Peer feedback is an essential tool to build stronger writers. But how exactly does one encourage fruitful peer feedback? I struggled with finding the best method that would stimulate meaningful comments among my students. At first, I would have students exchange papers and use generic checklists with items like “Is the thesis statement clear?” or […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
Fighting the Fear of Failure
[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”] This past week, the Smithsonian Education Lab’s #mpossible Twitter chat focused on how we as educators can get students to follow their passions. While the conversation hovered around having strong educators […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, School Improvement, Uncategorized
Written Text or Audiotext in the Classroom? We Should Have Both
I am passing out Brave New World to the 10th graders. “Is there an audiobook for this?” a student asks. “Why not just read the book?” I respond. “I can’t read this without help,” explains the student. “I’ll see,” I sigh. I admit that in the past I had been a little frustrated at these requests. I […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Uncategorized
Why I Don’t Celebrate Black History Month In My Classes
I am a black woman. I majored in African American Studies in college. I wrote my dissertation on the integration of Africa-related topics in Georgia’s world history textbooks and curriculum. I used to look forward to Black History Month when I was younger because that was the only time I saw “me” in the school […]
Posted inBook Review, Common Core, Featured, Opinion
“Common Core Literacy Lesson Plans: Ready-to-Use Resources, 6-8”: 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”] With the implementation of the new Common Core Standards teachers everywhere are trying to wrap their brains around how these standards will look in their own classrooms. Being a busy mother […]
Posted inFeatured, Legal, Special Education, Uncategorized
Planning for the Future: Special Needs Students' Transition Plan
All students, whether in elementary or high school, should have a discussion with their parents or guardians about what they want to do after completing high school. Students with disabilities are no different. Except their discussion is required by The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) and mandates the inclusion of special education teachers, general […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Uncategorized
Accountability without Equity
This article is cross-posted from EdGator.com [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 thought Texas officials had created a monster when they unveiled Franken-STAAR, and I was right. But they unleashed another monster besides a convoluted piece […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Fulfilling The Interdisciplinary Dream
The education world is all about buzzwords. From early classes in all disciplines to graduate level courses in specialized topics, practitioners are constantly throwing around terms like “differentiation”, “STEM” (now STEAM), “flipped classrooms”, “high-stakes testing”, “collaborative learning”, and “MOOCs”. These catchphrases live in the hearts and minds of professionals from first-grade math and high school […]