Book Reviews / Race, Class and School
by John Norton · Published 04/03/2014 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Teacher José Vilson’s must-read book, This Is Not A Test, cuts through political platitudes into the heart of America’s unresolved contradictions: public education and democratic principles; equity and privilege, race and class, says reviewer John Norton.
It’s Not Complicated: What I Know for Sure About Helping Our Students of Color Become Successful Readers will motivate teachers to redouble literacy efforts, says Maribeth Wicoff, but she wishes the author had included more about effective strategies.
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.”
Introducing the concept of product placement, using pop culture images and sporting events, is a great way to jump-start students’ critical viewing and grow their media literacy skills, says expert Frank Baker. Key questions for analysis included.
Helen Hume’s comprehensive resource guide can help teachers across the curriculum integrate the arts into lesson planning, says ELA teacher Julia Colombo.
For Elena Aguilar, transformation began the day she asked 6th graders to use her first name. Read about a remarkable public school experiment in Oakland CA.
Here are some blogs we like to read. We’ll be adding more soon. If you’d like for us to consider your middle grades-related blog, get in touch!
History & social studies / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 06/07/2012 · Last modified 11/16/2019
America’s national parks are full of history and learning opportunities for visiting educators and students, in person or online.
