When sixth grade ELA teacher Kevin Hodgson’s students were asked to help pilot new paper circuitry learning tools developed at the MIT Media Lab, they chose to illuminate haiku poems about light. The technology draws on the work of Jie Qi, a mechanical engineer and MIT doctoral student known for her work with electrified paper.
Book Reviews / ELA with Digital Tools
by MiddleWeb · Published 04/18/2014 · Last modified 11/17/2019
In Create Compose Connect! Jeremy Hyler and Troy Hicks present strategies that can balance the need for rigor with reading and writing in the classroom – meeting the CCSS – while still meeting young people with technology that is relevant for them.
Education consultant Mike Fisher invites readers to be active participants in a Curriculum Brainstorm, using popular music and a song’s associated music video as a way to engage close reading of text, comparative analysis & use of digital tools.
Falling in Love with Close Reading by Lehman & Roberts has cured the close reading fatigue of reading coach Katie Gordon. “I’m learning about the invisible processes I use as a reader so I can reveal them to students for whom they are not automatic.”
Author and literacy consultant Sarah Tantillo shares six tips and a simple, user-friendly graphic organizer that can guide middle grades teachers as they unpack the ELA Common Core standards to create objectives & activities. From her upcoming book.
Student-created videogames / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 01/27/2014 · Last modified 12/14/2019
Kevin Hodgson’s students use Gamestar Mechanic to design, build & publish science-based video games. The engaging 6th grade team project aims “to connect writing & media to science.” Included: Four playable examples & a link to team’s resource site.
Working Draft / Writing & Game Design
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 12/01/2013 · Last modified 11/14/2019
Middle school teacher Kevin Hodgson describes how his ELA unit on video game design helped inspire a very reluctant writer to become an eager scribe.
Kathy Tuchman Glass has created an intensive, in-depth study that will help teachers in understanding and mapping out the ELA standards, with excellent support and numerous examples, says reviewer and ELA consultant Anne Anderson.
Book Reviews / Common Core State Standards / ELA & Literacy / Personal Learning Networks
by MiddleWeb · Published 11/01/2013 · Last modified 11/15/2019
Even educators who don’t work in successful PLC environments will appreciate Fisher & Frey’s strategies to build students’ CCSS ELA proficiencies, says Joy Kirr.
Book Reviews / Response to Intervention
by MiddleWeb · Published 07/02/2013 · Last modified 11/13/2019
Like CCSS, Response to Intervention is something teachers need to know right now, says reviewer Julie Dermody. Elizabeth Stein’s book, Comprehension Lessons for RTI (Grades 3-5): Assessments, Intervention Lessons and Management Tips to Help You Reach and Teach Tier 2 Students, is the place to start.
