charter School runs a gender-based program called SELECT (Scholars Electing Lifelong Education Character and Transformation). The teachers address the different learning styles of boys and girls and incorporate various teaching methods and activities that are differentiated for each gender. The program was initially established to bridge the gap for African American boys as well as strengthen proficiency for girls in science and math. Gallery
Challenge Day - Gifted and Talented students from Burlington County and Pennsauken compete in a Challenge Day. About 120 students form teams and rotate through five activities that test their critical thinking and teamwork skills. The goal is to draw attention to the importance of learning to work together to solve problems, which today’s students will need for tomorrow’s jobs. Gallery
Show #19
April 29 & May 27
PALS - Tenafly teachers learn from experts so they can pass on exciting new lessons about the environment to their students. A grant from PSEG and the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE) supports a project called PALS – the PSEG ANJEE Learners in Sustainability. The Tenafly Nature Center trains a team of teachers from four Tenafly elementary schools. Participating teachers’ classrooms become living labs that model effective science instructions. Teachers from Malcolm Mackay Elementary School share their knowledge and instructional strategies with fellow educators. Gallery
Finance Park - Students from Julia A. Barnes No 12 Elementary in Jersey City discover the challenges of managing real-world finances when they visit JA Finance Park. The field trip is the culminating lesson of a financial literacy program offered through Junior Achievement. At the park, the seventh and eighth graders work with volunteers to manage a simulated budget in this experiential, hands-on activity. Gallery
Literacy Fair - Students showcase their advanced writing skills during the Forked River Elementary Literacy Fair. Parents participate in interactive activities and attend NJ ASK workshops where they learn how to help prepare their children for the statewide tests. About 85 percent of the students attend the fair where they can explore a writer’s toolbox, learn about six traits of writing, and demonstrate their skills on interactive boards. Gallery
Comforting Cuisine - High school students improve the quality of life for children with cancer. Bergen County Technical High School culinary students from the Teterboro Campus work with marketing students from the Hackensack campus to create a unique food product for oncology patients at Hackensack medical center. The students are creating calorie-dense original products that taste good for children undergoing chemotherapy. The students are also working with experts from Rutgers Food Science department as well as industry executives from Pepsi to help with product development. Gallery
Show #20
June 3 & 10
The final show of the season highlights the best of the students, educators, and public school programs that we’ve visited this year. 
Nicky Fifth – A popular chapter book that explores the history, pop culture, geography and landscape of New Jersey comes alive. Author Lisa Willever takes the animated characters of Nicky Fifth to visit the Cake Boss’s factory in Jersey City.
Teaching Tough Subjects – Educators teach more than math and reading. They often delve into tough subjects ranging from 9/11, the Holocaust, Columbine and the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Teachers inspire students to become better citizens, and better people.
Urban Success – There's no question that teaching is challenging, especially in urban environments. This past year, we took you to schools that have found some answers. One has created a different environment for students. Another gives students real-world lessons in math. And still another focuses on how girls and boys learn differently. All three schools have achieved Urban Success.
Inspiring Moments – Teaching children with disabilities, ranging from mild to severe, is one of the biggest challenges in New Jersey public schools. See how educators rise to the challenge to find success among the most difficult circumstances.
21st Century Teaching – If you believe the rhetoric, children today are lazy and spoiled. But in reality, New Jersey schools are producing tomorrow’s inventors, architects, astronauts and entrepreneurs.
And just for fun, we will see the funny, entertaining and creative outtakes that never made it to air this year.