Oh hello May, you beautiful month you. You signify the last full month of teaching for us, the last big stretch before the sweet and magical days of summer. You are also one of the most challenging months. The state standardized tests are done, a majority of the standards have been covered, the weather is warming up, and students have spring fever like never before. So…how do you keep them engaged and coming to class excited to learn? Have we got some fun ideas for you!
Read MoreIn the ever-evolving landscape of education, the importance of effective reading instruction cannot be overstated. As teachers, we're constantly seeking ways to improve our methods, and an enlightening article by Natalie Wexler sheds light on a critical aspect of literacy education—building students' background knowledge in the early grades.
Read MoreAre you tired of the same old boring discussions in your English Language Arts (ELA) classroom? Do you want to spice things up and get your students thinking outside the box? Well, look no further than hexagonal thinking! It's the perfect way to engage your students and inject some creativity into your lessons.
Read MoreIn this blog post, we'll explore the insights shared by Daniel T. Willingham in his article "Beyond Comprehension" and how they can reshape our approach to teaching reading.
Read Moren recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to honor the diverse cultures and histories that shape our world. One important aspect of this recognition is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Throughout May, AAPI Heritage Month provides a valuable opportunity for educators to foster inclusivity and broaden students' understanding of the rich and varied experiences of AAPI communities.
Read MoreAs educators, we often find ourselves grappling with the question, "What does disciplinary literacy actually look like in my content area?" Teaching literacy skills for real-life applications can be challenging, but fear not! In this blog post, we'll delve into the insightful work of ReLeah Cossett Lent, offering you a guide to navigate the world of disciplinary literacy and empower your students.
Read MoreIf we want our students to become better readers, we need to begin to provide them with texts that are more challenging for them. Matching students with texts at their reading level does little to challenge students. However, when we provide students with a text that is at grade level, or even above their grade level, and we challenge our students while also working along side them to delve into the text and understand that text, now we are building competency. This evidence based approach helps students to read, struggle, and ultimately comprehend more complex texts.
Read MoreThe Common Core informational reading standards for middle school are arguably some of the most important reading standards to focus on in a school year. Here are the nine informational standards in a nutshell:
Read MoreThe integration of ambient music and screens in the classroom offers a holistic approach to enhancing the learning experience. From improving concentration to fostering creativity and reducing stress, these elements contribute to a more positive and inclusive educational environment.
Read MoreWe recently had a blog post titled, “How to Ask Better Questions and Foster Student Independence” based on the book, We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management by Laurie Barron and Patti Kinney. If you have not checked it out yet, please do so before diving into this blog post. It is all about the teacher-centered approach to asking questions.
Read MoreThe evolving landscape of student behavior, especially in a post-pandemic era, has prompted us to delve deeper into the factors influencing these shifts. Beyond the commonly cited culprits like screen time and socialization, there lies a fascinating connection between problem behaviors and cognitive challenges. In this blog post, let's explore insights from the ASCD article "What's Behind the Rise in Problem Behavior? It Could Be Cognitive," shedding light on how understanding cognitive factors, specifically executive function and memory, can empower teachers to navigate and enhance student behavior.
Read More
