While lists for essential teacher qualities abound, these are the three questions author Debbie Silver particularly wants to ask middle school teacher candidates. Discover what Silver, who has taught across the grades, finds essential for effective middle level educators.
It’s difficult to learn from someone we don’t trust, writes literacy consultant Regie Routman. Bonding with individual students and their families builds that trust. Routman offers 10 ways to make sure that none of our students ever become “mostly silent and unseen.”
Co-teaching Reflections / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 12/24/2017 · Last modified 12/05/2019
Successful co-teaching is quite simple, says coach Elizabeth Stein. “All you need to do is keep them engaged.” Engagement begins by caring about what students think and feel as you design and deliver instruction – accepting ownership of your personal role in their success.
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/17/2017 · Last modified 11/19/2019
In Teaching Kids to Thrive, says special education teacher-coach Laura Von Staden, Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford provide a great book, full of research and resources, that craftily ties together the theories and research on vital, overlapping SEL skills.
Katherine Bomer provides concrete suggestions that help teachers move away from formulaic essay teaching while helping young writers name and revise their thinking, reveal truth, and weave in other voices as they draft, fine-tune, and revise, says Brian Kelley.
Ariel Sacks says teachers who read The Flexible ELA Classroom will get to know “an enthusiastic, skilled teacher” effectively applying “many of the best current teaching trends.” Amber Chandler’s practical, student centered ideas include flexible differentiation, PBL infusion, family involvement and more.
Psychotherapist Noah Kempler presents ways to help kids develop five core skills: understanding feelings, communication, flexibility, respect, and problem solving. Retired principal Mary Langer Thompson finds his discussion about temperament particularly valuable.
Co-Teaching / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 05/24/2015 · Last modified 12/10/2019
If you find yourself moving from one co-teaching situation to the next or being placed in a co-teaching situation for the first time, read veteran special educator Michele Simonetty’s useful advice for successful adaptation that assures all kids will learn.
