Posted inAsk a Teacher, From the Front Lines, Parents

It's August: Better to Get to Work on those Summer Work Packets!

“Ancora imparo. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][I am still learning.]“ ― Michelangelo, at age 87 in 1562 In the United States, students will spend 96 weeks or collectively about two years of their academic life in summer vacation […]

Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum

The Argument for Summer Vacation

A couple of mornings ago, I happened to be listening to the radio while a popular education pundit was being interviewed. After  listening to him tout his own personal accolades and his ideas for educational reform, he said something that struck me. He claimed that at his school, he did things that were beneficial for the students, instead of the teachers in the building.  He continued to brag that  at his school, students attend during the summer  and during the year they not only have extended day (every day of the week), but students come to school almost every Saturday for  more content enrichment. As I listened I thought, “How can a […]

Posted inUncategorized

I Don’t Teach for Summer Vacation

I have encountered many a person who believes that all teachers teach for summer vacation. Or fall break. Or spring break. Or Christmas break. Or snow days. Sadly, it is true that some choose to teach for that two-month hiatus, usually because they mistakenly think teaching is easy and summers are completely free. They soon […]