Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

Research Is a Core Skill in Our Info-Packed World

In an age of fake news and the dismissal of science, teaching students to conduct research provides them with a critical skill. In “It’s a Matter of Fact,” teacher librarian Angie Miller shows how students across content areas can focus on a thesis and master resources.

Communicate Effectively with Your School Board

Communication is central to an educator’s role as an advocate. Of particular importance, say the co-authors of Advocacy From A-Z, is the ability of school and teacher leaders to communicate with the school board to advocate for an issue. These nine principles can help.

Fun Student Activities for the Testing Season

During the barrage of mandatory assessments each spring, it can be tempting to “decide to do very little with our students” between tests, says Curtis Chandler. But why not make every minute count? Teachers can do just that with these engaging cross-curricular activities.

Fair Isn’t Always Equal: 3 Grading Malpractices

If we expect students to achieve mastery, teaching consultant Rick Wormeli says, we must provide helpful feedback, document progress, and inform our instructional decisions with pertinent performance data. Yet many conventional grading practices render our data useless.

Strategies That Work to Build Understanding

Strategies That Work is an easy-to-read book full of valuable strategies and research for all K-8 teachers, writes teacher Kathee Lamberies. In this 3rd edition, Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis share leading-edge ideas on comprehension, engagement, assessment and more.