Guest Writer: Rebecca Leech [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”] This week, the rural Tennessee high school where I teach is finishing our annual TCAP End of Course standardized testing. End of Course tests are given in […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Middle School
Collegiality is Our Best Professional Development
The end of the school year draws near and the level of intensity is ratcheted. While it is easy to become lost in work it is exceptionally important to make time for colleagues. Contracts at my school were distributed but not all were signed for a variety of reasons. Retirements, new opportunities, emergency family leave and loss of […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
Gaming and Education: They are not Enemies [Part 3]
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, I discussed the bigger picture of gaming in our students’ and children’s lives and how gaming can connect to education. In this article, I discuss how gaming has affected my own son’s education. I’ve written previously about how my son began unschooling a year ago. As […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Dyscalculia – The Dyslexia of Mathematics
For years, educators have known about dyslexia. There are well-documented studies that explain dyslexia as well as strategies that can be used to help those who are diagnosed with this learning disorder. Until recently, however, there has been very little known about dyscalculia. This is partly because unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia manifests itself in a number […]
Posted inCommon Core, Instruction & Curriculum
Asking vs. Training for Common Core
An ad supporting the Common Core State Standards posted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation featured a Missouri Teacher of the Year, Jamie Manker, saying, “I support the Common Core because it’s asking kids to think.” Manker is asking kids to think, but what does asking mean? According to the Free Dictionary online, the first example given after defining the verb ask is a little ironic: […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Reverse Poetry
I stumbled upon “Mirror Mirror” and “Follow Follow” in the Scholastic book order this past month. Being a lover of fairy tales I added them to my cart. I was happily surprised and amazed as I read these reversible verse poems. We had viewed one in church, but I did not realize it was a […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Interviews, Mathematics
All Mathematics is Political: Post Session with Rochelle Gutierrez
Following an emotionally stimulating conference session presented by Dr. Rochelle Gutierrez, I was intent on waiting in a line behind dozens of people for the opportunity to sit and talk with her. She began her talk with an engaging moment where she asked audience participants to “Stand Up” for the reasons they entered the teaching […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Rise from Failure: Lessons From Epic Leaders
“Why must I learn this?” is a common question asked by students. I’m never fully convinced that I answer this to the satisfaction of the class but I do try to provide both guiding questions and reasons for our global studies in a Modern World History course. It shocked me to discover a generation of […]