Vocabulary knowledge is the heart of reading comprehension and academic achievement, says literacy consultant Brenda Overturf, “and it means way more than just learning words.” Students must have the tools to decipher unknown academic words. She shares three of the best.
Communications / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 09/16/2015 · Last modified 12/11/2019
Communication is the oxygen in the room when we want any relationship to work. But communication and co-teaching can be a tricky business. Elizabeth Stein looks at surefire ways to make your co-communications work as you speak up for all the students.
Long-time middle grades teacher Mark Overmeyer brings his techniques for successful student writing conferences – one-on-one, peer, and small-group – to “Let’s Talk.” Drawing on the modeling Overmeyer provides, Tyler McBride plans to launch regular conferences this fall.
In this project from his G&T classroom, David Sebek focused on four aspects of what it means to be a “good citizen” – truthfulness, justice, equality and responsibility – using both studies of whistleblowers and dystopian fiction to explore the elusive definition of citizenship.
Book Reviews / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/13/2015 · Last modified 11/17/2019
Ivannia Soto guides educators teaching oral language skills and writing in the content areas to integrate CCSS writing goals with strategies that deepen learning among English language learners. Literacy coach Glenda Moyer recommends the book highly.
A three-perspective approach to reading response (as a reader, a writer and a human being) has been a helpful resource for Sarah Donovan and for her students as they respond to writing by their peers. Donovan includes several model activities and examples.
The new school year is on the horizon and STEM teachers are going to be caught up in the whirlwind of preparation before Day One. As you prepare to engage students in exciting STEM lessons, Anne Jolly offers 5 lesson principles to keep in the forefront.
New principals can fall prey to “task overload.” What’s more, the transition from working with teachers as peers to working as a supervisor can be disorienting. Experts Ron Williamson & Barbara Blackburn share advice in six critical areas of the new job.
The authors of Proven Strategies That Work attempt to provide solutions to complex issues of teaching gifted children in about four pages each, including forms, says reviewer Lisa Penrod. Some tips are helpful but suggested strategies need more development.
Quick, ongoing classroom assessments of STEM learning can give teachers the timely information they need to keep lessons on track and be sure students are developing the skills to solve real-world STEM problems. Anne Jolly shares lots of assessment ideas.
