Every once in a while, I have to take a sick day as a result of my own human frailty. A foot surgery scheduled for April was suddenly bumped up to last week, leaving me three days to prepare. As an educator, I hate missing school and I despise writing sub plans. Even with the […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Principals' Corner
In The Classroom: Is Yelling The New Spanking?
Having gone to school in the seventies, I can easily look back upon my experiences in the public school system and compare them school system we view today; other than a building with teachers, I’m not sure one would even recognize the two entities side by side. One major difference is the form of classroom management; particularly the […]
Posted inFeatured, Uncategorized
Towards Working Constructively with Politicians
[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”] I love watching Olympic figure skating. The athlete makes the art of skating appear effortless, but only through thousands of practices and a flawless execution. I think this is a lot […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, How to Fix Education, Opinion
How Effective are Responsive Classroom Strategies?
Try this in your classroom when things are getting crazy. Say in a nice firm teacher voice, “I notice six people are doing their work.” Watch what happens. I can almost guarantee that the room will begin to quiet, students will look around and start to work. You might have to announce a new, higher […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Uncategorized
Vermont Town Meeting: Holding Education Hostage
This is the story of how direct democracy in Vermont engages with the needs of education. A March 6, headline in the Burlington Free Press dominated social media: “It’s Official: 2014 is a Bad Year for School Budgets.” Reporter Molly Walsh, the supposed eyes and ears of education in Vermont, portends towards dramatic enthusiasm at […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured
Teacherpreneurs – A Book Review
[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”] Most of the readers and writers of The Educator’s Room would consider themselves more than “just teachers.” We’re ground movers, educational landscapers, and men and women who patch the faults of […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, Uncategorized
Begin March Madness: Testing and the Smarter Balanced Assessment
[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”] March Madness is not exclusive to basketball. March Madness signals the season for standardized testing season here in Connecticut. March Madness signals the season for testing in 23 other states as […]
Posted inChild Development, Featured, Middle School, Opinion
What 'The LEGO Movie' Can Teach Kids of All Ages
Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen The LEGO Movie, plot lines will be shared in this article! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but as my wife and I left the theater after watching The LEGO Movie, we were jaws agape. What The LEGO Movie Can Teach Kids of All Ages As self-proclaimed LEGOphiles, we […]