This article gives a brief overview of vocabulary development and then offers many different instructional strategies to teach vocabulary in the classroom. Strategies include interactive word walls, word mapping, and self-selected vocabulary among many others.
Learning and memory specialist Marilee Sprenger writes about vocabulary critical to the Common Core and offers 11 strategies for helping students learn it.
Short article with different motivation techniques for students who don't seem to care about completing work. Includes 5 techniques, such as create challenges that students can master, that are easy to implement.
A scholastic article with many different ways to motivate middle school students. This article discusses whole school motivators as well as classroom motivation techniques. A quick read with many good techniques.