Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School

Say No to Boredom! Dynamic Incorporation of Nonfiction Into the Classroom

  You learn on your feet Not in your seat! ~Dr. Jean Feldman   Although Dr. Jean is a well-known preschool and kindergarten teacher, author, researcher, and presenter, most often her advice can be modified and applied to older students as well.  Whether you are teaching to the Common Core State Standards or not, there […]

Posted inCommon Core, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy

Dear Common Core: Science Supports Reading Fiction

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] English teachers are seduced by literature. We fell in love with an author’s language, a fascinating plot turn, or a well-developed character, and we are bold in our love. While students may roll […]

Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Social Studies

Primary Source Documents—An Easy Tool for Implementation

“Primary source documents”…reading this phrase in the Common Core Standards I felt a bit of fear creep into my mind.  I teach fourth grade.  We are just mastering how to read maps and keys and legends.  Primary source documents?  How on earth would I incorporate those into our classroom and make it meaningful?  Students at […]

Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Languages, Mathematics, Technology

Bringing the Digital World To Your Students to Teach Common Core

“Don’t teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.” –George Carlin [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] The Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics […]

Posted inCommon Core, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy

Informational Texts: Speeches Delivered with Love from Bruce and Steve

For teachers who are looking for guidance on how to teach informational texts at the high school level, there is a model lesson on Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the EngageNY website. The text of the speech delivered by Lincoln on November 19, 1863, is short enough to fit on two pages or two bronze plaques on a memorial […]

Posted inBook Review, Common Core, Featured, Opinion

“Common Core Literacy Lesson Plans: Ready-to-Use Resources, 6-8”: A Book Review

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] With the implementation of the new Common Core Standards teachers everywhere are trying to wrap their brains around how these standards will look in their own classrooms.  Being a busy mother […]

Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Languages, Literacy

What Common Core ELA Is Doing For Me

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”  ~Victor Frank  [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] I think it is exciting to see the changes coming with the Common […]