[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”] It’s summertime! We are all looking forward to at least two months completely free of any schoolwork, planning and anything that has to do with a classroom… Right? Don’t we wish. […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
Last week of 1:1 iPad classroom
I have two block classes left for the school year, and I’m wrapping up some successes and challenges in the 1:1 iPad classroom. I learned that I love some educational transformations resulting from that ubiquitous access for all students. No one at our school was left out of an experience or left behind. No students lost […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
What are we teaching our children?
When the end of a school year rolls around most teachers take the time to reflect on the school year that is ending. What succeeded and what didn’t? What should I do differently next year? What should I prepare over the summer to get a jump start on the new school year? Do I need […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured
APP-itudes: The Apps You Need in Every Classroom
Welcome to APPtitudes. This will be a series of articles that reviews education related apps that can be of use in and out of the classroom. Some will focus on apps for teachers. Some will focus on apps for students, and there will be combo reviews. If you have apps to recommend for our series, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies, Interviews, Middle School
Inspirational Educator Interview: Taylor Mali
[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”] Taylor Mali changed the face of education with his eclectic poem entitled “What Teachers Make.” This middle school teacher and poet loved his job, but, like many of us, had enough […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Using Reading Journals For Reluctant Readers
I have several reluctant readers in my class. And when I say reluctant, I mean pulling-teeth-digging-in-heels-won’t-read-unless-they-are-required-to reluctant readers. And even then it’s still difficult for them. They understand the importance of reading for information and meaning, but more often than not comprehension is lost in translation due to several of them struggling with dyslexia. So […]
Posted inUncategorized
Performance Based Tests Take the Guesswork Out of Assessing
This post originally ran on SCORE (the State Collaborative on Reforming Education) on May 28th, 2014: [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”] Marianne’s multiple choice test was the easiest things in the world to grade. A, B, A, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
End of the Year Physics: Phase Changes and Student Growth
As the school year comes to a close, the buzzword is “student growth.” All stakeholders in education want to be able to demonstrate student growth, especially when it is on an upward trajectory. Last week, I had an opportunity to consider student growth with a different lens, and that lens was provided by a graduating senior who was preparing […]