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.
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!
Patty McGee shows how anchor charts can transform grammar from a set of abstract rules into a practical toolkit that students actually want to use. These sticky note charts become trusted companions in the writing process, turning hesitant writers into confident communicators.
Sarah Pennington recommends The Scientific Principles of Teaching to educators in pk-12 and higher education due to its reader-friendly, well-researched content, and Nathaniel Hansford’s attention to a dozen of the most common controversies that surround the practice of teaching.
Endings – whether for middle or high school – are all about what comes next. We help students learn so they will be able to bring their learning forward to face new challenges. Students can benefit from our making these moves more explicit. Laurie Miller Hornik offers strategies.
We are living in an uncertain time with significant stress on institutions, including schools. Leaders play a critical role in helping their school community weather change and continue their commitment to serving each student. Williamson and Blackburn offer actionable advice.
Artificial Intelligence / Artificial Intelligence / New Teacher Tips / Technology
by Curtis Chandler · Published 04/15/2025 · Last modified 05/01/2025
Just like Top Gun Maverick had to trust his jet’s tech while employing his instincts and training, teachers are learning how to fly with AI as a co-pilot. The responsibility lies with us to adjust AI’s suggestions. Curtis Chandler offers dozens of teacher-tested prompts to get started.
Well-designed small-group collaborations can result in kids learning more quickly and more deeply than individual students can accomplish in the same amount of time. Learning scientist Karin Hess shares the “GPS and I” strategy she’s developed to ensure groups work for everyone.
Asian and Pacific Islander Month / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 04/04/2025 · Last modified 05/06/2025
For over 40 years the US Congress has recognized the heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during May. Federal agencies and nonprofits provide resources to bring the culture and history of AAPIs to the classroom. For an overview visit this MiddleWeb roundup.
