Welcome to the Middle Grades!
MiddleWeb is all about middle school & the middle grades — with a sharp focus on teaching and learning in grades 4-8. Join us, learn about our 5 streams of content, and find out how to get involved.
Teaching and learning in grades 4-8
Beyond the Tyranny of History Textbooks
In a new edition of Teaching What Really Happened, Loewen moves beyond textbook distortions of historical facts and calls for teaching unvarnished history to educate “critical citizens.” History educator Michael DiClemente highlights insights all K-12 teachers can use.
How Writing Workshop Can Engage Students
Discover the potential of writing workshop to welcome students into engaging and productive writing practice in Shubitz and Dorfman’s Welcome to Writing Workshop. You’ll find all your questions about writing workshop answered, promises teacher educator Linda Biondi.
My Literacy Hope Chest for Next School Year
What learning ideas have you packed away for summer reflection? With her 4th graders almost out the door, Mary Tarashuk is organizing her literacy notes and resources for a soon to be purchased hope chest, with plans to further evolve her writing workshop skills this fall.
Middle Schoolers Thrive on Place-Based Learning
The ideas behind place-based education are being discussed in more schools and communities, as years of test-driven instruction have many looking for better ways to learn. Fieldwork coordinator Sarah K. Anderson shares the inspiring program at public Cottonwood School.
My Year in Math: What Worked, What Didn’t
Usually Michelle Russell uses Got It, Almost Got It, and Not Yet for quick formative assessments of her math students. With the school year behind her, she applies the process to her own teaching, finding some hits, some misses, and a starting place for future growth.
Want Authentic Data? Try Shadowing Students
To move beyond the usual data reports that crowd admin inboxes, Ronald Williamson and Barbara Blackburn recommend shadow studies that gather insights into how students experience daily school life in and out of class. Learn how it’s done and why it’s worth the time.
Empower Students to Own Their Learning
In this fun and easy-to-read book John Spencer and AJ Juliani guide readers through the steps to move students from compliance to empowerment, writes Laura Von Staden. The authors are realistic about possible obstacles and offer remedies. Be sure to read the Foreword!
How Many? Expand Kids’ Thinking about Math
Christopher Danielson takes kids, tweens and teens on a journey of exploration as they think about and interact with math in new ways. Based in his research and teaching, How Many? helps students see far beyond simple responses and think creatively, writes Linda Biondi.
Teach Current Events by Double-Dipping Lessons
Finding the rationale to bring news discussions into class can be tricky. Veteran teacher and current events advocate Dina Strasser shares her strategy – double dipping. Here’s how to have “productively messy” conversations in 5-10 minutes without losing curriculum focus.
A Summer’s Worth of STEM PD/Prep Ideas!
As you relax into summer break, keep an eye on what’s up with STEM learning. Expert Anne Jolly shares resources for keeping up with STEM news and lesson ideas as you reflect on what worked (and didn’t) last year and consider how to amp things up for next fall’s students.
