Scientist. Inventor. Painter. Sculptor. Architect. Cartographer. Mathematician. Maverick?

Leonardo da Vinci is often referred to as the quintessential example of a Renaissance Man, or someone who excels spectacularly in a range of disparate subject areas. Far from being a dilettante, da Vinci is widely considered to have been a genius, and has left lasting significant contributions in fields such as medicine, art, mathematics, and engineering. Nearly 500 years after his death, da Vinci’s creativity, brilliance, and the sheer audacity of his ideas mark him as one of the greatest minds ever known. Contemporary scientists, inventors, and artists regularly cite him as an inspiration, and his relevance still reverberates today.

Discussing racism with students requires thoughtful sensitivity and an awareness of the differences between the students, as well as their interactions with each other. Different ethnicities and genders can present additional challenges when discussing race in the classroom, and cultural differences can sometimes prompt seemingly prejudicial actions that can be mistaken for racism. To avoid the discussion of racism with students, however, may unintentionally suggest that it’s a topic that is too difficult or “wrong,” and best ignored. Diversity should be celebrated – a concept sometimes easier said than done, but essential to the fabric of strong schools and communities.

Plagiarism has long been a canker on the intellectual landscape, and many students feel powerless to resist the siren song of readily available content provided by others. The Internet presents an especially tempting bounty of fast and convenient pre-packaged prose and ideas. So, just how does a teacher, or a school system, stem the tide of plagiarism?

The team at The Gateway to 21st Century skills was honored that The Gateway, the cornerstone of the Global Learning Resource Connection, was selected by eSchool News as the Site of the Week for the week of January 12, 2011. The editors at eSchool News chose The Gateway as their featured site this week because it provides a wealth of lesson plans, instructional units and other educational resources that are free and accessible to educators across the globe. eSchool News also cited the fact that educators can easily see how each resource on The Gateway is mapped to their particular state’s standards.

Inclusive classrooms are the norm in many school districts. As a result, the typical classroom teacher now encounters children with a wide range of abilities, including those with special needs. Despite the challenges raised by their disabilities, special needs students can, and often do, thrive in the inclusive classroom. Lessons may need to be modified for their needs, and learning disabled students generally need more time to complete tasks.