“But I can express myself only through writing. I don’t know any other way,” said my 10-year-old student. “Now, how do I respond to this?” I wondered. Still figuring out within myself, I was in for a surprise when the teacher within me immediately agreed with the student. “Yes, I agree. I have seen you […]
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Posted inOpinion
We Must Make School Developmentally Appropriate Again
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! During the first week of school, kindergarten teachers everywhere can be heard reading Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate. Miss Bindergarten is a caring and notably hairy teacher with a passion for education and a wagging […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Power of Play for All
The 1950s were something of a “golden era” of play. […] Schools had multiple recesses throughout the day, the concept of homework barely existed, and the school year itself was about 4-5 weeks shorter. Fast forward to today….. American kids now spend an average of just 4-7 minutes a day on unstructured outdoor play, and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Out with Lesson Plans…In with Lesson Design!
Surprise! Lesson design is not a new phrase or concept. However, in the midst of ever-changing educational demands, lesson design has taken a back seat to “lesson plans.” From 5 E to Madeline Hunter, there is a myriad of ways to plan for students. One commonality between these various lesson templates is the idea that […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Book Review: ‘Play Like A Pirate’
I recently met teacher and author Quinn Rollins at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference earlier this month, and the session he led was on incorporating graphic novels into the classroom (you can read more about it in the link above). I’d be interested in teaching with graphic novels since Jeff Kinney’s first Diary of […]
Posted inOpinion
Let them Be Children
Today at a meeting we discussed the inhibition of children. Little children. Children who have not started school yet. The rawness of their play and emotions. Think about watching a young child play or react or do anything. They give 110% of themselves to the event. In play that looks like imagination and sounds and […]
Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies
Seeing Play as Privilege
I was standing at the edge of a large hole, collectively dug by four third-grade students. Two were continuing to dig, while one peered in curiously. The fourth student was collecting some kind insect larvae. “I’m going to take them home as pets!” He proudly proclaimed. With five weeks left in the school year, my school’s […]