Rose-colored glasses are a key accessory for instructional coaches, writes Rita Platt in her first article for MiddleWeb. Platt shares five promises that she makes to herself and her collaborating teachers to keep things positive, appreciative and ever-improving.
Book Reviews / Building Relationships
by MiddleWeb · Published 09/21/2016 · Last modified 11/19/2019
In Hard Conversations Unpacked Jennifer Abrams offers effective strategies for engaging in difficult but necessary dialogue, helping educators grow the confidence and skills to create positive change in varied environments, says literacy specialist Lisa Maucione.
Elena Aguilar’s “The Art of Coaching Teams ” is a practical resource full of proactive thinking gleaned from 20 years as a teacher and coach, says instructional specialist Deserie Bradvica. For those ready to lead teams with “a focus on trust, clarity and purpose.”
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.
Socio-economic bias / The Flexible Classroom
by Amber Chandler · Published 09/11/2016 · Last modified 11/26/2019
From failing to bring the required supplies to not being on time, Amber Chandler was quick to give negative grades to students who “lacked responsibility.” Until she encountered Nick. Today she’s more sensitive to the socio-economic challenges many students face.
Working Draft / Writing with Digital Tools
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 09/05/2016 · Last modified 11/13/2019
The comic creation app Bitstrips for Schools is no more. How will Kevin Hodgson’s new sixth graders create the “Dream Scenes” that help him discover more about their hopes and aspirations? After a brief lament, he rallies. Perhaps Google Slides can fill the void.
Civics Lessons / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 08/29/2016 · Last modified 11/30/2019
This year, with an historic Presidential election in the making, civics studies take on a bit more relevance for Mary Tarashuk’s 4th graders. As she worked on her lesson plans this summer, she uncovered fresh resources to help her met five key teaching goals.
Adolescents constantly work to make sense of new information, often by referencing what they already know. Teachers can help by introducing analogies. Curtis Chandler shares tips and tech tools to help put analogies to work, including Metamia and Google Slides.
Why should we use performance tasks in math class? How do we adapt them for formative or summative assessment? How do we create effective rubrics? The authors provide answers in a step-by-step guide featuring many examples, says veteran math teacher Jan Roberts.
Middle grades writers can learn about the writer’s notebook used by many professional writers and get tips about creating a notebook of their own in this Powerpoint slide set developed for teachers by literacy coach Juli Kendall.
