English language learners can be found in almost every public school across America. There are many different programs and models for these students to learn and acquire their new language of instruction. If there is a freestanding ESL (English as a second language) program at the school, then the English teacher has implemented either push-in, […]
Claire McMahon
"Knowledge indeed is a desirable, a lovely possession." Thomas Jefferson
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Project Based Learning: Giving Up Control
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] When I hear people mention project based learning I think of releasing control. Teachers tend to prefer being in control. It makes me think of when a child is learning to […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, High School
Trick or Treat! Tolerance in Public Schools
Halloween. That holiday that some teacher simultaneously dread and look forward to. Some schools make a big deal of Halloween with parades and costumes of any kind. Some schools make restrictions on costumes and allow only positive and happy costumes like princesses and baseball players. Other schools try to keep it academic by only allowing […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Teaching Writing to English Language Learners
An English as a second language student will need extra guidance and encouragement to write. Depending on the various stages of English acquisition in your classroom and the grade you teach depends on how you ask for a writing piece and what you can expect the student work to look like. These are some general […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, Social Studies
I Am a History Major- And I'm Okay With That.
Just recently I received a survey from my alma matter asking me to rate the department for my major. My major is not always a popular one, and one that had more boys than girls in it(which was a big deal at my school). I was a history major. The usual reaction I get from […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
What’s an ESL Teacher Anyway?
Every year when I get my test data and begin to form groups and create a schedule, I come across at least one classroom teacher that has an issue with me. I feel that the issues come up because of ignorance. Ignorance of what an ESL teacher does all day, why we help more than […]
Posted inFeatured
The Danielson Framework for Teacher Evaluations
And so begins another school year and, with it, even more new guidelines on teacher evaluations. New York State has adopted the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching. Teachers have returned from summer break and have been told that this will be the new standard for evaluating teachers. For the first time last year, students in […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, How to Fix Education, Uncategorized
NYC Mayoral Election and Education
This is an important year for all New York City Public School teachers. The Bloomberg Era of being unable to work with the teacher’s union is finally coming to a close. Because New York City is one of the largest public school systems in the country, the new policies rolled out by the new mayor […]