"Your Brain on Fiction"

Since I have been promoting more non-fiction exposure for students, particularly in K-8, it was fun to read this article about the role fiction plays in our growth.  Remember all those easy books we read out loud to our children and students!  Some they knew by heart and we did too!  The article cites studies that show the relationship between identifying with fictional characters and the development of empathy, specifically 'theory of mind.'  Seems like a balanced literary diet is called for!

Responsive teaching

Remember that the teacher learns the most - so make the students teach.  Model how they can sit - side by side, facing opposite direction.  One reads and explains and then the other.  Paired students can do this and you can too! Students will love having their turn with you.  This works very effectively with content areas such as Social Studies and Science.