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.

Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Artificial Intelligence Opinion How Teachers Are Using Artificial Intelligence in Classes Today
Sure, ChatGPT can be misused, but when used correctly, the AI tool can help teachers and students alike in multiple subjects.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 2, 2023
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10 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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English Learners Opinion Listening Is the Key to Teaching English-Learners How to Speak
That communication skill helps students master patterns, intonation, accents, word order, and conversational animation.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 27, 2023
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Student Engagement Can Be Elusive. Here's How to Help
If students don't think a lesson is relevant, they'll give it short shrift. There are ways to show them it serves a purpose.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 26, 2023
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15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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English Learners Opinion Tips for Encouraging English-Learners to Practice Speaking
Above all else, students need to feel they're in a safe environment where they can freely express themselves.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 21, 2023
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16 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion 10 Ways to Help Students Motivate Themselves
From the outset, enabling students to feel like they belong can encourage them to strive to do their best.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 19, 2023
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Bite-Size Advice for Teachers to Finish the Year Strong
With the school year winding down, teachers offer tips, upbeat and eager, on what to do with that time.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 17, 2023
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2 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Reading & Literacy Opinion How Can a Teacher Navigate the So-Called 'Reading Wars'?
In the debate over how to teach literacy, shaming those who used instructional approaches outside the "science of reading" won't help.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 13, 2023
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6 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Profession Opinion Teachers, Don't Take Your Work Home
Want to create a better boundary between school and home? Here are 20 ways to do that.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 12, 2023
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2 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion The Four Secrets to Motivating Students
Giving students the opportunity to choose can be liberating as long as teachers provide the right amount of guidance.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 7, 2023
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13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Educators and Researchers Don’t Always Speak the Same Language. Here's How to Change That
Morgan Polikoff shares five ways researchers can make their work have a real-world impact in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 6, 2023
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7 min read
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Equity & Diversity Opinion How Schools Can Support Arab and Muslim Students
Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi is the guest editor of today’s post recognizing National Arab American Heritage Month.

Larry Ferlazzo, April 3, 2023
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion 3 Ways to Make Learning Relevant to Students
Research shows that content relevance is key to student engagement, but many students aren't feeling it. What needs to change?
Larry Ferlazzo, March 30, 2023
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8 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion How to Get, and Keep, Your Students Engaged
Not all efforts to motivate students are equal. Here are some strategies that work.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 29, 2023
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Teachers Share Their Best Ideas on How to Be a Better Teacher
When your lessons are so rote you could teach them in your sleep, it's time to change things up.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 24, 2023
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19 min read
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