Category: Articles

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?

Accelerate or Remediate? Teachers at the Controls.

Acceleration means providing grade-level instruction with strategic scaffolds and just-in-time support. It means believing all kids can access rigorous content with the supports you can build. And it’s a decision entirely within your Circle of Control, says Dr. Sonya Murray.

Expand Your Electives & Transform Engagement

Many educators believe we can increase engagement and improve attendance by expanding choice electives for their middle schoolers. But school and system wide? What about scheduling? What about staffing? Jen Schwanke walks us through her district’s transformation step by step.

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.