What Does Passing Look Like?

A variety of assessment models can leave some students scratching their heads about expectations

"So what IS a passing grade?" That question at a recent team assembly of sixth graders, teachers, and support staff brought the discussion to a complete halt. The inquiry by a young lady with braids, braces, and...

Author: Sandy Cameli & Colleen Masukawa
Number of views (60109)/Comments (2)/

Topics: Assessment

Tags: Grades Transition to Middle School

Filling Our Jars with Middle Level Rocks

When I was young, my mother often asked me, "What are the big rocks in your life?" Before I could answer, she would lovingly pat my back or squeeze my hand and remind me to take my time and answer only after deep...

Author: Rajni Shankar-Brown
Number of views (42799)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Inspiration Teaching

Tags: Teacher Motivation

Peer Power

Educators can leverage the power of peers to help students prepare for college

Once seen as the domain of school counselors, college readiness is now a shared responsibility among all educators, as well as family members, youth workers, and students themselves. It’s not surprising then,...

Author: Suzanne M. Bouffard & Mandy Savitz-Romer
Number of views (47536)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaching Transitions to/from Middle School

Tags: Student Motivation Transition to High School College Readiness Career Exploration Peer Coaching

Becoming a Team

Creating and nurturing an effective team takes time—and it's well worth the effort

Just as trapeze artists must trust the workers who man the equipment and set up the nets, so team members must learn to trust each other. One of the main issues and concerns for teams is how to remain consistent and...

Author: Jack Berckemeyer
Number of views (34170)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaming

Tags: Jack Berckemeyer

Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom

Printable article Successful middle schools engage students in all aspects of their learning. There are many strategies for accomplishing this. One such strategy is student-led conferences. As a classroom teacher...

Author: Catherine Garrison, Michael Ehringhaus, PhD
Number of views (416355)/Comments (3)/

Topics: Assessment Teaching

Tags: Formative Summative

Using Chants and Cadences to Promote Literacy Across the Curriculum

Chants and cadences engage students in creative writing and critical thinking.

Daniel (a pseudonym) had benefitted greatly from the idea that students can creatively represent their ideas in a content area in ways other than traditional spoken and written responses. He was a preservice...

Author: Lisa Ciecierski & William P. Bintz
Number of views (32708)/Comments (2)/

Topics: At-risk/RTI Curriculum Differentiated Instruction Diversity and Social Equity Language Arts and Literacy Professional Preparation Research STEM Teaching

Tags: Reading Writing Literacy

Easy 10-Minute Review Strategies

When using a direct teaching strategy, it is important to keep students engaged and check for understanding of the ideas and concepts presented. Eric Jensen, a leader in brain-based learning, claims that it is...

Author: Jill Spencer
Number of views (35680)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaching

Tags: Jill Spencer Learning Styles New Teachers

Heart over Head: Motivating Reluctant Learners

In the early 1970s, Charles Silberman’s book Crisis in the Classroom rocked the education landscape with its verdict that schools were sterile, dry places of learning. Although the claims of the book should...

Author: Charles Beaman
Number of views (38390)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaching

Tags: Student Motivation

If Not You, Then Who?

As I become energized for the new school year, I find myself evaluating middle level practices in our district and across our state. And, although I have read AMLE’s groundbreaking publication This We Believe...

Author: Tom Burton
Number of views (63190)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Inspiration Leadership Middle School Concept

Tags: Teacher Leaders Tom Burton

Students as Experts: Supporting Writing Instruction

It was March; the snow had melted early, and it was trying to rain. Smoke-gray fog and cold pattering wetness defined the day. Or maybe we choose to remember it that way. Regardless, it was the day our approach to...

Author: Cory McMillen and Kara Boyer
Number of views (13653)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Language Arts and Literacy Teaching

Tags: Student Motivation Writing Student Leaders

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