Category: Articles

Five Models for Asking Higher Level Questions

When you climb to the top of a mountain, the steps become increasingly difficult as you go, but the view is worth it. Consultant and author Barbara R. Blackburn shares five models for organizing higher levels of questions to help students reach the learning summit.

Use Goal Setting to Grow Great Student Writers

Writing goals help students identify ways to improve in their writing and set specific targets they want to work on, says author-educator Valerie Bolling. Best of all, during the process students will see the growth they’ve made as writers and as goal setters.

Expository Writing: The Field Guide Project

Stephanie Farley is teaching expository writing to her class of gifted, neurodiverse students and needs to design a differentiated unit that addresses each of her students’ diverse strengths. Read about what she’s come up with – the Field Guide Project – and add suggestions!

8 Ways I Use Feedback to Drive Student Growth

For students to get the most out of feedback, they need to know that the teacher believes in their potential and wants to help them continue to grow. Kasey Short shares tips to build trust and strategies to make feedback a driving force in daily instruction and improvement.

Breaking Down Fluency Gates for MS Math Kids

When math interventionist Juliana Tapper was forced to teach grade-level content, her MS kids “moved from apathy to hope,” and she had a revelation. When we provide access, structural support, and the right fluency practice, we stop being gatekeepers and become gatebreakers.

Why Children’s Books Matter in a Digital World

Children’s books offer a much-needed escape from our digital culture. Centering on British author Katherine Rundell, Elaine Griffin looks into how young readers not only find fantasy, magic, and mischief but also discover the building blocks of character, curiosity, and courage.

4 Simple Strategies for Student Self-Assessment

As a part of a teacher’s overall classroom assessment, we want students to ask themselves questions. Encouraging students to assess themselves adds some extra rigor to the learning process and helps grow an important life skill. Barbara Blackburn shares four simple strategies.

Teaching Our Students the Value of Giving Back

The students and teachers on Kathie Durkin’s 7th grade team lead service projects that support diverse communities, build team camaraderie, and teach middle schoolers the importance of compassion and giving. Katie shares three of her favorites, including Blankets for Premies.

Why Kids Need to Talk in Math Class

Kids don’t learn math by listening to us solve problems. They learn math by talking about how THEY solve problems. Author and math educator Mona Iehl shares how to implement three shifts: providing more student talk time, anticipating student approaches, and creating predictable routines.