MiddleWeb

middleweb.comImagine PD as an Adventure, Like Trekking with a Teacher-FriendMid-career educators seeking renewed energy, new challenges, or fresh ways to think about their work might try these ideas for trekking with teacher friends.

Imagine PD as Adventure, Like Trekking with a Friend. Mid-career educators seeking renewed energy, new challenges, or fresh ways to think about their work might try these ideas for trekking with T-friends. #edusky #teachersky #teacherPD @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54738/imagin...

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edweek.orgWhat ‘Sold a Story’ Misses About Direct Instruction (Opinion)A veteran educator takes issue with Emily Hanford's stance on a contentious instructional system.

What ‘Sold a Story’ Misses About Direct Instruction is new @edweek.org post by @jessenathaniel.bsky.social www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

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MindShift at KQED

@mindshift-kqed.bsky.social

23 Sept

Older English learners require more tailored support from schools. They often have to balance school and employment, enroll after the start of the school year and may be processing trauma from their journey to the United States. @edweek.org www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

edweek.orgHow Schools Can Better Support Older English LearnersStrategies exist to help students who carry the English-learner label beyond elementary school.

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The Hechinger Report

@hechingerreport.org

‘Anybody can sort of say that they have evidence for anything,’ a top scholar says

hechingerreport.org39 meta-analyses, 39 positive findings: An audit finds serious flaws in research on AI in education Does artificial intelligence help students learn? That’s a question many teachers and parents want answered, as the new educational technology is rapidly spreading in classrooms. Normally, meta-analyses would be the right place to look, since they’re supposed to gather a scattered body of research and make sense of it by pointing to where the preponderance of evidence lies. And indeed, there are 39 of them, all reporting substantial benefits for AI in education. But it appears that the studies synthesizing that evidence are themselves unreliable — and the peer-review process failed to catch the problems.

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Chalkbeat

@chalkbeat.org

Chalkbeat obtained the list of products NYC officials say violate the city's new school AI policy. It includes a chatbot the Education Department developed itself.

bit.lyNYC barred 38 AI tools in schools. Some companies say their products shouldn't be on the list.Chalkbeat obtained the list of products NYC officials say violate the city's new school AI policy. It includes a chatbot the Education Department developed itself.

middleweb.comSelf-Coaching Promotes Balance and Growth in School LeadersPrincipal self-coaching is the process of using key coaching precepts to guide professional and personal growth by posing powerful questions to yourself.

NEW: Using Self-Coaching to Succeed as a Principal. Principal self-coaching uses key coaching precepts to guide professional and personal growth by posing powerful questions to yourself. #edusky #principalsky #principal #edleadership @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54704/using-...

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nytimes.comOpinion | The Grace We Seek but Have Forgotten (Gift Article)We hurt one another, we fail one another, but we still have to figure out how to live with one another.

The Grace We Seek but Have Forgotten www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/o...

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgDaylight Savings Ends On Nov. 1st – Here Are Teaching & Learning ResourcesDaylight Savings Time ends on November 1st. You might be interested in The Best Sites For Learning About Daylight Savings Time.

Daylight Savings Ends On Nov. 1st – Here Are Teaching & Learning Resources larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/10/25/d...

middleweb.comHow Teachers Can Disrupt the Monolingual BiasDisrupting the Monolingual Bias challenges us to reflect honestly on how our instructional choices position language as a problem, a right, or a resource.

REVIEW: A Framework to Disrupt Monolingual Bias Lillian Ardell’s book challenges us to reflect honestly on how our instructional choices position language as a problem, a right, or a resource, says Melinda Stewart. #edusky #teachersky @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54684/a-fram...

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nytimes.comAlpha School Claims to Teach Kids Twice as Fast. Many Don’t Make It. (Gift Article)Alpha School, a private network, is spreading into public education. While its students’ test scores are high, some parents and educators say it doesn’t live up to the hype.

Students at an A.I. School Were Supposed to Learn Faster. Many Aren’t. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/23/u...

middleweb.comFrom "Me" to "We": Rethinking Professional Learning EventsThe best professional learning doesn't ask teachers to choose between practical strategies and meaningful relationships. It offers both, says Cameron-Jarvis.

