Last year, I began an interactive notebook in my math class after a lot of thought about the process. I had already begun the school year and didn’t want to change up how I did things but wound up deciding midway through the year to begin interactive notebooks. In the end, the decision to start the […]
Posted inTeacher Leaders
Teaching Outside Your Classroom
In my last article “Teaching Class (with Class),” I explored the varied definitions of class: one a group of students we teach, another a way to uphold one’s self with students (and the public, in general). This week, we’re going to explore methods on how to move the public pendulum outside of school with these […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Math Standards in Middle School
I taught middle school math for 30 years. During my career I used many different types of math standards. These standards included school district standards, NCTM standards, a new set of district standards, textbook “programs,” and finally the Pennsylvania state standards. The PA standards very closely resemble the current Common Core standards with one exception. […]
Posted inFeatured
23 Times I have Questioned My Sanity While Teaching
People go above and beyond for their jobs every day, but I am willing to bet teachers are the BEST at doing absolutely EVERYTHING they possibly can to make to make their jobs work. Sometimes we may come across as a little nutty, but it is because we are absolutely devoted to our jobs. I […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
How To Make Writing a Priority in Your ELA Classroom
For many years of teaching, I would follow the same formula over and over throughout the year with my classes: teach a unit, finish unit, assign paper on that unit. Writing happened, but it was the thing that we did after we did the other stuff. What this means is that writing mostly happened at home, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Podcast S1E23] Are Instructional Coaches Needed?
Introduction Welcome to Episode 23 Season one of The Educator’s Room podcast! In this episode, Franchesca discusses the need for instructional coaches in all schools. Being an Instructional Coach is one of the most difficult jobs in a school. While you’re still a teacher, you’re responsible for delivering professional learning to teachers. Listen to the podcast here. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Podcast S1E24] 5 Things All Teachers Should Do in the Morning
Introduction Welcome to Episode 24 Season one of The Educator’s Room podcast! In this episode, Franchesca discusses five routines ALL teachers should have in the morning to make their life a little bit easier. So many times we’re in a hurry to get hurry to leave home to get to school and finish “marking off” the […]
Posted inOpinion
A Letter to My Students On First Amendment Rights
Dear Students, You have – or will soon learn about – the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. Adopted just prior to Christmas 1791 as the first part of the Bill of Rights, it reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; […]