Ariel Sacks says that by teaching novels “whole” she has been able to ignite interest in books, deepen discussions & improve reading comprehension. In this informative article, Sacks shares her rationale, her method, and reactions from her middle school students.
Future of History / Historical thinking
by Jody & Shara · Published 10/13/2013 · Last modified 12/05/2019
Evaluative questions that encourage the development of evidence based opinions help students learn to view history “as a complex narrative.”
Filmmaker Kesa Kivel worked with middle school students in an after-school YWCA program to produce a short film about the slavery experience in the United States.
Helen Hume’s comprehensive resource guide can help teachers across the curriculum integrate the arts into lesson planning, says ELA teacher Julia Colombo.
This book describes how schools can support students in poverty through effective programs that help them succeed in school, graduate and improve their lives, says reviewer Susan Shaver.
Future of History / New Teacher Advice / Novice History Teachers
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/18/2013 · Last modified 11/13/2019
What should new social studies teachers keep in mind as they begin their first year in the classroom? Our three Future of History bloggers have tips!
Veteran middle grades educator & National TOY finalist Cindi Rigsbee is eager to share her excitement about the profession with new teachers. Be inspired!
Reflecting on Our Teaching / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 06/30/2013 · Last modified 12/01/2019
A powerful insight by John Dewey can unite teachers across the past, present and future and continues to inspire and energize special educator Elizabeth Stein.
Book Reviews / Improving Teacher Quality
by MiddleWeb · Published 06/29/2013 · Last modified 11/15/2019
Reviewer Anne Anderson finds You Don’t Have to Be Bad to Get Better: A Leader’s Guide to Improving Teacher Quality by Candi McKay a practical, easy-to-read handbook for school leaders who want to bolster student learning by helping teachers grow professionally.
STEM & the Makers Movement / STEM By Design
by Anne Jolly · Published 06/23/2013 · Last modified 11/23/2019
The authors of “Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom” share an exciting guest post at Anne Jolly’s STEM Imagineering blog. The tools and ethos of the maker revolution offer insight and hope for middle schools and for science and math studies, they say. “The breadth of options and the ‘can-do’ attitude is exactly what students need.”
