The phrase “Teachers work in isolation,” has long been used to describe the working conditions of educational professionals, including most middle level teachers. Educators have found ways to solve this problem by creating departmental structures, transdisciplinary teaching teams, professional book clubs, and Professional Learning Communities, among other strategies. Often, these solutions help isolated teachers build
Understanding student needs is only part of the teaching expedition. I started the group discussion with what I believed to be a rather easy question: “How does the article, ‘Rise of the Machines,’ connect with your life experiences?” After all, students interact with technology each day, smartphones are glued to their hands. After I posed
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Fortunately, there are a number of ways to support ELL students’ language acquisition by adapting strategies already in use. These small things may make a big difference to ELLs. Here are a few ideas. 1. Create a language-rich environment. English language learners will benefit from increased exposure to print and language. A print-rich environment will include
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Storytelling brings facts to life and triggers memory and emotion. Close your eyes and remember a story you were told as a child. How old were you? Can you remember the story now? Do you remember how you felt? Did you laugh? Did you cry? Did it make you angry? Stories stick. They form pathways
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Teaching students broader concepts using an interdisciplinary approach promotes more authentic experiences and broader learning. Laura Duerr, author of the Spring 2008 Educational Horizons article, “Interdisciplinary Instruction, Educational Horizons,” notes that students also become more involved learners and are able to remove the imaginary discipline lines across subjects, allowing for deeper connections. What’s more, significant statistical research
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How can you ensure your assessments provide accurate feedback? What’s the best way to assess students’ learning? During the past several years, we have developed a process that help us ensure we are using valid, effective, and rigorous assessments with our students—a process that every middle level teacher can use. Step 1. Deconstruct the standards.
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AMLE recognized its inaugural class of Schools of Distinction earlier this month, in conjunction with the organization’s 49th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. The twelve schools were selected for their fervent commitment to implementing the essential attributes and characteristics of successful middle grades schools. In addition to being celebrated during a special awards ceremony, each
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Cornelius Minor and Kass Minor help #AMLE22 attendees find their bottom lines as educators Cornelius and Kass Minor believe that kids don’t just learn in school. They become. It’s an attitude reflective of what we know about middle grades best practice, making them the perfect keynoters for #AMLE22 and our return to in-person conference. We
Read More... from Reimagining School – What should it look like and who is it for?
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Houston Kraft reminds #AMLE22 attendees that connection doesn’t happen by accident. Houston Kraft, author and co-founder of CharacterStrong, took the main stage at #AMLE22 yesterday for his keynote address on Deep Kindness. From the outset, he made clear that he had a mission for those in attendance. “If we want more kindness on our campus,
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