Sarah Cooper’s Creating Citizens will ignite a passion for discovery, challenge students to seek information from wide ranging sources, and help them apply their learning and form their own opinions about history, civics and current events, writes Linda Biondi.
Co-Teaching Summer PD / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 06/11/2018 · Last modified 11/15/2019
Make the most of summer’s three ‘R’s’: relaxation, rejuvenation, and reflection! Coach Elizabeth Stein shares what she’s learned from great co-teachers to help focus summer learning and plan ways to bring out the best in students and colleagues next year.
While lists for essential teacher qualities abound, these are the three questions author Debbie Silver particularly wants to ask middle school teacher candidates. Discover what Silver, who has taught across the grades, finds essential for effective middle level educators.
Teachers don’t set out to bore students to death with fact-filled research projects. They want assignments where students *do something* with their facts. In her story about ‘Drew,’ former New Hampshire TOY Angie Miller provides the insight we need to spark their critical thinking and creativity.
Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Evaluation
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 05/06/2018 · Last modified 12/04/2019
Mary Tarashuk just finished a required teacher self-assessment, using a large array of rubrics designed for her state by a former principal and leadership consultant. It has her wondering if top education and corporate leaders might benefit from a rubric, too? She offers a 1st draft.
Kids develop STEM habits in the classroom, but they spend most of their time outside of school. That’s where parents and other adults can help to inspire, support, and continue their children’s STEM learning. Anne Jolly’s tip-filled letter to caregivers can help.
It's Not Easy Being Tween / Job Interviews
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 04/23/2018 · Last modified 11/13/2019
This time of year many new teacher candidates are graduating and are excited to enter the profession. The one thing they all have in common: they want to nail their job interview. After sitting on both sides of the hiring desk, Cheryl Mizerny has learned what works.
During the barrage of mandatory assessments each spring, it can be tempting to “decide to do very little with our students” between tests, says Curtis Chandler. But why not make every minute count? Teachers can do just that with these engaging cross-curricular activities.
Future of History / Student Research
by Sarah Cooper · Published 04/10/2018 · Last modified 03/30/2024
As students research US history for Sarah Cooper, they are used to trying search terms on a screen. But when assignments require them to wander the stacks for books, sometimes they don’t know where to begin. Answering their questions has given her ideas to share here.
English teacher David Slater identifies school reform ideas that he believes are wrong-headed or frequently misapplied, leading to ineffective education across the country. Retired educator Mary Langer Thompson agrees with some of his solutions but finds others lacking.
