Book Reviews / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 05/31/2018 · Last modified 11/22/2019
The ELL Teacher’s Toolbox is all meat with 400+ pages of teaching tactics, techniques, and methods, organized for use by ELL teachers and their colleagues across content areas. Educator Rita Platt says the book’s high impact strategies are perfect for summer PD.
Science and Testing / The Science Lady
by Kathy Renfrew · Published 05/30/2018 · Last modified 11/24/2019
System leaders may say preparation for end-of-year testing is now built into everyday teaching, but science coach Kathy Renfrew still witnesses a “test prep culture” in her middle grades work. What can teachers do to stop stealing learning time for off-topic prep?
Class Apps / Classroom Management
by Curtis Chandler · Published 05/29/2018 · Last modified 12/10/2019
Once you settle into summer break and find yourself thinking back over the past year’s successes and struggles, why not explore some fresh tools for classroom management next fall? Teacher educator Curtis Chandler offers some good places to start.
To reach the student who hasn’t made that essential positive connection with reading, you can do no better than apply the ideas detailed by Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward in From Striving to Thriving. Reviewer Linda Biondi recommends having a box of tissues handy.
In the 2nd edition of Fair Isn’t Always Equal Rick Wormeli employs patience and innovation along with multiple examples across disciplines and grade levels to explain how assessment works in differentiated classrooms, writes teacher Jennifer Randall. Essential reading!
Future of History / Project Based Learning
by Sarah Cooper · Published 05/21/2018 · Last modified 11/18/2019
This year, as 8th graders at Sarah Cooper’s school developed their community impact projects, she added a twist to the required (but seldom read) 300-word research display. Intriguing quotes, many with engaging graphics, increased student investment and audience attention.
Heart of the School / Stress Avoidance
by Rita Platt · Published 05/20/2018 · Last modified 12/12/2019
As the school year winds down and heightened emotions proliferate, it’s easy for teachers to lose their cool. Student (and parent) behavior that would have been met with patience earlier suddenly ratchets up teacher frustrations. Rita Platt shares her coping strategies – laughter included!
With leadership from the Western Massachusetts Writing Project, teachers regularly share classroom stories in their local media. Offering tips and lessons learned, Kevin Hodgson shows how adding educator voices to community discussions increases understanding and support.
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 05/10/2018 · Last modified 11/21/2019
SEL is a hot topic in education circles today, and it should be, writes reviewer Rita Platt. If you are looking for lesson plans and ideas to help you boost social and emotional learning, Boost Emotional Intelligence in Students will be a great addition to your toolkit.
Close Reading the Media / Pop Culture
by Frank Baker · Published 05/07/2018 · Last modified 11/21/2019
One way to reach and connect with today’s adolescents is to bring their pop culture into the classroom. Fads and favorites can be hooks to boost media literacy – from a hip-hop song to a clip from a popular TV show, a trending commercial or snippet from a current movie.
