[Weekly EdNews Round Up] Step Right Up to the Sorting Hat! Student ‘Houses’ Create a Sense of Belonging

No one knows better than educators about the importance of staying up-to-date. In Edmentum’s Weekly News Round Up, you’ll find the latest and most interesting education news, all in one place.

Schools around the U.S. are taking a page from English boarding schools and sorting their students into ‘houses.’ The results? More student engagement, stronger student relationships, and a positive school culture. Not to mention, a dream come true for Harry Potter fans! Read all about this new school management trend and more fun teacher topics in this week’s EdNews Round Up!

How Being Part of a 'House' Within a School Helps Students Gain A Sense of Belonging
MindShift
Just like at Hogwarts! Some larger schools are creating smaller "houses" across grade levels and classes to help kids feel a greater sense of belonging and school engagement.

What's Going On In Your Child's Brain When You Read Them A Story?
npr
There are many ways young children encounter stories. A new study finds a "Goldilocks effect," where a cartoon may be "too hot" and audiobooks "too cold" for budding readers.

From EdCamps to Google, 11 Professional Development Offerings for Teachers This Summer
EdSurge
As testing comes to a close, the next big event for educators on the horizon is summer vacation. To help you stay sharp while getting that much-needed vitamin D, EdSurge has a gathered a list of professional development activities geared towards teachers, offered for free or at relatively low-cost.

A History in Which We Can All See Ourselves
Edutopia
Proponents of greater inclusivity in history say that when young people see themselves in the story of our shared past, they not only develop a deeper appreciation of the subject but become more civically active. Educators are finding ways to tell a richer history of America—responding to the demands of an increasingly diverse student body.

E-sports in schools primed to grow ‘bigger than the NFL’
District Administration
Dozens of high schools across the nation are adding competitive video-gaming as it becomes one of the fastest-growing activities in both K12 and higher ed.

Has Video Killed the Red Grading Pen?
The Hechinger Report
Some educators are finding that giving students video feedback is a more effective strategy than traditional methods and more accurately portrays their impressions of a students’ work. And researchers say there may be good reason for it.

Teaching Students to Hope for the Best
neaToday
It's no secret that successful education means more than just learning the core subjects; it requires social and emotional learning, too. Just like reading and math, hope is something that students need to practice—and adults need to teach.