The start of a new school year arouses many feelings. Anxiety, excitement, curiosity, nostalgia, to name a few. The start of a new school year also signifies a milestone in the life of the child: a new grade level, new students, and a new curriculum. There are so many new experiences to anticipate, which can … Continue reading A Note to Start the Year
This article is cross-posted on Teachers Going Gradeless As an English teacher, teaching writing and supporting developing writers is paramount. I want to see my students write regularly and hone their skills to communicate meaningful ideas. However, every essay means time for me to read, make comments, and this usually means sacrificing hours of personal … Continue reading Valuing Personal Time While Providing Students Meaningful Feedback
The purpose of a report cards is to explain progress to students and their parents. However, they do little to communicate learning. As a teacher I've found them limiting in what it is I'd like to share. As a parent, I find them confusing. The report card is efficient. I can fill them out for … Continue reading A Better Progress Report: Using Google Forms to communicate learning
The start of a new school year arouses many feelings. Anxiety, excitement, curiosity, nostalgia, to name a few. The start of a new school year also signifies a milestone in the life of the child: a new grade level, new students, and new curriculum. There are so many new experiences to anticipate, which can be … Continue reading A Note to Start the Year
This article is crossposted on Teachers Going Gradeless and ASCD Student Growth Center. In our dream we have limitless resources, and the people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hand. The present educational conventions fade from our minds; and, unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive rural … Continue reading From Hostility to Community
My greatest shame as a teacher stems from my past grading practices. At the time, I was certain it was my role to protect perfection. I believed it would drive students to go beyond their current ability and seek ways to express themselves more effectively. I had it in my mind that rigor meant setting … Continue reading Changing the Guard
As school begins to wind down, my wife and I, like many parents, scramble to figure out how to keep our boys engaged in learning rather than allow them to zone out in front of screens all day. Granted, our boys will more than likely spend an exorbitant amount of time gazing into the mesmerizing, … Continue reading Passion Projects: Engage Your Child This Summer
When I was eight years old, Pink Floyd released The Wall. My dad purchased the album and I was mesmerized by the composition, beauty, and sophistication of their sound. On top of that, the irreverent lyrics were, ultimately, what spoke to me. "We don't need no education, We don't need no thought control" (Pink Floyd, … Continue reading An Education in Rebellion
A teacher catches a student plagiarizing a major essay. An initial reaction is often, "How could he do this to me?" The teacher may feel violated and even want retribution. In an attempt to seek justice, she gives her student a zero and a referral. All too often, this is the default response to cheating. … Continue reading What About Cheating?
Thinking 101 