Our Offerings

Popular Topics

Join Our Newsletter

Receive the latest news and announcements. Plus, get 10% off a subscription!

Follow Us

Our Offerings

Popular Topics

Join Our Newsletter

Receive the latest news and announcements. Plus, get 10% off a subscription!

Follow Us

Starting a School Rubik’s Cube Club

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2020 Issue

By Sally Marin

Are you interested in improving student engagement with your English Language Learner (ELL) students? Here’s an idea that I tried at my elementary school that was both fun and successful—a Rubik’s Cube club.

The idea came about during a home visit when I discovered that one of my ELL student’s older brothers is a Rubik’s Cube whiz. So I asked him if he’d like to help me organize a Rubik’s Cube club at my school. Since he was a 10th grade student looking to complete community volunteer hours, this was a win-win situation. 

First I met with his mother who was concerned about his ability to keep a 6-week commitment. Then I met with my potential “teacher.” After a serious conversation, “Mr. Mike,” our Rubik’s Cube instructor was born. Upon getting my principal’s support, we decided to go for it. I started researching. How would I get the cubes? Who should I invite? How do you solve the darn thing?

I settled on inviting the ELL students from 3rd to 5th grades and wound up with a group of 15 students. We held hour-long classes once a week, for 6 weeks. I also discovered the website You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube that has amazing resources, including a free loaner program! Now, I was armed with cubes, solution guides, videos, and lesson ideas.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking exclusive content.
Subscribe now for full access.
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Sally Marin is an ELL educator at Ballenger Creek Elementary School in Frederick, MD. She also serves as co-president of the Frederick County Literacy Chapter.

Education News

STEAM and Civility: COSI Launches a New Learning Lunchbox

COSI's new John Glenn Inspiration Learning Lunchbox is a hands-on science kit that helps students explore STEAM concepts while also learning the value of civility and civic engagement.

5 Reasons Why Green Schoolyards Earn an A+

Green schoolyards benefit the children who use them by improving mental health, physical health, and learning outcomes.

What Do We Already Know About Our High Schoolers?

The recent cancellation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 17-year-olds has sparked legitimate concerns about lost data.

Carhartt Celebrates Skilled Trades Educators Across America

Workwear brand commits $150,000 to support skilled trades education through grant and educator awards.

Join Our Newsletter

Receive the latest news and announcements. Plus, receive 10% off a subscription!

Sally Marin
Sally Marin
Sally Marin is an ELL educator at Ballenger Creek Elementary School in Frederick, MD. She also serves as co-president of the Frederick County Literacy Chapter.

Advertisement

Read More

STEAM and Civility: COSI Launches a New Learning Lunchbox

COSI's new John Glenn Inspiration Learning Lunchbox is a hands-on science kit that helps students explore STEAM concepts while also learning the value of civility and civic engagement.

Reframing Student Data for Growth

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities grow through effort and persistence. This mindset shapes how we view data.

5 Reasons Why Green Schoolyards Earn an A+

Green schoolyards benefit the children who use them by improving mental health, physical health, and learning outcomes.

Farm Boy Expands nourish to flourish to Support More Ontario Schools in 2025

Farm Boy is excited to announce the expansion of its flagship charitable program, nourish to flourish, which focuses on improving student access to nutritious food and teaching young Ontarians the importance of healthy eating for life.

What Do We Already Know About Our High Schoolers?

The recent cancellation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 17-year-olds has sparked legitimate concerns about lost data.

Standing with Educators: Everywhere, Every Day, and Always

Education knows no borders. The challenges teachers face—whether in Canada, the U.S., or beyond—are shared struggles, and the victories of one classroom ripple across many.