Are your students’ annotated texts hard to make sense of? Do they underline entire sections of a source and write very few comments? This can be a huge impediment to meaningful learning for some kids. Sunday Cummins offers 4 keys to sharpening their annotation skills.
You don’t have to be an ELA teacher to teach academic content to English learners. The goal is to guide students in using language “like an expert in a particular field would use it,” writes Tan Huynh, who shares a 4-step process used by international consultant Beth Skelton.
Focusing on the elements of the epic hero, this activity from author and 2019 PA TOY Marilyn Pryle helps students learn about literary elements while reflecting on their own lives, goals, and obstacles as they consider the hero’s backstory, good qualities, flaw, and quest.
STEM kids need to ratchet up their know-how about the real-world problem of plastics pollution and work together on sensible solutions. As they tackle this impending global crisis, they’ll grow problem-solving competencies for a lifetime, writes STEM educator Anne Jolly.
For those with positive stories, social-emotional learning helps reinforce the skills they need to succeed. For those with stories of trauma, SEL can help balance negative experiences with positive ones. Author-educator Marilee Sprenger shows how brain research can help.
Long-term English Learners / The Unstoppable ML Teacher
by Tan Huynh · Published 10/12/2020 · Last modified 06/12/2024
It’s past time to rethink the label “Long-term English Learner,” writes EL teacher Tan Huyhn. He shares Dr. Maneka Brooks’ ideas for involving students designated as LTELs in their own learning, including text sets that relate to their experiences beyond the classroom.
Positive phone calls and texts to students’ families are powerful, writes principal and NBCT Rita Platt. Parents and caregivers enjoy hearing good things and will be more responsive when you get in touch with less happy news. Rita includes several starter scripts and scheduling ideas.
Kids need the opportunity to make choices about what they learn and how they learn it, writes Alex Valencic. This doesn’t mean education becomes a free-for-all. It’s a call to action for us to know our students and help spark a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
Media Literacy is a new elective course at Jeremy Hyler’s middle school this year, and he’s excited to be teaching it. “Could there be a more urgent time?” Hyler shares some of his 7th grade course design, includes his key resources, and reports on the first five weeks.
With the topsy-turvy world of the Covid pandemic crowding all of us this fall, we have to be mindful of how teachers new to the classroom are experiencing their unique first year. Assistant Principal DeAnna Miller shares some ways she is working to provide extra support.
