Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

Live Webcams Help Kids Notice and Reflect

Helping middle school students learn how to slow down, notice, and wonder may be one of the most important things we do. Kendra Cameron-Jarvis shows how teachers can use live worldwide webcams to spark small observation routines that build both attention and global awareness.

Would You Let a Robot Do That for You?

As AI becomes omnipresent, it can be tricky to say exactly what “doing your own work” means or why you might prefer to do it yourself. Laurie Hornik shares the day she led her 7th graders in thinking about what they’d be willing to turn over to AI. Cue the robot basketball players.

Bringing a Lab Mindset to Group Work in Math

What if we approached math as an experimental subject and encouraged students to work together to solve problems using a “lab mindset”? Fifth grade teacher and NBCT Kathie Palmieri has been exploring science and math standards with the power of collaborative learning in mind.

Teaching for Equity and Cognitive Justice

Zaretta Hammond examines the cultivation of “cognitive justice” to ensure that every student, especially those from historically marginalized groups, experiences the full rigor, challenge and coaching necessary to develop as an independent, powerful learner, says Melinda Stewart.

Teaching Discernment in Student AI Interactions

Sharpening our reasoning powers about when and how to engage with artificial intelligence will serve us and our students well as we navigate whatever the future brings, says Brett Vogelsinger. He offers two lesson ideas we can use to model quality reasoning during AI interactions.

An Innovative Approach to Grammar Instruction

Not Your Granny’s Grammar offers a fresh, engaging, and practical approach to grammar rooted in authentic writing practice. It’s well organized to guide teachers through the philosophy, structure, and application of a comprehensive grammar study, writes NBCT Kathie Palmieri.

What If Every Teacher Taught Media Literacy?

More state legislatures are developing media literacy policies in response to debates over student phone use, social media restrictions, and artificial intelligence. But are they committed to supporting programs that engage all teachers in opportunities to teach media literacy?