The second edition of John F. Barell’s “Why Are School Buses Always Yellow?” shows teachers how they can inspire young minds to think beyond the text, to ask questions and to wonder, achieving inquiry learning while meeting standards, says reviewer Linda Biondi.
Bambrick-Santoyo’s Get Better Faster offers a convincing argument and a comprehensive program for developing new teachers. Retired principal and teacher educator Mary Langer Thompson finds the 90-day plan sensible, fast paced, demanding, and dense with resources.
Those eager to share “pristine” nonfiction text with students may appreciate the Kilgallon’s mentor sentence choices, which cross genres, topics, and cultures. But ELA teacher Amy Estersohn finds their workbook approach at odds with her workshop vision of teaching.
Problem-based Science encourages students to develop a love of scientific thinking, math, and the creative use of technology as they learn through invention, design thinking, fixing and tinkering. Teacher-author Christa Flores demonstrates her hands-on PbS model.
Closing the Achievement Gap / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 02/20/2017 · Last modified 12/03/2019
Elizabeth Stein urges co-teachers to co-create an action plan for the remainder of the year that supports any students who are beginning to drift and fall behind in reaching their goals. Using UDL videos and other resources, Stein shows how to meet diverse needs.
Student Change Agents / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 02/19/2017 · Last modified 12/05/2019
“We want our students to pursue the possibilities of a better world,” writes Kevin Hodgson, and not just “hope that a better world appears.” He shares the inspiring story of the international student-run Kids Tales program and what kids in his own school are doing.
Close Reading the Media / Emotional Appeals
by Frank Baker · Published 02/19/2017 · Last modified 11/26/2019
That nostalgic Hallmark ad that touches your heart. A frightened woman stranded on a lonely road. What role does emotion play in media messages and how can educators help students recognize this powerful force? Media literacy expert Frank Baker has some answers.
Ariel Sacks says teachers who read The Flexible ELA Classroom will get to know “an enthusiastic, skilled teacher” effectively applying “many of the best current teaching trends.” Amber Chandler’s practical, student centered ideas include flexible differentiation, PBL infusion, family involvement and more.
Bring exploration, fact-gathering and deduction to grades 3-5 life science classes with Stewart and Chesley’s “Perfect Pairs.” Full of standards-based lessons aligned to fiction/nonfiction picture books. Literacy coach Pam Hamilton eager to share it with teachers.
Class Apps / English Language Learners
by Curtis Chandler · Published 02/14/2017 · Last modified 12/05/2019
Today, 75% of U.S. classrooms have English Language Learners. So the question isn’t whether teachers will be working with ELL students, but what can we do to help them be successful. Teacher educator Curtis Chandler shares some great online tools to help ELLs learn.
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