In an age of fake news and the dismissal of science, teaching students to conduct research provides them with a critical skill. In “It’s a Matter of Fact,” teacher librarian Angie Miller shows how students across content areas can focus on a thesis and master resources.
Future of History / Student Research
by Sarah Cooper · Published 04/10/2018 · Last modified 03/30/2024
As students research US history for Sarah Cooper, they are used to trying search terms on a screen. But when assignments require them to wander the stacks for books, sometimes they don’t know where to begin. Answering their questions has given her ideas to share here.
Do teachers need to hire a PR firm or media consultants to effectively communicate their essential contributions to unaware constituents? Or can we begin to build more professional capital in our own schools and communities? Debbie Silver shares starting points.
The Unstoppable ML Teacher / Wait Time
by Valentina Gonzalez · Published 04/08/2018 · Last modified 03/19/2024
How can something as simple as Wait Time have such an incredible impact? It’s the difference between a student, especially an ELL, fully being engaged and participating, and a student becoming frustrated and checking out, writes teaching specialist Valentina Gonzalez.
English teacher David Slater identifies school reform ideas that he believes are wrong-headed or frequently misapplied, leading to ineffective education across the country. Retired educator Mary Langer Thompson agrees with some of his solutions but finds others lacking.
Future of History / History Perspectives
by Lauren S. Brown · Published 04/03/2018 · Last modified 11/13/2019
In teaching history, how much weight should we give to Logos (the facts), Pathos (the human impact), and Ethos (the morality) as we try to engage students in the meaning of great events? Middle school history teacher Lauren Brown reflects on her WWII/Holocaust unit.
Meaningful Math / Spring Math Tools
by Michelle Russell · Published 04/03/2018 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Just ahead: Eight weeks of standardized tests, field trips, sports, band, chorus, all altering the daily schedules for Michelle Russell’s school. So what’s a math teacher to do? She shares high-interest activities to ensure learning continues despite the disruptions.
Research-based essays help our students fluently build, develop, and expand on their ideas. But in the real world, not every research process ends in a full-blown essay, says Angie Miller, who shares eight fun ways for students to practice and incorporate research skills.
Close Reading the Media / The Grapes of Wrath
by Frank Baker · Published 03/26/2018 · Last modified 11/12/2019
Why do middle school students study The Great Depression? What do we want them to learn and understand about this period in American history? Media literacy expert Frank Baker offers a wealth of teaching ideas tied to the novel The Grapes of Wrath and its film treatment.
Student Civic Action / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 03/25/2018 · Last modified 11/12/2019
If ever there was a time to think about how to prepare our students for the larger stage of the public civic sphere, it’s now. Teacher Kevin Hodgson interviews author and educator Steven Zemelman who has been working with teachers to move kids from inquiry into action.
