Aaah, May. The time of year when many of us look at our students with a sigh of “what could I have done better?” At my school, we have only five class meetings left, and while I am doing the best I can with the time we have, I have found myself focusing on how […]
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Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
What is Brain-Based Learning Anyway?
The latest and greatest buzzword around education in recent years is the concept of brain-based learning strategies. Many teachers believe, “I give knowledge…what else would I be teaching if not the brain?” A little background information may clear up any misconceptions about this learning pattern and how we can impart it in our classrooms for […]
Posted inCharter Schools, High School
Take Me Out To the Ball Game – Teaching Responsibility (Charter School Diaries #20)
Week 5/20 – 5/24 When you work with children, there is never a dull moment. I may be repeating myself, but it is a very true phrase. It is because children do some foolish things. At times, it can be funny and other times, it can be very serious. When you are dealing with high […]
Posted inCharter Schools, High School, School Improvement
The Necessity of Redundancy about our Students (Charter School Diaries #19)
Week 5/13 – 5/17 Many of my articles revolve around teachers and students, and I fear that I am redundant at times. But then I have to remember that I am writing about school experiences that include teachers and students; among whom there is never a dull moment. One thing I am sure about when it comes […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured, Opinion
How do Effective Teachers Create a Classroom of Inquiry? – A Book Review
Essential Questions: Opening Doors to Student Understanding By Jay McTighe & Grant Wiggins Published by ASCD, 2013 [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 was lucky enough to go through my MAT training (about 10 years ago) […]
Posted inOpinion, The State of Education, Uncategorized
The State of Education in New York: "The Hunger Games" (Part 2)
In The Hunger Games Katniss becomes an unwitting symbol of the revolution when she uses the nightlock berries as a strategy for survival. She takes the power out of the hands of the Capitol and the Gamemakers. Throughout the next two books, the reader discovers that a revolution was brewing the entire time, a revolution […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Principals' Corner, The State of Education
The State of Education in New York: "The Hunger Games" (Part 1)
In this first of a 3-part series, the education policies of the State of New York and the country take on whole new meaning in light of The Hunger Games… In The Hunger Games, the Capitol rules. In education, “The State” rules. In The Hunger Games, the Capitol cuts off the food supply to the […]
Posted inSocial Studies, Uncategorized
The Social Studies Problem
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 […]