Cultural Literacy / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk Β· Published 05/09/2021 Β· Last modified 05/10/2021
Back in her beloved Room 4T after eight months of virtual teaching, Mary Tarashuk considers how The Jetsons cartoon show influenced her nine-year old self decades ago β and what she needs to teach her mostly white, suburban 4th graders about life in the real future.
In βActivate: Deeper Learning Through Movement, Talk, and Flexible Classroomsβ Katherine Mills Hernandez shows how we can be strategic and novel in our use of movement to support student learning. Elisa Waingort says the book is an important contribution to teacher PD.
Tan Huynh has pulled out the essential takeaways from his podcast with education thought leader Dr. Jim Knight about the habits of highly effective instructional coaches. Tan explains how their skills at collaboration also align to the core work of language specialists.
Teaching poetry can give students a sense of connection, collaboration, and creativity as they express themselves and read the expressions of others. During National Poetry Month, teacher-author Marilyn Pryle shares fun activities from her classroom that touch on all three.
Meaningful Math / Pandemic Teaching
by Michelle Russell Β· Published 04/12/2021 Β· Last modified 10/19/2022
With her students facing so many pandemic challenges, Michelle Russell decided to say βyesβ to as many requests as possible, whether it was late papers, school supplies, or a quick review minutes before a test. Hereβs what sheβs discovered about the value of answering YES.
Barbara R. Blackburn and Melissa Miles show how a re-interpretation of βrigorβ can boost ELA and social studies engagement and learning in grades K-5. Teacher educator Linda Biondi notes the authors offer easily implemented solutions along with thought provoking questions.
Sparking Student Motivation is a tool-rich resource that educator Sarah Pennington recommends to any teacher who is open to deep self-reflection and ready to make changes in their practice and classroom culture that will increase student engagement with learning.
When his two middle schoolers wondered about a tree house, principal Matt Renwickβs bright idea was to engage them in an at-home Genius Hour project. His three take-aways from the experience can help us understand the teacherβs role in creative learning and risk-taking.
Middle schoolers share what they think teachers need to know about hybrid learning, with tips for improving learning in the mix of in-person and online classes. Itβs the experiences at home β being heard, having time to use tech properly β that garner the most criticism.
Cris Tovani has written a true page turner to assist all teachers with literacy strategies that will captivate their most reluctant students. βWhy Do I Have to Read This?β begins with insights into the many masks of reading resistance that students wear, says Linda Biondi.
