Closing the Achievement Gap / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 04/03/2013 · Last modified 11/18/2019
Elizabeth Stein & assistant principal Paul McNeil consider personal, classroom, and school strategies that can help close achievement gaps for students with disabilities, including peer tutoring and support for high expectations. It takes a team approach, and it takes time and patience.
Independent middle school dean Bill Ivey acknowledges a deep debt to public schools for forging today’s “middle school model” for young adolescents.
Building Community / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 03/17/2013 · Last modified 11/23/2019
After years without a homeroom, special educator Laurie Wasserman eagerly volunteered for one — and set out to build a real classroom community.
STEM Launchers — brief activities that introduce the engineering design process and the secrets of good teamwork — can help kick off a successful year.
Learning consultant Mike Fisher shares more ideas for integrating technology and the Common Core. This time: Digital resources that can deepen math learning by capturing “a moment-in-time assessment of student ownership,” provided teachers are savvy about the ways students use the tools.
In The Literacy Cookbook: A Practical Guide to Effective Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening Instruction, Sarah Tantillo’s banquet of tasty recipes for good literacy instruction are also a helpful ELA Common Core resource, says reviewer Linda Biondi.
Helping Struggling Students / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 02/06/2013 · Last modified 11/13/2019
How do we help kids with less support outside of school? “Two Teachers” blogger Laurie Wasserman shares some ways she & her school go the extra mile.
Sarah Tantillo, author of The Literacy Cookbook, tackles the argument vs. evidence challenge with 6 steps to help prepare students for the ELA CCSS.
Articles / Common Core / Digital Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 01/20/2013 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Techie teaching consultant Mike Fisher shares ideas about upgrading your ELA curriculum lessons to better meet Common Core standards and objectives, using cool digital tools like Picktochart, Smore and Yapp.
English Language Learners / Interviews
by MiddleWeb · Published 01/16/2013 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Katie Hull Sypnieski, co-author of The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, shares some do’s & don’ts for all teachers with ELL students. A MIddleWeb interview.
