Are you wondering if middle schoolers are too old for read-alouds? No way! Let me explain… Reading aloud to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders sparks meaningful discussions, enhances critical thinking, and complements their schoolwork. Even at this age, listening to a story offers powerful learning moments. Whether it’s a quick picture book or a longer
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If you’re teaching middle schoolers like I am, you know how much growth and change they go through during these years. They’re navigating new challenges, learning to balance responsibilities, and figuring out who they are—all while adjusting to the increasing academic demands. During this time, one of the most important skills they need to develop
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Discover middle school books that captivate readers attention
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Discover six creative strategies to make reading exciting for middle schoolers
Top Ways to Get Middle Schoolers Excited About Reading Read More »
In middle school, fostering a love for reading is important. Besides the books we offer our students, games are a great way to promote reading. Yes, I said it… GAMES!! Games can help boost reading skills, especially when played in small groups. They provide an interactive way to engage students and make learning more enjoyable
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This is the second blog post in a series about standards-based assessment. On the previous blog, we discussed that standards-based assessments (SBA) are a way to evaluate students’ learning based on one single standard or indicator. We also talked about five reasons why you should use SBA in your classroom. Before you read this blog
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A few years ago, I was grading a test that my students had taken the previous week. I was really excited when I looked at the scores! Nineties and eighties littered my gradebook. It seemed like my students really grasped the skills within the assessment. Because the scores were so high, I continued on with
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Tracking data sounds like the farthest thing from a good time, but I firmly stand by it. A few years ago, I was feeling lost in my content. We were moving ahead on schedule with the curriculum, but I felt like my students were falling farther and farther behind. Could standards based assessments be the
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Truth, I LOVE DOODLE NOTES! As a 6th grade teacher, I saw a serious disconnect regarding note-taking. I had a few engaged students and eagerly taking notes (you know the ones I’m talking about.) But the others were gone, lost. I realized I needed something to keep student’s attention and engage them in the material.
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What are two words likely to make a teacher’s head spin? Assessments and data. We hear these words frequently in education, and it’s often assumed that we must be experts at them. However, while teachers are experts in their content areas, we haven’t all been adequately taught about the different types of assessments and what
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Standards-based grading has become quite popular over the years. Unlocking the full potential of your students requires not only a deep understanding of their strengths and areas of growth but also an effective system to track and communicate their progress. There is nothing worse than scrambling the week before conferences or the day before a
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When First Chapter Fridays first started, I was skeptical. The idea of reading just the first chapter of books sounded a little weird. But now, first chapter Fridays is one of my (and my students) favorite things about the week! First Chapter Fridays are an excellent opportunity to expose students to new books and authors
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Teaching literary genres can be one of the most effective practices that educators can adopt for their students. Instilling a love of reading and writing in all students is a top priority! Genres worksheets can help facilitate that breakthrough that we are all striving for. While elementary school students spend a significant amount of time
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