Close Reading the Media / Political Ads
by Frank Baker · Published 10/21/2019 · Last modified 11/14/2019
We know political advertising persuades and influences. When we use campaign ads in instruction and guide students through the analysis and deconstruction process, writes media literacy expert Frank Baker, we’re helping them become better critical thinkers and viewers.
International Mindedness / Wide Open Learning
by Megan Kelly · Published 10/20/2019 · Last modified 11/24/2019
When Megan Kelly asked her students to paste sticky notes on a world map to show the setting of YA novels they were reading for pleasure, she quickly saw she needed to diversify her classroom library. See her list of 19 recommended “adds” and share your own favorites!
To ensure all your students benefit from frequent reading conferences, it’s important to keep them short, focused and effective. Author and literacy consultant Jen Serravallo shares 7 tips for being efficient with your time without sacrificing impact or feeling rushed.
Grownups get to go to conferences. Why not kids? Rita Platt’s school offers an all-day gathering featuring a professional author as keynoter, concurrent sessions, and time to network with peer writers and authors from the community. See Rita’s how-to’s and budget tips.
Notice and Note / Teaching with a View
by Brent Gilson · Published 10/02/2019 · Last modified 01/19/2024
The Notice and Note reading strategies “changed my life as an educator,” writes Brent Gilson in a post he unabashedly describes as a “love letter” to Kylene Beers and Bob Probst. You’ll understand his passion when you learn how he integrates the 6 Signposts into lessons.
ELs are capable of doing the same kind of thinking that non-ELs can do. They might just have to temporarily show their understanding differently than their peers do. EL teacher Tan Huyhn shows how teachers can focus on the ELs’ thinking and differentiate everything else.
In his years working with students with learning and attention challenges, Ezra Werb has seen how anxiety relief and confidence building can be crucial success factors. He shows here how including students’ interests and alleviating reading and writing stressors can help.
Family Engagement / The Unstoppable ML Teacher
by Valentina Gonzalez · Published 09/02/2019 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Middle graders, especially ELs and newcomers eager to blend in, may not want to involve families at school. Yet partnering with families leads to greater achievement, lower absenteeism, and better behavior. EL expert Valentina Gonzalez shares her favorite strategies.
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/29/2019 · Last modified 01/17/2020
Mindfulness in the Classroom focuses on how to be consciously aware as we introduce SEL principles into an existing curriculum. Author Season Mussey explains SEL, its need and importance, and how to best share its principles with students, writes teacher Shawn Lawn.
Just how do you build a STEM lesson around a real-world challenge? While there’s no single answer to that question, STEM expert Anne Jolly shares a STEM lesson she and a math colleague designed around a local environmental challenge. Helpful tips and resources included!
