When the final school bell rings and students rush into their much-anticipated summer break, it’s easy to assume their learning will pause until the next academic year. But for many students, especially those without access to structured enrichment opportunities, summer can be a time of academic regression.
Middle school is a pivotal time for students’ literacy development. As they transition from elementary school to more subject-specific learning, they are expected to navigate increasingly complex informational texts.
Science isn’t something that exists only in textbooks and labs. It’s happening all around us — from climate change to space exploration to the latest tech trends! But how can teachers get students excited about these complex topics?
Informational text accounts for the majority of all reading in middle and high school. As students grow up, they spend less time in school reading fiction and more time reading informational texts.
Teaching nonfiction can feel challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Using current events provides an engaging and relevant way to teach essential nonfiction standards, making the process enjoyable and impactful.
In today’s world, critical thinking is one of the most important skills we can help students develop. It allows them to navigate information, form well-rounded opinions, and communicate effectively. One of the best ways to foster this skill in the classroom is through discussions that challenge students to analyze real-world issues, consider multiple perspectives, and build logical arguments.
Formative assessments are an invaluable tool for monitoring student growth in real time. As schools face increasing demands to track student progress, formative assessment strategies provide educators with the data needed to
- Fine-tune instruction
- Identify learning gaps
- Celebrate student successes
In an era dominated by social media news, teaching media literacy to students has become more important than ever. As educators, it's essential to equip Gen Alpa with the skills they need to navigate the vast amount of information available.
The new year often brings a sense of new beginnings and a time to re-establish positive school routines and expectations. For educators, this marks an opportunity to help students set meaningful goals and habits from now until the end of the school year. Setting reading goals not only helps students take ownership of their learning, but also nurtures the development of reading habits, while fostering a love of reading.
Learn about a few of the best practices to start the 2023–2024 school year built on mutual respect between teachers and administrators
