As the school year comes to a close, the buzzword is “student growth.” All stakeholders in education want to be able to demonstrate student growth, especially when it is on an upward trajectory. Last week, I had an opportunity to consider student growth with a different lens, and that lens was provided by a graduating senior who was preparing […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies, Uncategorized
The Post Assessment Doldrums
So the test is taken, now what? National standardized tests are given all over the country within the same time frame, ending the school year for some regions, New England being an exception. Long winters extend our school year for a few weeks which provides the extra challenge of keeping staff and students motivated after the […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
22 Perfect Picture Books I Love to Read and Teach
[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”] The best, best, best part of any day was reading aloud to my class. I had hundreds of favorite books: poetry, fiction chapter books (a.k.a. novels), and picture books, both fiction […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement
High School Recess: Should it be an Option?
Yesterday, our full faculty came together to discuss the pros and cons of our mandated advisory period held in the middle of the day. For 20 minutes, students check in with an advisor to discuss upcoming involvements in events, to conference about grade improvement plans, to engage in fun activities. I have a freshman advisory […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
Open Your Doors to Learning
The winter was long here in Kansas. When we finally got some spring air it was refreshing to open the windows and get outside. Students and teachers can both benefit from getting out of the classroom. It’s just a space, the classroom. Learning comes from the lessons, the questions, the educator, and the interactions among […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics, Special Education
Learning Disorders in the Math Classroom
The combination of Common Core standards, especially in math, and placing students with learning disorders in the least restrictive environment possible has become a conundrum for teachers and students alike. Neither common core nor least restrictive environment is going away any time soon so we need to find a way to actively engage all of […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
My Favorite Videos
A couple of years ago, I learned how to ‘rip’ videos from the internet and embed them in a powerpoint. That was the beginning of an era. I have wiled away many an hour on youtube, TED talks and other internet sites watching videos . . . one video leads to another and another and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Opinion
AP Test Season: A Cocoon That Never Becomes The Butterfly
[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”] Every year I tell myself I am not going to do it. This will be the year when I don’t work myself into a frenzied state of irrational dissonance from which […]