Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters

Veteran ELA teacher Lisa Belcher finds Disrupting Thinking to be a fabulous reminder that our students need teachers to be their guides to finding intrinsic motivation to read for more than simply finding answers to questions. Beers and Probst include helpful tools.

School Leadership through the Seasons

School Leadership through the Seasons: A Guide to Staying Focused and Getting Results All Year By Ann T. Mausbach and Kimberly Morrison (Routledge/Eye On Education Book, 2016 – Learn more) Reviewed by Mary Langer Thompson The co-authors of...

People Skills for Today’s Wired World

Physical ed teacher and coach Kelly Lang finds Kirt Manecke’s Smile & Succeed for Teens a teen-friendly guide offering tips and techniques that they can use to develop their social skills, make positive first impressions, and strengthen their job searches.

5 Keys to Motivating Struggling Learners

Supporting and motivating struggling students is a challenge that seems to grow over time. In this article, author and engagement expert Barbara Blackburn looks at five keys that can help teachers build motivation and persistence while also setting high expectations.

Are You a Tour Guide Teacher or Co-Explorer?

Do teachers always need to be the tour guide and plan every step of the learning journey? Consultant Gravity Goldberg believes teachers can also be co-explorers and create opportunities for students to make their own discoveries. Her sample reading unit shows how.

Stick to Routines to Promote Math Reasoning

In Routines for Reasoning, authors Kelemanick, Lucenta and Creighton make the case for establishing and sticking to routines to foster mathematical practices for all students. Educator Rita Platt finds she is “a better teacher and thinker for having read it.”