One of the most misunderstood aspects of implementing Common Core standards is that they are about learning goals, not methods. This opens up lots of possibilities for including the standards in assessments across the curriculum. The standards currently include core skills and knowledge in Reading, Writing, and Math.  However, the idea is not to limit […]
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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 inHow to Fix Education, Uncategorized
Gaming Dialogues Serve a Vital Purpose
The majority of homework in elementary schools and high schools tends to be practice or preparation, leaving less than 30% for integration, interpretation opportunities (Brozo, 2010). The Common Core  is shifting assessment from a focus on skills and gains of knowledge to information analysis, critical evaluation, and expression of new understanding (CCSSI; www.corestandards.org). This means our […]
Posted inStellar Educator of the Week
Elizabeth J. – Our Stellar Educator of the Week!
Name: Elizabeth J. School: Arrowhead Union High School, WI Years Teaching: 7-8 years Specialty: English Language Arts Congratulations to Elizabeth J., our Stellar Educator of the Week! Elizabeth has the unique and very awesome honor of having been nominated by THREE separate people! We heard from a colleague, a student, and a parent about how […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Freedom on the Edge: Civic Education's Role in Preserving Democracy
This article starts a series of columns that will examine the importance of Civic Education for American students and a variety of ideas on how to teach Civics, even outside the Social Studies classroom. The General Election two weeks ago once again reminded Americans both of the thrill of democratic participation, and the frustration […]
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 inElementary School, Featured, Opinion, The Unemployed Teacher
Substituting – The Not-Quite-Teaching of Teaching
One of the new adventures I’ve embarked upon since my layoff in 2011 is substitute teaching. Many unemployed teachers I’ve spoken to have been substituting for a very long time, sometimes half a decade or more, waiting to get back into a permanent position. Substituting can be one of the worst – or best – situations in which an […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Fine Arts, How to Fix Education, Uncategorized
If You Build It, They Will Come: How to Build a Successful Choir Program – Educate the Administrative Team
By Anne Guess Read part one here. Part 2: Educate the Administrative Team      In all my years in the Texas public school system, both as a student and a teacher, I have met very few school administrators that were ever music educators. By very few, I mean I can count them all […]