New York has a serious social studies problem. A few years ago cuts were made due to the economy. One of the causalities of the cuts was the 5th and 8th grade social studies exams. If you look at the New York State social studies curriculum that means that the very first social studies test […]
effective teaching
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
The Absent Teacher
OK. Can I just rant a minute? I totally understand that teachers are people too. We have normal lives that involve doctor’s appointments, our own sick kids, funerals and professional development conferences during the school day. I get this. But what about that ONE teacher who we all know that seems to have unending amounts […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, School Improvement
32 Qualities of Effective Educators
I revisited my roots a bit this week by putting myself in a new teacher’s shoes and looking at the “Pennsylvania Standard Teaching Application.” On the very last page of the application, there are 3 essay choices. I was immediately drawn to one that asked, “What are the qualities of an effective educator?” I challenged […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
NGLB – No Gifted Students Left Behind
Education has taken a major swing in the last five years with its new focus on the Response to Intervention movement. Â Through the RTI program, students that are in the bottom 20% of their class are to receive Tier I interventions in their regular education classroom. Â While many resources define this as differentiated instruction, many […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Demystifying the AP Exam – 4 Tips to Make Review Time Easier
It’s that time of year again! The beginning of April marks the one-month countdown until AP exams begin. AP teachers are crossing days off their calendars, hoping that all the content has been absorbed, and thinking about how to most effectively review a year of information in the span of a few weeks. Advanced Placement […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Cooperation vs. Competition in Classrooms
by: Nina Smith We live in a culture that values winning. In the modern world, competition is infused to all areas of our lives: work, sports (of course), advertisements, entertainment, and relationships, even education – the sad example of wording an educational goal being “Race to the Top.” In competition there are always winners and […]
Posted inFeatured
When Your School Doesn't Have An Art Class
I consider myself very lucky. Growing up, I had art every week. Unfortunately, that is hardly the case anymore. Between rubrics and budget cuts, students no longer have that necessary creative outlet readily available. Art is easily added to any classroom and to any lesson as long as you have the confidence and knowledge to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
What We Forgot From School
My improv troupe has been going through a time of transition. Â When I came back this summer after my school hiatus, there were a lot of new faces and a few old ones – and things had changed, not necessarily for the better. Every group goes through highs and lows. The first time I was […]