George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

6-8 Middle School

Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop in grades 6-8.

  • Starting the Year in Reading on the Right Foot

    Like runners, middle and high school readers get better with practice, goals, and individual feedback.
    Chris D’Ippolito

  • Finding Reputable Online Resources for Distance Learning

    There’s so much information available online that the challenge becomes sorting through it to find accurate, objective materials.
    Howard Rosenberg

  • Creating an Inclusive Virtual Classroom

    Distance learning can feel impersonal and inaccessible, but there are ways to help students feel a sense of connection and access academic material.
    Amanda Kern

  • One Word to Drop From Your Teacher Vocabulary

    A simple change in language can show students how mistakes are useful and how struggle can be productive.
    Holly Hagman

  • Distance Learning FAQ: Solving Teachers’ and Students’ Common Problems

    Lessons learned from problems during remote learning can help inform teaching and learning this fall.
    Emelina Minero

  • Adapting Science Lessons for Distance Learning

    With a little creativity, students can still take part in science experiments and discussions while learning at home.
    Shawn Sutton

  • Distance Learning Strategies to Bring Back to the Classroom

    When schools closed, teachers were forced to get creative—and they’ve learned things they can use when they’re back at school.
    Sarah Cooper

  • 6 Strategies for Successful Distance Learning

    Teachers can create an environment in which both they and their students feel empowered for remote teaching and learning.
    Lindsay Mitchell

  • Why Reading Aloud to Middle School Students Works

    The benefits of reading aloud aren’t limited to elementary students. One middle school teacher explains how “read-alongs” improve comprehension and boost engagement.
    Laura Lee

  • Reading Aloud to Middle School Students

    Hearing books read aloud benefits older students, enhancing language arts instruction and building a community of readers.
    Kasey Short

  • Self-Driven Learning Relies on Relationships

    Seemingly insignificant details can provide insight on individual students and ways to engage them.
    Derek Davidson

  • How to Boost Students’ Sense of Optimism

    Students who don’t see a bright future for themselves may have trouble getting motivated for school, but a trauma-informed approach can improve their expectations.
    Maurice J. Elias

  • Inviting Participation With Thumbs-Up Responses

    A quick assessment strategy replaces raised hands, encouraging more students to contribute by accommodating their different processing needs.

  • Innovative Ways to Make Coronavirus a Teachable Moment

    When the world feels dangerous, harnessing learning can provide some measure of clarity and perspective.
    Sarah Gonser

  • Going Beyond ‘How Are You Feeling?’

    When students have the language to describe their feelings and needs, they are better equipped to help themselves and each other.
    Amy Bintliff