Every teacher has heard the dreaded words: “I hate reading!” Whether you are assigning a famous classic or allowing a student to choose their own novel, these comments can be heard echoing in the classroom and hallways (and haunting English teachers) everywhere. Now more than ever, it is important ...
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Teaching Elections in Middle School Social Studies
Middle school is a critical period in a student's life when they begin to form their identities and develop their understanding of the world. As social studies teachers, we have a unique opportunity to shape young minds and prepare our students for their roles as active and engaged citizens in a ...
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Cultivating a Culture of Reading in the ELA Classroom
When students walk into your classroom on the first day of school, what do they see? Are some of your favorite novel quotes hanging on the wall? Is there a classroom library featuring new and classic novels? If your goal is to create a culture of reading, students need to visually see that there is ...
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Using Daily Warm-Ups To Create A Learning Environment
We all know that starting a class on the right foot can make a world of difference in the learning experience of our students. That's where the magic of daily warm-ups comes in.
Imagine walking into your classroom and feeling the buzz of anticipation in the air. The students are ...
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Building Classroom Community in the ELA Classroom: Strategies for Success
At the beginning of the school year, it is vital to establish classroom norms and expectations as soon as students walk into your room. While some teachers will use the old-fashioned strategy of “not smiling at the students until Thanksgiving,” this is not a great start to building the community you ...
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Teaching Government in Middle School
As middle school social studies teachers we have the unique opportunity to help future citizens understand the role the government plays in our country. One crucial aspect - that can get controversial in today’s political climate - is teaching about the government. By introducing government concepts ...
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