By Jennifer Orr “That’s a good school.” I’ve heard people say that many times. If the speaker’s child attends the school in question, it’s possible they have many reasons for such an assertion. If not, chances are good they are basing the statement on test scores. Test scores are certainly one way to determine the […]
students
Posted inMathematics, Science
Celebrate Super Pi Day!
Saturday, March 14, 2015 is Super Pi Day, a once in 100 year event. Why Super Pi? Most people think of the mathematical Pi as 3.14 because that is what we use in mathematical calculations. Therefore March 14 is referred to as Pi day. This year there are two times during the day where a […]
Posted inElementary School, English Language Learners, Literacy, Professional Development, Uncategorized
Teaching Reading: No Magic Wand Required
Teaching children to read seems to be a mystery to everyone except primary school teachers. Someone recently asked: Is it true that it is not necessarily a teacher’s job to teach children to read? Is our job to give them the skills to make them better readers? Does any teacher have the time to teach […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Our Dirty Secret: Teachers Have Feelings
I’m going to say something controversial. If you have children reading over your shoulder or a perhaps even a sensitive grandma looking on, I’m giving you fair warning. The content of this post might just rock someone’s world, because it’s akin to saying Santa Claus doesn’t exist. Did you clear the room yet? Okay. So, now […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Opinion
Flipped Learning: What My Students Have Taught Me
One of the most important aspects of teaching is that you will never stop learning. I knew I would go to professional development, department meetings, and even back to school. What I didn’t know was how much I would learn from my incredible kids. 1. They may not be great at your content, but they […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Instructional Strategies
Biggie Give Me One More Chance…Incorporating Pop Culture in the English/ Language Arts Urban Classroom
Yesterday was the 18th anniversary of the untimely death of Hip Hop Giant Notorious B.I.G. Looking back at this moment in pop history, I still remember what it was like in 1997 when I was a senior in high school learning that one of my favorite rappers was dead. My AP Literature class was abuzz […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Languages, Literacy, Science, Social Studies
Do you Speed Date?
No, this is not an article on helping your dating life, though if you are a teacher and are dating, my heart goes out to you. Speed dating is a strategy to “spice” up your classroom. The concept is to have two rows of students each with a concept or person to teach. Put a […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, English Language Learners, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Flipped Learning: My Apology to Veteran Teachers
Eight years ago, I walked into my first classroom armed with my English Education degree, an American Literature book, and the state Comprehensive Curriculum. The only experience I had was my student teaching, but I wasn’t worried thanks to a mentor teacher and my state comprehensive curriculum which I thought was the greatest thing since […]