Every classroom contains students that are full of potential.  The challenge for an  educator is to provide an environment and create experiences that help students realize their potential and act on it.   There are different ways individuals learn and process information (multiple intelligences), and most often, all that is needed is a "spark" to energize them.

The purpose of this site is to share ideas (sparks) that can make learning  more fun for teachers, students, and communities.

I personally believe that a great means to achieve the objectives in any lesson plan, is to energize the classroom.  I do this with the help of three simple reminders when I am planning;  keep it fun, keep it relevant, and keep learning!
(My qualifications)

Most of the ideas listed on this site are easy to implement in the classroom.  The ideas under the "75 ideas" link are there for one of three reasons;  I have used it in my class, witnessed other teachers use it, or I have thought of it but have yet to implement it in my classroom.

I have provided as links, detailed descriptions to several of the ideas on the "75 ideas" page.  Feel free to contact me in regards to additional information that may be needed to pursue any of the listed ideas. 

It is important to remember that when learning is fun, everything else falls into place. 

Please submit an idea you may have.  I will post it under "Other Ideas" on the navbar, and hopefully this site will become a popular point of reference for all of us teachers.

Good luck!

Paul Richmond
Government/Economics/US History
Thomas Edison High School

Email:  prichmond1@stny.rr.com