Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Editor’s Note: Over the past year there has been a growing number of states seeking to surveil teachers and curtail the content and curriculum they teach. Many states have implemented laws that limit conversations about race, racism, LGBTQ+ identities, […]
critical thinking
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
It’s Hard to Fight for the Truth If You Lose Your Job
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Editor’s Note: Over the past year there has been a growing number of states seeking to surveil teachers and curtail the content and curriculum they teach. Many states have implemented laws that limit conversations about race, racism, LGBTQ+ identities, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Yes, You Can Use Movies as a Teaching Tool
How to Use Visual Texts in the ELA Classroom Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! I’m sure they’re out there, but I have yet to meet the student who insists on reading the book rather than watching the movie version of a story. That said, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
One Teacher’s Questions for Republican Lawmakers
Don’t Say Gay legislation. Limiting classroom discussions of “controversial” topics, including many that we simply call “history.” Removing books from school libraries. Requiring online posting of lesson plans and instructional materials. Installing classroom cameras. Banning diversity training. Questioning social/emotional learning activities. Creating new avenues for parents to sue teachers and school districts. State legislatures nationwide […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies
Teaching Your Way through Controversy: Responding to Kaepernick’s Stance
Even elementary students are talking about the Nike deciding to sponsor former Quarterback Colin Kaepernick. So, how do you respond as an educator and model of critical thinking? It’s no easy task when you are likely to hold a strong opinion of your own. Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) is an option when faced with the […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
Blueprint for Reform: Building the Foundation
Ever since the 2002 reauthorization of ESEA—otherwise known as No Child Left Behind—a day doesn’t pass without talk of education reform. The media tell us our schools are failing students, our teachers are exhausted, and our parents are dissatisfied. As much as we can agree that our nation’s schools are struggling, it is not as […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Have You Tried Socratic Seminars Yet?
Have you jumped into Socratic Seminars in your classroom yet? If not, I’ve got a few easy tips to help you get started – including a ‘real life’ demo video! If you’re already using Socratic Seminar, maybe I’ve got a way you can snazz yours up and take your students’ thinking a little bit deeper. […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Literacy
Close Reading and Deep Thinking = “Textploration”
My focus in this piece will be on inspiring truly close reading and deeper thinking as a facet of ELA instruction. When a reader can go beyond recall; go beyond simple inference and analysis, and go spelunking deep into reflection on and evaluation of story characters and elements (while using the text to support their […]