Everyday seems to bring with it a new candidate for the Presidential election of 2016. The oratory is familiar. The uttering of the redundant cliché that, “This is the most important election of our lifetimes” is almost as mandatory as the voting itself. It does not matter if you are a passionate Hillary Clinton aficionado, […]
education
Posted inCommon Core, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Celebrating the Genres in Anne Frank's Diary
 Anne Frank: The Diary of  Young Girl transcends the labels of genre. Yes, as the title suggests, it is a diary, but it is also a memoir, a narrative, an argument, an expository journal, an informational text, and much more. Yet, these genres listed are treated as separate and distinct in the reading and writing standards of the Common Core (CCSS). The […]
Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, The New Teacher Chronicles
8 Things Teachers Wish You Knew
Everyone knows about teachers. We’ve all been on the receiving end of education. We think we know what it is all about. In fact, most people are not aware of half of what make a teacher. Teachers wish you knew more. Here are some of the things you might be surprised to realize. 1. We […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
The Power Of A Teacher
I ran into my first grade teacher the other day while shopping. I knew that she had gone on to be a counselor, then retired a few years ago, after 30+ years of service. I would love to be able to say I told her what an amazing impact she has had on my teaching, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Encouraging Success In Our Students
Success was always important when I was growing up. I’m an only child, so the pressure was palpable from my parents. They were always pushing me to do better, wanting me to ‘amount’ to something worthwhile. Unfortunately their worthwhile careers were those of a doctor, attorney or highly paid businessperson. Not that of a […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Let Them Make T-Charts!
Pity the copier. Stuck in the windowless corner of the teacher’s room, churning out page after page of quizzes, newsletters, and course descriptions. Probed and shoved and slammed, the oft maligned copier needs a break. What could teachers do to lessen the toll that results in the overheated roller or stapler malfunction? Stop the madness….there is no […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Beyond a Venn Diagram: Making Movies Work in the ELA Classroom
The students of today are not like the ones twenty years ago, ten years ago, or even five years ago. Our students are used to a world where images change every second. A world where you can buy music, movie, or a book instantly without even going to a store. If you assign a book, […]
Posted inFeatured, Interviews
Inspirational Student – Kid President
Our favorite student we’ve never taught is Kid President. Known at home as “Robbie,” this little 11-year-old truly embodies the term “inspiration.” His Facebook messages, tweets, and videos will put a smile on your face and warm your heart. Now he has a book – The Guide to Being Awesome – set to be released this […]