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.

Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
English Learners Opinion English Learners May Feel Under Attack. Teachers Can Help Ease Their Fear
In a hostile political climate, teachers can best help their students by maintaining familiar routines.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 25, 2025
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7 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion How Teachers Can Judge the Credibility of Research
As a teacher, your time is limited. Don't waste it on programs that only serve the interest of the companies selling them.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 21, 2025
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7 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Education Leaders Share Their Ideas for Handling Political Uncertainty
If you lead long enough, chaos will find you. Here's how to manage it.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 13, 2025
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8 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Let Us 'Talk Openly': What Students Want Right Now
Fearful, students explain that they want educators to help them understand what's going on.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 7, 2025
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7 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion What Teachers Should Know About Education Research
"Evidence-based" is the key piece of research in education. But what does that mean?
Larry Ferlazzo, March 4, 2025
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6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Zaretta Hammond: 6 Ways to Uphold Culturally Responsive Teaching
Go beyond performative acts of equity and focus on strengthening the instructional core of every child, the teacher educator advises.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 28, 2025
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion 'Fire Everywhere.' How to Find Joy in Teaching Right Now
There has never been a more critical time to teach students the power of words.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 25, 2025
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion 5 Strategies for Teaching Social Studies in Turbulent Times
Giving students the chance to “tug” at current events enables them to explore the historical roots of contemporary issues.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 21, 2025
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7 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Opinion Teaching Media Literacy in an Era Awash With Misinformation
Conversations reveal how different student interpretations are from teachers' and can guide instruction.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 20, 2025
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Federal Opinion Education Research Is in the Trump Administration's Cross Hairs
DOGE took a "chainsaw" to the Ed. Dept's grant programs. Morgan Polikoff has four suggestions for his research colleagues.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 13, 2025
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5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Opinion Want to Retain Teachers? Try These Strategies
Better money is a solid first step. But teachers need to be treated as professionals if they are to stay.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 12, 2025
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12 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Opinion Culturally Responsive Teaching Is Misunderstood. How to Correct That
Nearly 30 years have passed since scholars identified this instructional approach, yet educators still struggle to execute it.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 7, 2025
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11 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion Wondering How to Deal With AI in Your Classroom? Try These Ideas
Technology tools aren’t magic. Consider whether they will support what you're trying to do in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 5, 2025
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6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Trump’s Executive Orders Are Coming Fast. Here’s What Teachers Can Do
Here are steps teachers can take to help students in the face of the president's executive orders.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 29, 2025
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4 min read
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