(This is Part Two in a three-part series on this topic. You can see Part One here) Last year, Carla Arena asked: How do teachers make informed decisions in relation to a balanced use of technology in the classroom? I answered the question at that time, along with guests Richard Byrne and Marsha Ratzel. You can see our responses here. However, since it was an early question that appeared when this blog's audience was much smaller than it is now, I thought it would be worth highlighting it again for a follow-up response. As I mentioned in Part One of ...

Educators offer specific suggestions on using technology to support the learning process.

Last year, Carla Arena asked: How do teachers make informed decisions in relation to a balanced use of technology in the classroom? I answered the question at that time, along with guests Richard Byrne and Marsha Ratzel. You can see our responses here. However, since it was an early question that appeared when this blog's audience was much smaller than it is now, I thought it would be worth highlighting it again for a "Part Two" response. Please share your thoughts in the comments, or, if you prefer, feel free to email them to me. The responses to these questions ...

This final post in a five-part series on teaching writing provides tools to help students develop their self-confidence and advice to educators on how to use them.

(Note: This is the fourth post in a multi-part series on teaching writing. You can see Part One here, Part Two here, and Part Three here) Katie Ciresi asked: What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers? This series is a companion to last year's five posts on Helping Our Students Become Better Readers. This series began with guest responses from Mary Tedrow, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey. Another three educators -- Aimee Buckner, Carolyn Coman and Tanya Baker -- contributed their ideas in Part Two. Educator and author Ralph Fletcher ...

(Note: This is the third post in a multi-part series on teaching writing. You can see Part One here and Part Two here) Katie Ciresi asked: What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers? This series is a companion to last year's five posts on Helping Our Students Become Better Readers. I began this series last week with guest responses from Mary Tedrow, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey. On Monday, another three educators -- Aimee Buckner, Carolyn Coman and Tanya Baker -- contributed their ideas. Today, educator and author Ralph Fletcher ...

Katie Ciresi asked: What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers?

(Note: This is the first post in a multi-part series on teaching writing) Katie Ciresi asked: What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers? This series is a companion to last year's five posts on Helping Our Students Become Better Readers. I'm "kicking off" with guest responses from three educators: Mary Tedrow, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey. Look for many more in the coming three weeks. Response From Mary Tedrow Mary Tedrow, NBCT, has taught high school English for 24 years in Winchester, VA. She is a charter member of the ...

Katie Ciresi asks: What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers? Please share your thoughts in the comments, or, if you prefer, feel free to email them to me. The responses to these questions are going to turn into a multi-part series, so there will be plenty of room for contributions from readers. Anyone whose question is selected for this weekly column can choose one free book from a selection of seven published by published by Jossey-Bass. You can send questions to me at [email protected] you send in ...

Last week's question was: How can teachers best assist students with special needs? It's a question facing many of us daily. Earlier this year, my colleague Katie Hull-Sypnieski and I wrote an article for Education Week Teacher titled The Five-by-Five Approach to Differentiation Success. Instead of repeating our advice again here, I'll just suggest you click on that link. In addition, three experienced educators -- Michael Thornton, Gloria Lodato Wilson, and Ira David Socol -- are offering their thoughts on the topic today, and I've also included a reader's response. Response From Michael Thornton Michael Thornton has been teaching primary ...