March in Connecticut brings two unpleasant realities: high winds and the state standardized tests. Specifically, the Connecticut Academic Performance Tests (CAPT) given to Grade 10th are in the subjects of math, social studies, sciences and English. There are two tests in the English section of the CAPT to demonstrate student proficiency in reading. In one, students are given […]
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Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum
The Role of Physical Activity in the School Day
[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”] First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent re-branding of the Let’s Move! program into the Let’s Move Active Schools has renewed the focus of physical activity into the school day. This new emphasis […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
ESL Students and State Testing
This is the time of year when school really begins to get stressful if you teach a testing grade. Walk into an upper elementary classroom between now and April and you can feel the pressure in the air. As an English as a second language teacher in New York City this is also the time […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School, Opinion, Principals' Corner, School Improvement
Ready or Not? (Charter School Diaries #8)
Week – 2/25 – 3/1 What do you do when you’re a teacher and there is poor instructional leadership capability amongst the administrators within your building or within your district? Usually, if you are in a school and/or district where there is a lack of instructional leaders, there is an overabundance of procedural leaders – […]
Posted inBook Review, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
It’s Time for High School Students to Take Charge of their Learning – But How? — 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”] Book: Students Taking Charge: Inside the Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom Author: Nancy Sulla Publisher: Eye on Education The high school classroom can be a challenging arena for teachers these days. With overcrowded […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Kindergarten, Opinion
Race DOES Matter: A Male Teacher of Color Reflects
When it comes to my job, there are very few things that bother me. However, the one thing that does is the reality that within my district, I am the ONLY African American teacher in any of our high schools (our district has 2 high schools). I am always reminded of this whenever students come […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Informational Texts: Speeches Delivered with Love from Bruce and Steve
For teachers who are looking for guidance on how to teach informational texts at the high school level, there is a model lesson on Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the EngageNY website. The text of the speech delivered by Lincoln on November 19, 1863, is short enough to fit on two pages or two bronze plaques on a memorial […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Think About Your Thinking—Going Beyond State Testing
“The ear of the leader must ring with the voice of the people.” –Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924). In our state, we test reading, mathematics, and science in fourth grade. I understand and respect a tool that can show learning and growth, comparing students and schools. It is also a philosophical struggle to spend eight days testing […]