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MiddleWeb
@middleweb.bsky.social
MiddleWeb.com – Resource for educators serving kids in grades 4-8. All 3600+ articles & reviews written by educators. Co-publisher of Middle Grades SmartBrief: https://edushare.ing/bR. We follow #edusky. Check out our Substack: middleweb.substack.com/about
WHY CHILDREN'S BOOKS MATTER IN A DIGITAL WORLD

Centering on British author Katherine Rundell, Elaine Griffin reflects on how young readers find fantasy, magic and mischief, and also discover the building blocks of character, curiosity and courage. #edusky #reading

www.middleweb.com/52944/why-ch...
Why Children's Books Matter So Much in a Digital World
Children’s books offer an escape from digital culture as young readers find fantasy and magic, and the building blocks of character, curiosity, and courage.
www.middleweb.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
4 SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT.

Add good rigor to student assessments by encouraging them to assess themselves. Teaching coach Barbara Blackburn shares some simple ways to do that. #edusky @barbararblackburn.bsky.social @sharemylesson.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52511/4-simp...
Four Simple Strategies for Student Self-Assessment
Encouraging students to assess themselves is more rigorous than the teacher providing all the assessment. Barbara Blackburn looks at four simple strategies.
www.middleweb.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by MiddleWeb
TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK.

Students and teachers on Katie Durkin's 7th grade team lead service projects to support communities, build team spirit, and emphasize the importance of giving. #educoach #teachersky @sharemylesson.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52926/teachi...
Service Projects Help Students Learn the Value of Giving
Students and teachers on Katie Durkin's 7th grade team lead service projects to support communities, build team spirit, and teach the importance of giving back.
www.middleweb.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Must read. Spot on. And middle grades teacher leader Bill Ivey nails it again! #edusky
Larry Ferlazzo’s 10 Education Predictions for 2026 (Opinion): Gazing into his crystal ball, Larry Ferlazzo divines what's ahead for education next year.
Larry Ferlazzo’s 10 Education Predictions for 2026 (Opinion)
Gazing into his crystal ball, Larry Ferlazzo divines what's ahead for education next year.
www.edweek.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Review: EXPANDING THE POTENTIAL OF POETRY.

Georgia Heard’s thoughtful revision of Awakening the Heart inspired Jeny Randall to create a new poetry unit that engaged & excited her students. #edusky #iteachEnglish @heinemannpub.bsky.social @georgiaheard.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52931/a-thou...
Georgia Heard's Approach to Teaching Poetry, Revised
Georgia Heard’s thoughtful revision of Awakening the Heart inspired teacher Jeny Randall to create a new poetry unit that engaged and excited her students.
www.middleweb.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK.

Students and teachers on Katie Durkin's 7th grade team lead service projects to support communities, build team spirit, and emphasize the importance of giving. #educoach #teachersky @sharemylesson.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52926/teachi...
Service Projects Help Students Learn the Value of Giving
Students and teachers on Katie Durkin's 7th grade team lead service projects to support communities, build team spirit, and teach the importance of giving back.
www.middleweb.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
WHY KIDS NEED TO TALK IN MATH CLASS.

Kids don’t learn math by listening to us solve problems. They learn math by talking about how THEY solve problems. Mona Iehl shares 3 tips for productive talk. #edusky #iteachmath #mtbos @monamath.bsky.social #mathed @nctm.org

www.middleweb.com/52910/why-ki...
Kids Need to Talk in Math Class. Here's How to Make It Work.
Kids don’t learn math by listening to us solve problems. They learn math by talking about how THEY solve problems. Mona Iehl shares 3 tips for productive talk.
www.middleweb.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by MiddleWeb
Check out this position paper about evaluating claims in math education. That’s some bold leadership NCSM! #ITeachMath
Math education is complex. It can’t be reduced to single studies or one-size-fits-all claims.

NCSM’s new position paper offers a balanced, equity-centered, research-informed alternative—one that honors the real nuance of teaching + learning.

