Author: MiddleWeb

Mindsets Are Not Just Found in Our Heads

We all deserve to work towards creating a culture of growth in our schools, and reading Mary C. Murphy’s Cultures of Growth on the science of mindset is a wonderful place to start, writes educator Brad Waguespack. The book applies Dweck’s findings to organizations and groups.

Teacher Evaluation That Works for Everyone

Ron Williamson and Barbara Blackburn advocate for a three-step teacher evaluation process that emphasizes pre- and post-observation conferences designed to promote full teacher ownership and collaboration, with an emphasis on recognizing strengths and planning for growth.

Essential AI Strategies for Every Classroom

Whether you’re curious to bring artificial intelligence into your lesson planning – or the rapid evolution of AI has you feeling anxious – Monica Burns’ “EdTech Essentials: 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI” can help guide you in the effective use of new technologies.

A Tool to Help Students Share Their Research

In the conclusion of their two-part series on supporting student research, our classroom teacher-authors share an Inquiry Chart tool educators can use to coach middle graders as they discuss how their findings are coming together, annotate their work, and plan next steps.

Serving Gifted Students from Low-Income Homes

Tamra Stambaugh and Paula Olszewski-Kubilius provide a guidebook to move forward with gifted programs that meet the needs of students living in poverty. “This will be a resource that shapes our gifted education program a long time into the future,” writes district coordinator Kim Rensch.

Help Readers Discover What a Text Is Hiding

In her 3rd article offering questions to help grow critical readers, Marilyn Pryle says we must help students examine what a text is HIDING. “To navigate the information that bombards them outside of school, students must have the skills to detect the bias, lie, or hidden intention.”

Language and Literacy for Multilingual Learners

Andrea Honigsfeld seamlessly integrates theory with real-world classroom scenarios in Growing Language and Literacy. Her emphasis on differentiated instruction benefits the book’s audience: teachers of multilingual learners. Helpful to veteran and new teachers alike.

Three Good Things to Start the Year

As we get to know each student and welcome them into class, we may feel the excitement of the new commingled with the apprehension of the unknown. Educator Stephanie Farley reminds herself that kids want to learn, teachers know what to do, and 20 year-olds want to teach.