We always hear about the “real world” vs. the world in school. Project Based Learning helps to break down that barrier and better merges the two. It’s also undeniably engaging and lures kids into rigorous learning, as in Heather Wolpert-Gawron’s “Invention Unit.”
Educators are going to make mistakes, write Todd Whitaker and teacher-daughters Madeline and Katherine. Whether it’s a misstep with students, friction with a colleague, or a faux pas with admin, quickly admitting faults is part of being a classroom professional.
Troublemakers. Forgetters. The Clingers. The Confused. Barbara Blackburn looks at how we often jump to conclusions and miss chances to build trust, explore the needs behind the behaviors, and help students grow. Once we jump, she warns, it’s hard to jump back.
Book Reviews / Visual & Media Literacy
by MiddleWeb · Published 06/22/2016 · Last modified 11/30/2019
DIY Literacy by Kate and Maggie Roberts is not only a how-to book on designing visual learning tools but also a source of advice on implementing them in the classroom. It has just what lead teacher Sandy Wisneski needs to augment her lack of artistic talent.
Laura Robb, author, teacher, literacy coach, speaker and expert in literacy, has done it again in The Reading Intervention Toolkit. Reviewer Linda Biondi says the book will guide teachers in providing help for students who need it most: struggling readers.
Summer offers a rare opportunity for principals to devote ample time to their own professional learning, say Ron Williamson and Barbara Blackburn. The leadership consultants offer four summer strategies to help assure continuous growth as an effective leader.
STEM By Design / STEM Teaching Practices
by Anne Jolly · Published 06/20/2016 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Getting ready to involve students in real STEM learning experiences this fall? Then you’ll soon begin to examine, revise, and beef up your STEM education knowledge and skills. Expert Anne Jolly brings together ideas and information to answer five key questions.
Math teachers looking for ways to promote deeper student “math talk” might consider team card sorting, says Michelle Russell, author of MiddleWeb’s new “Meaningful Math” blog. Among her tips: resist jumping in to help – and always have a culminating activity.
NBCT Amber Chandler looks at three factors that might be holding teachers back from pursuing National Board Certification – finding time, covering the cost, or “already being a good teacher” – and offers her reasons why you should move beyond all three obstacles.
Bryan Goodwin & Elizabeth Ross Hubbell make a compelling argument that teachers can improve their impact on student learning by using a “do-confirm” checklist based on 12 essential daily touchstones that represent current research on what works best. Pilots do!
