Gifted and talented students need to be challenged every day. Former GATE coordinator Mary Langer Thompson urges parents and educators to share Inman and Kirchner’s thorough book with school personnel to benefit these youngsters, who won’t thrive without support.
Dana Johansen and Sonja Paul nudge writing workshop to a new level with flipped mini-lessons, allowing more time for teachers to conference with students. Teacher leader Sandy Wisneski says to keep the step-by-step, easy-to-read and resource laden book close by.
No school or district is immune from a future defined by declining resources. Leadership consultants Ron Williamson and Barbara Blackburn share four research-based strategies to help educators make the most of a challenging financial climate and serve all kids.
Teaching students to take good notes and allowing them to use “open notes” on most class tests is good instructional practice, says ELA teacher Amber Chandler. She details how her open-note approach sharpens student focus and provides data to strengthen lessons.
Building on her 1999 best seller, Georgia Heard shares 20 stories and templates in her new book “Heart Maps.” Each map is supported by tips, genre ideas, student samples and mentor texts. Long-time devotee Linda Biondi celebrates Heard’s latest accomplishment.
Sibberson and Szymusiak are back with a fresh look at reading instruction in the early middle grades. Literacy coach Pam Hamilton says “Still Learning to Read” will help teachers fine-tune classroom libraries, organize groups, and support still-developing readers.
Jerry Burkhart’s explorations into ratios, proportions and similarity are deep, rich, and open-ended, says veteran math educator Mickie Gibbs. Thanks to increasing levels of productive struggle offered for each topic, the book can benefit all of her students.
Middle schoolers are “notorious sponges” who soak up the emotional energy around them, says teacher Elyse Scott. In the wake of a divisive election, she recommended an activity that can help kids build collaborative skills, empathy and acceptance of other viewpoints.
Toy commercials, so pervasive on TV during the holidays, are a great way to jump-start media literacy discussions with students. Expert Frank Baker has lesson ideas.
Given social media’s popularity as a news source, consultant Frank Baker says students must gain both the knowledge and the analytical skills to distinguish fact from fiction. Baker highlights the pervasive rise of fake news and shares teaching resources.
