The Educator’s Room Book Review: “How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character,” by Paul Tough Paul Tough has re-entered the education discussion with How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character as a fresh voice in the discussion about student achievement. For us teachers, this discussion can be […]
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Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
A More Perfect Union: Our Students Will Continue The Quest
This month marks 150 years since Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This year marks 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King gave his great “I Have a Dream” speech on the Mall in Washington, D.C. that spurred the Civil Rights Movement forward. And this week marks the second inauguration of President Barack Obama as […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion, Parents, Social Studies
The Lesson I Taught My Son About the Observance of Dr. King's Birthday
Being a teacher is both a curse and a blessing to my 12 year old son. On one hand I can help him with his homework, but on the other hand I tend to stress about things that other parents sometimes do not. Take for instance the observance of Dr. King ‘s birthday on today […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
High School in 2013 – These are Changing Times
About a month ago, Kelsey Sheehy wrote in US News & World Report that she expects three major changes for high school students in 2013: “Blended Learning,” “Flipped Classrooms,” and “Standards.” I think there may be some other, more stark realities for high school students in 2013, but I’ll comment briefly on her three predictions first. […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, High School, Social Studies
Our School Isn't ON with Service Learning on the Observance of Dr. King's Birthday
Inauguration Day falls on the legal public holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King January 21, 2013. Whether this was coincidence or a conspiratorial plot,it is the second time that this holiday has coincided with a presidential inauguration. Do you remember President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1997? The observance of Dr. King’s birthday has been […]
Posted inOpinion
Unspeakable Things We Must Speak About
The next time every teacher in this country faces his or her students, whether this week or after the winter break, it will be with a heavy heart and deep sadness. Teachers died on Friday trying to save their students. And there is not a teacher still living who would not do the same. Much […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Stellar Educator of the Week, Uncategorized
Our Stellar Educator for the Holidays: YOU!
Name: You! Years Teaching: Plenty of Years! Specialty: Every specialty under the sun! Congratulations to YOU, our Stellar Educator for the Holidays! This has been a particularly challenging school year so far for teachers around the country. The year started with more murmurings and condemnations of teachers as educators in Chicago and other districts tried […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Voices of our Past: How Primary Documents Can Make Lessons Come Alive
What if we could sit at the feet of Socrates and ask him philosophical questions? What if we could have a conversation about agricultural design with Thomas Jefferson, or about the rule of law with John Adams? What if we could sit in a room and listen to Frederick Douglass explain his experiences and […]