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.

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Teaching Opinion 'Fair Is Not Equal'
Educators discuss the difference between treating students "fairly" and "equally."
Larry Ferlazzo, November 17, 2019
21 min read
Education Opinion What Is the Difference Between Treating Students 'Fairly' & 'Equally'?
The new question-of-the-week is: What is the difference between treating students "fairly" and treating them "equally"? What are some examples of how that looks in the classroom?
Larry Ferlazzo, November 14, 2019
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Start With the Content & Not With the Tech
Danielle Herro, Blake Harvard, Michael D. Toth, Michael Fisher, and Kenneth Tam wrap up this three-part series on using technology with students.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 13, 2019
20 min read
Teaching Opinion Ways to Use Tech in the Classroom
Jayme Linton, Eric Sheninger, Cindy Garcia, Suzanne Lucas, Ari Flewelling, Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Dr. Carolyn Brown, and Dr. Jerry Zimmermann contribute their ideas on how to use ed tech.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 12, 2019
25 min read
Teaching Opinion Technology 'Doesn't Replace Good Teaching'
Anne Jenks, Michelle Shory, Ed.S, Irina V. McGrath, Ph.D, Kim Jaxon, Dr. Beth Gotcher, Elizabeth Stringer Keefe, Ph.D., and Keisha Rembert share their suggestions for using tech effectively in class.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 10, 2019
22 min read
Education Opinion What Guidelines Should We Apply When Using Tech in the Classroom?
The new "question-of-the-week" is: What are helpful guidelines to keep in mind when using tech in the classroom?
Larry Ferlazzo, November 6, 2019
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Students Should Not Believe a Grade 'Defines Who They Currently Are'
A three-part series on how to handle grading is "wrapped up" today with commentaries by Dennis Griffin Jr, Scott Wurdinger, and Douglas Reeves.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 5, 2019
9 min read
Teaching Opinion Teachers Can Implement 'Equitable Grading'
Joe Feldman, Julia Thompson, Madeline Whitaker Good, and Andrew Sharos share their ideas on how teachers can handle grading student work.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 4, 2019
15 min read
Teaching Opinion Grades Should Be a 'Feedback Tool'
Alfonso (Al) Gonzalez, Cathy Vatterott, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, and Cindy Garcia "kick off" a three-part series on best grading practices.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 3, 2019
11 min read
Education Opinion What Are Your Best Recommendations for How to Handle Grading?
The new question-of-the-week is: What are your best recommendations for how to handle grading?
Larry Ferlazzo, October 30, 2019
1 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Building Student Engagement Begins With Community & Relationships'
Paula Mellom, Rebecca Hixon, Jodi Weber, Dr. PJ Caposey, Blake Harvard, Katie White, Michael Fisher, and Meena Srinivasan discuss how to best promote student engagement.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 30, 2019
21 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Student Engagement Means Connectedness'
Today's commentaries on student engagement are offered by Cheryl Abla, Jessica Garza, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, Michelle Shory, Irina V. McGrath, Cindy Garcia, Kim Morrison, and Ann Mausbach.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 28, 2019
20 min read
Teaching Opinion Ways to Promote Student Engagement
Kathy Dyer, Sarah Said, Samantha Cortez, Cathy Beck, Danny Weeks, Dr. Beth Gotcher, Madeline Whitaker Good, and Elizabeth Stringer Keefe, Ph.D., help answer questions about student engagement.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 28, 2019
22 min read
Education Opinion What Does Student Engagement Look Like?
The new question-of-the-week is: What does "student engagement" mean, and what can we do to promote it in our classrooms?
Larry Ferlazzo, October 24, 2019
1 min read