Veteran teachers know that routines are set procedures and practices they use frequently to help organize their classroom. When new teachers come into the classroom for the first time, they may learn to use classroom-management routines for taking attendance or having students distribute materials. In
“Is this good?” Abbie asked me, gesturing towards the introduction of an informational piece of writing. As an instructional coach in Abbie’s class, I had just watched her teacher engage students in a lesson analyzing various strategies for “hooking” readers into their stories, including quotes and
Imagine an ordinary school day, when suddenly, the principal appears at the classroom door. Curious, the students watch as their teacher and the principal engage in a hushed conversation. Finally, the principal leaves, and the teacher turns to the class. “Students, I’m afraid I have some
As the final few months of the school year draw near, the demands on elementary teachers and students tend to increase, which means the joy in our reading communities can actually decrease a bit. Luckily, it is not too late to hit the refresh button
Imagine being a student who fled their homeland and relocated in the United States after the trauma of a natural disaster. What would you want your local, school, and classroom community to do so that you feel safe, supported, and valued?? We often begin our
After two years of interrupted education, we are all working to support students building deep conceptual understanding of mathematics. There’s consensus that using manipulatives to teach mathematics is an important component of success. There’s also consensus that it’s a challenge. Teachers often make comments like
This March, we remind ourselves of the incredible accomplishments, resilience, and fortitude that women throughout history have shown the world. We’re celebrating women who’ve made their mark on the world—from Harriet Tubman, to Marie Curie, to Malala Yousafzai—and the women who are doing incredible work
In the background of my first Zoom conversation with Vera Ahiyya, I heard ambulance sirens passing and helicopters circling her Brooklyn apartment. It was early summer of 2020. Ambulances shuttled COVID patients to hospitals. Helicopters hovered over thousands of daily protesters, people demanding justice after
One of the most versatile genres in the literacy world is that of the argument. Argument writing is one of those types of writing that works just about anywhere. Math, science, social studies, ELA – you name it. Arguments manifest themselves in and across all
Classrooms today no longer resemble the classrooms that most adults remember from their youth. While de facto segregation persists in schools and districts across the United States, today’s student population is more diverse than ever before. More than half of today’s K-12 students are culturally