Media literacy expert Frank Baker offers a fresh idea for Black History Month – exploring the life, career and creativity of photographer, writer and director Gordon Parks, whose powerful images from the Segregation Era serve as iconic primary sources.
Co-teaching Success / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 01/30/2017 · Last modified 12/06/2019
Don’t just think outside the co-teaching box – get out of the box altogether, into a no-boundaries partnership. Coach & NBCT Elizabeth Stein shares several strategies, including informal, efficient co-planning and divergent thinking activities to spark creativity.
Family Engagement / The Flexible Classroom
by Amber Chandler · Published 01/29/2017 · Last modified 12/14/2019
Opening your classroom door to families for student presentations can be intimidating. Think gas leaks, mumbled swear words and flop sweat, says Amber Chandler. But it can also be the ultimate learning and bonding experience among families, students, and teachers.
Math Anxiety / Meaningful Math
by Michelle Russell · Published 01/29/2017 · Last modified 11/25/2019
When teacher Michelle Russell surveyed her students about personal interests and learning preferences, she found over one-third have anxious or negative feelings about math. She’s begun her search for strategies to address the problem – and she welcomes your ideas!
In FAST Grading, says veteran science/math teacher Joyce Depenbusch, Douglas Reeves has reached his goal of inspiring teachers and administrators to rethink grading and use his FAST strategies (Fair, Accurate, Specific, Timely) to optimize student learning.
Current Events Humor / Future of History
by Sarah Cooper · Published 01/24/2017 · Last modified 11/12/2019
Discussing political news in class continues to feel like “walking on glass barefoot,” says Sarah Cooper. She’s drawn toward humorous interpretations of current events to reduce tensions. After some trial and error, Cooper uses four criteria for video selection.
Quality questions are the “bait” that can hook students into deeper discussions and learning that sticks. Questioning expert Jackie Walsh shares a pair of videos and several templates that will help teachers plan a questioning process that pulls all students in.
Art of Movie Making / Close Reading the Media
by Frank Baker · Published 01/17/2017 · Last modified 12/14/2019
CCSS ELA middle grade standards specifically address the importance of teaching film techniques and the decisions made by filmmakers. In a new MiddleWeb blog, Close Reading the Media, Frank Baker breaks down the art of movie making and shares lots of resources.
Class Apps / The First 5 Minutes
by Curtis Chandler · Published 01/15/2017 · Last modified 03/06/2024
To improve student outcomes, says teacher educator Curtis Chandler, it’s important to invest extra attention in the first five minutes of class. He shares a variety of techy and not-so techy ideas to ignite student interest and energy for whatever else is to follow.
Consultant Tammy L. Jones proposes a three-prong approach to support students in their daily journey through content: effective questioning, authentic daily writing, and a bridging structure as they encounter new situations where critical thinking is required.
