As teachers, our goal is not just to impart knowledge but to empower our students to become active participants in their own learning journey. One way to achieve this is by adopting conversation-based grading, an assessment method that focuses on descriptive feedback and clear directions for improvement rather than assigning numerical scores. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of conversation-based grading and share practical insights on how to incorporate it into your teaching practice.

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n the age of tech-savvy students, finding ways to enhance their note-taking skills with the latest classroom tools is key. One innovative tool that’s making waves in classrooms is the thermal printer. What if you could make notes more engaging, organized, and accessible by simply printing them out in class? Whether for visual learners or students who need additional resources, thermal printers could be the answer.

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Looking for a super engaging unit of study that is guaranteed to be the highlight of your school year and a moment in time that your students will come back to comment on? Well, look no further. Cyrano is your lesson, especially if your students are taking a world history class!

Cyrano is great because it is a play that has something for everyone from fighting and wars to love, romance, and humor. Cyrano is that original (OG) play that so many modern day movies and TV shows are based on.

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Sometimes, our students just need a break from learning, especially during the spring testing season. Here are some games that we use in our classroom, sparingly of course!

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The Holocaust stands as a dark chapter in human history, reminding us of the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and indifference. As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations understand the significance of this event and its impact on millions of lives. One powerful tool in teaching about the Holocaust is the use of literature. One lesson we use in our middle school classrooms is a collection of children's writings and art titled "I Never Saw Another Butterfly.”

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We understand the importance of effective reading instruction. In this blog post, we're here to dive into the world of reading comprehension, offering you clever strategies to inspire your students and tackle the notorious Fourth-Grade Slump. Get ready to revitalize your reading instruction and create lifelong learners!

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Discover how Finland’s education system leads the world in success and learn how to apply key principles like teacher autonomy, equity, and student well-being in your own classroom. Explore 8 essential strategies to transform your teaching and foster a thriving learning environment.

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There are no two ways about it. Media, in all its positive and negative forms, has permeated the human experience. It will only grow more invasive as time and technology progresses. It is important to add media literacy to our ever expanding lists of things we must teach in the English classroom. Media literacy should be a focus in all subject areas, but it seems like the English and history classes are the dumping grounds for improving most societal problems.

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Kids these days are so lucky! There so many great young adult (YA) books for them to choose from. Here are some of our favorites for social justice:

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Engage Your Middle School Students in an Epic Journey of Storytelling

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Here are some tips and tricks that we have learned along the way to elicit productive comments from students in the hopes that they recognize their own self worth and try their best in school.

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