NEW – Rethinking Professional Learning: “Me” to “We” The best PD doesn't ask teachers to choose between practical strategies and meaningful collaboration. It offers both, says Kendra Cameron-Jarvis. #edusky #teachersky #educoach @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54638/rethin...

larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgIncreased Lighting Is To Improved Public Safety As [Blank] Is To Improved Student LearningThe Atlantic recently had an article discussing the research finding that increasing the number of streetlights decreases crime substantially: Darkness is indeed a good cover for crime, so b…

Makes so much sense!

Larry Ferlazzo@larryferlazzo.bsky.social

Increased Lighting Is To Improved Public Safety As [Blank] Is To Improved Student Learning larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/10/21/i...

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgThis Might Be The Best Video About Motivation That’s Available To Show To StudentsFrank Dick is an apparently legendary Scottish track coach. This short video would be amazing to show to students. He doesn’t call it “temporal comparison,” but that&#8217…

This Might Be The Best Video About Motivation That’s Available To Show To Students larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/10/21/t...

middleweb.comHow to Make Student Podcasts & Videos Enjoyable to WatchRachel's eighth grade classes are using Erik Palmer's effective speaking framework to liven up their "I'm Passionate About" podcast and video presentations.

MAKING STUDENT PODCASTS A PLEASURE TO WATCH Rachel's 8th grade classes are using Erik Palmer's effective speaking tips to liven up their "I'm Passionate About" podcast & video presentations. #edusky #teachersky @erik-palmer.bsky.social @routledgebooks.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54652/make-s...

middleweb.comCo-Teaching Collaboration for General and SpEd in Grades 5-12Whether you’re new to co-teaching or a veteran looking for a reset, Dieker, Stephan & Smith’s book earns a place on your professional shelf, says Sarah Gaetano.

REVIEW: Building Collaboration in Co-Taught Classrooms. Whether you’re new to co-teaching or a vet looking for a reset, this excellent book earns a place on your professional shelf, says ELA teacher Sarah Gaetano. #edusky #teachersky @routledgebooks.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54610/build-...

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MindShift at KQED

@mindshift-kqed.bsky.social

"When students work together in pairs or in small groups, they have the chance to be seen and heard by their classmates, which nurtures that crucial sense of belonging." www.edutopia.org/article/buil...

edutopia.orgBuilding Community Through Intentional GroupingsWhen students have ample opportunity to work with their classmates, they develop a sense of belonging that supports their growth.

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgTwo Useful Resources On Better QuestionsI’m adding these resources to The Best Posts & Articles About Asking Good Questions — Help Me Find More: Hinge Questions is from DistillEd. So he ran an experiment. Instead of aski…

Two Useful Resources On Better Questions larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/10/18/t...

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgThe Best Resources On Talking With Children About Tragedies(check out my BAM! podcast, “How Can We Help Students Handle Loss and Grief?”) UPDATE: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Orlando Shooting is from TIME. RESOURCES FOR TALKING WITH STUDENTS ABOUT TH…

The Best Resources On Talking With Children About Tragedies larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/12/14/t...

middleweb.comHelp Students Learn to Welcome and Act Upon FeedbackCurtis Chandler shows how to craft feedback so that students see it not as a list of things they've done wrong but as a tipsheet showing them where to go next.

NEW: Helping Students Make Better Use of Feedback. Curtis Chandler shows how to craft feedback so that students see it not as a list of things they've done wrong but as a tipsheet showing them where to go next. #edusky #teachersky @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54593/helpin...

middleweb.comWhy Productive Struggle Is So Important to Student ProgressBarbara Blackburn and Sherry Johnson discuss what productive struggle is, why it is important, and how teachers can utilize the process to accelerate learning.

NEW: The What, Why and How of Productive Struggle. Barbara Blackburn and Sherry Johnson discuss what productive struggle is, why it's important, and how teachers can utilize the process to accelerate learning. www.middleweb.com/54564/the-wh... #edusky #teachersky @routledgebooks.bsky.social

middleweb.comStart with Online Talks to Boost Middle Schoolers' Public SpeakingLetting Student Voices Shine offers a thoughtful collection of tools to boost public speaking in practical ways while creating a supportive environment.

