Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

History Hook: Ancient Writing on the Walls

Social studies classes are digging into primary sources, learning how to use historians’ methods. Toni Blackwell Rhodes offers medieval and ancient graffiti as an engaging primary source idea in her new book. MS teacher-reviewer Joanne Bell plans to apply the methods to other historical eras.

Bring Word Nerdiness to the Middle Level

A multitude of authentic classroom examples and strategies make “Vocabularians” a must-have book, says ELA teacher and word nerd Amber Chandler. Author Brenda Overturf also provides realistic ways to bring schoolwide vocabulary immersion to the middle grades.

15 Keys to Reaching Leadership Potential

New school leaders will find 15 keys to growing into their positions in Brad Johnson and Julie Sessions’ new book from Routledge/Eye on Education. With tips from current leaders, the book covers leadership style, strengths, wisdom, communication, resilience, responses in crisis, and more.

Unlock Learning by Improving Oral Fluency

Of all the ways educators can improve learning in their classrooms, “the Number 1 way is to strengthen students’ speaking and listening skills and habits,” writes teaching coach and literacy expert Sarah Tantillo. Oral fluency deepens understanding dramatically.

Why Argument Writing Is Important to Teach

Knowing how to respond to counterclaims while developing their own claims in argumentative writing helps students in school and beyond. Educators Leslie Skantz-Hodgson and Jamilla Jones report on their summer studying “They Say/I Say” with teacher colleagues.

Classroom Walkthroughs Can Build Culture

With Moss and Brookhart’s book “Formative Classroom Walkthroughs,” educator teams can transform classroom walkthroughs into collaborations that share responsibility and help build a positive school culture, says assistant principal Mike Janatovich.