Teaching and learning in grades 4-8
Ariel Sacks says that by teaching novels “whole” she has been able to ignite interest in books, deepen discussions & improve reading comprehension. In this informative article, Sacks shares her rationale, her method, and reactions from her middle school students.
Mary Tarashuk is working on the Classroom Management domain of NJ’s teaching self-assessment rubrics. Some words are a bit hard to digest.
After visits across the US, Maia Heyck-Merlin, author of The Together Teacher, highlights 10 characteristics of together schools that support teachers well.
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan analyze assessment and the data it produces to show how it can benefit instruction, not displace it or waste teacher time, says reviewer Sandy Wisneski.
Evaluative questions that encourage the development of evidence based opinions help students learn to view history “as a complex narrative.”
Look no further than Invent to Learn, by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager, for information on promoting the Maker Movement in your school, says reviewer Kevin Hodgson. Among many other useful ideas: How to involve students in staging a Maker Fair.
MiddleWeb’s new English/LA blogger Kevin Hodgson (aka, dogtrax) introduces himself and promises to learn from and with teachers and other readers.
Teachers will find helpful discussions of CCSS listening & speaking standards & the CALL tool. Reading & writing are missing.
Elizabeth Stein details her work with a colleague in an English Language Arts classroom as they search for co-teaching models to best support the Common Core.
Veteran music educator Nancy Flanagan shares the story of how a “solid bar band” taught her to be a better teacher by immersing her in the rhythm and flow.