I recently took 11th and 12th grade on a field trip to Yale Repertory Theatre to see These Paper Bullets, a “modish remake” of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. We had arrived early enough to have a little time before the show to stroll the sidewalks of Yale/New Haven and grab a cup of coffee before filing into the University Theatre. The weather […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Springful of Poets
Each spring Lined note pads of Decorated paper from the dollar store Pencils or skinny markers Their choice Became the tools of Second grade poets. Who, Every single spring, Surprised me with their Prowess To paint words Into images Which laughingly, Startlingly Opened my eyes with Delight. Spring Equaled Lucy Calkins’ and Reggie Routman’s Books […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
A Poem for National Poetry Month
Teachers, I beg you to help me show them: All students deserve the benefits of a poem; You don’t have to teach English to know That students learn from the form and flow That only a poem can provide. Indeed, our creativity comes alive Whenever we’re forced to reason and rhyme; It doesn’t matter which […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Celebrate National Poetry Month – Summarize With a Poem
Teachers of all subjects, grades, and walks of life Don’t treat poetry like you’re holding a knife! This is Poetry month – help it to come alive By using poetry to summarize! How can you use poetry in class this month? Just a few suggestions: Have students work vocabulary words into a poem Have students […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Technology
How I Flipped My Classroom
It was just over a year ago when I first heard the term “flipped classroom,” and I recall wondering what part of the classroom was flipped. I saw pictures of desks and books upside down, but never thought much about the concept. I never thought this theory would lead to a new approach to the […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement
Gamify your Class without Electricity
Class Dojo, Socrative, Nearpod, Zondle and Play Brighter dominate most conversations about gamification in education. This focus on technology and apps automatically alienates some teachers: “I don’t have any computers in my room, so that leaves me out!” However, it is possible to gamify your class in the absence of any technology . . . […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Instruction & Curriculum
Where Should I Sit?
[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”] I was talking with my principal Friday after school about a webinar she has to take this week. We were discussing how this is not the way either of us like […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Technology
Teachers Lead In-Service… Unthinkable Possibilities!
The unthinkable happened. Our faculty provided expertise for a recent In-service. Incentive to turn the reigns over to in-house professionals result from either our successful embrace of the PLC model or because the budget is frozen. Whatever the reason, the opportunity to explore the Ed Camp model of professional collaboration is a turning point in […]