The Importance of Face Time with Teachers and Classmates in this Tech-driven World

January 20th, 2026

Computers, cell phones, apps, Facebook, iPads, Twitter—this is only a small few of the seemingly infinite number of technology tools and devices available today that offer access to a wealth of information on just about any topic. You would think access to all of these tools would help shrink the achievement gap between the economically disadvantaged and their more affluent peers, right?

An article from MindShift  discusses findings from two researchers who wanted to find out for themselves. They conducted a study comparing young people in two libraries, one located in an affluent neighborhood and one in an economically-deprived neighborhood. They found that even though both sets of students had access to information with the library computers, they used those computers very differently. The students in the affluent neighborhood library were more likely to be guided and supported by accompanying adults and spent more time reading and doing homework-related searches, while the students in the economically-disadvantaged neighborhood library received little or no support from accompanying adults, got frustrated, spent less time reading informational text or using the computer for homework, and more often used the computer for games and entertainment. The article notes, “While technology has often been hailed as the great equalizer of educational opportunity, a growing body of evidence indicates that in many cases, tech is actually having the opposite effect: it is increasing the gap between rich and poor, between whites and minorities, and between the school-ready and the less-prepared.”

In this tech-driven world where cell phones, texting, email, and the internet have changed the way people communicate with each other, the face-time interaction between teacher and learner, as well as students and peers, is essential to promoting social, language, and literacy development in young learners. Here are just a few benefits of face-to-face learning in the classroom:

  • Students can ask questions and get immediate feedback from their teachers.
  • Teachers can engage students by asking open-ended questions, drawing them into a real-time discussion and helping them make connections between the words or activity and their own lives, which expands their comprehension of the language being used.
  • Students watch their teachers and learn the meaning of words and phrases through modeling, visual cues, and inflection.
  • If a student is struggling with something in the lesson, the teacher can provide instant support.
  • Children develop important social skills and increase self-confidence by working together with other students.
  • Students learn to think outside of themselves, develop an appreciation of diversity, and build strong relationships as they spend time interacting.
  • Nothing gets lost in translation because of a screen.

The developers of GrapeSEED understand the importance of children having face time with their teacher and classmates, which is why the program is implemented in the classroom under the direction of a GrapeSEED-trained teacher. Teachers are trained in providing a low-stress, supportive environmentthat fosters oral language acquisition and critical listening development. By being right there with their students, teachers can model and work with the children to make sure they are learning the meaning of the words as they learn to correctly speak and then write them. And with the help of an excellent GrapeSEED Support team, teachers can make sure they are giving their students the best chance for success in language and literacy development.

Technology is a great tool for learning, which is why GrapeSEED implements DVDs for repeated exposure and practice at home as well as in the classroom, but as we saw in the study of students in the libraries, children need that adult support and guidance to keep them on track for successful learning. GrapeSEED provides students the opportunity to clearly communicate, learn, and grow together with teachers and fellow students, while building solid relationships, self-confidence, and a better future.

New Year, Clearer Path: Decluttering for Stronger Language Learning

January 20, 2026
January is the season of decluttering, but in schools, it’s about clearing space for what truly matters! This month’s blog explores how thoughtful organization supports multilingual learners and why strong language systems are worth keeping. A little clarity now can create momentum that lasts all year… and beyond!

Midyear Glow-Up: Refreshing Routines in Your Classroom!

December 11, 2025
The new year is a perfect time for reflection and renewal—not just for us, but for our students, too. After a long winter break, January offers a natural opportunity to revisit and reinforce classroom routines and procedures, especially in multilingual classrooms where clarity and consistency are key to helping all students feel secure and successful. For multilingual learners, routines are more than just classroom management—they provide language-rich structures that support understanding, reduce anxiety, and foster confidence. Whether students are newcomers or have been learning English for years, a clear and predictable environment helps them focus on learning rather than guessing what’s expected. Start the month by gently reviewing procedures: entering the classroom, transitioning between activities, participating in group work, asking for help, and using classroom materials. Model each step and invite students to demonstrate, using visuals, gestures, and multilingual supports when possible. Pair verbal directions with pictures or sentence stems to help students connect words with actions. This not only aids comprehension, it builds community and shared responsibility. Remember, reviewing routines isn’t about enforcing rules—it’s about resetting the tone for a peaceful, productive, and joyful classroom. Make space for students to share what helps them learn best and celebrate the positive habits they already bring with them. By investing time in January to revisit expectations with warmth and intention, you're setting the stage for a second half of the school year filled with growth, laughter, and learning—for every student, in every language.

