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.
Teaching
Opinion
'The Problem With Kindness': SEL & the Death of George Floyd
Suggestions in the face of George Floyd's death, among them, going beyond social-emotional-learning skills and "know and teach the history of race."
Teaching
Opinion
Six Truths About Racism That White Teachers Must Know
Two educators challenge White teachers to confront "hard truths," including recognizing the role of White privilege and acknowledging their own biases.
Teaching
Opinion
'Educators Must Realize That There Is No Neutral Position on Issues of Racial Justice'
Three educators offer lessons teachers can learn from the death of George Floyd, such as neutrality has no place in the struggle for racial justice and White educators must stop expecting their colleagues of color to do the "heavy lifting."
Teaching
Opinion
'Advice for the Newly Woke White Teachers on Teaching Black Children'
Two educators offer advice to White teachers, including learning more about restorative practices and focusing on their actions, not their intentions.
Teaching
Opinion
What Educators Should—and Should Not Do—in Response to George Floyd's Death
Two educators offer suggestions on what to do—and not do—in the wake of George Floyd's death, such as learning about the legacy of racism before taking action and not just limiting actions to empty messages of support.
Teaching
Opinion
What Teachers Should Learn From the Death of George Floyd
Two teachers reflect and communicate about what they think educators should learn from the death of George Floyd, including the importance of being anti-racist and challenging White teachers to acknowledge their implicit biases.
Teaching
Opinion
Question 'Structures' & 'Privilege' When Making Fall Reopening Plans
Two educators envision what the fall might look like for schools and specifically call on them to include the voices of all community members in deciding on equitable practices.
Education
Opinion
Fall Is a 'Tremendous Opportunity to Reimagine School'
Four educators share their visions of what the fall could (or should) look like in schools, including emphasizing social-emotional learning and taking the opportunity to focus on anti-racist education.
Teaching
Opinion
Responses to 'Why Do I Have to Learn This?'
Five educators describe how they help students see the relevancy of lessons, including through the use of empathy and analogies.
Teaching
Opinion
Adding Relevance to Instruction
Seven educators write about ways they have injected relevance into their lessons, ranging from applying culturally responsive instruction to inviting students to be "co-teachers."
Teaching
Opinion
Ways to Make Lessons 'Relevant' to Students' Lives
Six educators share strategies for making lessons directly relevant to students' lives, including by building relationships.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Spreading 'Poetry Love' in the Classroom
Nine educators share instructional strategies they use to teach poetry, including through read-alouds and through studying and writing odes.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Teaching Poetry in 'Playful' Ways
Four educators share multiple ways to teach poetry, including by modeling and by mimic writing, so that students can enjoy and appreciate the literary form.
Teaching
Opinion
Videos: Student-Motivation Tips for Remote Learning
I share two videos that highlight how to use the concepts of "autonomy, competence, relatedness and relevance" to encourage student intrinsic motivation in remote learning.