Teaching and learning in grades 4-8

What School of Rock Got Right about Education

When you need a bit of inspiration in your teaching life, Stephanie Farley encourages you to watch some or all of School of Rock. Perhaps, like her, you’ll find yourself wondering how you can create a project similar to “rock band” in your own classroom for a little while!

Why “Theme” Should ALWAYS Be One Word

To boil “theme” down into a testable statement is to compress the wild, wonderful world of literature into a parking meter. This is far less than useful to our students, especially in our fraught and confusing times – and it is far less than they deserve, writes teacher Dina Strasser.

Build Math Confidence in the Intermediate Grades

We can build math confidence in intermediate students, writes 5th grade teacher Kathie Palmieri. It’s a gradual process that requires patience, encouragement, a supportive environment, and effective teaching strategies that break down complex concepts and foster a growth mindset.