In the United States, February is Black (African-American) History Month, a time when many teachers tailor lessons to feature the contributions of African-Americans. Since the oral tradition is significant in African-American history, and since oral language skill is one of the English Language Arts and Common Core Core Standards for ELA many are expected to [...]

This sounds like a “Duh”, but what is the purpose of having the students do the summer reading?  How can you assess that purpose? Consider creating a list and include at least one common, required book   —– to set the tone for the year using a book to introduce the opening theme for the [...]

Current Events on Issues of Prejudice You are to find news articles about a current issue of interest to you that reflect prejudice, tolerance, or intolerance in modern society. Follow the progress of the issue during the next few weeks, clipping, copying and pasting into your print or digital journal as many articles about the [...]

Are you asking your students to write argumentative or persuasive essays and speeches? COMMON CORE ELA STANDARDS as well as other curriculum standards around the globe require that educators teach this kind of writing and speaking. Here’s an easy to access resource that presents arguments for both sides of current event issues. A good place to begin. [...]

Starting the second quarter/semester is a good time to begin releasing responsibility for learning to your students. The first quarter/semester is when you model reading and writing strategies, making, connections, incorporating a wide variety of examples in your own instruction, and also informing the students that you’ll be sharing the teaching opportunities with them to reach the [...]

Many countries around the world conduct civil discussions in their legistlative bodies using Parliamentary Procedure.  This also is true about business, social, and religious organizations.  Students who understand the basics of parliamentary procedure often find themselves moving up into leadership positions in the schools, churches, and social groups.  As important as it is to be [...]

Learning to listen critically and to respond responsibly to controversial issues are skills especially useful in a democratic socieity.  Student Congress provides a venue for students to practice both these skills.   This handout with Student Congress Bill Instructions is one you can adopt or adapt for use with your students.      

Learning to speak with competence and confidence not only meets COMMON CORE ELA standards, but also prepares students for success along most career paths. One way to start students on the path to reaching this goal is inviting them to write, practice and present a speech that uses sensory images to recreate an experience they’ve [...]

An internet info lesson that proved to be an eye-opening experience for my students was one on internet domains.  What they are and what they could mean?  What should one expect to be different on a dot com versus dot org?  What about about dot net versus dot gov?  Should something posted on a dot [...]