Katelyn Oellerich’s well-researched 9-week program for school-based mental health professionals can also benefit all educators with its CBT and mindfulness case studies, definitions, methods and strategies to help manage student anxiety, writes NBCT Kathleen Palmieri.
Like many teachers during last year’s “post-Covid” return to school, middle school veteran Sarah Cooper slipped into the fog and funk and wondered if the joy in teaching was gone for good. Here’s how she wrenched herself through the dark time and found her groove again.
By using a menu of formative assessments to target and support students’ specific reading needs, you can differentiate instruction and positively impact their progress at key points in their development. Expert Laura Robb offers a master class in reading support for middle graders.
Back to School / Back to School / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 07/20/2023 · Last modified 08/17/2023
What’s waiting for you on the other side of the door? Lots of excitement, a few nervous moments, and faces filled with questions. Welcome back! We’ve rounded up lots of useful resources for your first days.
By helping you tap into your archetype, Ashley Lamb-Sinclair’s From Underestimated to Unstoppable helps set you up to make changes in the lives around you. Megan Balduf finds the text beneficial particularly to those who know things can be better but aren’t sure what to do.
Todd Stanley’s A Teacher’s Toolbox for Gifted Education gives honest, practical research and evidence-based strategies to increase engagement in most classrooms. ELA teacher Erin Corrigan-Smith notes the inclusion of STEM and PBL focused activities to inspire learners.
After some initial skepticism, brain-weary ELA teacher Allison Paludi turned to ChatGPT for fresh ideas about teaching The Giver to her 6th graders. The AI tool was a big help for lesson brainstorming and differentiation and as a go-to thought partner after her PLC disbanded.
History & social studies / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 07/14/2023 · Last modified 08/14/2023
Help students discover Labor Day’s origin and the United States labor movement’s past triumphs and current challenges in this MiddleWeb resource roundup. You’ll find resources for history, current events, English Language Arts and civics classes, across grades 4-8.
To infuse classrooms with meaning, relevance and lots of fun, Stephanie Farley suggests ways to keep teaching student-centered: develop essential questions, make connections, and assess for learning not just grading. A super summer read, writes consultant Cathy Gassenheimer
As math coaches and other instructional leaders begin to think about the upcoming school year, they may want to consider Nicora Placa’s teacher team-building activity. It sets the foundation for a successful year of learning collaboratively and improving student group work.
