Teaching Language Arts: Resources for Educators Introduction The ability to read and write plays a major role in a student’s ability to succeed in the classroom. It also has enormous implications regarding mental and emotional development, self-esteem, and even health. Highly literate students are more likely to have higher IQs, develop a love for reading,… Read More

When novels burst onto the literary scene in the 18th century with Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, they presented something truly new: the idea that a common person and his pursuits could matter. This concept shattered the notion that books needed to focus on high-minded ideals and individuals of high social value. Nearly a quarter of… Read More

The STEAM movement has shed a great deal of light on the many benefits of teaching students interdisciplinary lessons and projects, but how do we make sure all of our learners are able to thrive in this innovative, multidimensional learning environment? We need a range of inclusive teaching strategies in order to meet our learners’… Read More

The advent and expansion of STEAM doesn’t mean a movement away from language arts. On the contrary, scientists, engineers, technologists, artists, and mathematicians all need literacy skills, an appreciation and understanding of the human experience, and strong writing abilities. English language arts doesn’t sit apart from STEAM. In fact, the two fit nicely together, building… Read More

Literacy deeply and persistently impacts access to education, economic development, and life outcomes. Even in our modern world, the numbers are startling. Millions — around the world and in our own country — remain functionally illiterate, reading below the basic level. The International Literacy Association views “literacy as the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create,… Read More

Educational terminology can be overwhelming with so many acronyms and buzzwords to remember. So we’ve created a must-know list of education lingo for your reference. 1:1: One laptop or device for each student in a class or school. For more on this, check out 8 Strategies to Manage the 21st Century Classroom. 21st-Century Skills: A… Read More

When students have difficulty comprehending what they’re reading, not only could they have trouble in nearly every subject in school, but they miss out on the joy of exploring new worlds, traveling back in time, and solving mysteries alongside their peers. High-interest stories sometimes are motivating enough to read, yet some students continue to struggle when… Read More

Teaching adolescent literacy is a multi-pronged challenge. Middle and high school literacy teachers not only have to help their students master specific curriculum goals, they also have to deal with the sometimes difficult task of engaging young adults in reading. In addition, adolescent literacy teachers may also have to help some of their students gain… Read More

Learning to speak and write one’s native language well is often challenging enough; acquiring these skills in a second language requires even more effort, commitment, and practice. Mechanics of second language acquisition Each language has its own set of rules for speaking and writing the language properly, and individuals trying to learn a new language… Read More