I have taught the most driven, elite-college bound students, and I have taught students who barely squeaked through their graduation requirements. I have taught students for whom English was their favorite class of the day, and I have taught students who let out a big sigh every day when they walked through the door. I […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Techno-Sceptic’s Guide To Using Technology in the Classroom
I am not usually a big fan of technology in the classroom. To quote a former colleague on the subject, it’s often just “window dressing.” Just because students are using computers or smart boards or document projectors doesn’t mean that they are learning 21st century skills. If all that they are doing is coloring in […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Podcast] Season 2: Episode 1- Classroom Libraries How to Build Them For Independent Reading and Choice
Introduction Welcome to Episode 1 Season two of The Educator’s Room podcast! In this episode, Franchesca interviews, Colette Bennett, Literacy Teacher Extraordinaire and proponent of choice in reading. This year we are going around the world to talk to educators who are doing awesome things- just like you. Starting the school year is always tough for […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Civil Discourse in Toxic Political Times
It is impossible to ignore the downward spiral of discourse and debate in American politics over the last year. Teachers pay special attention to public discourse because they know that what happens at the higher elevations of society always trickles down to their students. How adults in leadership speak to and about each other will […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
How Do I Teach My Students To Write Better?
I know that the thought of teaching students how to write seems so daunting. But it’s simple—you just teach them to think. If I can engage my students, get them writing about a new idea or an idea that they care about or an idea that they don’t quite understand but want to—then usually, […]
Posted inThe Student Teacher Diaries
Student Teaching Diaries: Before We Start
Teaching is about learning. Teachers take classes to learn about content, strategies, behavior, classroom management and more. In order to move our educational system forward, however, the knowledge, experience, and expertise of master teachers needs to be shared with those entering the profession. Each college has its own path for how this learning takes place; […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Every (New) Principal Needs to Know
For some principals, the 2019-2020 school year will be their first time taking the helm of a school. Yesterday, we asked a question from a new principal to our 100,000+ subscribers about what a new principal should NEVER do and here are the answers they gave: New principals should NEVER… talk data on the first […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Part 2: Adventures in Real World English/Language Arts: Making Them Care
I’ve always had a high-stakes class. English III has been an EOC(end-of-cours)e since my second year in education, and while it has always been a lot of pressure teaching a high-stakes class, there has been a certain amount of comfort because the kids knew they had to pass a state test. I also teach AP […]