REVIEW: Using Online Talks to Teach Public Speaking Todd Stanley offers a thoughtful collection of tools for teachers to start using online talks to incorporate more public speaking into their classrooms. #edusky #teachersky @routledgebooks.bsky.social #speaking www.middleweb.com/54515/how-on...

middleweb.comIs It Too Late for America to Become a Nation of Readers?Scripted science of reading programs won't solve the reading crisis says literacy expert Laura Robb. Listening to stories and reading real books is fundamental.

NEW: Is Being “A Nation of Readers” Still Possible? Scripted science of reading programs won't solve the reading crisis says literacy expert Laura Robb. Listening to stories and reading real books is fundamental. #edusky #teachersky @routledgebooks.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54524/is-bei...

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NBC News

@nbcnews.com

Nearly 12,000 book bans took place in public schools over the past year, according to PEN America. Race, racism, sexuality and gender identity themes remain the most common reasons. PEN also found that school district administrators rely increasingly on AI to determine which books to ban.

nbcnews.toNearly 12,000 school book bans in a year, a record high, according to annual tallyThemes of race, sexuality and gender remain common reasons to ban books, as some school administrators use AI to determine what gets pulled, a new report finds.

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Education Week Opinion

@edweekopinion.bsky.social

“Real scaffolding is responsive.” Educators recommend strategies for making content accessible. @larryferlazzo.bsky.social

edweek.org‘A Must for Effective Teaching’: 14 Ways to Fill Holes in Students’ Learning (Opinion)Educators recommend strategies for making content accessible.

middleweb.comA Guide to the Heart of Teaching, One Week at a TimeThe Teacher’s Year offers support to teachers through each week of the school year to meet the seasonal challenges and savor the joys that fill our calendars.

REVIEW: A Weekly Guide to the Heart of Teaching. The Teacher’s Year offers support to teachers through each week of the school year. Sarah Cooper believes it will help us meet seasonal challenges and savor the joys. #edusky #teachersky @routledgebooks.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54466/a-week...

middleweb.comCollaborating Across Subject Areas Builds Critical ThinkersCollaboration is no longer just an occasional group activity – it's a core strategy for deep learning. Teacher Kathie Palmieri shares humanities and STEM ideas.

NEW: Kids Collaborating Across Content Areas. Collaboration is no longer just an occasional group activity – it's a core strategy for deep learning. Teacher & NBCT Kathie Palmieri shares humanities and STEM ideas. #edusky #teachersky @kathleenpalmieri.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54488/when-k...

middleweb.comUsing Key Words to Write Stronger Responses to NonfictionOnce students have learned to read nonfiction with clear purpose, teachers can provide them with strategies to write knowledgeably about what they have learned.

[NEW] Nonfiction: Using Key Words to Build Written Responses. Once students have learned to read nonfiction with clear purpose, teachers can provide strategies to write knowledgeably about what they have learned. #edusky #teachersky #literacy #iteachEnglish www.middleweb.com/54414/using-...

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.orgThe NY Times Asked 30 Researchers (Two-Thirds Who Had Never Taught In A K-12 Classroom) How To Improve Schools. Here Are My 12 Different Low-Cost SuggestionsI’ve got nothing against most university professors, and count several as friends. I have learned much from some of them, and continue to do so. However, my mind was a big boggled whe…

The NY Times Asked 30 Researchers (Two-Thirds Who Had Never Taught In A K-12 Classroom) How To Improve Schools. Here Are My 12 Different Low-Cost Suggestions larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/09/29/t...

middleweb.com4 Steps We Can Use to Craft Quality Math Lessons Using AIMath curriculum expert Jen Knudsen shares four steps she's designed to streamline the necessary back-and-forth with AI and create reliable, satisfying lessons.

NEW: Crafting Quality Math Lessons with AI Assistance. Math curriculum expert Jen Knudsen shares four steps she's designed to streamline the necessary back-and-forth with AI and create reliable, satisfying lessons. #edusky #teachersky #mathsky #mathed #mtbos #math www.middleweb.com/54432/crafti...

middleweb.comBoost Student Learning Using the Body-Brain ConnectionGravity Goldberg’s "The Body-Brain Connection" details the learning power of kinesthetic activities and explains how they can be incorporated into classrooms.