Meet AI, Your New Teaching Assistant!

December 2, 2025
In today’s classrooms, elementary school teachers juggle countless responsibilities—planning engaging lessons, managing behavior, communicating with families, and differentiating instruction for every learner. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening up a world of support tools that can help educators reclaim valuable time while still meeting the diverse needs of their students. Lesson Planning, Simplified AI tools and other educator-focused platforms can generate customized, standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes. Whether you're teaching reading comprehension, performing science experiments, or developing math centers, AI can help you brainstorm activities, create differentiated tasks, and suggest formative assessments—all tailored to your students’ grade level and learning goals. Behavior Intervention Plans Made Easier Creating thoughtful, individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) often requires collaboration and time that’s hard to find. With the right prompts, AI can assist by generating plan templates, suggesting positive reinforcement strategies, and even helping you write goal-specific language that’s clear and professional. This allows for quicker implementation and better support for student growth. Boosting Communication with Families Need to send home a weekly newsletter, a classroom update, or a quick note in family-friendly language? AI can help you write clear, respectful, and engaging messages in seconds—and even translate them into multiple languages. This promotes stronger school-home connections without adding to your workload. More Than Just Words AI isn’t just about writing. It can generate visual aids, adapt texts for different reading levels, offer creative ideas for classroom themes, or even draft rubrics and anchor charts. When used responsibly, AI becomes a teaching assistant in your pocket—offering fresh ideas and saving you time. A Word of Caution—and Empowerment AI isn’t a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace the care, creativity, and wisdom that teachers bring to the classroom. But when used thoughtfully, it can remove some of the mental load and help you focus on what matters most: building relationships, inspiring learners, and making a lasting impact. AI can be a game-changing tool for educators—not by replacing the human touch, but by enhancing it. With the right approach, you can use AI to create, communicate, and collaborate more efficiently—without sacrificing quality. Just as AI can support teachers in the classroom, GrapeSEED does the same. From intentionally designed lesson plans to materials at your fingertips, to a results driven, joy filled curriculum for your language learner students, GrapeSEED has it all. Click here to learn more !

Finding Balance in a Too-Much-to-Teach World

November 3, 2025
If you’ve ever looked at your lesson plans and thought, “There’s no way I can fit all this in,” you’re not alone. Teachers today face an ever-growing list of standards, assessments, and initiatives, all while striving to create joyful, meaningful learning experiences for young children. The struggle is real! So how can we honor curriculum expectations without overwhelming ourselves or our students? Read on for ideas and strategies! Start with What Matters Most Not everything carries equal weight. Identify the skills and concepts your students truly need to succeed, both academically and developmentally. Prioritize depth over breadth when possible. A well-understood concept is more valuable than one that’s been rushed and checked off a list. Integrate Across Subject Areas Look for ways to blend content. A science lesson can include reading comprehension. A writing activity can connect to social studies. Integration allows for richer, more efficient learning and saves time while deepening student understanding. Protect Time for Play, Talk, and Joy Children learn best when they are engaged and emotionally connected to content. Carve out time for class discussions, movement, and creative exploration. These “non-academic” moments often bring about the deepest learning and are critical for social-emotional development. Be Realistic, Not Perfect It’s okay if not every lesson goes as planned or every objective is met on the first try. Focus on consistent growth, not perfection. Trust your professional judgment. After all, you know your students best. Support One Another Collaboration is key. Talk with teammates about what’s working, what can be scaled back, and how to share the load. A balanced curriculum starts with a balanced teacher, and that balance often comes from working together. Remember, you aren’t just covering content, you’re helping to shape children’s lives. When we prioritize purposeful, joyful learning over packing it all in, we give students (and ourselves) what truly matters most.. To learn how GrapeSEED English for Children saves teachers time so that they can focus on what is important, click here today!
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