Blending technology into teaching has been an ongoing and often intimidating process for Gen X’er Mary Tarashuk, but it’s also ripe with possibility. And tech PD is often opportunistic. Take Mary’s recent chat with her teen daughter while doing the dirty dishes.
Genius Hour gives students the opportunity to be autonomous in their learning. Sometimes, though, they need a little start-up help. Experts Gallit Zvi and Denise Krebs share lots of starter ideas for students and classrooms and urge readers to add their own.
Book Reviews / Common Core State Standards
by MiddleWeb · Published 02/11/2016 · Last modified 11/18/2019
The activities in Lisa Morris’ book on teaching ELA with the CCSS in grades 2-5 are easily adapted for each level, including middle grades 4&5. Reviewer Linda Biondi also liked the extensive mentor texts and came away with oodles of lesson ideas.
Differentiation in Middle & High School: Strategies to Engage All Learners is designed to be used! No matter one’s level of experience with differentiation, this book offers classroom-tested strategies that can be easily implemented to engage all students.
When U.S. history teachers Jody Passanisi and Shara Peters celebrate Presidents’ Day, all 43 presidents are featured. Eighth graders research and assume the identity of an assigned president, then campaign in costume for reelection among 6th & 7th grade “voters.”
In The Genius Hour Guidebook Denise Krebs and Gallit Zvi make the case for sharing Genius Hour with your students, explaining why it works and how to bring it alive for your classes. Educator Sandy Wisneski says the easy read is packed with resources.
It's Not Easy Being Tween / Social Skills
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 01/24/2016 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Cheryl Mizerny considers the “soft” skills of social interaction to be as essential to success as the ELA skills she teaches. To help fill students’ wide social skill gaps, she’s identified problem behaviors and resources she’ll use to build a mini-curriculum.
The Co-Teaching Relationship / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 01/17/2016 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Halfway through the school year, it’s time for co-teachers to examine the learning culture they’ve created in their classrooms, says instructional coach Elizabeth Stein. She offers three steps co-teachers can take to improve toxic or separatist relationships.
Working Draft / Writing & Game Design
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 01/12/2016 · Last modified 12/14/2019
Where is the literacy in the ELA classroom when all of the students are engaged in designing and producing video game projects using science and other content? Kevin Hodgson explains why the work his sixth graders are doing satisfies writing standards.
After reviewing the history of grading, Cathy Vatterott shares reasons for implementing a progressive standards-based grading system, noting the challenges as well as the benefits. Teacher Michael DiClemente sees the need for research-based changes but wonders how to get there.
