Poetry is something that is happening now, everywhere, and we need to bring it into the classroom. In Poems Are Teachers, Amy introduces the skills and techniques involved in writing a poem and how it connects to writing across all genres.
March 16, 2018
It may seem strange to think about cultivating focus. Although natural abilities can vary, focus can be improved, cultivated, and taught.
January 18, 2018
Readers who read strictly for plot nearly always remain stuck in literal interpretations of text, and typically struggle with more complex reading skills.
January 8, 2018
Creating Powerful Book Clubs 4-8
January 2, 2018
Experience is what matters. Experience may be the best teacher, but does it get in the way of some of the best teaching?
December 20, 2017
But what really mattered was watching how these math visuals worked in my own classroom with my own students. So, don’t take my word for it . . .
December 7, 2017
Let’s talk about Texas Chainsaw Massacre-style cuts – hacking off large sections of your manuscript to make it better. How do you know where to begin?
December 6, 2017
Students write for the same reason that Pac-Man munches: to accumulate points. Writers are people, not Pac-Mans.
December 4, 2017
There are two key considerations when planning a curriculum that supports success with ELA exams: time and level of text complexity.
November 28, 2017
Research is important throughout the entire writing process, and it can be fun, too. Give it a try in your own writing instruction. Here's how.
November 21, 2017
For a variety of reasons, expressing understanding is hard for many struggling learners.
November 13, 2017
Here, Newkirk discusses how he creates space with his students by giving them time to discuss and solve problems more slowly.
November 10, 2017
When we write, we nudge change. How can we be helping students bring beliefs into writing? Here are some resources to get you started.
November 6, 2017
I know why so many teachers leave the profession in their first five years. The Blahs. For me, the Blahs come in October.
November 3, 2017
How to Plan for Book Clubs in Middle School
October 17, 2017
In A Mindset for Learning, authors Kristi and Christine show how together, students and teachers can create classrooms of risk and resilience.
October 16, 2017
Our first live webinar session with Colleen Cruz was packed with thinking about a mindset for teaching writing, strategies to guide repetitive student writing, mirror writing, and more!
October 11, 2017
Teachers of middle school reading have their own, unique set of challenges. Some of these hopes for middle school readers might resonate with you:
October 10, 2017
