We have all seen it. The student who walks to his own drumbeat, different colored hair, withdrawn, hoodie up, possibly small and lanky, a little more feminine than most guys his age. maybe a few piercings or tattoos. He is silently screaming, “Look at me!” without saying a word. And other students do see him. […]
Posted inChild Development, Common Core, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Literacy, Mathematics, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, Parents, Science, Social Studies
Engaging Parents From School To Home
The school to home link is very important to me. Many people view today’s education as starting and stopping in the classroom. Learning is an ongoing process and needs to continue from the classroom to home and back again. But parents tell me all the time that they don’t know how to ‘teach’ their children, […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Middle School, School Improvement
Flipped Learning: Let Your Students Grade You
A student grading a teacher. This is not as far-fetched as you think. Have you listened to them when they receive their schedules? They talk about which teachers give “too much” work or teachers who are really “strict.” They already talk about you and your class. In fact, college students evaluate their professors after the […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Literacy, Mathematics, Opinion, Parents, Science, Social Studies
Bridging the Summer Gap
I am always looking for ways to make the school-to-home link. I think all too often we expect our parents to follow through, but forget that they are not always equipped with the necessary tools needed to do so. A lot of times parents don’t know where to look or even what to look for […]
Posted inHigh School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School, Social Studies
News Storytelling of Lincoln’s Assassination Will Engage Students
News stories are generally written in what is commonly known as the inverted pyramid style, in which the opening paragraph features the “5 Ws” of journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. The reason for this style is so that the reader gets the most important information up front. Given the amount of time […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Mommy Guilt: One teacher’s perspective
When you are a teacher there is so much added pressure when you have a child in school. Will they do well? Will you be judged by the teachers teaching your child? Will he behave? Will you have “that” child? Or will you be “that” parent? As a working parent, you already have the guilt […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Ways to Review after the Test
The test is over. There are looks of relief in your students’ eyes, but the panic begins in your chest. Did they do well? Did they understand the concept? You grade as quickly as you can and hand back papers. The questions begin and the students chat comparing answers. There is never enough time for […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Interviews, Kindergarten, Middle School, Stellar Educator of the Week
Inspirational Educator: Joshua Katz, TEDx Talks' "Toxic Testing Terminator"
Every plaguing problem needs a caped crusader. When it comes to the burdensome culture of standardized assessment, teachers have found one in Joshua Katz (@jakatz87), the “Toxic Testing Terminator.” It’s been about one year since Katz delivered his TEDx Talk on “The Toxic Culture of Education.” In between then and now he’s run for political […]