Anytime I get ready to read a short story or novel with my middle school students, I like to provide some background knowledge to help all my learners get more from the text. This gives them not just a preview, but hopefully also a kind of anchor to help them as they learn something new. As a te…
When teaching students how to use various skills in the classroom, I like to break it down into manageable steps. Then, using the steps like a checklist, students experience much more success when working with the skill. I have created "blueprints" for things like central idea , theme…
One of the first units we teach in middle school ELA in my neck of the woods each year is theme and central idea. As a teacher who works with students that have unique learning needs, I have tried many things over the years to reach all learners. What I have learned is condensed into a 3…
With “back to school” looking like distance (digital) learning or at least blended learning, I began to think how I would teach writing to my middle school students. I know that students need a structured plan to develop a well-organized, logical piece of writing with proper citation, so I w…