Each month, we share five things we love as part of our Footnotes Newsletter. Take a look at some of our favorite English language arts articles we read in April!
Just as teaching practices differ from classroom to classroom, there’s no single way to host literature discussion groups (LDGs). At her blog, Shaelynn Farnsworth outlines the commonalities among the different approaches to LDGs and gives tips on how you can implement this type of engaging group work in your own classroom.
Your students surely have great insights about the literature they read, but can they effectively communicate their ideas when it comes time to write? Karla Hillard’s “Capture a Claim” activity will help your students distill their thoughts into refined, compelling essay topics.
Have you ever heard of the third space? Melissa Pilakowski gives recommendations on how you can use the small amount of time before and after the class bell rings to connect with students on a more personal level.
At her blog, Dana Huff takes a look past the competitive aspects of The Great British Bake Off and examines how the binge-worthy TV show’s overall structure and positive messaging could translate to a learning environment.
Over at The Robb Review, Evan Robb discusses how school leadership, from the principal to the teacher, plays an integral role in shaping a school’s culture and environment. To promote positivity and growth within your classroom, check out his seven tips for success.