Sarah M. Zerwin’s “Step Aside” is full of ideas for secondary teachers ready to build a classroom that supports and encourages students to become involved, engaged, and in control of their literacy learning, writes instructional coach Kathee Lamberies.
Why do we read and write in the first place? ELA teacher Jason DeHart explores the importance of maintaining multiple avenues for students to read mentor texts, write every day, get teacher feedback, and collaborate as they create in English class and across content areas.
Media LIteracy / Wide Open Learning
by Megan Kelly · Published 12/15/2024 · Last modified 01/01/2025
Concerned by the News Literacy Project’s survey revealing teens’ difficulties in separating fact and fiction, Megan Kelly is finding as many classroom minutes as possible to build her students’ media literacy skills. She shares some quick activities her classes like best.
Andrea Honigsfeld seamlessly integrates theory with real-world classroom scenarios in Growing Language and Literacy. Her emphasis on differentiated instruction benefits the book’s audience: teachers of multilingual learners. Helpful to veteran and new teachers alike.
Media literacy educator Frank Baker never imagined that his graphic novel – a true family saga of the Holocaust – “would be criticized and restricted in the middle schools of a district near where I reside.” He tells what happened in this contribution to Banned Books Week.
Shawna Coppola’s expertise and passion for social justice shine through in every chapter of Literacy for All, writes language teacher and coach Melinda Stewart, “offering a roadmap for creating empowering learning environments where all students feel seen, heard and valued.”
Rotation stations can help differentiate instruction as teachers prepare middle graders for an upcoming unit or topic or support re-teaching and enrichment after completing a unit of study. Dr. Laura Robb details one teacher’s strategies in an ELA classroom with 28 students.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding remains a riveting, relevant book for middle school because of its themes of survival, power, and leadership. Laurie Hornik’s PBL unit also teaches students to appreciate and practice multiple perspectives and be open to changing their minds.
Grammatical concepts don’t just exist in textbooks and on worksheets. They are part of life beyond the classroom. Sean Ruday shows how – by taking an inquiry-based approach to grammar instruction – we can help our students prioritize their authentic experiences with language.
Watching a movie in class doesn’t have to be passive, says Jason DeHart. Teachers can engage students in a critical process of “reading” film and also responding as readers by creating video products. It’s time to broaden literacy education to meet students where they are.
