Literacy Archives - Spencer Education

Jul 08 2024

Carl Azuz on Media Literacy and Journalism in Age of Machine Learning

By John Spencer Literacy, Podcast, Technology and Media Literacy No Comments

In my latest podcast episode, I talk to Carl Azuz, who shares insights into media literacy and current events within the K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on…

Apr 03 2024

Rethinking Information Literacy in an Age of AI

By John Spencer Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Literacy, Podcast 2 Comments

Terms like "game-changing" and "disruptive" have become cliche in technology circles. As educators, we've seen the hype of 1:1 devices, paperless classrooms, interactive whiteboards, and a host of different education fads. However, AI feels different. We are living in a cultural moment where generative AI…

Dec 06 2021

Ending the Semester with a Student Blogging Project

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 10 Comments

December is exhausting for teachers. The days are shorter. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious — whether it’s a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in homes that are unsafe…

May 04 2021

Geek Out Projects: My Approach to Genius Hour and 20% Time in the Language Arts Classroom

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 8 Comments

There are so many different ways we can empower students to own the learning; from owning the assessment process to doing choice menus and choice boards to having students engage in project-based learning. In this article, we explore how Geek Out Blogs allow students to…

Apr 12 2021

Clement Townsend on How Video Journalism Can Empower Students with Voice and Choice

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Literacy, Podcast 2 Comments

In this podcast episode, I interview Clement Townsend about the importance of journalism and multimedia composition in the classroom. Clement Townsend has valuable real-world experience in journalism as well as teaching and mentoring experience at the K-12 level. In this episode, he shares practical insights…

Mar 23 2020

I’m Releasing a Free Audio Book for Middle Grade Students

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast 35 Comments

Before getting started, I just want to point out that teachers have been amazing over the last few weeks. I've watched entire districts mobilize to provide online and long-distance instruction while also providing a safe way for kids to get breakfast and lunch. Someone tweeted…

Mar 25 2019

Get a Free PowerPoint with 100 Writing Prompts for Middle School

By John Spencer Literacy 41 Comments

Over 100 visual and video writing prompts for grades 6-8. Here's a one-minute preview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAvxvI3UIN8 One of the best aspects of being a teacher is watching students go from saying, "I hate writing," to being so passionate about writing that they refuse to stop…

Dec 10 2018

10 Teacher-Tested Strategies to Engage Reluctant Writers

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast 11 Comments

A few years ago, my son opened a Google Document and started typing. I asked him about it and his eyes lit up as he described the shared story he was writing with classmates. This was the first day of summer break but he was…

May 16 2016

Believe It Or Not, Kindergartners Can Do Research

By John Spencer Literacy 5 Comments

When my oldest son was five, he asked me whether the leaves were falling because the air was getting colder or because the sun was setting earlier. We gathered leaves. We conducted experiments. We looked at maps of leaves and sunlight and temperature. He wasn't…

Apr 12 2016

Why Students Should Learn Copywriting

By John Spencer Literacy 4 Comments

I never learned how to write copy in school. In fact, even after taking a ton (yes, we weigh them in tonnage) of literature and humanities classes, I somehow graduated from college without knowing the term "copy writing." To be fair, I went to Arizona…

Dr. John Spencer

As a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor and best-selling author, I’m a big believer in empowering students (and teachers) through the power of creativity. Whether you sign up for one of my online courses, enroll in one of my cohorts or invite me to spend time with your staff, I promise you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and new ideas to transform your classroom.

Literacy

Carl Azuz on Media Literacy and Journalism in Age of Machine Learning

Rethinking Information Literacy in an Age of AI

Ending the Semester with a Student Blogging Project

Geek Out Projects: My Approach to Genius Hour and 20% Time in the Language Arts Classroom

Clement Townsend on How Video Journalism Can Empower Students with Voice and Choice

I’m Releasing a Free Audio Book for Middle Grade Students

Get a Free PowerPoint with 100 Writing Prompts for Middle School

10 Teacher-Tested Strategies to Engage Reluctant Writers

Believe It Or Not, Kindergartners Can Do Research

Why Students Should Learn Copywriting

Dr. John Spencer

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