“Teacher Induction That Works: A Lasting Impact from Day One” by Tara Link and Beth Whitaker is for anyone involved in setting up or improving a mentoring program. Instructional coach Kathee Lamberies finds the book practical, engaging, and full of actionable ideas.
With the next school year not too far over the horizon, 7th grade teacher Laurie Hornik has tips for getting off to a strong start. She suggests skipping traditional ice breakers and instead introducing the class community by exploring what you will be learning together.
Articles / Artificial Intelligence / Reading
by MiddleWeb · Published 07/13/2025 · Last modified 07/15/2025
Fiction that explores AI through characters that are robots or humans who interact with AI can spark discussions about the future and engage readers with stories grounded in real ethical and scientific questions. ELA teacher Kasey Short shares titles and ideas for discussion.
Creating a well-rounded middle school student goes way beyond the textbook! Anne Jolly shares the core learning skills and life skills middle-schoolers need and invites teachers – especially STEM teachers – to take up the challenge to help students achieve their potential.
We want students to achieve in class and on tests, but we also want them to know how to use reading skills to enjoy reading. Reading aloud provides students with opportunities to experience success through thinking alongside their teachers and peers, writes Jennifer Sniadecki.
Grammar instruction has barely changed since our grandparents were in school. It’s time to flip that script. ELA teachers Patty McGee and Tim Donohue share fun, effective techniques to help students evolve into grammar rock stars. Welcome to the FANBOYS conjunction fan club!
Invest in Your Best is full of practical insights that any school leader can trust will lead to improved retention of their most effective teachers. Implementing the book’s ideas will also benefit the whole faculty and students, writes Wisconsin systems coach Matt Renwick.
Sarah M. Zerwin’s “Step Aside” is full of ideas for secondary teachers ready to build a classroom that supports and encourages students to become involved, engaged, and in control of their literacy learning, writes instructional coach Kathee Lamberies.
Finding ways to scaffold in classrooms with a mix of readers – both well behind and well ahead of grade level – can be overwhelming. Author and coach Jennifer Throndsen shares low-prep, easy to implement, research-based strategies teachers can use to support all students.
Getting students to show their reasoning isn’t about adding one more step, writes math coach Mona Iehl. It’s about redefining how math learning happens and coming to see that students learn not through memorizing steps, but through reasoning, discussion, and exploration.
