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."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Strategies for Teaching Students Online and Face to Face at the Same Time
Four educators share how they are teaching students simultaneously online and in the physical classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 28, 2021
•
17 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
English Learners Opinion Thirteen Instructional Strategies for Supporting ELL Newcomers
Five educators share effective instructional strategies to use with English-language-learner newcomers, including using images and games.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 23, 2021
•
17 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Ten Ways to Use Retrieval Practice in the Classroom
Five educators explain why and how they use retrieval practice in their classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 21, 2021
•
12 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Six Strategies I Apply to Make My Distance Learning Classes Not Terrible
Larry Ferlazzo shares the six key strategies he's using in his distance learning classes, including developing student-leadership teams.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 16, 2021
•
10 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Science Opinion Ten Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies for the Science Classroom
Four teachers share how they implement culturally responsive instruction in their science classrooms.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 14, 2021
•
13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Implementing 'Multiple Career Pathways to Engage All Learners'
Four educators wrap up a four-part series on teenage student engagement with several ideas, including providing noncollege options.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 10, 2021
•
13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Nine Strategies for Promoting Student Engagement
Five educators discuss how to maximize engagement, including the importance of understanding student motivation in and out of the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 7, 2021
•
18 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Student Achievement Opinion The Idea of 'Learning Loss' Begs Us to Ask, 'Loss From What?'
A Georgia educator challenges the present thinking about "learning loss" and asks, "What if the loss is a loss in inflicting harm?"
Larry Ferlazzo, February 4, 2021
•
6 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Students Respond to Adults' Fixation on 'Learning Loss'
A Boston educator shares three guidelines for responding to "learning loss" she developed based on conversations with her students.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 2, 2021
•
9 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Pandemic Lessons for a Post-COVID-19 Classroom
Five educators share ideas for lessons learned this year that will carry over when they return to "normal" classrooms.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 31, 2021
•
13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Increasing Engagement With Student Choice
Four educators discuss ways to increase student engagement, including providing choice and building a sense of classroom community.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 27, 2021
•
13 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Student 'Compliance Does Not Equal Engagement'
Four educators share suggestions for how schools can maintain student engagement, especially during the teenage years.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 24, 2021
•
15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'The White Voice, Experience, and Interest Dominate Education'
Four educators "wrap up" a series on books and articles white teachers can read to learn about racism and what they should do about it.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 20, 2021
•
16 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'We Can’t Wait Until People Feel Comfortable Talking About Race'
White Fragility and Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in School are two of many books on race suggested by four educators.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 18, 2021
•
15 min read
Load More ▼