Jennifer Bogard and Lisa Donovan share ways to humanize social studies and bolster student engagement with history by pairing Library of Congress primary sources and arts-integration strategies. Try their lesson plans for altered text, soundscapes, and sketching to observe.
What does instructional rigor look like in the middle school classroom? Teaching consultant and bestselling author Barbara Blackburn offers examples of lessons that reach for the top of Bloom’s and DoK – in social studies, math, electives, the arts, English/ELA, and science.
Anne Jolly has had more inquiries from folk in the middle school arena on whether they should implement a STEM program or a STEAM program. She doesn’t think it’s an “Either-or.” She thinks it’s a “Both” with creativity and critical thinking sharing space.
Middle school behavior has more to do with neurotransmitters than hormones, says veteran teacher and consultant Thomas Armstrong. His strategies will help educators reach adolescents through both their “emotional brain’’ and the still undeveloped ‘’rational brain.’’
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 12/15/2016 · Last modified 11/25/2019
I, Me, You, We: Individuality Versus Conformity offers teachers intellectually challenging ELA and arts lessons for gifted middle schoolers. Educator Amy Cummings saw less emphasis on self understanding than expected but found almost unlimited ideas for her classroom.
When Sandy Wisneski engaged middle graders in a comic book project that combined writing, art and social studies, she wanted a whiz-bang culminating activity. She struck virtual gold when she found professional comics illustrator and author Alex Simmons.
The curriculum tug of war between proponents of STEM programs and those who advocate for STEAM is in full force. Whichever side you may be pulling for, Anne Jolly has some facts, insights and questions that can help determine which way we should go.
S.T.E.M. or STEM? STEM or STEAM? STEM for a selected few or STEM for all? What about STEM’s specific technology needs? MiddleWeb’s STEM by Design blogger Anne Jolly shares five hot STEM issues facing educators as schools across the USA begin a new year.
As arts education budgets shrink, K-8 educators will appreciate The Arts Go to School, says reviewer Jennifer Jankowski. Authors David Booth and Masayuki Hachiya offer creative ideas for incorporating arts into the daily curriculum across many subjects.
In the middle grades, arts integration can deepen learning, address the Common Core, and spark academic progress across the curriculum.
