It's Not Easy Being Tween / Social-Emotional Learning
by Cheryl Mizerny · Published 09/23/2019 · Last modified 12/11/2019
Fred Rogers is the embodiment of what Cheryl Mizerny considers the ideal educator. This year her school is celebrating the teachings of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood as it focuses on “Community.” She shares her 6th grade classroom takeaways inspired by America’s most-beloved neighbor.
Jonathan Plucker’s book is for teachers and administrators who want to extend their understanding of creativity beyond the surface level and to rethink how their schools can better support their students as creative thinkers, writes teacher Claire Reddig.
What would you like for your students, families, faculty and stakeholders to know about your school? How can you be sure your messaging reaches audiences quickly and effectively? Three experienced leaders share basic tools like “smart goals” to keep your public relations plans on course.
It’s not enough to set classroom norms and post them on the wall, says author and instructional coach Geoff Krall. We have to teach them and live by them. Here are some of his strategies for teaching and reflecting on norms in ways that really support student learning.
Sometimes learning can get lost in a maze of academic vocabulary. As students move through the school day, they encounter hundreds of terms/concepts in a variety of contexts and content areas. How to help? Curtis Chandler shares lots of options for ELA and ELL teachers.
‘Smart pills’ are often marketed to students as a way to fire up the brain and excel academically. Media literacy expert Frank Baker uses a familiar radio ad and other examples to suggest lesson ideas that can actually boost their critical thinking and listening skills.
Class Discussion / Heart of the School
by Rita Platt · Published 09/09/2019 · Last modified 11/27/2019
Students love to talk! And that’s mostly a good thing, if teachers can harness the natural social drive of tweens and teens “and use it to pull the wagon of content learning through whole-class discussions.” Try Rita Platt’s proven step-by-step map to discussion success.
To develop student-centered classrooms, Laura and Evan Robb believe schools and districts must build teams to both lead and empower teachers as they adapt to new demands. The Robbs outline strategies to support the shift, from redefining roles to fostering teacher agency.
Book Reviews / Proficiency-Based Instruction
by MiddleWeb · Published 09/05/2019 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Proficiency-Based Instruction breaks down the deeply flawed, longstanding approach to lesson design and delivery, and walks readers through reimagining their planning and instruction to develop the proficiency of every learner, says a totally-sold Jennifer Savery.
Create Compose Connect / The Reading Problem
by Jeremy Hyler · Published 09/04/2019 · Last modified 11/17/2019
Teachers and literacy coaches have to realize there really are middle level students who refuse to read a book, says ELA teacher Jeremy Hyler. “As we look for answers, we have to first understand students today read differently and communicate differently than we did.”
