I watched a wonderful video by The Killers this morning. It is filled with images of dancers that simply lifted my soul. It reminded me of one of the joys of my second grade classroom — dancing. I never officially taught my students to dance. I had a huge collection of cd’s: classical for math […]
classroom management
Posted inClassroom Management, Opinion
Always. Ask. Questions. Always.
As a teacher, have you ever thought about the power of the almighty “question?”  Without questions where would we be as a society, as students, as teachers, as classroom communities? One day I found a website that listed the top ten philosophical questions of all time. The #1 question (of course) “Does God exist?”  The second […]
Posted inOpinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
Why Smaller is Better: Class Sizes Matter
When I was in first grade, way back in the early 1960’s, there were 52 students in my class. It was the baby boom. It was a Catholic school. It still was an astonishing number of children. There were three reading groups named Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Those poor Joseph’s! How can you learn to […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Classroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum
Building Self-Esteem: The Secret Ingredient to Reaching Your Learning Disability Student
For twelve long years of school and after, he contends with a situation for which he can find no satisfactory solution. When schoolwork becomes insurmountable, the child has few alternative resources. An adult dissatisfied with his job may seek a position elsewhere or find solace outside of his work; he may even endure these difficulties […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Build Reading Skills with Poetry
On Friday mornings, the lights would go off, quietly chatting, the class moved to the rug. Each child held a book of poems. They sat in a circle, poems on the floor in front of them. I would ask a student to start. As he began to read, the child next to him picked […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
What to Do About Your Perpetual Motion Student
Got a wiggler in your class who is driving you crazy? Lucky you. I love them! I know some teachers don’t. Some teachers don’t know how to put up with the perpetual motion, the blurts and interruptions, or the ants in the pants antics. I gained a lot experience that brought wisdom, patience, and tricks […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher, Classroom Management, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, New Teacher Bootcamp, The New Teacher Chronicles
Reminders for the New Year for Teachers
The excitement of break and holiday fun is over. Snow has come and gone and may come again. But everywhere across the United States, classes are starting back for teachers and students. In elementary classrooms it is generally back to business as usual.  We don’t have class changes or a new group of students.  Here […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Where I'm From: New Year, New Understanding Using Poetry
[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 remember watching “Gremlins” in the 80’s. Â When Randall is sold the Mogwai he is given three specific instructions:Â never expose it to bright light, Â never get it wet and never, ever […]