No funding for field trips? Concerns about travel safety? Consider taking your students on a virtual adventure instead. Teacher-authors Billy Krakower, Jerry Blumengarten, and Paula Naugle share four of their favorites and offer plenty of other ideas!
Digital Citizenship / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 02/11/2015 · Last modified 11/25/2019
Kevin Hodgson’s sixth graders study digital citizenship, digital footprints and digital identity, but at an age where friendship often trumps caution, students may be less diligent than adults anticipate when it comes to sharing digital passwords.
Future of History / History & Current Events
by Sarah Cooper · Published 02/08/2015 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Like many history teachers, Sarah Cooper begins her classes with a current events discussion. Sometimes it can be harrowing, “especially when acts of terror occupy the stage.” She reflects on ways teachers can help students cope through positive action.
With listening now included among the CCSS anchor skills, how can educators help students become more adept at tuning in? Veteran public radio reporter Monica Brady-Myerov heads Listen Current, a service offering teachers free content and lessons plans.
Too much close reading is boring, say Mike Fisher & Danielle Hardt, as students comb through fiction, constantly analyzing lots of text. Ask them to read and write digital microstories. They’ll build evaluation & synthesis skills and have some fun.
Professional community / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 12/15/2013 · Last modified 11/25/2019
While teachers often lead a vibrant learning community within their classroom’s four walls, those walls can also be professionally isolating, says 6th grade teacher Kevin Hodgson. “Being part of a larger network…is empowering in ways that is difficult to put into words. Connections make you feel anchored to a movement. Seeking help is a show of strength.” The Nerdy Resolutions (#nerdlution) hashtag community, he says, is a prime example.
Learning Styles / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 07/29/2013 · Last modified 01/05/2022
Learning styles theory is not an effective way to design lessons for diverse learners, says special educator Elizabeth Stein. Teachers need better glue.
Co-teaching Conversations / Coteaching / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 10/28/2012 · Last modified 08/02/2023
Successful co-teaching requires partners to discuss difficult truths, says special educator and co-teaching coach Elizabeth Stein. While not every relationship will reach the “pinnacle of positive communication,” Stein suggests four elephant-in-the-room conversation starters.
MiddleWeb Classics / Parent Connections
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/31/2012 · Last modified 08/22/2021
The Million Words activity can be a wonderful way to connect with parents – if it’s done right. This MiddleWeb Classic conversation includes all you need to know to strengthen your connections with parents and guardians with care as well as enthusiasm.
