Some days it feels like we are running a zoo. I find myself saying things like, “Well, you can tell the weather is going to change. The kids sure were off the wall today.” Sometimes sentences escape my mouth that I never imagined would be created. Every teacher, from novice to seasoned, needs a little creative […]
Middle School
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Middle School, Opinion, Parents
Turning a Dream Into Something Tangible: Starting Your Own School- Part 2
Want to know how I started my school ? Read part I here. The first five points of starting your own school checked out: it’s legal in your state, you’re not doing it for selfish reasons, you’ve been able to secure funding, you have a ‘business plan’ and you’ve decided what age groups you would like to reach. Great- […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Current Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, How to Fix Education, Middle School, Opinion
Starting Your Own School: Life Is Full Of Choices – Part I
I stood at my stove angrily stirring corn and frying chicken. My dad was already over for dinner and sat flipping through the mail, patiently waiting for me to either self-combust or start ranting and raving to him. I couldn’t stand it anymore. [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=”” […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Shall We Debate? An Approach to Writing!
Four weeks ago, my students took the practice for the new Tennessee State Writing Assessment. We had no way of preparing for this test because we were told that it would change in a major way. A week before the practice test, I received an email with a link to a sample test. Instead of […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Middle School, School Improvement
Procedures versus Concepts: A Mathematical Dilemma
There have been a lot of articles lately debating procedural teaching and concepts-based teaching in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, this topic is of particular interest as mathematical reform models are sweeping through our curriculum. Whether you are a Common Core Standards state or, as in Virginia, simply “aligned” with Common Core, mathematical […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Middle School, Parents
The Flip Side of Virtual Schools: When a Child Gets Behind – Part 1
When a child falls behind in school, the parent looks for help from teachers, family, friends, anyone that can potentially help them help their child. But what happens when both of your kids attend a virtual school ? What if all the help appears to be completely on the parent’s shoulders? What can be done? I recently […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Social Studies
Social Studies Facts American Students Should Know: The American Government and Geography Edition
As a 6th-12th grade social studies teacher for the past 6 years, I have seen my fair share of students. I taught high school during a time of many standards changes were taking place here in Georgia. I would get a group of high school students who always claimed that they didn’t remember (or they weren’t taught the […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Middle School, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
The Unemployed Teacher: A School Year Begins…Without Us
I took it for granted. I took for granted that once I found my passion and had seven years experience under my belt with it, I was safe. My passion is teaching Social Studies – I especially love Civics and Sociology, but have taught everything from Global Studies to US History. I had developed and […]