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Why Every Teacher Should Embrace Immersive Storytelling to Inspire Learning
As an Early Literacy Coach with Grand Rapids Public Schools, Lisa Darling recently participated in Kent ISD’s immersive storytelling class. In this blog post, she shares her insights on how this transformative approach can engage young learners and inspire teachers. The immersive storytelling class presented by Kent ISD was a fantastic learning experience. The event…
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Join MiELA to Discover How You Can Incorporate Multiple Literacies to Enhance STEM in Your Classroom
Are you a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade teacher looking to incorporate STEM placed-based and project-based learning into your classroom? Are you looking for professional resources to help you get started in this type of teaching/learning? Keep reading to find out how to incorporate STEM project-based learning! What is Multiple Literacies Project-Based Learning? Dr. Annemarie…
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The Importance of Informational Text
What were you reading before you turned your eye onto this article? Chances are it could be categorized into informational text reading. With the shift to Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards also came a heightened focus on informational text reading, writing, and analysis. And, why shouldn’t it be. Learning is a…
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Simple, Effective Method for Teaching Writing Across the Content Areas
Written by: Lindsay Veitch, Caledonia Community Schools Teacher and Author I brought my two-year-old to his pediatrician, Dr. Lisa Brown, for a well-visit the day Dave Stuart Jr. launched my ebook, The Write Structure. I casually mentioned this exciting news to Dr. Brown, and she replied as only the doctor of children could. With an…
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Tackling Text Structures: A Nontraditional Approach
Few could argue the importance of understanding text structure. When it comes to reading, having a grasp of structure will help a reader’s brain focus in on the important aspects of a text, helping to connect points and enhancing comprehension. For writing, being able to effectively choose and apply the appropriate text structure for the purpose…
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Kids Who Read Beat the Summer Slide
In 2009, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan described summer learning loss as “devastating”. Educators often refer to summer loss as “summer slide”. It is estimated that the amount of loss a child might experience could equal one month of instruction, and the effect has a greater impact on disadvantaged children (Cooper, 1996). Researchers conclude that two-thirds…
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The Secret Ingredient for Developing Lifelong Writers
Recently I spent some time looking at new programs on the market to teach literacy. They all came from large, reputable companies and were designed to teach The Common Core State Standards. While I saw a lot of good, current thinking in these programs, when I glanced at the writing sections within each, I sighed—deeply.…
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ELA Students Become Project Managers
Something amazing is happening at Kent Innovation High this semester. Volunteer project managers from all over west Michigan are coming into the classroom to share insights into their craft. In cooperation with the Western Michigan Project Management Institute (WMPMI), Future Leaders in Project Management (FLiPM), and the Kent ISD Career Readiness Department, an English Language Arts class at Kent Innovation…
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Deep Thinking about Character: A Starting Point for Writing Fiction
Fiction. Certainly this is one of the most popular genres to read for students and adults. Realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, and legends, among others, are popular with readers of all ages. Yet, while this type of writing is fun to read, it can be very challenging to write, particularly for young writers. In the past,…
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Make Your Thinking Visible
“Wow! That is so cool! I wish I could do that! Too bad I am a terrible artist and I can barely draw a stick figure…” This was just part of my thoughts this summer when I was introduced to the concept of sketchnotes. Super cool, very interesting, BUT…I could never do anything of the…