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.

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
Teaching Opinion Assessing the Needs of Black Students During the Coronavirus Crisis
Jamila Lyiscott, Ph.D., writes about the challenges facing Black students before and during the Coronavirus crisis and how schools must invite them to help identify their own needs.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 30, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Teacher Reflections After a Month of Distance Learning
Four educators offer their reflections after a month of distance learning, including the importance of showing grace to students and ourselves and reaching out to parents.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 29, 2020
12 min read
Teaching Opinion 'We Do the Best We Can': Lessons From Six Weeks of Remote Teaching
Four educators share lessons from six weeks of remote teaching, including the importance of communication and community and what they've changed in that time.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 28, 2020
16 min read
Teaching Opinion Four Ways to Support African American Students Through the COVID-19 Emergency
Educator Adeyemi Stembridge, Ph.D., shares strategies to bolster African American students during our present emergency, such as inviting them to share their stories and their art.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 27, 2020
8 min read
Education Opinion Visualization of 'Tips for Remote Teaching With ELL Students'
Teacher Wendi Pillars shares a visual illustration of the points made in Larry Ferlazzo's video, "Tips for Remote Teaching With ELL Students."
Larry Ferlazzo, April 26, 2020
1 min read
Education Opinion Encouraging Student Engagement in Remote Learning
Teacher David Sherrin discusses ideas on how to motivate students in distance teaching and learning and shares some online resources he has created for his classes.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 24, 2020
7 min read
Education Opinion Spanish-Language Visualization: '7 Tips for Parents Supporting Remote Learning'
Educators Wendi Pillars and Xatli Stox collaborate to create a Spanish-language version of Wendi's original visualization of "7 Tips For Parents Supporting Remote Learning."
Larry Ferlazzo, April 23, 2020
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Supporting African American Students During the School Closure Crisis
Two educators describe how schools can directly respond to the needs of African American students during the COVID-19 crisis, including by regularly contacting their homes and developing a student-centered curriculum.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 23, 2020
11 min read
Reading & Literacy Opinion Six Ways to Teach Poetry
Five teachers share strategies for teaching poetry, including by using a "Poem of the Week" to promote social justice and by using photos to prompt student engagement.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 22, 2020
15 min read
Education Opinion Video: 'Tips for Remote Teaching With ELL Students'
Larry Ferlazzo continues with his video series offering advice on dealing with the school closure crisis. In this one, he provides suggestions to teachers of English-language learners, including developing a student-driven curriculum and creating opportunities for one-to-one conversations.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 22, 2020
1 min read