In “The Middle Grades Mindset: A Lesson Plan from AβZ,” Dru Tomlin draws on his success as a principal and teacher leader to share an insightful, easy-to-read reference guide to adolescent learning. Middle level master teacher Cheryl Mizerny feels renewed after reading it.
Using Historical Hypotheses, teachers never tell students what to think but instead βhow to better think for themselves.β When students evaluate their own initial hypothesis and closely consider multiple viewpoints, they begin to develop a growth mindset, writes Jennifer Ingold.
Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, it’s essential to teach students about the lives lost, the heroes who helped, and the Islamophobia that followed. To examine 9/11’s legacy and impact, middle grades teacher Kasey Short recommends key online resources and four YA novels.
The consistent structure of Erik Youngmanβs book, its examples of implementation, and its actionable strategies will support educators as they explore the 12 characteristics of quality homework. Excellent for teams and discussion groups, says Head of Middle School Michael McLaughlin.
Collective Efficacy / The Unstoppable ML Teacher
by Tan Huynh · Published 08/17/2021 · Last modified 08/22/2021
What factor has the greatest positive impact on student achievement? Collective teacher efficacy, says John Hattie. To foster CET around multilinguals (MLs) use can-do language, collaborate, teach language explicitly, and incorporate asset-based practices, writes Tan Huynh.
At MiddleWeb central in North Carolina, late summer means fresh back-to-school ideas from our bloggers and guest writers. Discover the wealth of teacher wisdom highlighted in one, easy-to-access post. Weβll add more posts as they arrive.
When we are passionate and persistent advocates for middle graders and get them aboard the invisible elevator of agency, we can help them reach levels they once thought unachievable β and show the world what young adolescents can achieve, says middle school principal Dru Tomlin.
What does instructional rigor look like in the middle school classroom? Teaching consultant and bestselling author Barbara Blackburn offers examples of lessons that reach for the top of Bloomβs and DoK β in social studies, math, electives, the arts, English/ELA, and science.
“My collaborative approach to discipline may sound too good to be true. But it’s still working, eight years into the experiment,” writes David Finkle. “Some classes respond immediately; some need time to adjust to the paradigm shift. But in the end, it nearly always works.”
Most students at Laurie Lichtensteinβs middle school were F2F all year, but masked and isolated in small classroom pods as teachers moved about. It was hard, but as time passed teachers found ways to reduce isolation, build community, and let kids have lots of time to play.
