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.
Civics Lessons / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 11/27/2016 · Last modified 11/18/2019
Mary Tarashuk’s perceptive 4th graders take note of the world around them, in fiction and in the news. As they follow and study the US election, they also learn about the power of people helping one another during their Global Read Aloud of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax.
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.
We love to share writing about student writing! Here, in no particular order, are 10 of our readers’ favorite articles. You’ll find a range of posts by teachers, authors and writing coaches. And there’s a bonus for teachers who love to help students fuse words and images.
Movies and video in the classroom can help boost media literacy and strengthen critical thinking, listening and viewing skills. The challenge is to get students to view moving images actively and critically. Here’s some help from author and media lit consultant Frank W. Baker.
The Flexible Classroom / Vocabulary / Vocabulary
by Amber Chandler · Published 11/06/2016 · Last modified 11/28/2019
Instead of just saying “study your vocabulary,” Amber Chandler is trying out Quizlet Live, an online team-based game that has students begging for more. She says the easy tech tool promotes collaborative competition, meets SEL needs, and requires little extra work.
Beyond Comfort Zones / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 10/31/2016 · Last modified 11/27/2019
Technology can be a topic that excites and motivates co-teachers to co-create lively learning experiences. Or it can make a co-teaching conversation fall flat. Elizabeth Stein shares tech resources to help co-teachers better connect with students and each other.
Future of History / Student Websites
by Sarah Cooper · Published 10/30/2016 · Last modified 11/16/2019
The idea of asking students to create eye-catching, source-rich websites is appealing, writes history teacher Sarah Cooper. But are the two weeks spent learning the tech and developing content a good investment of class time? She reflects on both sides of the issue.
Are today’s students impatient to solve problems without enough thought? Curtis Chandler recalls Ms. Porcupine’s 6th-grade brain stretchers that required him to slow down and think methodically. He shares one about castles and crocodiles and has tips on creating more.
