Middle grade students crave role models and great stories. Author visits provide both in a very tangible way. Learn how media specialist & NBCT Christina Dorr arranges a steady stream of tween and young adult novelists through her school and read 10 tips for doing it yourself!
Justice / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 01/23/2018 · Last modified 11/25/2019
Coach Elizabeth Stein invites co-teachers to extend their MLK Day reflections and consider how Dr. King can move us on a very conscious level to co-create equity in our inclusive classrooms, using four action steps that include speaking our truth and accepting discomfort.
Class Apps / Emotional Learning
by Curtis Chandler · Published 01/21/2018 · Last modified 12/12/2019
Research has given us a better understanding of fun, but educators still struggle to make it part of classroom learning. Curtis Chandler shares 10 questions he asks as he works to create challenge and playfulness in his lessons. Engaging apps and tools are part of the mix.
Practical teachers concerned with helping kids move forward as readers know that giving them access to engaging texts at their approximate level is an important strategy, says school librarian Rita Platt. Read her arguments for avoiding an either-or approach to leveling.
Recognizing that his gifted ninth graders possessed a fresh perspective on their middle school teacher experience, veteran educator and author Jim Delisle asked his classes to share their thoughts. What he learned may not surprise you, but it’s certainly food for thought.
Close Reading the Media / History vs Hollywood
by Frank Baker · Published 01/16/2018 · Last modified 11/28/2019
Examining differences between the movie and the actual history – and the processes screenwriters use to adapt a true story – is worthy of media literacy classroom time, says Frank Baker, author of Close Reading the Media. Truth is, the film will never match the book!
Future of History / Teaching strategies
by Sarah Cooper · Published 01/15/2018 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Recently Sarah Cooper’s history classes debated whether the electoral college should be abolished. Reflecting on the weeklong unit, Cooper concludes she “misstepped” in several ways. Learn what she plans to do differently next year, starting with a fresh debate topic.
Self-check classroom and school “real estate” to make sure you’re organized to showcase, celebrate, and convey messages and content that invite all learners to joyfully learn more, writes author Regie Routman. In particular, critically examine your classroom libraries.
Digital Annotation / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 01/07/2018 · Last modified 03/15/2024
Digital crowd annotation tools create the possibility that the margins of an online text or piece of media can be filled with insightful conversation by a classroom of students or a collaboration of teachers. Kevin Hodgson reveals how to get started with user friendly resources.
Close Reading the Media / Weight-Loss Ads
by Frank Baker · Published 01/02/2018 · Last modified 11/13/2019
In the wake of holiday indulgences, ads for weight-loss products snowball in January. Many contain outright falsehoods, the FTC warns. By inviting students to investigate, teachers can sharpen media literacy skills and explore persuasive vs. argumentative writing.
