In The Hunger Games Katniss becomes an unwitting symbol of the revolution when she uses the nightlock berries as a strategy for survival. She takes the power out of the hands of the Capitol and the Gamemakers. Throughout the next two books, the reader discovers that a revolution was brewing the entire time, a revolution […]
assessment
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Testing and Thinking
Now that testing mode is in full throttle, the stress levels around schools can be cut with a knife. Along with testing mode comes multiple meetings on administering, grading and packing the tests. During my latest meeting on grading the NYSESLAT (New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test), the moderator made an […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Part I: See Jane Read–Identifying the Reading Abilities of Your Students
[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”] Who remembers the primers? “See Dick.” “See Dick Run.” “See Dick Jump.” Who remembers basal readers? Who remembers whole language? Reading instruction has used Hornbooks, basals, phonics, animated alphabet, whole language, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School
What Are We Assessing? (Charter School Diaries # 10)
Week 3/11 – 3/15 One of the things that I love doing as a teacher, to keep my students focused on reading their notes from class when at home, is giving pop quizzes in class. My kids hate it… I hated it as a student, but I understand the purpose and I do it often. […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Uncategorized
Good-bye to the Inauthentic "Make a Connection" Questions
As the Connecticut State Standardized tests fade into the sunset, teachers are learning to say “Good-bye” to all those questions that ask the reader to make a personal connection to a story. The incoming English Language Arts Common Core Standards (ELA- CCSS) are eradicating the writing of responses that begin with, “This story reminds me […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Joke That Keeps On Giving: Social Promotion Holds No One Accountable!
Social promotion is the gift that keeps on giving. Let’s have a conversation about what’s next. “How did I fail? I did all of my work! You must not like me… I came to class every day. ” These were the protests from my current ninth graders as I handled the arduous task of doing […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
The Conundrum of Extra Credit
Every classroom teacher has encountered the inevitable question from a student or parent, “Do you offer extra credit?” The reasons can be myriad: the student was out of school due to illness and his/her grades suffered for it. The parents may want the student to gain additional mastery of the material. More often than not, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Here We Go Again–Another Year of State Testing
High stakes testing is a common discussion within education today. There are teachers who are willing to risk their educational careers to step up and voice their opinions about all of the testing being given in our schools today. I have always believed you have to advocate for your children. I do that constantly. If […]