Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Development
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 10/07/2015 · Last modified 11/28/2019
How do we really build better teachers? Are current school system practices helping? Reading a long-neglected article from the NYT Magazine prompts a fresh reflection on the best ways to improve teaching practice from veteran tween teacher Mary Tarashuk.
Knowing how television programming is funded can help students understand what is available to view. Media literacy expert Frank W. Baker links to sources of advertising data and suggests activities to build student savvy about the genres that fill their screens.
STEM By Design / STEM Teacher Development
by Anne Jolly · Published 09/27/2015 · Last modified 11/14/2019
The expectation among non-educators seems to be that if teachers would just do their jobs, the supply of STEM professionals would be more than adequate. Award winning science teacher and STEM curriculum consultant Anne Jolly finds this position naive, at best.
A New School Year / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 09/22/2015 · Last modified 11/13/2019
Personal narratives, reading folders, interest inventories – and new nicknames bestowed as the year begins. Mary Tarashuk uses many clues to get to know her 4th graders. PARCC scores haven’t arrived yet. No sweat. All that really matters is arrayed before her.
In a dialogue with Kevin Hodgson, educator-authors Debbie Zacarian and Michael Silverstone share ways to energize teaching and learning by reaching out to students’ families and communities, all with the goal of building partnerships that help students become confident learners.
Future of History / History Resources
by Jody & Shara · Published 09/21/2015 · Last modified 11/13/2019
In earlier years Jody Passanisi provided sources to her 8th grade history students. More recently, as they look to the Internet for information, she finds they need to understand not only how to cite sources they uncover but also why they need to credit ideas.
Lori G. Wilfong’s Do This–Not That take on nonfiction can guide teachers as they enhance their repertoire of strategies to help students think deeply and synthesize what they are reading. The activities and action steps make this book a keeper, says Linda Biondi.
Communications / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 09/16/2015 · Last modified 12/11/2019
Communication is the oxygen in the room when we want any relationship to work. But communication and co-teaching can be a tricky business. Elizabeth Stein looks at surefire ways to make your co-communications work as you speak up for all the students.
Most educators who teach propaganda use examples from the World Wars, says media literacy expert Frank Baker. “But propaganda is happening today—all around us.” Baker introduces a new resource that can help teachers and students exert their “minds over media.”
Differentiation / Future of History
by Sarah Cooper · Published 09/06/2015 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Wondering how – with enough learning time – she could reach individual 8th grade U.S. history students where they are “most curious & invested,” teacher Sarah Cooper considers the breadth of current events resources and connections she could suggest.