REVIEW: Boost Learning by Using the Body-Brain Connection. Gravity Goldberg’s The Body-Brain Connection details the learning power of kinesthetic activities and explains how they can be incorporated into your classroom. #edusky #teachersky @drgravityg.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54397/boost-...

middleweb.comSupporting Teacher Growth Beyond the Coaching CycleEvery class we enter is an opportunity to influence instruction writes leadership coach Toni Faddis, whether it's a 2-minute chat or the start of a partnership.

22 Sept

NEW: Rethinking How Leaders Support Teacher Growth. Every class we enter is a chance to influence instruction, says leadership coach Toni Faddis, whether it's a 2-minute chat or the start of a partnership. #edusky #teachersky #edleaders @corwinpress.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54339/rethin...

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edweek.org‘Those Who Can’t, Teach’? Debunking the Biggest Misconceptions About Teaching (Opinion)Teachers are a lot more than just the human version of Google.

22 Sept

‘Those Who Can’t, Teach’? Debunking the Biggest Misconceptions About Teaching www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

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wapo.stAI is hurting students’ ability to learn and think for themselves, educators sayAs more college students get help from rapidly improving large language models, faculty members worry they are missing out on the struggles required for real learning.

22 Sept

I think this would be an excellent article to have students read and discuss in class———AI is hurting students’ ability to learn and think for themselves, educators say wapo.st/4dqQlhu gift link

middleweb.comTeach Students to Find Key Details in Complex Informational TextsHow can we give middle graders the scaffolds they need to read and absorb high-interest but complex information texts? Try this action-research based solution.

20 Sept

NEW: How to Help Kids Absorb Complex Nonfiction Texts. How can we give middle graders the scaffolds they need to read and absorb high-interest but complex information texts? Try this action-research based solution. #edusky #teachersky @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54361/how-to...

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19 Sept

I'm a voluntr tchr at local Juvenile Hall & pull-out ELL elementary class.Today,a new student joined;she has name that is challenging 4 me to say &I'm sure is not said correctly by others.I had her record it on my phone & promised I would practice & know it by next week.Smile on her face said it all

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larryferlazzo.edublogs.org“Speaking Monkey” Looks Like A Good (& Free) AI Tool For ELLs To Practice PronunciationSpeaking Monkey provides lots of sentences for users to practice repeating, and then provides an assessment. If you want to create your own sentences, you have to pay to subscribe. I’m…

20 Sept

“Speaking Monkey” Looks Like A Good (& Free) AI Tool For ELLs To Practice Pronunciation larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2026/09/20/s...

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Kathleen Palmieri,NBCT

@kathleenpalmieri.bsky.social

20 Sept

Shifting from assigning writing to writing alongside your students completely transforms engagement—Read my article for actionable strategies #booksky #Edusky @middleweb.bsky.social @edutopia.org @cultofpedagogy.bsky.social @corwinpress.bsky.social www.revolutionizinglearningpaths.com/articles

revolutionizinglearningpaths.comArticles | Enhance Readership: Inspire Engagement — Revolutionizing Learning PathsExplore strategies to promote physical books and foster a love for reading among students, blending traditional reading with modern engaging activities.

middleweb.comGrowth Talk: A Coaching Way of Leading SchoolsGrowth Talk aims to be transformational with coaches empowering people, generating positive energy, and creating clarity through dialogue rather than direction.

17 Sept

REVIEW: Leading Schools Using Growth Talk Strategies Growth Talk aims to be transformational with leaders and coaches empowering people, generating positive energy, and creating clarity through dialogue rather than direction. #edusky #edleadership #coaching #ascd www.middleweb.com/54325/growth...

middleweb.comOn Becoming an Old Teacher, Month by MonthFor her MiddleWeb column this year Dina Strasser will be exploring thoughts and issues unique to older teachers as she reflects on the 1/3 of public school teachers who’ve joined the 50+ crowd.

16 Sept

NEW: How Our Teacher Lives Change as We Mature. This year Dina Strasser will explore issues unique to older teachers as she reflects on the one-third who, like her, have joined the 50+ crowd. #edusky #teachersky @dinaeliz.bsky.social @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54289/how-ou...

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middleweb.comResponding to the Link Between Math Anxiety and AbsenteeismSchool leaders report two top challenges related to math: absences and anxiety. Juliana Tapper explores both and offers several practical ideas that can help.

13 Sept

NEW: The Link Between Math Anxiety and Absenteeism. School leaders report 2 top challenges related to math: absences and anxiety. Math interventionist Juliana Tapper breaks it down & has two practical ideas that can help. #edusky #iteachmath #mathed #mtbos #math www.middleweb.com/54293/the-li...

13 Sept

middleweb.comUse Patterns of Analysis to Rethink Teaching Grammar TodayPatterns of Analysis is a practical, vibrant, user-friendly guide to helping students discover how grammatical choices shape meaning, tone, and text structure.

10 Sept

REVIEW: Use Patterns of Analysis to Rethink Grammar Instruction. Patterns of Analysis is a practical, vibrant, user-friendly guide to helping students discover how grammatical choices shape meaning, tone, and text structure. #edusky #ELA @stenhousepub.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54254/use-pa...

middleweb.comHow to Help Your Students Discover the Rules of GrammarYou do not have to master grammar before you teach it, says grammar coach Patty McGee. The best contemporary teachers she knows let students discover the rules.

9 Sept

NEW: It’s Time for Teachers to Put Grammar in Its Place You do not have to master grammar before you teach it, says grammar coach @pmgmcgee.bsky.social. The best contemporary teachers she knows invite students to discover the rules. #edusky #teachersky #grammar www.middleweb.com/54264/its-ti...

middleweb.comPeer Reader Feedback Helps Readers & Writers in All SubjectsThe Peer Reader Feedback strategy lets student writers ask for feedback about specific elements of their work & student readers respond with their suggestions.

8 Sept

NEW: Engaging Our Writers & Readers in Peer Feedback The Peer Reader Feedback strategy lets Laurie Hornik's student writers ask for feedback about specific elements of their work and student readers respond with their suggestions. #edusky #iteachEnglish #writing www.middleweb.com/54230/peer-r...

kqed.orgFeedback Bias? How AI Adjusts Replies Based on Race and Gender, Research Finds | KQEDIdentical essays get different feedback in Stanford study and that can have consequences on what students learn.

8 Sept

Can AI provide the kind of feedback students will truly value and remember?

MindShift at KQED@mindshift-kqed.bsky.social

Praise can motivate, but it does not replace the kind of specific, direct feedback that helps students grow as writers. www.kqed.org/mindshift/66...

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latimes.comHow an L.A. charter school has all but eliminated chronic absenteeism among homeless studentsScholarship Prep South Bay in Wilmington has worked to eliminate chronic absenteeism among homeless students through wrap-around care, trauma-informed support and family trust.

8 Sept

How an L.A. charter school has all but eliminated chronic absenteeism among homeless students www.latimes.com/california/s...

edutopia.orgDesigning Joyful Learning Experiences in Middle SchoolJoy in learning doesn’t mean games, entertainment, or treats—it is fostered by combining challenge with curiosity, purpose, belonging, and celebration.

7 Sept

Great post from middle school teacher leader Kasey Short. #edusky #teachersky #middleschool

Edutopia@edutopia.org

Challenge and joy can go hand in hand. ☀️ Try these 5 strategies to design lessons that can help middle schoolers feel satisfied in their learning. #EduSky

middleweb.comTotal Participation Techniques to Build Active LearnersTotal Participation Techniques is a must-have resource for any teacher eager to increase participation and engagement in their classroom, says Kathee Lamberies.

3 Sept

REVIEW: Making Every Student an Active Learner Total Participation Techniques is a must-have resource for any teacher eager to increase participation & engagement in their classroom, says PD leader Kathee Lamberies. #edusky #teachersky @larryferlazzo.bsky.social www.middleweb.com/54208/making...

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