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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Teaching Opinion The 10 Most Popular Classroom Q&A Posts of 2022
Advice for novice teachers. Games to excite student learning. Check out these and other posts that caught readers' attention this year.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 22, 2022
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1 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Lower the Bar, Stifle the Student
Teachers often choose not to push students too much because they don't want the students to get frustrated and quit. That's a mistake.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 19, 2022
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7 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Teacher Expectations Play a Big Role in the Classroom. Here's How
Is it possible to find a balance between demanding too much or too little from students? These educators explore.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 14, 2022
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12 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Put Relationships Before Curriculum, Veteran Educators Say
Teachers possess a great deal of power. Learning to use it wisely is a valuable lesson.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 13, 2022
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15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion You're a New Teacher. It Can Be Messy But Also Thrilling
Educators weigh in on the best ways to set appropriate expectations for their students and themselves.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 7, 2022
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13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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School & District Management Opinion The Pandemic May Have Eased, But There's No Going Back for Districts
Now's the time to rethink how to address—and solve—problems in education, explain several education leaders.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 1, 2022
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20 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Want to Become a Better Teacher? Put Your Students Before the Content
One of the most valuable lessons for teachers to learn in their first year is to get to know and love their students.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 28, 2022
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16 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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School & District Management Opinion The Pandemic Revealed Several Truths About School Districts
School systems can make changes much quicker than most people thought possible and provide more flexibility for students.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 22, 2022
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion The Most Important Lessons Teachers Impart Are Not Dictated by a Pacing Guide
For true learning to occur, lessons need to be put into context, not designed to be checked off a to-do list.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 21, 2022
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14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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School & District Management Opinion 9 Lessons School District Leaders Should Learn From the COVID Pandemic
Throughout the crisis, leadership and staff glommed on to returning to "normal," but that had long not worked for many students.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 15, 2022
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13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Sage Advice From Veteran Teachers to Those New to the Classroom
Teachers can learn a lot by tapping into their fellow teachers and other school staff as well as students.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 14, 2022
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15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion 11 Pieces of Advice Veteran Teachers Would Tell Their First-Year Selves
There's a steep learning curve during the first year of teaching, so don't sweat the small stuff.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 8, 2022
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11 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion What Students Want From Their Teachers: 7 Lessons
Teachers, you don't have to be your students' friend, but you do have to show you care about their work.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 7, 2022
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12 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion How to Build a Culturally Responsive Community of Writers
Acclaimed educators Gholdy Muhammad and Marie Moreno share insights into reaching all students in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 1, 2022
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10 min read
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