Reading is the most effective way to develop vocabulary, voice and enrich brain development. As an English teacher, I can tell my readers in their writing as there is a delicate complexity that exists that is harder to teach. The earlier we can get students excited about words, the better their chance of being successful in life. Not necessarily only reading literature, students have so much to choose from now. Encourage them to read it all or whatever inspires them.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 07:13 AM | Permalink

Comprehensive project based learning offers students the chance to practice skills in an authentic and productive way. Not doing elements in isolation but rather applying them all as appropriate to their learning. There is no better way to make them career and college ready than actually giving them assignments that mimic those that will happen in their lives.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 10:29 AM | Permalink

Start your new year with a new #oneword that will chart the course for the future. What will your #oneword be for 2016? Mine is metamorphosis.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 9:01 PM | Permalink

What were your top moments of 2015? Please share; I'd love to celebrate with you

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 07:23 AM | Permalink

Before you get to the relaxation of vacation, how can you make the most of your remaining days at school? Read on to find out some suggestions.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 07:22 AM | Permalink

Providing feedback is in fact an art and we can scaffold the process to make kids better at it, using technology or without. How do you help students provide better feedback? Read on to find out how I teach students to do it better.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 07:20 AM | Permalink

They say the best way to learn is to teach and that's why we put such a high emphasis in the classroom om giving students the power to work with each other.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 10:38 AM | Permalink

Not all learning spaces are the same. What are you preparing students for? Read on to see how we can narrow the gap between college and high school.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 08:04 AM | Permalink

Have you ever got caught not knowing? Did the warmth overtake your usual composure? What if we flipped that experience and made it into a positive? What if I said we have to, to help kids know that learning doesn't always happen the first time? Read on

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 4:24 PM | Permalink

The best ways to get students to take risks is by modeling what that looks like, unafraid of the potential failure. The most important gift we can share with students is the transparency of our choices and how to bounce back from the missteps.

Posted by Starr Sackstein at 4:23 PM | Permalink