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 […]
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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 inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Let's Talk About Sex, Baby
So, let’s talk about the unmentionable, which should be mentioned before kids start giggling and sneaking around experimenting: SEX. We teach all other three-letter-words when kids are young, so why is this one neglected? Sure, it’s the parents’ responsibility to cover this subject. But the fact of the matter is: most parents aren’t doing this, […]
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Child Development: Nine- and Ten-Year-Olds
The life of nine-and ten-year-olds can be a complicated one in their child development. Let’s look at development in our five key areas. You can read other age groups here. Cognitive development: These are your ‘fact’ kids and your ‘I’ll-try-anything-to-prove-you-wrong’ kids. They are always up for a challenge and are on the lookout for adults […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Eliminate Extra Credit!
[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”] “Mr. Miller, is there any extra credit I can do?” I hear this question at least once a week. At. Least. Once. A. Week. Despite the fact that I spend the […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Project Based Learning: Giving Up Control
[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”] When I hear people mention project based learning I think of releasing control. Teachers tend to prefer being in control. It makes me think of when a child is learning to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
"Reform" Is Not a Dirty Word; Neither is "Union"
Last week I attended the 2013 National Summit on Education Reform. This is the nationwide conference put on by Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education. It was a rather last minute, unexpected opportunity, as I wouldn’t normally find myself amongst 850 state legislators, corporate curriculum companies, and all manner of other “reformers.” So it […]