Student Learning
Explore our blogs and resources that help support teachers in planning out their lessons.
Our student blogs help guide teachers in finding approaches to teaching middle school and beyond.
Middle school years are a pivotal time for students. As they begin to navigate more challenging academics and the social complexities of adolescence, a supportive, resource-rich classroom environment can make all the difference.
Teachers play a vital role in providing students with the tools and guidance they need to succeed, both academically and personally. Here are some effective ways teachers can support their students in middle school and beyond, along with resources that can enhance learning, boost engagement, and foster personal growth.
1. Creating a Positive and Inclusive Classroom Culture
A supportive classroom begins with a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity. Teachers can set the tone by celebrating diversity, fostering open discussions, and encouraging students to appreciate each other’s unique strengths.
Resource Suggestion:
- SEL Guides: Our mental health guides offer social-emotional learning resources that help students build positive relationships, improve communication, and understand their emotions. It’s ideal for middle school classrooms aiming to develop empathy and teamwork.
2. Using Formative Assessments to Guide Learning
Formative assessments give teachers insights into student progress, helping them tailor instruction to meet individual needs. Simple quizzes, reflective journals, and peer reviews can provide valuable information on where students are excelling and where they need more support.
Resource Suggestion:
- Infographics and Videos: Our resources and video guides on assessments for various subjects, allows teachers to track student progress in real time and adjust their teaching accordingly.
3. Integrating Technology for Engaging Lessons
Incorporating technology can enhance learning by making lessons more interactive and relevant. Educational tools, apps, and games not only make learning fun but also allow students to practice concepts independently and at their own pace.
Resource Suggestion:
- EdTech Tools for the Classroom: Visit our list of popular edtech tools teachers should be using in the classroom. One example, we recommend, but are not affiliated with, is Khan Academy! Known for its extensive library of free video lessons and practice exercises in subjects like math, science, and language arts, Khan Academy helps students grasp concepts at their own pace.
4. Encouraging Organizational and Study Skills
As students take on more responsibility, organizational and study skills become essential for academic success. Teaching students how to manage their time, organize materials, and develop effective study habits sets them up for long-term success.
Resource Suggestion:
- EdTech Tools for Quizzes: Edtech tools, like Quizlet, helps students study and retain information through flashcards, quizzes, and games. Teachers can create study sets tailored to their curriculum, making it easy for students to review key concepts.
5. Supporting Emotional and Mental Well-being
Middle school students face a range of emotional and mental health challenges. Teachers can provide support by fostering an open environment, offering resources for managing stress, and encouraging students to seek help when needed.
Resource Suggestion:
- Mindfulness Resources: Our resources help provide training for teachers to incorporate mindfulness practices in the classroom, helping students reduce stress, improve focus, and build resilience.
6. Building Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking is an essential skill for problem-solving and decision-making. Teachers can encourage critical thinking through group discussions, debates, and real-world applications that allow students to question, analyze, and interpret information.
Resource Suggestion:
- Critical Thinking Resources: Our infographic and video resources to help students think critically about the world around us both inside and outside the classroom, fostering empathy and ethical decision-making.
7. Offering Project-Based Learning Opportunities
Project-based learning (PBL) engages students in meaningful, real-world challenges that build academic skills and life competencies. PBL encourages creativity, teamwork, and practical application of knowledge, helping students connect classroom learning to the wider world.
Resource Suggestion:
- Our Group Work Resources: Our resources offers ready to use resources for designing and implementing project-based learning, including worksheets, group presentations, and access to a wealth of Earth day projects.
8. Providing Resources for Test Preparation and Study Skills
Preparing for exams and developing study skills is important for middle school and high school students alike. By giving students strategies for tackling standardized tests and classroom exams, teachers can reduce test anxiety and improve student confidence.
Resource Suggestion:
- Our Test Preparation Resources: Our test prep resources offer study materials for test prep, including TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and digital SAT practice, which can be beneficial for students as they prepare for high school and college.
9. Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Instilling a growth mindset helps students see effort as a path to improvement. Teachers can model resilience, encourage students to take risks, and celebrate progress over perfection.
Resource Suggestion:
- Presentation Guidelines: Our guides for oral presentations help both students and teachers to foster a growth mindset in the classroom, empowering students to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes.
10. Creating a Resourceful Classroom Environment
A well-stocked classroom with access to a variety of resources—books, online tools, manipulatives, and visual aids—gives students the opportunity to explore and discover on their own. Teachers can encourage resourcefulness by guiding students to utilize these tools for self-directed learning.
