[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”] You are different from anyone else, and you are defined by those differences. So are students. Each student will learn and perform differently in any classroom. A classroom of a hypothetical […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Permission to Mess up the Desk, Granted
If you have a messy desk you’re a genius.
Posted inFeatured
The Child Development of ‘Tweens’
If only we could get into the heads of our eleven-, twelve- and thirteen-year-olds and their child development. These kids are experiencing so many different emotions in rapid secession, it is difficult to understand them, let alone help them. Let’s check out child development for these ages kids from our five main areas: Cognitive Development: […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Clarity: the Essential Element of the Classroom
Have you ever tried one of those recipes that pop up on Facebook? I’ve tried two. One was a potato dish and was resounding success, especially since I topped it with cheese. The other was for my cookie addiction and it was a dismal failure. I was so disappointed. I love cookies! If I had […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Interviews, Middle School, Uncategorized
Teachers Who Will Be Silent No Longer: Melissa Tomlinson Confronts Chris Christie
Over the weekend, many teachers were talking on Facebook and Twitter about a photo that was being shared showing a New Jersey teacher, Melissa Tomlinson, being yelled at by New Jersey governor, Chris Christie at a campaign stop. Her crime? Asking a question about his view of New Jersey’s schools. I got a chance to […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Leaving the Classroom? You Can Still Make a Difference!
This article is a follow-up to last week’s post titled Why I Resigned from My Teaching Job: It’s Not What You Think Have you ever thought of leaving your profession to pursue another career or to stay home with your family? If you have, you are not alone. The National Commission on Teaching and America’s […]
Posted inCommon Core, Elementary School, From the Front Lines, High School, Kindergarten, Literacy, Uncategorized
Take the Test and Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit
An interesting graphic came across my screen this week. The purpose was to call attention to the hours spent testing elementary students by comparing them to the tests for college or graduate school: Standardized testing is not new to schools in the State of Connecticut. Many schools will be using the Smarter Balance Assessment (SBAC) […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Step Up and Teach – Part 1: ELA Reading Standards
The year is 1996. I take a huge shaky breath and walk into the classroom. Smiling a welcome, the experienced teacher directs me to a small table. Ten small pairs of eyes gather around me, anxious and just as unsure as I am. I open up the teacher manual and read from the script. We […]