At the end of last year, I changed positions. The difficult part of that was being expected to “replace” one of our best teachers in the entire district. Part of this involved his fun, learning-based classroom environment that he’d created over the 30-odd years of being there. I still remember one of my colleagues saying […]
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Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Opinion
Using Edmodo In Elementary Classrooms
I am always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance my teaching and my classroom. Preferably ways which aren’t too expensive. As an elementary classroom teacher, I also have to be careful with what my students are exposed to. To this I have one word. Edmodo. Oh, how I have fallen in love with […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, From the Front Lines, Literacy, Uncategorized
Literally Inexperienced David Coleman, Architect of the Common Core
“Literally” added a new meaning this past month….literally. A quick look at the Cambridge Dictionaries Online indicates that while the meaning of literally as “ having the real or original meaning of a word or phrase” will now include use of the word “to emphasize what you are saying.” A similar entry from an authority across the pond, Oxford […]
Posted inBook Review, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Literacy
Just Let Them Read! A Book Review – Part 2
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the highlights from my reading of the beginning of Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer. It has been many years since I have been so touched and so inspired by my professional reading. Throughout the book, two themes emerge: as literacy teachers, we must promote, model, […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, New Teacher Bootcamp, Special Education
What Every Teacher Should Know About Teaching Students with Disabilities
What does it take to effectively teach a student with a learning disability? That’s the million dollar question. But if I could take a stub at it, I would say relationship, relationship, relationship- pure and simply. With all the different theory on best practices, this one seems to be left off the list very frequently. […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education
Back to School Tips for Elementary Teachers
Every year the back-to-schools sales start and I am excited and yet apprehensive about beginning a new school year. This is my 17th year teaching. Seventeen years of setting up a learning space for students and families. Seventeen years of a new class list, Open House, Parent Night, and the first week. Every year I […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Extend the Learning: An Important Classroom Management System
Learning is an ongoing process involving effort, failure, persistence, and growth. I have been teaching for seventeen years and I learn new things from my students every year. I am an exemplary teacher and yet I am not done. This is what I model and expect of my students as well. Learning is never “done.” […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, Featured, Uncategorized
Testing the Fruits of Our Labors
[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”] Late August and September means back to school for students, and many primary school teachers are pulling out the traditional “apple” unit to welcome their students. Many teachers will be ready […]