Future of History / Lesson Planning
by Jody & Shara · Published 03/30/2014 · Last modified 12/04/2019
Ever struggle to find a balance between crafting good lessons and staying spontaneous? History teachers Jody and Shara describe their well-honed four step process that begins with backward design and ends with reflections in their purple notebook.
Donalyn Miller’s Reading in the Wild is a great workshop-focused resource for any ELA teacher who wants to cultivate lifelong reading habits and is “looking for a viable alternative to traditional instruction,” says teacher-reviewer Tyler McBride.
Cheryl Rose Tobey and Emily R. Fagan offer a detailed handbook to help teachers evaluate students’ understanding of math in their new book, Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics and the Common Core (Grades 3-5), says reviewer Linda Biondi.
In The Literacy Teacher’s Playbook, Jennifer Serravallo provides a step-by-step approach to analyze the data that teachers already have to help them find ways to meet the needs of their students by finding their strengths and weaknesses, says reviewer Casey Gilewski.
Teaching allegory / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 03/25/2014 · Last modified 11/23/2019
A convergence of events – from the Cold War-tinged Ukraine crisis to World Read Aloud Day and the birthday of Dr. Seuss – helped inspire 6th grade ELA teacher Kevin Hodgson’s recent lessons on allegory and the difference between nonfiction and truth.
Principal Matt Renwick reviews THE PRINCIPAL by leadership expert Michael Fullan, a compact new book about the challenging work of school-based leaders. Fullan focuses on avoidable pitfalls and 3 keys to success, including being a district “player.”
Thomas Newkirk urges us to consider how, in a test-crazed culture, we can stay focused on what matters for our students. Holding On To Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones is not a literacy ‘how-to’ book, says Jenni Miller, but important nonetheless.
Growth mindset / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 03/23/2014 · Last modified 11/20/2019
Special educator Elizabeth L. Stein believes that the growth mindset research of Carol Dweck can lead to greater collaboration among special and general co-teachers and enable all students in inclusion classrooms to achieve Common Core standards.
An essay without a thesis might have great ideas in it, but absent an organizing principle it doesn’t hold together. Literacy expert Sarah Tantillo shares tools for thesis brainstorming & organizing that can save students and teachers time and pain.
The components of strong STEM lessons are well established. But what happens when Art is added – when STEM is transformed into STEAM? Science educator Anne Jolly offers her list of likely STEAM essentials and invites suggestions from readers.
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