MiddleWeb

Balancing the Co-Teaching Partnership

After years of teaching 7th grade math and social studies, Cossondra George has returned to her special education roots and a co-teacher role. In this Teacher Magazine essay, she draws on her dual experience to offer two sets of tips on building a strong co-teaching partnership -- one for sp-ed folks and one for general education teachers. The article stayed at the top of the "most clicked" list for the edweek.org website for several weeks.

 

PBS Picks Teacher Innovators

In this press release, read details (and see video) about the top 10 teachers recently honored by the Public Broadcasting System for their innovative teaching. The group includes three teachers in the middle grades, but you'll find easily adaptable innovations from other grade levels, including Robert Schechter's "An Author You Can't Refuse," a writing strategy he employs with ELL and mainstream students. PBS has featured nearly 200 middle level teachers over the course of this awards program, so be sure to explore the Gr. 6-8 dropdown menu at the innovation gallery. See, for example, this video of history teacher Joe Huber sharing animation work of his 8th graders.

Girls and ADHD

Teacher referrals for attention deficit disorders overwhelming involve boys, says this short but fact-filled post at the ASCD Inservice blog. The reason, according to developmental pediatrician Patricia Quinn, is that "the model we use to describe and assess for ADHD doesn't really apply to girls." Quinn, the author of Attention Girls: A Guide to Learn All About Your ADHD, offers several clues to recognizing attention problems in the other half of the student population.

PD Sourcebook: Response to Intervention

The Spring 2010 issue of Professional Development Sourcebook is devoted to stories and resources about the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, which integrates assessment and intervention to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems. Among our favorite resources in this info-packed issue is the interview with middle grades teacher Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer, and her Texas principal, describing how their school has implemented RTI. A good reference for general and special ed teachers alike.

Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom

Alice, a reading teacher, wrote recently looking for ideas about grading in a differentiated classroom. "I am finding little information on the Internet," she said. At the risk of touting a Stenhouse author (they sponsor this website), teachers in the online communities I frequent most often mention Rick Wormeli's book "Fair Is Not Always Equal." About half the book -- subtitled "Assessing and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom" -- is now available for public reading at Google Books. That should be enough to help Alice and others decide whether Wormeli has the answers they're looking for. Also see these articles by Rick.

Reality 101 for New Special Ed Teachers

New special education teachers (and their mentors and colleagues) will find some ideas, aid and comfort at this blog supported by the Council for Exceptional Children. MiddleWeb friend Elizabeth Stein is the host for September and brings her middle grades perspective to the mix. If you're a new teacher, feel free to ask a question and expect some help. If you're a vet, leave some tips of you own.

Books about Teaching – Reviewed by Teachers

Many of the book reviews in this Teacher Leaders Network collection were written by middle grades educators who enjoy steering fellow teachers to worthwhile professional books. In addition to reviews of The Book Whisperer, Making History Mine, Notebook Connections, Timesavers for Teachers, Successful Single-Sex Classrooms, Better Answers, and Never Work Harder Than Your Students — you'll also find interviews with middle school teacher-authors Donalyn Miller and Anne Jolly.

Written-Language Disorder

A learning disability less recognized than ADD and dyslexia may strike a significant number of children, according to a recent research report in Pediatrics magazine. It's described as "written-language disorder" or the inability to write properly. In a cohort of school-aged children studied by researchers, it was "at least as frequent as reading disabilities and significantly more frequent among boys than girls." No word on whether the National Writing Project may be part of the cure (smile). This link leds to a summary of the study. Also see this news story at the Forbes website.

Cool Career Camp for Adolescents with Hearing Loss

African-American, Latino American and Native American students with hearing loss now entering grades 7-9 are invited to Steps to Success, a career exploration mini-camp to be held August 7–9 at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Participants work with experienced counselors and instructors (who use both English and sign language) to construct robots, perform science experiments in high-tech labs, and more.The cost for students is $50 and includes housing, meals and activities. Parents/guardians invited. Registration deadline is June 15. Follow link for details.

Research on Academically Talented Students

This compilation of research from the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University aims to support advocates who believe talented students should be grouped by ability. Among its contentions: "Acceleration has been shown to be an appropriate practice for meeting the needs of academically talented students; as a way to keep these students motivated and appropriately challenged." And "There is no evidence to support the notion of negative social and emotional consequences of acceleration for talented students as a whole." Decide for yourself!