The test is over. There are looks of relief in your students’ eyes, but the panic begins in your chest. Did they do well? Did they understand the concept? You grade as quickly as you can and hand back papers. The questions begin and the students chat comparing answers. There is never enough time for […]
Instructional Strategies
Posted inFeatured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Treat Students Like they are Going to College
All teachers have college degrees. It is no surprise that we want our students to experience higher education as well. We know the benefits of a college education and want better for them. If I honestly look around my classroom, even my AP classroom, I know statistics tell me that only a third will go to college […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, High School, Instructional Strategies
The Importance of Real-Life Application
I pound the idea of the application of skills and concepts into my students on a daily basis. I always tell them that is no use learning material if they don’t know how or when to use it. Therefore I’m always looking for times where I can show my kids that all of this ‘school […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics
Kindergarten Geometry – Oh My!
Long before the Common Core School Standards (CCSS) were written, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) authored a set of standards for K-12 math. The standards were revised several times and what stands today has many things in common with CCSS. Instead of teaching certain topics in certain grades – like geometry – […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instructional Strategies, Parents
Tips for Parents: How to help your high school ELA student succeed in Common Core
There are major shifts in all curriculum with the new common core standards. Many parents are intimidated by the changes and all doing all they can to help their children succeed. As an ELA teacher, I have a simple and obvious solution to help your high school student read. Seriously. Don’t just hand them a […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Instructional Coach Files, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Professional Development
The Problem in Urban Schools- Stop Teaching to the Test
“I mean even though I taught all of the standards last semester, but I don’t feel like my kids learned anything!” These were the words one of the teachers who I support as an Instructional Coach said to me as we sat in her classroom after school discussed all things teaching and learning. This wasn’t […]
Posted inEducational Apps, High School, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Outdated Practices With Google Docs
It is a relief to find a few digital tools that continuously serve learners despite the accelerated nature of change in technology. Google Docs allows me to meet the varied needs and writing levels of almost all students. It gives me wings, allowing me to reach past classroom walls and time constraints, to converse and edit […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Literacy, Parents
Golden Road to Success in Kindergarten- A Guide for Parents
It’s finally here. The end of Pre-k. The beginning of summer. Kindergarten is coming closer. You’ve waited on bated breath for this moment. Your sweet baby is about to enter ‘big kid’s school’! That rush of happiness is filled with a small ache of ‘what ifs’. What if they aren’t happy? What if they don’t […]