What really stands out in the second edition of 25 Quick Formative Assessments for a Differentiated Classroom is the attention authors Dodge and Duarte pay to meshing tried and true formative assessments with engaging digital formats, says teacher-librarian Rita Platt.
In Renew! Become a Better—and More Authentic—Writing Teacher, Shawna Coppola challenges us to reconsider three long-standing traditions of classroom writing instruction: a step-by-step writing process, graphic organizers, and the prioritization of words over images.
Close Reading the Media / The Emmy Awards
by Frank Baker · Published 08/31/2017 · Last modified 09/08/2021
As the Emmys return in September to celebrate the art and craft of television, how do we encourage students to view the programming from a media literacy perspective, with the thinking parts of their brains turned on? Frank Baker ties television studies to CCSS.
Kevin Hodgson’s summer PD was packed with learning. His required online certification course moved in one direction – from the screen to his eyes. His Connected Learning MOOC featured creativity, collaboration, and fun. Just what he wants for his students this fall.
Close Reading the Media / News Literacy
by Frank Baker · Published 08/28/2017 · Last modified 12/03/2019
How do today’s students access news and what do they understand about its origins? In his Close Reading the Media column, expert Frank W. Baker offers ideas and activities for engaging students in critical thinking about how they share and consume news in social media.
Future of History / Student Speaking
by Lauren S. Brown · Published 08/27/2017 · Last modified 11/25/2019
We all want our students to contribute more to class by doing more of the talking. But getting kids to participate effectively is easier said than done. Lauren Brown applies Erik Palmer’s PVLEGS and Dave Stuart Jr.’s pop-up debates to help students grow as speakers.
Marilyn Pryle’s 50 Writing Activities for Meeting Higher Standards provides educators across content areas with opportunities to teach writing in a logical, fun, and research-based way. The fully developed lessons take Writers Workshop to the next level, says Linda Biondi.
Jody Spiro provides leaders with three essential building blocks to improve school culture, instruction, and learning communities and offers case studies and videos showing how those building blocks apply to selected strategies, says teacher-leader Rebecca Berger.
Book Reviews / Concept Based Instruction
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/24/2017 · Last modified 11/13/2019
In a new edition of Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom, the authors show how to develop units of study with a conceptual focus, providing detailed resources to help students grow skills for future success, says educator Joanne Bell.
First Days of Math Class / Meaningful Math
by Michelle Russell · Published 08/21/2017 · Last modified 08/07/2024
Michelle Russell’s first week back in math class went great. Learn how she launched her classroom communities, thanks to teachers whose activities and ideas she scouted out online. Michelle has included all the students’ favorites in case you’d like to try some yourself!
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