English language arts | Cult of Pedagogy

Does Your School Need a Literacy Check-Up?

14Jun2021

by Angela Peery

Literacy is arguably the most valuable asset we develop in our students, but many classrooms are missing the teaching practices that would make the biggest difference.

Up-Down-Both-Why: A Funds of Feeling Approach to Literature

24Jan2021

by Sarah Levine

Students often struggle to make meaningful connections to literature and put those connections into words. This technique helps.

Fire Up Your Students with a Campaign Project

6Dec2020

by Jane Currell

Whether it’s real or fictional, putting students to work on a campaign for a cause is a powerful way to get them writing persuasively.

Hexagonal Thinking: A Colorful Tool for Discussion

11Sep2020

by Betsy Potash

If you’ve been looking for a fresh way to get students thinking outside the box, this may be just what you need.

Historically Responsive Literacy: A More Complete Education for All Students

2Aug2020

by Jennifer Gonzalez

Based on the work of 19th century Black literary societies, this fresh approach to curriculum focuses on identity, skills, intellect, and criticality.

A Few Creative Ways to Use Student Blogs

19Jul2020

by Jennifer Gonzalez

The blog has evolved as a genre, giving it limitless potential as a form of writing, and that’s just as true for student writers as it is for everyone else.

The Surprising Benefits of Student-Created Graphic Novels

21Jul2019

by Shveta Miller

Graphic novels are wonderful for reading, but when students use this form for their own writing, incredible stories can emerge.

Think Twice Before Doing Another Historical Simulation

7Jul2019

by Jennifer Gonzalez

Historical simulations can be powerful for teaching, but when it comes to traumatic or violent periods, like slavery, there really isn’t a good way to do them.

A Simple Trick for Success with One-Pagers

26May2019

by Betsy Potash

These visual tools allow students to synthesize learning, but some kids don’t think they’re talented enough to make them. A bit of creative constraint helps.