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Social and Emotional Learning
Life Lessons From Fictional Characters
Writing dialogues between themselves and literary characters can enhance students’ empathy and ability to deal with hardships.
Robert Ward
Teaching Strategies
Self-Assessment in Middle School
Inspired by John Hattie, a middle school math teacher encourages students to articulate and measure their own learning.
Michael Giardi
Brain-Based Learning
The Social Classroom
Increasingly, modern classrooms support group work and peer-to-peer collaboration. The science says that’s right on.
School Climate
When Leaders Seek First to Understand
Supporting teachers by listening to their needs is key to creating a strong collegial culture and retaining great teachers.
Mathew Portell

Inquiry-Based Learning
Embracing Inquiry-Based Instruction
A veteran teacher shares the frustrations and challenges of this student-centered teaching model—and why she finds it so powerful.
Christi Alper
Education Equity
Looking at Edtech Through an Equity Lens
As technology becomes ubiquitous in classrooms, it’s critical to ensure that it doesn’t widen equity gaps.
Rupa Chandra Gupta
Teacher Wellness
Teaching With Depression
A look at some of the common symptoms teachers report—along with strategies and resources that can help.
Todd Finley
Teaching Strategies
Using Circle Practice in the Classroom
Circle discussions foster community and intimacy in a classroom, and can serve academic and social and emotional purposes.
Mary Davenport

Teaching Strategies
Self-Assessment in Middle School
Inspired by John Hattie, a middle school math teacher encourages students to articulate and measure their own learning.
Michael Giardi
Brain-Based Learning
When the Social Brain Misfires
Sometimes our powerful urge to belong can hurt us. We look at how stereotypes undermine learning.
Teaching Strategies
5 Tips for Improving Students’ Success in Math
Teachers who coach teams in a mathematical modeling challenge share ideas for helping students develop more confidence.
Rachel Levy
Curriculum Planning
The Flexibility of Computational Thinking
Three middle school projects—in English, math, and history—use computational thinking skills to address social justice topics.
Eli Sheldon

Literacy
Reading Buddies
Pairing older elementary students with younger ones for community reading time has benefits for both groups.
Ryan Wheeler
Social and Emotional Learning
Life Lessons From Fictional Characters
Writing dialogues between themselves and literary characters can enhance students’ empathy and ability to deal with hardships.
Robert Ward
Literacy
Making the Most of In-Class Book Clubs
Book clubs bring challenges in class management and assessment, but they can lead to improvements in students’ reading ability.
Beth Pandolpho
Literacy
Improving Reading Skills Through Talking
Partnering on note taking, a strategy developed for struggling readers, helps middle and high school students process what they read.
Nina Parrish

Classroom Management
60-Second Strategy: Appreciation, Apology, Aha!
A quick, low-key way to build community in your classroom on a daily basis.
New Teachers
Building Resilience as a New Teacher
An early-career teacher shares strategies for responding with grace to three difficult issues new teachers may face.
Anna Mae Tempus
Classroom Management
Getting Started With Person-First Language
Focusing on who students are as individuals—instead of on learning differences or other descriptors—starts with empathy.
Cristina Santamaria Graff
Culturally Responsive Teaching
A Classroom Where Everyone Feels Welcome
Six strategies for building the strong relationships with students that are the heart of a culturally inclusive classroom community.
Janice Wyatt-Ross