Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

Using a Daybook to Promote Student Writing

When low-risk, high-interest writing becomes a daily habit for all of your students, whatever your content area, they’ll discover the powerful write-think-learn connection. Teacher-author and NBCT Mary Tedrow shares her classroom-tested “daybook” method for getting started.

School Change Begins with Teacher Motivation

By creating an environment that kindles intrinsic motivation, and ensures that the professionals in our schools see the value of the work and chance for success, we can increase teachers’ support for and willingness to change, say the authors of Rigor in Your School.

Small Shifts Can Impact Learning in Big Ways

Laura Von Staden says Joy Kirr’s “Shift This!” is a must read for all teachers, full of actionable strategies, the research and reasons to implement them, and the steps and support to transform your teaching to reach every student with the maximum impact possible.

How to Teach Grammar in the Digital Age

From Texting to Teaching: Grammar Instruction in a Digital Age by Hyler and Hicks led teacher Desiree Tabor Carter to think about technology tools strategically and inspired her to overhaul her website, adding a grammar and vocabulary page to each course section.

Helping Students Buy Into High Expectations

Jon Sapier’s High Expectations Teaching provides an overview of best practices for encouraging a growth mindset and includes scripts, links to videos, and checklists that teachers can use immediately. Educator Amy Williams finds the short book a good introduction.

How Open-Ended Math Problems Keep on Giving

Imagine an open-ended math task that gets students asking questions as well as answering them. Jerry Burkhart shows how a problem like this can help teachers differentiate instruction for advanced students while stimulating curiosity and perseverance for all learners.