By Rhonda van Bergen In many elementary classrooms today, literacy has taken center stage as new standards in reading and writing are implemented. Teachers spend significant time teaching English Language Arts (ELA) skills and strategies to prepare students for high-stakes testing in those areas. Unfortunately, content area instruction in science and social studies often takes […]
Literacy
Posted inLiteracy
The end of an era: How Pat Sajak and the Wheel of Fortune challenged a nation
As Pat Sajak has walked the set of Wheel of Fortune for the last time, educators would be remiss not to acknowledge the significance of the impact of his work on teachers and students alike. Millions of children, especially children of color in impoverished areas, have vivid memories of sitting in front of the television […]
Posted inLGBTQ+
Texas County must reinstate 8 books to its libraries according to an appeals court
Eight books addressing topics like racism and LGBTQIA+ issues must return to the shelves of a rural Texas county library following a federal appeals court decision on Thursday. The Llano County library had removed these books amidst a book-ban controversy. The decision is a partial win for seven library patrons who sued the Llano County […]
Posted inEnglish Language Learners
Writing in Reverse: A strategy to strengthen student writing
In the high school English classroom, one assessment continues to reign supreme: the essay. Informative, argumentative, and narrative essays have stood the test of time and for good reason. Essays allow students to showcase a multitude of skills across the common core, from research to literary analysis, creative writing to conventions. Not to mention the metacognitive […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Use Holidays to Teach Apostrophes
One thing students – and adults, for that matter – struggle with is the use of apostrophes. It’s difficult to watch people of all ages butcher the proper use of this fickle piece of punctuation, but it seems to baffle those young and old. A simple way to teach apostrophe usage is to use holidays. […]
Posted inDepartment of Education
New York Governor Hochul Unveils ‘Back to Basics’ Plan to Enhance Reading Proficiency
Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a comprehensive initiative, the ‘Back to Basics’ plan, to boost reading proficiency in New York and address the critical need for foundational skills in students. This proposal, a component of her 2024 State of the State address, focuses on transitioning the state’s education system to evidence-based best practices. In an […]
Posted inSocial Studies
Reading Rights: Do I Have To or Can I Please: The Right to “Just Read”
By Lauren Davenport and Marie Southwell Just Read: A few years ago, on a visit to the library, a wonderful teacher I knew, Mr. Andrew Cedermark, was in the shared campus library with one of his classes. We had a history of talking shop and collaborating even though we work in separate schools, so when […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
From STEM, Let’s Pivot to the BRANCHES of the Humanities
There is no doubt that the neglect of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – better known as STEM in educational circles – has come at our own peril. Our students’ achievement in mathematics is surely not where other Americans expect it to be, and the comfort of anyone saying “I hate math” is embarrassing. As […]