Read more → mathedleadership.org/position-papers
December 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Review: HOW AI CAN DEEPEN LEARNING IN WRITER'S WORKSHOP.

The authors show how including AI in writer’s workshop can deepen inquiry, provide meaningful feedback in real time, and expand learning, says Catherine Cottingham. #edusky @heinemannpub.bsky.social #iteachEnglish #AIsky

tinyurl.com/3j46298r
How AI Can Expand Learning In Writer’s Workshop
The authors show how including AI in writer’s workshop can deepen inquiry, provide meaningful feedback in real time, and expand the possibilities of learning.
www.middleweb.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
REIGNITE THE MAGIC OF READING PHYSICAL BOOKS

Once paperback fantasy ruled the reading realm. Kids devoured each 300+ page title. Then came the tech shift. Kathie Palmieri has a plan to turn the clock back.
#edusky #iteachEnglish @kathleenpalmieri.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52885/re-ign...
Reigniting the Magic of Reading Physical Books
Once paperback fantasy ruled the reading realm. Kids devoured each 300+ page title. Then came the tech shift. Kathie Palmieri has a plan to turn the clock back.
www.middleweb.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by MiddleWeb
keep.new

Start a new note quickly to help you remember something.

Keep integrates with your Google tools, such as Docs. Super handy.

#GoogleWorkspace #GoogleEDU #GoogleKeep #EduSky
December 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Packets or even lists of practice activities...focus too much on a finite set of practice prompts or memorized information, and they don’t build in room for accuracy checks or feedback."

@sharemylesson @MindShiftKQED @NCSSNetwork @actfl #EduSky #EduSkyAI #TLSky #EdTech #AIinEducation #aisky
December 9, 2025 at 4:20 PM
HOW AI HAS MODERNIZED MY STUDENT STUDY GUIDES

Scott Bonito uses an AI bot to create student study guides and build AI study spaces that are interactive, informative, responsive, and a big teacher time-saver. #edusky #teachersky #AIsky @larryferlazzo.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52892/how-ai...
Using AI Tools to Modernize and Improve Student Study Guides
Scott Bonito uses an AI bot to create student study guides and build AI study spaces that are interactive, informative, responsive and a big teacher time-saver.
www.middleweb.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
GOOD READ!
"Bow has launched an ambitious program to tackle foundational reading difficulties. In specialized classes in grades 5-8, students learn how to break down complex words, improve spelling & practice reading fluently—all while also digging into novels..." #edusky #literacy #iteachEnglish
When Older Students Can't Read: How This Middle School Is Tackling Literacy: Structured literacy classes at a New Hampshire middle school have helped some students crack the code.
When Older Students Can't Read: How This Middle School Is Tackling Literacy
Structured literacy classes at a New Hampshire middle school have helped some students crack the code.
www.edweek.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Join our frequent contributor Mona Iehl tonight at 8 Central, 9 Eastern for a K-5 math chat. Check out her articles here: www.middleweb.com/tag/mona-iehl/
#edusky #iteachmath #mtbos #elemmathchat
December 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by MiddleWeb
4 TIPS TO ENGAGE ELA EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS

"Differentiation for an advanced learner is not about doing a bunch of busy work. Instead, it is about doing more rigorous work." – G&T leader Kim Rensch. #edusky @giftedstudies.bsky.social #NAGC #teachersky

www.middleweb.com/52867/some-t...
4 Differentiation Tips to Engage the ELA Exceptional Learner
We can’t call our most advanced students “learners” if they're not actually advancing in class. Kim Rensch shares 4 tips she uses to simplify differentiation.
www.middleweb.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
New: TEACHER THINK-ALOUDS BOOST READING SKILLS

Literacy leader Laura Robb demonstrates how middle grades teachers can to turn daily read-alouds into "think-alouds" that make visible what good readers do. #edusky #iteachEnglish #literacy @laurarobb.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52864/teache...
Using Teacher Think-Alouds to Boost Student Reading Skills
Literacy leader Laura Robb demonstrates how middle grades teachers can to turn daily read-alouds into "think-alouds" that make visible what good readers do.
www.middleweb.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:22 PM
4 TIPS TO ENGAGE ELA EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS

