The idea of using games in the classroom has been a popular practice for teachers across varying disciplines for years. Board games have offered meaningful ways for teachers to easily captive students in learning experiences; scenario based games have offered teachers means to encourage students to think more deeply about topics; card games have offered […]
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Posted inUncategorized
Special Education: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
It’s time to address the ‘elephant in the room’. Special and general education teachers must actively engage in open, honest communication. The worse thing any teacher can endure as a co-teacher is showing up for your co-teaching experience each day feeling like a visitor in the class and like the students, you eagerly wait to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, How to Fix Education, Parents, Uncategorized
"But I WANT to Learn, Mom." An Unschooling Adventure Continues, Pt.2
I wrote previously about the introduction my 10-year-old son and I have had to unschooling this year. The first half of the school year was punctuated mostly by my own insecurities. I admit it, I’m mostly a traditional-style teacher, and fully believe in a free, universal education for all children. So it has been a […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School, Opinion, Uncategorized
Charter School Diaries: The Sex Conversation- Episode 1
In an effort to help new teachers and to give a glimpse of what happens in the classroom, we are going to highlight one teacher’s experiences in a charter school. Recently, the Philadelphia School District has decided to provide many of its schools with condom dispensers due to what they call an epidemic. An impetus […]
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 inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Mathematics Adventures for All with MTSS A.K.A.RTI
Education is known for their acronyms. Today our adventure will use two interchangeably and demonstrate how to focus skills in mathematics to reach all learners. Teacher are superheroes and this method enables you to meet all students needs through the power of many. Welcome to an exciting adventure in education…MTSS also known as RTI. RTI (Response […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Guided Reading With Early Readers
Guided reading is an instructional method used in many elementary classrooms. It is an approach I use daily and without it would not be able to create successful readers. Guided reading is when the teacher works with a small group of students. During this time, the students apply and practice effective reading strategies while reading […]
Posted inElementary School, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, New Teacher Bootcamp
Assessments—Using Incentives to Change the Image
Assessments…it’s almost become a dirty word in education. Those of us in the trenches know assessments are necessary and have a purpose. We understand there are different types of assessments that guide our instruction, help us focus students on their learning objectives, and show us where re-teaching and extension need to take place. Everyone has […]