Writing for Classroom Notes Plus 

Classroom Notes Plus, NCTE's quarterly newsletter of practical teaching ideas for the middle and secondary school level, invites descriptions of teaching practices for consideration. We ask that submissions be original and previously unpublished and, in the case of an adapted idea, that you clearly identify any sources that deserve mention. Please be aware that any student work needs to be accompanied by statements of consent by the student and his or her parents.

How to Submit

Send submissions to Classroom Notes Plus, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801 or e-mail to . For more information, e-mail inquiries to or call the Publications Developer at NCTE Headquarters: 1-800-369-6283, ext. 3648.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions selected for publication in Classroom Notes Plus follow these general criteria:

Focus

* portrays an activity, lesson, or unit for teaching the English language arts at the middle, junior high, and secondary level.

* portrays sound pedagogical principles and NCTE positions on teaching and learning, such as those described in:

NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/standards

NCTE Principles of Adolescent Literacy Reform
http://www.ncte.org/library/files/About_NCTE/Overview/Adol-Lit-Brief.pdf

NCTE Position Paper on the Role of English Teachers in Educating English Language Learners (ELLs)
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/lang/124545.htm

The NCTE Beliefs about the Teaching of Writing
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/write/118876.htm

Framing Statements on Assessment
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/assess/118875.htm

Multi-Modal Literacies
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/media/123213.htm

* presents and illustrates scaffolding techniques that teachers use to help students at all ability levels

* clearly describes the goals and learning benefits of the activity, and includes specific details and examples to illustrate what happens in the classroom and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the activity  

* clearly describes the preparation needed, the materials required, the timeline, and the steps for carrying out the activity.

* includes references to how technology is used to support the lesson, as appropriate, as well as to related (noncommercial) Web and Internet resources used by the teacher and students to support the lesson 

Audience and Voice

* is written in the teacher's voice, for an audience of other teachers

* is intended for teachers at the middle school and secondary level and is adaptable across grade levels, as well as for students of varying levels of ability.

Format

* is between 1000 and 3000 words in length, not including handouts or graphics

* includes reproducible handouts related to the article, as appropriate, which will be used as space allows

* includes brief samples and/or photographs (in print or high-resolution digital format) of students' work to illustrate the outcomes of the activity, which will be reproduced as space allows. Note that where students are referred to, or where brief passages from student work are included, student names must be changed; where whole examples of students' writings are included, authors must obtain written consents from the student and the student's parent or guardian. 

* must not include any copyrighted materials, and must include full citations for passages excerpted from or ideas adapted from other works. Also, must not promote commercial products or services, and must only use references to such if and when essential to the lesson.

Publication Procedures 

Receipt of each Classroom Notes Plus submission is acknowledged by e-mail or postcard, but acknowledgement does not guarantee publication. Contributors should keep a copy, as we are unable to return manuscripts.

All teaching ideas under consideration for publication are submitted to blind review by two to four outside reviewers. Following the review process, the NCTE Publications Developer reviews the feedback and contacts the author as to whether the submission is accepted, declined, or held for consideration pending further revisions. Where possible, NCTE contacts contributors with a status update about the submission within two to four months of the receipt of the manuscript. 

NCTE reserves the right to edit submissions for length, style, and format considerations.