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 Practical Ways Schools Can Support Student Learning Now
Instead of engaging in unrealistic solutions, schools should focus on those that will make students' lives better immediately.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 22, 2022
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8 min read
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Teaching Opinion What Makes a Class Memorable? Here's What Students Say
Teachers can create memorable experiences for students by listening to them, sharing expectations, and being creative.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 15, 2022
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9 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Standards & Accountability Opinion Let's Take a Holistic Approach to Judging Schools
Parents wouldn't judge their kids based on a single factor. So, says Ron Berger of EL Education, why must schools use a lone test score?
Larry Ferlazzo, March 14, 2022
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8 min read
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School & District Management Opinion Let's Dump the Obsession With Standardized Testing
Digital portfolios and student, faculty, and family surveys to gauge school culture are more robust ways to measure school effectiveness.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 8, 2022
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13 min read
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School & District Management Opinion It's Time to Debunk the Myths About Standardized Tests
Professional learning communities can help crack the code to measuring a student's success.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 7, 2022
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13 min read
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School & District Management Opinion How Can You Measure a School's Success? It's Not Just Through Test Scores
Judge schools on how well they meet the needs of students, staff, and the community, say educators.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 1, 2022
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13 min read
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School & District Management Opinion What Teachers Have Learned Since the Pandemic Closed Schools
Instruction, technology, leadership, resilience, and more have all faced a reality check for educators in the last two years.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 27, 2022
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6 min read
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English Learners Opinion 14 Strategies for Teaching Intermediate English-Language Learners
Using drama, sentence frames, and academic conversations are a few teacher-recommended instructional strategies for intermediate ELLs.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 22, 2022
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21 min read
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Teaching Profession Opinion How to Create a Positive Atmosphere for Teacher Observations
Listening to "understand" instead of "reply" and focusing on teachers' strengths, not weaknesses, can make the observation more comfortable.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 18, 2022
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12 min read
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Teaching Profession Opinion Throw Out the Protocol for Teacher Observations. Use Common Sense Instead
Narrow the focus when you do a classroom observation, ditch the laptop, and engage with students are a few ideas for improving the practice.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 15, 2022
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15 min read
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Teaching Profession Opinion How to Make Teacher Observations (Almost) Stress-Free
Frequent walk-throughs are one way to reduce anxiety and build trust between teachers and administrators.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 12, 2022
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13 min read
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Teaching Opinion Students Share How COVID Has Changed Their Lives
Seeing friends and getting more leniency from teachers are two things students like about school this year. Waking up early is not, though.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 8, 2022
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7 min read
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Teaching Opinion The Best and Worst Things About This School Year—According to Students
Seeing friends, teachers, and playing sports again are some of the best things students like. Masks, not so much.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 6, 2022
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6 min read
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Teaching Opinion The Past and Future of Education Research
Studies on student motivation, project-based learning, the power of relationships, and collective efficacy are highlighted by contributors.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 1, 2022
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11 min read
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