Hi Reader,

I want to start this week with something that really caught my attention. A news story that came out recently shared how some children are beginning to lose regional accents, and social media may be playing a role. Because kids are constantly hearing the same voices, phrases, and speech patterns online, linguists say language is starting to sound more uniform. It’s a fascinating shift, and also one that made me pause and reflect on what our students are absorbing every day.

📱It connects closely to screen time. In the U.S., kids now average several hours of screen use each day, with elementary and middle school students often exceeding four to five hours. Screens are part of life, and many families rely on them, but research continues to show how important face-to-face interaction is for language development, social skills, and empathy. Conversation, play, and real human connection still matter deeply.

What are your thoughts on this? I'd love to hear what you think.

In our classroom this week, we leaned into that idea by pretending to travel to Stockholm, Sweden. The kids were especially impressed by Stockholm’s subway system, often called the longest art gallery in the world. Artwork fills stations throughout the system, turning everyday transportation into a cultural experience.

After learning about it, students designed their own subway stations, complete with themes, colors, and stories behind their designs. The creativity and collaboration were incredible to watch.

If you’d like to try this with your students, here’s a free mini-lesson all about the Stockholm subway system:
👉 Stockholm's Subway Content​

❤️As we head into the week, I want to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His words and work remind us why building community, listening to one another, and teaching with compassion matter so much.

Lastly, a brand-new classroom transformation is coming. I’ll just say this. I'm FALLING in love with it already! Any guesses?

Have a wonderful week!

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