With their strong focus on the presentation of real school stories blended with research based strategies, Alan Blankstein, Pedro Noguera and Lorena Kelly offer practical solutions leading to an equitable, high quality education for every student, says Tamekia McCauley.
As product placement ads invade more of our visual space, educators can use the trend as a hook to engage students in critical thinking about what it means to be media literate. Expert Frank Baker uses the NBA’s 2016-17 plans for jersey advertising as an example.
Believing that real-world student projects are “essential for deeper learning and investigation,” MS lead teacher Sandy Wisneski secured funding for a sustainable hydroponics program. Learn about the development process and the PBL activity’s first-year results.
Kids on the Cusp / Learning Revolution
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 05/30/2016 · Last modified 11/16/2019
As her fourth graders study the lead-up to the American Revolution, Mary Tarashuk finds echoes in today’s confrontation over free speech pitting test makers against teachers and students who question the validity of test elements. Free history resources included.
Change Agents / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 05/24/2016 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Co-teachers have the opportunity to guide a transformation in the way students view themselves as learners and the way teachers and parents view educating diverse learners. Coach Elizabeth Stein describes four steps along the path to becoming an agent of change.
Every principal needs to lead a coordinated schoolwide effort to interact with families in ways that support students, the school and the larger community. Former principals Ron Williamson and Barbara Blackburn offer a rich set of strategies to accomplish this goal.
In Who’s Doing the Work? Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris ask important questions about how literacy teachers should approach reading instruction for a new generation of students. Reviewer and former literacy coach Nancy Chodoroff has high praise for their insights.
Book Reviews / Response to Intervention
by MiddleWeb · Published 05/19/2016 · Last modified 11/12/2019
Best Practices at Tier 1 will help teachers learn how to create brain-friendly environments, develop a powerful core curriculum by shifting to more collaborative teaching, apply differentiation strategies, and use data to inform instruction, says Linda Biondi.
To learn science deeply, students need the trifecta of instruction: experiments; exploration of a complex text; and teaching that’s both challenging and empowering. Deeper learning expert Libby Woodfin shares how this works in Peter Hill’s 8th grade classroom.
The last weeks of school are a time when a little hard work and lots of organization can pay big dividends in a learning experience that is smooth, structured, and fun for all, says middle grades educator Elyse Scott, who shares a dozen end-of-year activities.
