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 Profession Opinion Teachers Share What They Want Central Offices & Public Officials to Hear
Those making policy decisions often don't ask educators what they need. Teachers suggest ways they can be helpful to people in the trenches.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 29, 2020
11 min read
Student attending class from a remote location.
E+
Classroom Technology Opinion 'My Online Learning Experience as a Student This Fall Has Been Great'
Three students share a relatively positive picture of their full-time virtual learning experiences this year.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 24, 2020
4 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching & Learning Opinion 'Standing Up for What Is Right': Teaching in the Aftermath of the Presidential Election
Four teachers explain how they are handling this year's presidential election in their classrooms.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 22, 2020
16 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Social Studies Opinion Post-Election Teaching Strategies
Four teachers share suggestions for post-election lessons, including focusing on local issues and practicing media literacy.

Larry Ferlazzo, November 19, 2020
15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology Opinion 'Online Learning as a Student Has Been ... Hell on Earth'
Four students write about their online learning experiences, and it's not a pretty picture....
Larry Ferlazzo, November 19, 2020
8 min read
Teaching Opinion Distance Learning 'Has Been OK, I Guess': Students Share About This Year's Experiences
Four high school students write about their distance learning experiences this year, sharing mixed feelings, including liking not having to wake up early but also suffering from eye strain.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 17, 2020
8 min read
Teaching Opinion Give Students Choice When It's Time to Read
Three educator contributors, and several readers, share strategies for encouraging students to read, including offering choice and time in class.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 17, 2020
12 min read
Teaching Opinion Encourage Students 'to See Reading as a Relational Experience'
Three educators offer classroom ideas for encouraging student intrinsic motivation to read, including through book choice and opportunities for discussion with their peers.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 16, 2020
10 min read
Teaching Opinion 22 Strategies for Encouraging Students' Intrinsic Motivation to Read
Four educators share strategies for encouraging students to WANT to read, including by illustrating that it makes them smarter and that it makes them better writers.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 13, 2020
11 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Allow Time for Children to Read Whatever They Want'
Four educators share ideas for how teachers can create the conditions in which students are more intrinsically motivated to read, such as eliminating rewards and ensuring that students are represented in accessible books.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 12, 2020
13 min read
Teaching Opinion Teachers Share This Year's Best Classroom Moments So Far
Many educators, including me, share their best classroom moments so far this year, including a Halloween costume unveiling and virtual visits from poets.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 11, 2020
11 min read
Teaching Opinion Teacher-Recommended Tools for Online Learning
Four teachers offer several suggestions for online tools to promote interactive learning, and many others offer readers' comments about their favorites.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 9, 2020
14 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion 10 Favorite Online Teaching Tools Used by Educators This Year
Three other teachers and I share our favorite online tools to use during this unusual year.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 8, 2020
11 min read
Teaching Opinion 12 Common Mistakes Made by Teachers of English-Language Learners
Don't assume students who are paying attention understand what's being taught and, especially for young children, support learning in their home language. Those are among the ideas six educators share for helping ELLs.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 3, 2020
17 min read