Transliteracy for Middle Graders

10/08/2012English/LA, Resources, Transliteracy21st century learning, CCSS, grades 4-8, middle grades, middle school, technology, transliteracy, transmediaSusan Curtis

From pencil and paper to social media, students can learn in so many ways. You can help them understand and integrate the literacies crowding the classroom.

ESL Instruction That Works

09/28/2012Book Reviews, English Language Learnersacheivement gap, English as a Second Language, English Language Learners, GANAG, instruction that works, lesson planning, Marzano, nine strategiesMiddleWeb

Minding the Achievement Gap One Classroom at a Time by Jane E. Pollock, Sharon M. Ford and Margaret M. Black is a great resource for implementing Classroom Instruction That Works strategies for ESL/ELL students, says ESL teacher Julie Dermody.

How to Build Happy Middle School Brains

09/14/2012Articles, Brain-based learningadolescent brain, brain research, cooperative groups, cooperative learning, Judy Willis, learning research, middle school brain, strength-based learning, student teamingMiddleWeb

Judy Willis, a neurologist & middle grades teacher, says we can help adolescents build happy, learning brains through interactive, interdependent group work.

Those Beautiful Howler Monkeys

09/09/2012Book Reviews, Teaching Ideasclassroom community, crayons and curfews, hormones, middle grades, middle school, middle school classroom, teaching tips, tweensMiddleWeb

Cindi Rigsbee & Laurie Wasserman each reviewed Heather Wolpert-Gawron’s ‘Tween Crayons and Curfews: Tips for Middle School Teachers, a middle school teaching guide. The two teachers drew the same conclusion: funny & full of great ideas.

My 4th Grade Global Classroom

09/01/2012Articles, Global Classrooms21st century skills, elementary school, fourth grade, global classrooms, skype in the classroom, video conferencingMiddleWeb

In Patti Grayson’s global classroom, students learn from experts & kids in other nations; have authentic audiences for their work & sharpen 21stC skills.

“In a Million Words or Less, Tell Me about Your Child…”

08/31/2012MiddleWeb Classics, Parent ConnectionsMillion Words, parent connection, parent engagement, parent involvement, parents and teachers, PTA, PTO, school-parent relationsMiddleWeb

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.

How to Organize the Daily Teaching Flow

08/19/2012Articles, Organizationclassroom management, organizing, paperwork, rotating, time management, travelingMiddleWeb

“Together Teacher” Maia Heyck-Merlin has organizational ideas for teachers in stationary and rotating classrooms and teachers who travel from room to room.

Keep Up with YA Books

07/11/2012English/LA, Resources#summerreading, audiobooks, book finder app, infographics, tween books, writers' tween memories, YA booksSusan Curtis

Keeping up with YA books just got easier, thanks to YALSA’s free app, Teen Book Finder. Lots, too, on what’s ahead, audiobooks & book trailers, kids’ favorites.

Our Webinar for New Teachers

04/17/2012MiddleWeb, New Teachers, Webinarsmiddle grades, middle school, new teacher advice, new teachers, webinarMiddleWeb

Our MiddleWeb webinar for new middle grades teachers was a great success. View the video of the 90-min. session and peruse the handouts, slides and related links from Rick Wormeli, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, Elizabeth Stein and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach.

QR Code & vCard Shortcodes

QR Code Shortcode Usage [qr data="" Any string that you want to encode into a QR code is_link="true" If true, the code image will be a link to a higher resolution QR code width="200" width of the code image in pixels height="200" height of the … Continue reading QR Code & vCard Shortcodes →