Most educated individuals can agree that science and science education is of the utmost importance to our children and our future. The state of Florida does not see things quite the same way as evident by a recent law that allows ANY individual to challenge what is being taught in science class. To make a […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Making STEM Matter in Schools
I just got back from a fascinating conference about the state of STEM in U.S. schools, sponsored by U.S. News and World Report. I was compelled by the idea of making STEM matter in schools; as a middle school teacher, I know this is the prime time to hook kids into STEM. This is the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Episode 48] Training Teachers to Be Students
In this episode, Franchesca interviews Adrian Layne, a veteran English/Language Arts teacher who runs a magnet program that trains students to be teachers. In this conversation we discuss: the inception of her teacher training program the increase and/or decline of student enrollment the collaboration between elementary teachers and the students and everything in between! If […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
TED Talks in the Classroom: Students Become the Teachers
Peaceful art Why adults should play children’s games Positivity and perseverance can get you to your goals Be yourself and follow your passion The value of the Venus Fly Trap How to solve the Pyraminx Living with epilepsy does not have to dampen dreams…. These are not articles by the latest education expert or motivational […]
Posted inHigh School
Project Archaeology Leadership Academy
Summer is not only a time for reading and gardening. It’s a time for professional development. This week, I have been attending a program called Project Archaeology Leadership Academy (PALA). Project Archaeology is a national educational organization that is run in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Montana State University. Educators, museum […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When Your Administrator Doesn’t Like You
Have you ever felt like an administrator just doesn’t like you and that no matter what you do, he/she will determine you’re doing it wrong? What do you do when that happens? Run for the hills? Kill them with kindness? Here are some common sense strategies for dealing with an administrator that simply doesn’t want […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
The STEM Revolution in Higher Education
I just got back from a fascinating conference about the state of STEM in U.S. schools, sponsored by U.S. News and World Report! I was compelled by the idea of a STEM revolution in higher education; as a middle school teacher, it really didn’t occur to me that colleges would be reacting in a similar […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Five Books That Will Make Your World Bigger
Someone once said that reading can make your world bigger. Someone also said that reading can be a mirror to your own true self. I projected both of these thoughts on the screen in my classroom recently as a way for my 8th grade ELA students to reflect on the books they read during the […]