Implement the elements of reciprocal teaching – predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing – using Lori Oczkus’s revised book on reading comprehension. ELA teacher Erin Corrigan-Smith likes the guidance in starting the scaffolded discussion method and more.
Make the most of those minutes of fragmented class time that testing schedules, assemblies and pre-holiday half-days can create. Megan Kelly shares some of her own cross-curricular ideas to promote fun and active learning whether you have five minutes or five hours to fill.
The Unstoppable ML Teacher / Videos in Class
by Valentina Gonzalez · Published 11/04/2018 · Last modified 11/25/2019
Short animated videos are excellent for supporting literacy skills while making learning fun. For English learners they can serve as a scaffold when studying story elements. Valentina Gonzalez shares a multi-day video plan and lots of films, including some award winners.
Collaborative talk is imperative to sense-making in science as students investigate complex concepts, think deeply about their discoveries, and then build the explanations that provide evidence of their understanding. Science coach Kathy Renfrew shares the why and how.
STEM curriculum expert Anne Jolly shares her enthusiasm for the free teaching resources available through the PBS platform Design Squad Global. Jolly highlights the engineering-oriented lessons and DSG’s new Global Clubs that involve kids in Inventing for a Sustainable Future.
Museum educator Christa Flores shares a summer STEM partnership that introduced middle schoolers to programmable microprocessors that can perform a variety of lab-oriented tasks. Flores, a former MS teacher, says it’s time to include computer skills in science classrooms.
With its introduction to engineering design, thoroughly developed projects, teacher’s guide and more, Hands-On Engineering will likely prove a favorite with middle grades teachers. Gail Morris plans to make it a go-to resource as she integrates more STEM into her business and career classes.
Healthy Teaching / It's Not Easy Being Tween
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 08/26/2018 · Last modified 11/24/2019
In a post that’s jam-packed with teaching ideas, veteran middle grades educator Cheryl Mizerny declares her intention to keep her classes “on the move” more often this fall, using a variety of strategies for individual, group, whole class and whole room activities.
Most students are excited to get back to school, but anticipate lots of rules and mundane tasks to begin the year. Why not hit the ground running? Teacher educator Curtis Chandler has ideas to create a good first impression with plenty of fun, challenge, and learning.
What STEM lessons will you try with students this year? There’s no one, die-cut STEM curriculum that every classroom should be using, says Anne Jolly. But as teachers search for, adapt, or design projects, it helps to consider what an “ideal” STEM lesson might look like.
