Book Reviews / Teaching Research Skills
by MiddleWeb · Published 12/31/2012 · Last modified 11/14/2019
Energize Research Reading and Writing: Fresh Strategies that Spark Interest, Develop Independence, and Meet Key Common Core Standards, Grades 4-8, a book championing the idea that middle grades students should do more authentic research, “comes not a moment too soon,” says ELA teacher Ariel Sacks.
Get It Done by Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Michael W. Smith, and James E. Fredricksen is “a treasure trove of helpful insights about why we need to care about the teaching of informational text,” says reviewer & flowchart maker Kevin Hodgson.
Common Planning Time / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 12/02/2012 · Last modified 12/04/2019
If the search for a perfect co-planning relationship frustrates you, Elizabeth Stein shares 4 “simple mindshifts” that have made her a fearless co-teacher anyway.
Kevin Hodgson says this ASCD/McREL book by Howard Pitler, Elizabeth R. Hubbell, and Matt Kuhn, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, offers abundant help for educators to integrate technology with effective & engaging instructional practices.
Articles / Teaching the Whole Adolescent
by MiddleWeb · Published 11/13/2012 · Last modified 11/21/2019
Middle grades teacher Mary Tarashuk often yearned to spend more time outside, learning with her students. Now she’s discovered The Walking Classroom program. Problem solved!
In Write Like This: Teaching Real World Writing Through Modeling and Mentor Texts, Kelly Gallagher’s real-world approach to writing instruction is practical, relevant and doable by any teacher, says reviewer Rhonda Leduc.
In Everyday Engagement: Making Students and Parents Your Partners in Learning author Katy Ridnouer has good ideas that can help teachers become better at partnering with parents to advance student learning, says reviewer Nicole Warchol.
Compare & Contrast: Teaching Comparative Thinking to Strengthen Student Learning, one of a series of books intended for study by professional learning “clubs,” explores a basic strategy of good teaching effectively, says reviewer & NBCT Joni Allison.
Book Reviews / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 09/28/2012 · Last modified 12/02/2019
Minding the Achievement Gap One Classroom at a Time by Jane E. Pollock, Sharon M. Ford and Margaret M. Black is a great resource for implementing Classroom Instruction That Works strategies for ESL/ELL students, says ESL teacher Julie Dermody.
When 4th grade teacher Becky Bair & two teammates asked teachers to shuffle assignments on behalf of vulnerable students, stormy weather ensued.
