Looking for ideas to engage students in meaningful work? Interested in expanding technology use to involve them in helping the world? Dena Hause recommends Bill Ferriter’s well researched, idea packed PBL book as a partial antidote to our obsession with testing.
The Co-Teaching Relationship / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 10/04/2016 · Last modified 11/21/2019
The most effective classroom leaders combine their expertise with others in collaborative, powerful ways, says instructional coach Elizabeth L. Stein. How can co-teachers evolve into a dependent leadership team? “Each co-teacher must be willing to be disturbed.”
As they compose non-fiction paragraphs or essays, students must frame selected quotes (evidence) with appropriate context and explanation, says literacy consultant Sarah Tantillo. But they often struggle to compile these “quote sandwiches.” Try some of her solutions.
Experiential Learning / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 10/02/2016 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Kevin Hodgson talks with teacher and innovator John Spencer about LAUNCH, an acronym representing a kid-friendly reinterpretation of the design process that can spark the creative urge in K-12 learners and guide teachers in making, researching, and much more.
Rose-colored glasses are a key accessory for instructional coaches, writes Rita Platt in her first article for MiddleWeb. Platt shares five promises that she makes to herself and her collaborating teachers to keep things positive, appreciative and ever-improving.
While Mindsets for Parents seems geared towards parents, anyone who works with or interacts regularly with children will find this book helpful, says math coach Lori Hochstetler. Opportunities for reflection plus concrete examples fill the book.
With short chapters, graphic organizers, rubrics and acronyms, the strategies in Barbara Blackburn’s updated Classroom Instruction for A to Z are right at the fingertips of busy teachers, ready for trial runs or implementation, says educator Laura Von Staden.
New teacher Caleb Pahl recommends Audrey Watters’ book about student ownership of domains and online content to district policy makers who make decisions in this arena – and teachers with a specific interest in how “big data” is used by education corporations.
Class Apps / Student Notetaking
by Curtis Chandler · Published 09/27/2016 · Last modified 03/15/2024
Effective note-taking can deepen understanding, but students rarely develop this skill on their own, writes Curtis Chandler. With a few tweaks we can help middle schoolers transform the painful process of note-taking into a terrific tool for thinking. Tips & links!
It's Not Easy Being Tween / Reading
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 09/26/2016 · Last modified 11/28/2019
Inspired by Donalyn Miller’s game-changing work The Book Whisperer, middle school teacher Cheryl Mizerny has transformed her traditional ELA classroom into a reading community where everyone learns to love books. See if some of her ideas might work for you.
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