“I’ve been accumulating guiding principles for creating highly motivating homework assignments for many years,” writes expert Rick Wormeli. “Here are a baker’s dozen. Choose the ones most appropriate for students’ learning goals and your curriculum.”
Though the author tackles many reform issues and includes significant research, reviewer Emily Barksdale found Unleashing the Positive Power of Differences: Polarity Thinking in Our Schools both too broad and too dense to help teacher leaders.
Embracing Technology / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 02/19/2014 · Last modified 02/20/2014
“It’s hard to come to terms with the digital dinosaur in myself,” writes 5th grade teacher Mary Tarashuk, who’s been asked to help create online courses. “Technology benchmarks are a bit vague for this novice traveler on the Information Superhighway.”
Reviewer and middle grades teacher Judi Holst strongly recommends Troy Hicks’ Crafting Digital Writing to any teacher who uses writing in their classroom and is ready to more deeply engage today’s digital-savvy students. It’s easy to read and full of ideas, she says.
In the 2nd edition of Deepening Comprehension with Action Strategies, Jeff Wilhelm offers theory-based drama techniques that can be used before, during, and after reading to deepen comprehension of fiction and nonfiction content, says reviewer Allyn Hunt.
This is a must-read book for teacher leaders, says our reviewer, offering the stories of 8 educators who seek a new kind of teacher role in America’s schools.
Kevin Hodgson tells how he helps students learn to read and interpret diagrams, maps, and infographics “packed with numbers and statistics and images.”
Historical mysteries that lure reluctant readers & boost comprehension are great for classroom libraries, says teacher-author Elizabeth Varadon.
Building Community / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 03/17/2013 · Last modified 11/23/2019
After years without a homeroom, special educator Laurie Wasserman eagerly volunteered for one — and set out to build a real classroom community.
Guest blogger Bill Ivey reflects on the prospects of girl-centered organizations to help address the gender gap in STEM career education.
