Opinion Blog

Classroom Q&A

With Larry Ferlazzo

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. Read more from this blog.

An award-winning English and Social Studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif., Larry Ferlazzo is the author of Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Challenges, The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, and Building Parent Engagement In Schools.

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Teaching Opinion Don't Waste Instructional Time at the Beginning of the Year
Use those first weeks to explicitly teach listening, speaking, and thinking skills that will help build relationships as well.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 31, 2023
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14 min read
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Artificial Intelligence Opinion What Teachers Should Know About AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
For our students’ sake, as well as our own, we need to learn how to adapt to artificial intelligence—whether we like it or not.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 28, 2023
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1 min read
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Teaching Profession Opinion A Recent Report Sparked Ire in the Field. One Teacher Explains Why
District leaders should figure out how to support teachers instead of blaming them for the pandemic’s impact on student learning.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 27, 2023
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7 min read
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Teaching Opinion 3 Educators Offer Their Best Ideas for Starting the Year Off Right
The first two weeks of school can help set the tone for everything that will follow.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 25, 2023
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11 min read
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School Climate & Safety Opinion Students Are Physically Fighting. What Can Teachers Do?
Teachers need to have a plan of action in place before they ever encounter violent confrontations between students.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 24, 2023
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6 min read
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Education Funding Opinion Education Funders Need to Ditch the Savior Complex
Trust in the input from teachers, staff, community, and students will go a long way toward making initiatives successful.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 21, 2023
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12 min read
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Education Funding Opinion Foundations Invest in Public Education. Teachers Would Like the Money Spent These Ways
Philanthropies invest millions on trying to improve student achievement. Educators don't always agree on what they're targeting.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 19, 2023
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14 min read
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English Learners Opinion Emergent Bilinguals Want to Go to College. You Can Help Them
English-learners want to go to college. They just don't know what steps to take to get there.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 13, 2023
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10 min read
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Artificial Intelligence Opinion AI Is Helping Us With Our Instructional Practice. Here's How
Artificial intelligence can be a timesaver for teachers and an eye-opener for students.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 11, 2023
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14 min read
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Social Studies Opinion Mock Trials? Debates? Here's a Better Way to Approach Supreme Court Decisions in Class
Steer clear of any instructional method that opens the door to questioning the humanity of your students, says a social studies teacher.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 7, 2023
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7 min read
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Artificial Intelligence Opinion How Teachers Are Using ChatGPT in Class
Used smartly, AI tools can be valuable allies for teachers and students alike in the learning process.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 5, 2023
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12 min read
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English Learners Opinion How to Create College and Career Pathways for English-Learners
To start, the adults in students' schools should show they believe in ELLs' abilities to succeed in postsecondary education.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 29, 2023
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11 min read
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School & District Management Opinion 'School Leaders Have 99 Problems, But NAEP Scores Ain't One'
Schools might want their students to perform at high levels, but there are more pressing and basic needs that must be addressed first.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 27, 2023
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7 min read
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School & District Management Opinion Did Districts Really Do That? Some of Their Worst Decisions
At times, districts make changes without consulting other members of the school community or considering the consequences.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 23, 2023
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9 min read
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