In this first of a 3-part series, the education policies of the State of New York and the country take on whole new meaning in light of The Hunger Games… In The Hunger Games, the Capitol rules. In education, “The State” rules. In The Hunger Games, the Capitol cuts off the food supply to the […]
common core
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Interdisciplinary Approach for ELLs
The Common Core State Standards have demanded that we change the way we teach. With new standards and a new emphasis on college and career readiness that must be able to reach all students, as teachers we need to adapt. With so much to cover in one short (though it may not always feel like […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Teaching Students How to Analyze Text
With Common Core standards on the rise, many ELA teachers are concerned about teaching students how to analyze text closely. Text analysis constitutes referring back to a text to find evidence to support a conclusion. Evidence can be direct or implied, with implied evidence being the more challenging. Students new to this concept, especially younger […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum
After the Assessments
Assessment time is stressful for teachers and students, but it is a necessary evil. We need to understand how our students are performing. Professionals are given evaluations at work, companies ask for feedback or send surveys about their product and customer relations, and managers assess employees. You cannot escape assessment. In education we are required […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Tackling the Infamous Research Paper: 4 Tips to Help Struggling Students Succeed
It’s that time again when teachers across America take out their MLA Handbooks, their endless supplies of index cards and sources and assign the infamous research paper. In response, students groan and complain and many try to get out of the assignment but in the end the research paper “stands” and the student is the […]
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 inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
We Believe: An Open Letter on Behalf of Every Teacher
Many Americans live in an era where their jobs present new daily challenges: so many of us are expected to do more with less; others feel underpaid and overworked, while many wish the government would get out of their profession. We take heat when we don’t perform, and we go home soured by the work […]
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 […]