I hear the chatter from elementary school teachers: -They can’t wait for reading! -Oh, they love to read! -When we have to cancel reading, they are so disappointed. Yet, what happens when I get the ninth graders in my class? I hear: -Reading is so boring. -I hate to read. -I don’t like reading. […]
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Ability Grouping in Physical Education?
An article in the Chicago Tribune caught my attention this week regarding “Fat P.E.” At least that is what the kids at a suburban Illinois high school call it. Basically, the students are ability grouped according to results obtained in fitness testing. Those testing out at a high enough level are allowed to participate in […]
How do Effective Teachers Create a Classroom of Inquiry? – A Book Review
Essential Questions: Opening Doors to Student Understanding By Jay McTighe & Grant Wiggins Published by ASCD, 2013 [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 lucky enough to go through my MAT training (about 10 years ago) […]
Great Teachers Are Content Area Experts WITH Skills
Tuesday nights are #edchat nights on Twitter, and educators across the country, even across the globe, discuss topics of general interest for an hour. On May 7, the topic posted was: What is BIG Shift in ed that everyone is looking for? Is there 1 idea that can positively affect education? While I was surfing the column […]
Part IV: Reading to Learn: Comprehension
The purpose of reading is to learn. A text has the ability to transport us to other times and places, it can expand our knowledge and experience base and it is everywhere in our worlds. Understanding words, texts, passages, poetry, and books is an important part of reading. It is the end goal. To teach […]
The State of Education in New York: "The Hunger Games" (Part 1)
In this first of a 3-part series, the education policies of the State of New York and the country take on whole new meaning in light of The Hunger Games… In The Hunger Games, the Capitol rules. In education, “The State” rules. In The Hunger Games, the Capitol cuts off the food supply to the […]
Why Do I Stay? I Stay to Share Stories
Why do I stay? This question is circulating on blogs and in videos by teachers from across the country. My friend Catherine, a teacher and literacy specialist, brought this question to my attention in her post this week. She was participating in a challenge organized by Two Writing Teachers called The Slice of Life. The instructions for participating are […]
Part II: How Does That Sound? Reading with Fluency
To teach your students to read you must know where they are. It is important to understand their current instructional reading level (accuracy and comprehension combined) as well as their fluency level. If you are unsure how to test your students and gather this data, check out my recent article “See Jane Read.” Students below […]