Spring break often gets treated as lost instructional time, but what if we reframed it as an essential part of the learning cycle? Rest and relaxation are not barriers to productivity—they’re necessary for growth.
Here’s why encouraging real rest during spring break benefits both students and teachers—and how you can create a classroom culture that values balance.
If so, it’s time to bring some March Madness energy into your literacy instruction! Inspired by the excitement of the NCAA basketball tournament, literacy brackets can create a fun, competitive atmosphere that keeps students engaged while reinforcing key reading and writing skills.
Throughout history, women educators have played a pivotal role in shaping literacy instruction, using reading and writing as tools for empowerment and social change. In this installment of Women in Education: Then and Now, we highlight two influential literacy champions—Lucy Craft Laney and Dr. Gholdy Muhammad—who, despite living in different centuries, share a common mission: ensuring all students, particularly Black students, have access to meaningful and empowering literacy education.
Assessing reading comprehension is essential, but traditional methods like quizzes or essays can sometimes feel repetitive or intimidating for students. Enter gamification—a creative approach that transforms assessments into interactive, engaging activities. By incorporating game elements into your literacy instruction, you can motivate students, provide immediate feedback, and deepen their understanding of texts in a fun, low-pressure environment.
Here’s how to use gamification to assess reading comprehension effectively.
Literature provides a powerful lens through which students can explore complex social issues, understand diverse perspectives, and develop empathy. However, facilitating discussions around sensitive topics—such as racism, inequality, or trauma—requires careful planning to ensure students feel safe and respected. By creating a supportive environment, educators can guide students through meaningful conversations that promote critical thinking and personal growth.
Here are strategies to create safe spaces for discussing difficult topics in literature.
