This study explored the educational potential of Minecraft, which has been widely used since its first release in 2009. Articles about Minecraft were searched for in ProQuest. Data were gathered from 28 articles that were indicative of three categories: integration into curriculum; student engagement, interest, and enthusiasm; and knowledge and…

School district central offices make consequential decisions about teaching and learning every day that impact the educational opportunities and outcomes for millions of students in our nation's public schools. Given the consequential nature of these decisions, it is important that district leaders use the highest quality research, alongside other…

In many states, college and career-ready standards for mathematics and English language arts (ELA) are more rigorous than ever before. However, research suggests that teachers do not always have access to high-quality curricula that reflect key elements of states' college and career-ready standards. Influenced by this research, as well as studies…

This brief provides a summary of the validity of Istation ISIP Early Reading scores in predicting students' performance levels on the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in English language arts (ELA). This correlational study analyzed how well third grade students' winter performance on the ISIP Early Reading test predicted their spring…

An inservice training session triggered a crisis of confidence for the author, a veteran teacher, but it also inspired the author to rethink their approach to teaching reading and writing. While the author attended a conference, the state presenter explained that the new curriculum represents "shifts" in philosophy about teaching…

The science of artificial intelligence, or AI, is leaping ahead as more resources are focused on its promise. In this article, the authors discuss the ways in which we have explored significant, critical questions about AI in a college literature course through reading young adult (YA) novels. Although it's improving, AI or machine intelligence is…

Since "English Journal's" (EJ's) founding in 1912, contributors have asked how literature shapes students' ethics, or morals. Ethics, on this account, is about people's ways of imagining and leading good lives. EJ authors explore how reading literature can help students see themselves and the wider world in light of visions of the good…

The field is generally aware of summer learning loss (SLL)--that student learning slows during the summer. Yet surprisingly little consensus exists on basic questions about SLL, especially given recent concerns about measurement artifacts in foundational SLL studies. Nearly all prior SLL work examines how summers contribute to racial/ethnic or…

In this article, the authors present a qualitative study focused on preservice teachers employing a framework using tenets of critical race theory (CRT)--permanence of racism, experiential knowledge and counter-storytelling, interest convergence, and critique of liberalism--in literature study. Drawing on critical English education, critical race…

There has been growing evidence suggesting that collaboration between content teachers and English as a second language (ESL) teachers is crucial for multilingual learners' (MLLs) equitable learning experiences. What is lacking is more nuanced analyses of teacher collaboration in the classroom context. This article reports on the findings of a…

The Lucy Calkins' Reading Units of Study is a literacy curriculum for students in grades K-8. The curriculum has proven to be advantageous for elementary students who have strong reading skills and a broad vocabulary. However, some scholars argue that the curriculum does not meet the needs of students who lack a strong foundation in reading. What…

There is currently much conversation on the issue of the achievement gap as scholars, politicians, and educational leaders continue to grapple with educational inequity and underperformance of students in urban neighborhoods who are mostly Black and Latinx as compared with higher performing students, mostly white, in suburban neighborhoods. This…

In the study of focus in this paper, I analyze the curricular experiences of fifth- through eighth-grade culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) Latina learners in their English Language Arts (ELA) dual language gifted and talented education (GATE) program. This research aims to understand the curricular experiences of CLD students…

Black students and their linguistic resources are undervalued, disdained, disrespected, and disregarded in language arts classrooms. Not only is Black Language often ignored in English language arts instruction, but language more generally remains largely hidden within elementary ELA. Elementary ELA educators are tasked with teaching a vast array…

In this story collected and shared as part of the OurStoryBridge online short-form oral history project from the Tremonton City Library in Tremonton, Utah, Parry recalls learning Shoshone history and culture from stories that his grandmother, Mae Timbimboo, told him. Parry recounts his excitement in elementary school when he heard that Shoshone…