There is a developmental curve when it comes to teaching children well. What a four year old needs vs. what a thirteen year old needs is very different. So in each age-range we need to think carefully about what learning/teaching strategies are most important.
It's been a while since I taught first grade or was a mom of a first grader, so I won't even begin to list the priorities for grades preschool-three.
As for upper elementary the focus needs to focus on a balance of foundation skills and project base learning. We need to focus on students' needs and interests, and we should be employing one-to-one with regards to technology. The tech tools should be embedded in learning opportunities as part of the overall endeavor, but not necessarily all of the endeavor. Children in fourth and fifth grade need to learn with multiple tools and experiences in environments that carefully respond to individuals' learning needs and interests. Learning environments for children of this age should be joyful, energized, interactive environments where learning to learn is emphasized through multiple learning experiences.
As we think more about educating these children, we should also focus on inspiring students--we want our students to want to learn, and become excited about learning opportunities. Passion and interest will drive wonderful work, effort, and learning.
