The 12 Most Popular Edutopia Stories of 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, we took a look back at our most popular feature stories, blogs, and videos of the year, the ones you read and watched the most, discussed and shared with your colleagues many thousands of times over. 

One of our most-read articles this year was dedicated to novice teachers entering their first roller-coaster year in the classroom, and offered a set of guiding principles from veteran teachers. Top reads also included a deep-dive into compelling research on the value of play-based learning, and an article that examined a recent study about the underestimated—and often misunderstood—impact of brain breaks on learning. 

Our video about a high school in Lincroft, New Jersey, where students begin each day dedicating the class to someone who inspired them—one student picked Mahatma Gandhi, another chose his grandfather, a retired soccer player in Northern Ireland—racked up close to one million views. Four classroom shifts designed to take the emphasis off grades was another hugely popular video, as was one that examined methods for putting student voice and choice at the center of the classroom community.

Meanwhile, professional educators continued to contribute exceptionally valuable blogs all year long. Among the most-read content written by practitioners in the field this year: Linnea Lyding's success story about incorporating movement into reading lessons; and Rachel Fuhrman's list of seven attention-getters designed to help quiet students down without teachers having to raise their voice.

Here are the most popular feature stories, videos, and blogs from 2022:

7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice
These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

For New Teachers, 6 Principles to Remember This Year
It won’t be easy, but if you prepare for turbulence and set reasonable goals, you’ll stay calmer and make progress in all the right places.

We Drastically Underestimate the Importance of Brain Breaks
When it comes to optimizing learning, we don’t value breaks enough, neuroscientists suggest in a new study.

Building Classroom Community Through Daily Dedications
When students share stories about those who have inspired and impacted them, the whole classroom feels more connected.

How Instructional Coaches Can Use Co-Teaching to Support Teachers
A matrix based on a teacher’s belief in themselves and their belief in students can facilitate effective instructional coaching.

25 Essential High School Reads From the Last Decade
We asked members of our community to share recently published novels they would love to have read in high school. Here are your top picks.

5 Reasons to Bring Plants Into the Classroom
Keeping potted plants in your room is more than just a nice touch. Research points toward many benefits for the environment—and for your learners.

Squats, Lunges, and Phonemes
Adding movement to reading lessons reinforces key concepts and helps fidgety students concentrate.

For Young Kids, The Power of Play-Based Learning
New research shows play-based learning can be more effective than direct instruction at improving outcomes for early learners—particularly in the development of mathematical and spatial skills.

How to Set Up a Learner-Centered Classroom
From composing a class charter to practicing morning meetings, these student-centered strategies create a nurturing environment where learners can thrive.

How to Build a Menstruation Station at Your School
Nearly one in four students struggles to afford period supplies, which has a major impact on their ability to learn. Schools can help.

How to Get Students to Focus on Learning—Not Grades
With a few shifts in the classroom, teachers can encourage students to pay more attention to the skills they are building than to a number or letter score.