We love to share writing about student writing! Here, in no particular order, are 10 of our readers’ favorite articles. You’ll find a range of posts by teachers, authors and writing coaches. And there’s a bonus for teachers who love to help students fuse words and images.
Students who write in class every day become more skillful at expressing what they feel and what they are learning, says NBCT Mary Tedrow. Using prompts that connect content and personal experience helps students “write their way to an understanding of curricula.”
Meaningful Math / Reviewing for Tests
by Michelle Russell · Published 11/06/2016 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Michelle Russell set out to improve her formative assessment practices but soon found herself thinking about summative assessment too. What are the best ways to make math test review both engaging and effective? Learn about her Gallery Walk and other experiments.
The Flexible Classroom / Vocabulary / Vocabulary
by Amber Chandler · Published 11/06/2016 · Last modified 11/28/2019
Instead of just saying “study your vocabulary,” Amber Chandler is trying out Quizlet Live, an online team-based game that has students begging for more. She says the easy tech tool promotes collaborative competition, meets SEL needs, and requires little extra work.
Hands-on teaching has always involved kids in “making.” But today’s focus on maker spaces is pushing making to a whole new level, nurturing students’ curiosity and creativity. Anne Jolly shows how combining maker activities and STEM lessons can boost learning.
For teachers who have considered implementing a Genius Hour program but haven’t quite made it to launch, passion-based learning experts and #geniushour chat leaders Gallit Zvi and Denise Krebs have organized a wealth of tips and resources to get you started.
Design Thinking / Future of History
by Jody & Shara · Published 08/21/2016 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Can history teachers apply Design Thinking ideas to a subject often taught as a progression of facts? Jody Passanisi thinks so. “What could be more relevant than looking for solutions to challenges that were created in the past and are still having impact today?”
Expert Anne Jolly suggests a running assessment of your STEM lessons as the new school year begins to make sure your students are engaged, working well in teams, and involved in engineering solutions to meaningful problems. Try her Lesson Plan Debugger!
What makes an educator a good fit for a school? While knowledge, skills and abilities are essential, candidates also need the right attitudes and dispositions. Rick Jetter’s narrative interview approach can help reveal those aspects, Allison Wilson says.
First Days of Math Class / Meaningful Math
by Michelle Russell · Published 08/14/2016 · Last modified 11/20/2019
Before planning her first lessons, math teacher Michelle Russell came up with her three teaching goals for the year. Most of all, she wants to strengthen her student relationships and make learning about math more fun. See the survey she did on Day One.
