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.

Education Opinion What Activities or Lessons Are You Doing With Students to End This Crazy Year?
The upcoming question-of-the-week is: What activities or lessons are you doing with students to end this crazy year?
Larry Ferlazzo, May 10, 2020
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Science Instruction in the Age of the Coronavirus
Four science educators share their experiences adapting to online instruction, including through collaborative learning and the use of online labs.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 10, 2020
15 min read
Teaching Opinion 'I Am Doing My Best': Teaching Math During the School Closure Crisis
Four teachers offer remote teaching tips for math instruction, including recognizing that nothing they do is going to be anywhere near "perfect."
Larry Ferlazzo, May 9, 2020
15 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Less Is More' in Math Distance Learning
Four math educators offer advice about remote instruction, including providing more specific targets and cultivating home connections.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 8, 2020
14 min read
Teaching Opinion How to Assess Students' Math Skills Remotely
Two math educators discuss how they are communicating student performance during the school closure crisis, as well as how they are taking care of themselves.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 8, 2020
9 min read
Teaching Opinion Student: Online Learning Is 'Stressful and Irritating'
Four students—from California, Minnesota, and France—discuss their varying experiences with online learning, including their pros and cons.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 7, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Math Instruction in the Age of the Coronavirus
Two math educators share how they design their remote teaching math lessons and what they typically look like in practice.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 7, 2020
11 min read
Teaching Opinion Students Reflect on Their Distance Learning Experiences
Six students, from the ages of 7 to 17, share their thoughts about online learning—both the good and the bad.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 6, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion What We've Learned From 30 Days of Distance Learning
Five educators write about the lessons they have learned after a month of distance learning, among them, a renewed emphasis on the importance of relationships and connections.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 5, 2020
18 min read
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Classroom Technology Opinion 'My Online Learning Experience as a Student Is Not So Good'
High school students reveal what they like and don't like about remote learning, and whether they prefer it.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 5, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Five Ways to Differentiate Instruction in an Online Environment
Examples from two educators include giving students the time to take physical breaks as well as pausing academic presentations to give students time to think.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 4, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Seven Ways to Support ELLs in Online Content Classes
I offer seven suggestions of how to help English-learners when doing remote teaching, including by providing graphic organizers and models.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 3, 2020
4 min read
Teaching Opinion Black Students Need Love Shown Through Action Right Now
Shannon R. Waite, Ed.D., writes that Black students need to be shown love during the pandemic, and that love should be demonstrated through developing "a critical consciousness in teachers and administrators."
Larry Ferlazzo, May 2, 2020
7 min read
Teaching Opinion Six Weeks Into Remote Teaching & Still Learning ...
Four teachers—from 2nd grade to high school—discuss what they've learned over the past six weeks of remote teaching, including the need to provide less work and more support to their students.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 1, 2020
13 min read