"Differentiation for an advanced learner is not about doing a bunch of busy work. Instead, it is about doing more rigorous work." – G&T leader Kim Rensch. #edusky @giftedstudies.bsky.social #NAGC #teachersky

www.middleweb.com/52867/some-t...
4 Differentiation Tips to Engage the ELA Exceptional Learner
We can’t call our most advanced students “learners” if they're not actually advancing in class. Kim Rensch shares 4 tips she uses to simplify differentiation.
www.middleweb.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Teachers need good health insurance, arguably more than most. So how do we get or preserve it in these times where premiums for teachers are tripling in some places & are responsible for driving us out of the profession in others? #edusky #teachersky @dinaeliz.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/23bjpmys
The Four Steps that Could Save Your Life as a Teacher
While it’s tempting to just focus on lesson planning and grading, Dina Strasser says health insurance is one of most important things for teachers to attend to.
tinyurl.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Teachers need good health insurance, arguably more than most. So how do we get or preserve it in these times where premiums for teachers are tripling in some places & are responsible for driving us out of the profession in others? #edusky #teachersky @dinaeliz.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/23bjpmys
The Four Steps that Could Save Your Life as a Teacher
While it’s tempting to just focus on lesson planning and grading, Dina Strasser says health insurance is one of most important things for teachers to attend to.
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 PM
"Like all of their playbooks, The Artificial Intelligence Playbook is structured in an accessible, modular format. Fisher and Frey always begin with the WHY – grounding their content in current research and educational context – and then walk readers through the HOW." – MiddleWeb reviewer. #edusky
Review: MAKE LEARNING MORE ENGAGING WITH AI TOOLS

Hargrave, Fisher & Frey’s new edition of The Artificial Intelligence Playbook is grounded, practical & deeply respectful of the teacher’s role, says veteran teacher Andi Jackson. Highly recommended. #edusky #AIsky

www.middleweb.com/52851/make-l...
Artificial Intelligence Tools Make Learning More Engaging
The Artificial Intelligence Playbook shows educators why and how we need to teach students to write purposeful AI prompts, writes veteran teacher Andi Jackson.
www.middleweb.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Review: MAKE LEARNING MORE ENGAGING WITH AI TOOLS

Hargrave, Fisher & Frey’s new edition of The Artificial Intelligence Playbook is grounded, practical & deeply respectful of the teacher’s role, says veteran teacher Andi Jackson. Highly recommended. #edusky #AIsky

www.middleweb.com/52851/make-l...
Artificial Intelligence Tools Make Learning More Engaging
The Artificial Intelligence Playbook shows educators why and how we need to teach students to write purposeful AI prompts, writes veteran teacher Andi Jackson.
www.middleweb.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:03 PM
"Over the past five years, I’ve worked hard to add different consolidation strategies into my teaching practice. I teach my students every other day, so I want them to be able to recall what they learned in the previous lesson & be ready to put it to use." – MS teacher Megan Kelly. #edusky
CLASSROOM STRATEGIES TO HELP CONSOLIDATE LEARNING.

By completing quick daily activities that help consolidate what they're learning, Megan Kelly's students are building long-term memory and background knowledge. She shares 4 favorites. #edusky #teachersky #T2Tchat

www.middleweb.com/52836/classr...
4 Consolidation Activities That Connect & Reinforce Learning
By completing quick daily activities that help consolidate what they're learning, Megan Kelly's students are building long-term memory and background knowledge.
www.middleweb.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
@laurenbrownoned.bsky.social has been sharing this piece from last year. A good read! #iteachhistory #edusky
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It's Geography Awareness Week! Good #historyteachers know that #Geography matters! More here: middleweb.com/51788/my-7th...

Here's Why My 7th Graders Are Memorizing the 50 States
Here's Why My 7th Graders Are Memorizing the 50 States
When U.S. history teacher Lauren Brown realized how little her 7th graders knew about the 50 states, she resorted to memorization to build background knowledge.
middleweb.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM