Classroom Q and A

In this segment we look at the difference between student participation and student engagement and why it matters. We close with specific strategies to achieve maximum student involvement. Follow: @WilliamHimmele @cultofpedagogy @PersidaHimmele @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork #edchat #teachers #edtech Jennifer Gonzalez, NBCT, is a former middle-school language arts teacher who has also taught pre-...

The confluence of the growing popularity of education technology and the adoption of the Common Core Standards has created new challenges for teachers. In this segment we explore strategies for successfully marrying both. Follow: @cheryldobbertin @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Michael Fisher is an author and educational consultant working with schools around the country to upgrade current curricu...

In this segment we go searching for specific reading lessons that align with the Common Core Standards for complex text. Follow: @cheryldobbertin @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Cheryl Dobbertin, a former secondary English teacher and administrator, is the author of Common Core Unit by Unit . Her work has also been published in ASCD's Differentiation in Practice: 9-12, Rachel Billmeyer's Strategic...

Doing projects and doing project-based learning are not the same. In this segment our guests identify the elements that distinguish each of these teaching strategies. Follow: @ReadDRjwilhelm @suzieboss @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork #edchat #teachers #ellchat A classroom teacher for 15 years, Jeff Wilhelm is currently Distinguished Professor of English Education at Boise State, director of the Bo...

Many schools now agree with students that literature in not so important. How can we bring literature alive to students in the age of common core standards? Follow: @Mr_McComb @persidahimmele @williamhimmele @nsteineke @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork #edchat #teachers #ellchat Nancy Steineke consults nationally as a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and literacy coach for middle and high school...

The number of English language learners is growing each year. This is creating an array of challenges for teachers and school districts. In this segment we look at several teaching strategies that are very effective with ELLs. Follow: @judiehaynes @mazehr @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork #edchat #teachers #ellchat Judie Haynes taught elementary ESL for 28 years. She is the author & coauthor of 7 bo...

Teaching vocabulary is integral to all content areas. In this segment we ask our guest to share their best strategies for teaching vocabulary. Follow: @MarileeSprenger @kdcanonbrown @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork #edchat #teachers Katie Brown is an ELL Specialist, Instructional Coach, and the 2014 Washington State Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching middle school for 11 years, and currentl...

The maker movement, DIY and 3D printers are hot in education today. In this segment we define each and explore their real value in preparing kids for the future. Follow: @lblanken @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Laura Blankenship is chair of the Computer Science department at the Baldwin School, an all girls' pre-K-12 school in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She's been teaching computing, technology...

If you are an educator who feels that you have a book inside of you waiting to get published, this segment offers some sage advice from educators who understand the process well. Follow: @alansitomer @JBEducation @MCUSDSupe @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Marjorie McAneny has fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry, where she has focused on rights, licensing, and editorial for the t...

Some use the term differentiated instruction, others prefer responsive teaching. In this segment we seek clarification and practical understanding of what it really takes to reach all students. Follow: @LRobbTeacher @regieroutman @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Laura Robb has taught grades 4 to 8 more than 40 years and written more than 25 books for teachers on literacy. Presently, Robb coaches te...

Classroom management is one of the biggest challenges teachers face. In this segement two experienced teachers share their best dos and don'ts. Follow: @PernilleRipp @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Pernille Ripp is a 5th grade teacher in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA, and creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI. Dr. Bryan Harris is the Director of Professional Development...

There is no mention of caring in the common core standards and some are wondering if the social and emotional elements of teaching/learning are precluded by Common Core. Follow: @larryferlazzo @SeanTSlade @bamradionetwork Mai Xi Lee, Director of Social Emotional Learning for Sacramento City Unified School District, has been a strong advocate for the relevance and importance of relationships as the...

In 2014 the student population tipped and students of color now make up the majority. However the ranks of teachers of color has barely increased. Does it matter? Do we really need more teachers of color? If so, how can we attract and retain more non-white teachers. Follow: @larryferlazzo @gjladson @bamradionetwork Gloria Ladson-Billings is the Kellner Family Chair of Urban Education in the Depart...

Are Common Core Standards an asset or a liability for teachers working with English language learners? Follow @larryferlazzo @debbiezacarian @bamradionetwork Maria Montalvo-Balbed is the Director of ELL Professional Learning Programs for Metro RESA in Georgia and she is an ASCD Faculty. Debbie Zacarian, a nationally known author, speaker, and consultant in education, works in advancing student ach...

It has been argued that student achievement is impacted by too many factors that are beyond a teacher's control. Which begs the question, is it possible to effectively evaluate teachers based on factors within their control. Follow @larryferlazzo @debbiezacarian @bamradionetwork Ted Appel is a Principal of Luther Burbank High School for the past 11 years. Previously, he trained new high school tea...

In this segment we take a closer look at student engagement and how to do it successfully. Follow @larryferlazzo @DrDebbieSilver @bamradionetwork Debbie Silver is an award-winning teacher, an internationally known presenter and humorist, an author of numerous books and educational journal articles, and a passionate advocate for students, teachers, and parents. Dr. Bryan Harris is the Director of P...

In this segment we check our understanding of formative assessment and look at tools and strategies for responding to the results. Follow @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Nancy Frey is a professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and teacher-leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College, where she learns from students and teachers every day.

Close reading is a term that is being bandied about frequently these days. In this segment we examine our definitions and understanding of close reading. Follow @iChrisLehman @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Christopher Lehman is an international speaker; New York Times bestselling author; and Founding Director of The Educator Collaborative, a think tank and educational consulting organization work...

In this segment we take a look at the rationale for using high stakes testing and explore other ways to achieve the goal of teacher quality. Follow @BenSpielberg @ProfessorJVH @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Julian Vasquez Heilig, Ph. D. Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Director, Doctorate in Educational Leadership California State University Sacramento. A Teach For America alu...

Math is a subject that even many teachers don't enjoy. In this segment we talk with passionate, creative math teachers about how we can make math more engaging. Follow @SueOConnellMath @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Dr. Anne M. Collins is the Director of Mathematics at Lesley University. She has taught mathematics at every grade level from primary to graduate school. Sue O'Connell is the coauthor...

Race and class are often unspoken issues that teachers must deal with whether we are prepared to or not. Hw can we best manage race and class issues in schools? Follow: @plthomasEdD @NBCTeacherMommy @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork P. L. Thomas, Associate Professor of Education (Furman University), taught high school English in South Carolina before moving to teacher education. He is currently a co...

As teachers we encourage our students to read. However, many of us find it difficult to squeeze professional reading into our busy schedules. In this segment we ask for recommendations for busy educators. Follow: @KleinErin, @redhdteacher @jeff_zoul @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Megan Allen is a National Board Certified teacher and the 2010 Florida Teacher of the Year. She is currently working a...

Should teachers dress up or dress down? What is the balance between dressing professionally and dressing comfortably? What about jeans, tee shirts, short skirts and sneakers? Our guests weigh in. Follow: @TeachMoore, @roxannaelden @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Roxanna Elden is a National Board Certified high school teacher, a speaker, and an author. Her book, See Me After Class: Advice for Teach...

Globalization is now an inescapable reality. In this segment we discuss how how our teaching is changing as a result. Follow: @edrethink @dlaufenberg @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona. He blogs regularly at Education Rethink, writes a column for Kappan magazine and has written several books. Diana La...

Common Core requires teachers to push students to read increasingly complex text. What meets the definition of a complex text? What strategies, tools and resources can teachers use to achieve this goal? Today we'll explore these questions. Follow: @Amybenjamin1 @wendi322 @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Virginia McEnerney is th Executive Director, Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. David Booth i...