Is a class in argumentation—where we analyze complex issues like immigration, police policies and providing food stamps—necessarily a good educational experience? Yes, it seems in today’s world we need to be able to function with this capability—to take a stand, see the other side, and
A former principal used to say that “There are no challenges, only opportunities.” This was usually uttered right before we received a really big, new difficult opportunity. The phrase was used a few years ago when my district received a grant to implement 1:1 tech
I was at a conference (surprise) this past week and I was in a moment of whiny-ness (again, not a surprise). I was frustrated at the actions (actually inactions) of a colleague. My friend said to me, “Jen, not everything is about you.” A smack
With the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us, I thought I would spend this blog expressing my gratitude. If I included all the things I am grateful for both personally and professionally, this would be the longest blog of the series. So I will restrict myself
Many educators around the world are familiar with H. Lynn Erickson’s Structure of Knowledge. More recently, people are discovering the Structure of Process. What is the difference? Why is it important to know each Structure as a Concept-Based teacher? Let’s look first at the two
Educators are primed to be strategic allies in the battle for social justice. We possess three strengths, that, if identified and intentionally cultivated, could dramatically alter the lives of our most vulnerable students: those marginalized because of the color of their skin, their home language,
Over the last seventeen years in my roles as a gifted teacher and supervisor, I have often received emails like the following (a fictional composite): “I wanted to take the time to thank you for allowing my son Jordan to participate in the gifted program. Now
Do the assignments you design for your students involve multiple steps? For example, do the projects, papers, presentations, etc., in your class expect students to incorporate several different parts into one holistic outcome? Then, when you are grading, or scoring as I prefer to call
“Stones are a kinesthetic medium — never fixed in place or meaning: the ground is an endless canvas, and the hands that arrange the stones are the brushes that move them.” What is Stonework Play? Stonework Play is an open invitation to work with stones… Stonework Play is a
When one thinks of the word Conspiracy, without a doubt thoughts of evil plots and schemes easily come to mind. History is replete with examples of conspiracies designed to pervert justice, overthrow governments, and manipulate truth. Conspiracy, from the Latin word “conspirare” meaning “to agree