Tag Archives: writing

Bridging the Gap: How to Turn Language Barriers into Learning Bridges

The one thing I am sure to share with first year teachers is that there may be some English Language Learners in the classroom.  I like to take some extra time to talk about this with first year teachers because no one took the extra time to speak about it with me. I literally showedContinue reading “Bridging the Gap: How to Turn Language Barriers into Learning Bridges”

Retake! Here’s Why I Believe in Second Chances…

I often hear colleagues debating the merits of allowing students to retake assignments. Some argue it’s “unfair” to those who get it right the first time, or that it coddles students. My perspective is different: I believe that allowing retakes is a powerful tool that encourages growth, boosts self-efficacy, and, most importantly, keeps the focusContinue reading “Retake! Here’s Why I Believe in Second Chances…”

ELA: Teach It All Without Losing Your Mind

There are reading standards for literature, reading standards for informational texts, foundational skills standards, writing standards, language standards…and ELA teachers are to teach students the skills within all of these standards in a school year’s time.  This can be a challenge for several reasons: These obstacles do not excuse educators from teaching it all, theContinue reading “ELA: Teach It All Without Losing Your Mind”