Resource Suggestion:
- Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT): TPT is a marketplace where educators can find worksheets, lesson plans, and activities for all subjects, often created by fellow teachers. Follow us on TpT and get access to a wide variety of resources in maths, science, and English language arts!
Let’s explore more of our blog posts that connect to our student blogs.
Highlighted Posts
Math Oral Presentation Rubrics
52 shares Enhancing Math Communication: The Benefits of Using Oral Presentation Rubrics in the Math Classroom Using math oral presentation rubrics can add many benefits to communicating understanding of math in the classroom. In the world of math education, oral presentations may not immediately come to mind, but they play an essential role in helping…
ELA Oral Presentation Rubrics for the Classroom
An oral presentations rubric for the English Language Arts (ELA) classroom is a vital tool for students, but they can be challenging to master. Teachers play a crucial role in guiding students on how to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and one of the most effective tools to support this learning process is a presentation…
Mental Health Resources for Teens
Supporting Mental Health in Teens In this article, we showcase our mental health resources for teens that aim to inspire these students to make informed and good choices when it comes to protecting their mental health in school and beyond.
Presentation Rubrics and The Science Classroom
The Benefits of Using Presentation Rubrics in the Science Classroom Science presentations rubrics provide structure and clarity, ensuring that both teachers and students benefit from the presentation process. However, assessing presentations can be challenging due to the subjective nature of evaluating student performance.
Teaching Punctuation Rules in the ESL Classsroom
Teaching punctuation rules in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom comes down to reinforcing that punctuation connects to the emotions we share when writing stories, plays, or anything for people to enjoy.
SEL Guide on How Emotions Affect Learning
Helping Students Overcome Negative Emotions How emotions affect learning is an important topic when it comes to helping students close gaps and find success with their learning. Learning is not just about book learning; it is full of emotions. Whether students are filled with excitement or anxiety when they sit down to learn, their emotional…
It is important that students become aware of their learning goals if they want to begin to improve their grades in school. Students who have a clear vision of what they want to achieve in each class will find it easier to work towards achieving those goals.
Our Student Blogs & Math Learning Strategies
How can students improve their math learning strategies to achieve the grades they want in school? Students who understand the reasons for learning can begin with a proper mindset towards what they are learning, because they focus on how they will learn, whatever subject is in front of them. How do students learn best? By appreciating, understanding, and communicating what they are expected to learn.
When approached with the right tips and strategies, subjects such as math, can still result in an enjoyable learning experience. Our math blogs are meant to help with understanding the steps to improving math skills, along with dealing with emotions when it comes to learning maths.
Must Have Student Resources!
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By using these resources and approaches, teachers can provide students with an educational experience that goes beyond textbooks and tests, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive. Whether it’s integrating technology, encouraging critical thinking, or supporting emotional well-being, these resources can play a key role in nurturing a positive and effective learning environment for middle schoolers and beyond.
Get ready for the classroom with these “must have” items to allow for a more enjoyable classroom experience.
English Language Blogs
Subjects such as language arts require understanding foundational skills. Learning which skills build on the other in language learning can greatly improve the learning experience.
Our English language blogs are meant to help with understanding the steps to improving language skills.
One key challenge with being in the online classroom is attention span. Staring at a screen all day is something students find bothersome. Read on to learn more about tips and strategies from The ETI Academy that can help make learning online more successful for both teachers and students.
Test Preparation Blogs for ESL Students
When approached with the right tips and strategies, subjects such as math, can still result in an enjoyable learning experience.
Visit our educational learning channel and watch videos on how to solve math problems, sample math lessons, and support strategies we offer for learning math either in the traditional classroom or in the online classroom.
Looking for a good source to prepare for popular standardized tests such as the SAT or TOEFL iBT? Consider using PrepScholar to help with preparation strategies to help improve your scores on these tests and get into the college of your dreams. Click here to start your journey to success with PrepScholar!
Educational Newsletters
Educational newsletters make learning fun and easy for students, teachers, and homeschooling parents by providing useful information to use inside and outside the classroom. No need to reinvent the wheel when there are great resources to help facilitate learning.
Click to learn more about the newsletters offered by the ETI Academy.
Related Topics
- Discover My ETI Academy | Time-Saving Resources in Education
- Teacher Blogs: The Secrets Behind Teaching Any Subject
- English Language Resources for Teachers
- Tools to Teach Mental Health Topics in Education
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