Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms and Communities calls on educators to trust in the power of student narratives and to create learning environments where stories become a launching pad for critical reflection, social change, and community-building, writes Melinda Stewart.
Mona Iehl provides a practical framework to ignite math learning for elementary students, says fifth grade teacher Kathie Palmieri. Iehl’s book offers a structured, daily routine that makes word problems less scary and builds confidence, connections, and wonder in each session.
The AI Assist by Nathan Lang-Raad offers a solid starting point for using artificial intelligence in the classroom, writes teacher Ralph Covino. Raad emphasizes the need to keep the human teacher at the center of instruction and includes a framework and useful guiding questions.
Author Ariel Tichnor-Wagner provides school leaders with tools to reflect on curricular programming and to scale these learning experiences for students and staff. Middle School head Michael McLaughlin finds the book’s ideas timely and actionable.
Unlike quick teacher check-ins, teaching conferences allow for a deep conversation with a student in just 5 or 6 minutes. And they’re not just for ELA teachers and balanced literacy. Katie McGrath shares step by step conferring tips to target learning in any content area.
To improve the effectiveness of PLCs, the four authors of Amplify Your Impact have created a framework for coaches to use to guide teachers in practicing effective teamwork. Educator Laura Cockman is already implementing elements of it with her PLC and recommends it.
In Disrupting Thinking, Kylene Beers and Robert Probst argue that educators must help students become empowered readers who read out of personal desire, not just for school work. The authors’ well supported argument uses a “Book-Head-Heart” framework, says Kevin Hodgson.
The framework Jennifer Abrams develops in Hard Conversations Unpacked focuses on professional growth, and ultimately on positive outcomes for student learning. Principal Mike Janatovich will never again attempt a challenging conversation without this guidance.
Veteran ELA teacher Lisa Belcher finds Disrupting Thinking to be a fabulous reminder that our students need teachers to be their guides to finding intrinsic motivation to read for more than simply finding answers to questions. Beers and Probst include helpful tools.
Whitaker, Zoul and Casas present a clear four-part framework to build leadership skills, stressing the importance of having a vision and taking the first step. Educator Laura Von Staden notes the standards relate both to teachers and to leaders identified by title.
