The slow burn of racial injustice has once again erupted in a blaze of protests – illuminating long-standing social, economic, and educational disparities and divisions. Only this time is different, writes Vernita Mayfield. And it demands cultural competency from every educator.
Looking through the lens of formative assessment, Dayna Laur shows how project based learning can be used as a way to teach all standards, using her five-stage process. Laur includes examples and many formative assessment tools, writes teacher leader Laura Von Staden.
Future of History / History & Current Events
by MiddleWeb · Published 07/22/2020 · Last modified 08/12/2020
How can social studies teachers sufficiently teach about systemic racism and oppression without making this lens the only way students see history and its connections to current events? Sarah Cooper and Lauren Brown continue their chat about teaching U.S. History in 2020.
Jennifer Sniadecki and Jason DeHart dive deep into using picture books in upper level classrooms to meet state standards and increase student mastery. In this 3rd post on the topic they share examples, research, and stories from their own teaching experiences.
When we scratch our heads and wonder how can we prepare our students for a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, Anne Jolly wants us to remember a great place to learn teamwork, technical skills, work ethics and social responsibility. STEM class!
Future of History / Project Based Learning
by Sarah Cooper · Published 07/13/2020 · Last modified 07/14/2020
Once Sarah Cooper’s 8th graders have finished their research papers on historical reformers, she has them to work in project groups to imagine which current cause their reformers might realistically support. Unexpected match-ups include Huey Newton and Sandra Day O’Connor!
Responding to a survey by Rita Platt, middle graders reveal what worked and what didn’t for them during their spring of virtual learning: more freedom and free time warred with tech glitches, months without friends, and less time with teachers. Rita shares some things we might do better.
Reading teachers work hard to meet the needs of individual students in small groups. Yet many students struggle while reading self-selected books. Meghan Duermit and Sunday Cummins offer ways to build stronger bridges of support from guided instruction to joyful independent reading.
How might you bring the 2020 presidential election into your fall classes? Learn how Emily DeRiso transformed her 4th grade social studies curriculum into a successful election immersion experience in 2016, setting clear boundaries in support of participatory democracy.
Education isn’t about what the teacher does, it’s about what the child learns, write Genius Hour innovators Denise Krebs and Gallit Zvi. Learning happens in every subject when students have a purpose and are given autonomy and time. And their learning can benefit the world.
