Assessment / The Flexible Classroom
by Amber Chandler · Published 01/08/2017 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Amber Chandler is pondering testing. Not big league, high stakes exams but the run of the mill end-of-unit kind. When 20 percent of her students stumble over literary terms on The Giver unit test, she opts for a flexible (but controversial) “point buy-back” offer.
BRAVO Principal, with its reflection questions and support exercises, is an effective resource for keeping school leaders centered on what matters most to promote the success of each of our students in our learning organizations, writes MS principal Dennis Schug.
During 2016, each of these featured MiddleWeb posts enjoyed at least 10,000 reads by middle grades educators. Some were visited by as many as 60,000. We’re sure you’ll find something useful here as you “learn forward” and prepare yourself for the new year.
Using a model based on three decades of research into the operations of the human mind, Robert and Jana S. Marzano help teachers understand how and why they and their students react in specific situations. It’s well worth the challenging read, says Ashley Pursley.
It's Not Easy Being Tween / Personalized Learning
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 12/18/2016 · Last modified 11/24/2019
In Cheryl Mizerny’s view, authentic “personalized education” would have skilled teachers navigating as students powered their own learning. It would be a practice and not the product being sold by digital LMS companies as an acceptable substitute for teacher talent.
Barbara Boroson’s second edition is a valuable source of information and advice, written in everyday language. Although the book is intended for educators, teacher Linda Biondi also recommends it to parents who want to learn more about ASD and to advocate for their children.
Don’t try to subdue your STEM students’ post-holiday energy – use it! Anne Jolly’s strategy? Kick off the class with an entertaining, hands-on problem that allows kids to be active while reengaging with STEM ideas. Check out the “Stop, Drop, Don’t Pop!” STEM launcher.
No school or district is immune from a future defined by declining resources. Leadership consultants Ron Williamson and Barbara Blackburn share four research-based strategies to help educators make the most of a challenging financial climate and serve all kids.
Civics Lessons / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 11/27/2016 · Last modified 11/18/2019
Mary Tarashuk’s perceptive 4th graders take note of the world around them, in fiction and in the news. As they follow and study the US election, they also learn about the power of people helping one another during their Global Read Aloud of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax.
In a newly revised edition of Performance Tasks and Rubrics for Upper Elementary Mathematics, Charlotte Danielson and Joshua Dragoon show that developing performance tasks and using scoring rubrics are integrally linked. Math lead teacher Barb Rock says it’s an ideal PD tool for schools and systems.
