A few months into your first year teaching and ready for on-point advice? Todd, Katherine and Madeline Whitakerβs common-sense advice in Your First Year can both inspire you and help keep you on the right track. Linda Biondi thinks veterans will find it useful too.
In the classroom, writes author and teaching expert Barbara Blackburn, students are influenced by three things they observe: the teacher as role model; the physical environment; and other role models teachers introduce. Good tips for new and preservice educators.
Margaret Mary Policastro provides solid background on best practices for home literacy, says reading specialist Judy Harris. But Harris finds the book short on good advice for families that lack the resources and services more typical of upscale neighborhoods.
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 βquote sandwiches.β Try some of her solutions.
Experiential Learning / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson Β· Published 10/02/2016 Β· 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.
Future of History / History & Current Events
by Sarah Cooper Β· Published 09/18/2016 Β· Last modified 12/03/2019
This fall Sarah Cooper is taking her usual current events unit in a fresh direction using a favorite strategy: layering news from today and yesterday. To demonstrate, Cooper draws on everything from suffragette βcampaignβ quotes to a John Oliver clickbait tirade.
The presidential debates offer a unique portal to explore topics that are critically important in developing studentsβ media literacy skills and preparing them for responsible citizenship. Experts Frank W. Baker and Karen Zill provide an in-depth teaching guide.
Socio-economic bias / The Flexible Classroom
by Amber Chandler Β· Published 09/11/2016 Β· Last modified 11/26/2019
From failing to bring the required supplies to not being on time, Amber Chandler was quick to give negative grades to students who βlacked responsibility.β Until she encountered Nick. Today sheβs more sensitive to the socio-economic challenges many students face.
Civics Lessons / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk Β· Published 08/29/2016 Β· Last modified 11/30/2019
This year, with an historic Presidential election in the making, civics studies take on a bit more relevance for Mary Tarashukβs 4th graders. As she worked on her lesson plans this summer, she uncovered fresh resources to help her met five key teaching goals.
It's Not Easy Being Tween / Plagiarism
by Cheryl Mizerny Β· Published 08/28/2016 Β· Last modified 11/26/2019
For Cheryl Mizerny, detecting plagiarism and determining consequences require more energy than proactively planning assignments that donβt lend themselves to copying. She shares strategies to support learning while making plagiarism less attractive to students.
