Category: Articles

A Tool to Help Students Navigate Difficult Text

Students who struggle with academic reading can benefit from “a compass of sorts” to help them navigate texts. To accomplish this, educator Ron Klemp developed a four-step quickwrite protocol that’s been “extremely effective” in boosting their engagement and understanding.

Growing the Leadership Capacity in Your School

Solitary leadership doesn’t work very well because no leader knows everything. Ronald Williamson and Barbara R. Blackburn share strategies to help school leaders systematically build leadership capacity among their staffs and capitalize on the talents of informal leaders.

Better Beginnings for Better Learning All Year

With the next school year not too far over the horizon, 7th grade teacher Laurie Hornik has tips for getting off to a strong start. She suggests skipping traditional ice breakers and instead introducing the class community by exploring what you will be learning together.

Rethinking Productivity for Principals & Coaches

It’s easy to keep busy in just about any job, writes former principal Matt Renwick, now a regional systems coach. What’s difficult to discern is what we should be focused on in this moment. See how Renwick is using what he calls “productive presence” to stay organized and aware.

Reading Aloud AS a Middle School Strategy

We want students to achieve in class and on tests, but we also want them to know how to use reading skills to enjoy reading. Reading aloud provides students with opportunities to experience success through thinking alongside their teachers and peers, writes Jennifer Sniadecki.

Welcome the FANBOYS Grammar Fan Club

Grammar instruction has barely changed since our grandparents were in school. It’s time to flip that script. ELA teachers Patty McGee and Tim Donohue share fun, effective techniques to help students evolve into grammar rock stars. Welcome to the FANBOYS conjunction fan club!

Address Student Anxiety to Boost Their Learning

Given the high level of anxiety among teens today, teachers need to focus more on students’ need for safety. Gravity Goldberg suggests ways to use what we know about the body-brain connection to help kids experience the kind of regulation needed for any learning to happen.

Scaffolding Strategies to Teach Challenging Text

Finding ways to scaffold in classrooms with a mix of readers – both well behind and well ahead of grade level – can be overwhelming. Author and coach Jennifer Throndsen shares low-prep, easy to implement, research-based strategies teachers can use to support all students.

Getting Math Students to Show Their Reasoning

Getting students to show their reasoning isn’t about adding one more step, writes math coach Mona Iehl. It’s about redefining how math learning happens and coming to see that students learn not through memorizing steps, but through reasoning, discussion, and exploration.