Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

How Do We Integrate STEM Across Subjects?

Some schools are putting all subjects under a big STEM tent. Can they stay true to STEM’s engineering focus? Anne Jolly talks to schoolwide-STEM expert Judy Duke, who points to History class. Teachers writing lessons should always ask: “What problems needed to be solved?”

A Smart Guide to Art Lessons and Projects

Helen Hume’s survival guide for grades 7-12 art teachers, coordinators, content teachers and homeschoolers proves to be a rich resource for lessons, project ideas, and art history touching on all the arts. Retired principal Mary Langer Thompson recommends it.

Modeling: What Students See Is What They Get

In the classroom, writes author and teaching expert Barbara Blackburn, students are influenced by three things they observe: the teacher as role model; the physical environment; and other role models teachers introduce. Good tips for new and preservice educators.

Finding “Peace” in the Global Read Aloud…

Always on the lookout for opportunities to enrich her 4th graders’ learning, Mary Tarashuk made a test run with the Global Read Aloud’s 2016 choice, “Pax,” and is ready with added resources for October/November’s worldwide immersion in Sara Pennypacker’s book.

Should We Do More Writing in Math Class?

Math teacher Michelle Russell has been exploring the idea that asking students to write more might help them better understand and retain math concepts. After reading contrasting expert opinions, she decided to ask her students, who’ve provided some very useful insights.

With Flexible Grouping We Can Reach Every Kid

When students are busy learning, staying in a single group is stifling. The solution for teacher-author Amber Chandler is a “flexible classroom” where students rotate through strategic groupings to meet differentiated needs at various stages of the learning process.

A Rich Literacy Plan for Well-Resourced Parents

Margaret Mary Policastro provides solid background on best practices for home literacy, says reading specialist Judy Harris. But Harris finds the book short on good advice for families that lack the resources and services more typical of upscale neighborhoods.

How to Mentor Students More Effectively

Russ Olwell’s book Mentoring is a Verb is a useful resource for educators involved in mentor/mentee roles, says Nicolette Lesniak, who mentors at-risk students. She finds the WOOP framework and other strategies recommended by Olwell easy to implement and adapt.