Have you ever thought back to when you were in school and how you learned the rules of grammar and how to write? What techniques did your teachers use? Do you find that you’re implementing those exact same rules in your own classroom today? Some things bear updating and the ways in which we teach […]
reThink ELA #008: Interview with Shari Gateley
When I talk to other teacher friends, a common concern seems to be how to get our students engaged in the classroom lessons. So many students seem apathetic about their education, and it’s up to us to be creative in piquing their interest. One such way to engage kids and to teach them a multitude […]
reThink ELA #007: Interview with Jennifer Dean
Every single person on this earth has a voice. They have a unique story to be told. But how many of us actually use our voices and make our stories, thoughts, and opinions known to others? So many adults grow up thinking their voices don’t matter or that their opinions are unimportant. Some even believe […]
reThink ELA #006: Interview with Marisa Thompson
How would your students react if you didn’t give them any parameters for a project and simply told them to “figure it out”? Is this asking for trouble by putting the kids in charge of the classroom or is it an exercise in critical thinking and collaboration? In traditional classrooms, students are often given a […]
reThink ELA #005: Interview with Scott Bayer
How much time do you allow your students to write in class? What is the appropriate amount of time you think kids need to write? Or are you so busy lecturing (Just say no!) that you send them home to do their writing? While the appropriate amount of writing time may be arbitrary and subjective […]