As I write this blog post, I’m about halfway through Ellin Keene’s latest book Engaging Children. I’ve long considered Ellin to be a kindred spirit. Her books and presentations have pushed my thinking and helped to refine my craft. So, it’s no surprise that Ellin’s
The final months of the school year can feel pretty sloggy. We’re tired, kids are restless, and it often feels like it doesn’t matter much anymore. After all, the year is nearly done! Summer is practically here! The standardized tests are over! Cue the Moviefest. The
It may sound like common sense, but there are some basics that need to be in place in any classroom to engage students in learning. For starters, classroom teachers need to have their lesson plans ready and appropriate resources available, and students must also come
“I can’t do this,” I whispered to myself as I stared at my reflection in the old, bulky television strapped down on a sagging, metal cart. I was holding a tattered VHS tape. It had been eaten and regurgitated countless times by the VCR, which was
Sometimes it's not until after we coach and teach that the “Aha” moment hits us. The other day, a wonderful teacher, Sue Smith, and I were sitting on the windowsill in her classroom, casually debriefing about how the lesson had gone. Sue said something in
Even on the very best of days we have a variety of learners with various levels of engagement in our classrooms. We may find a student who notices each tick of the clock and agonizes over every second. This type of student may comply with
Does this statement ring true in your school? “Many students are aware of the issues in the world around them, possibly feeling inspired, curious, confused, or scared.” (Teaching the Whole Teen, p. 153). If that statement sounds on target, your school is not unusual. Young people
Benjamin Franklin is often incorrectly attributed as the genius behind the following ancient Chinese proverb: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” While the sentiments of those simple sentences may seem to be plain old common sense, the depth
We’re keeping close tabs on national news around the Every Student Succeeds Act as well as ESSA news from the eight most populous states in the union: CA, TX, FL, NY, IL, PA, OH, and GA. Our hope is that these brief updates will help
Several weeks ago, a colleague and friend of mine emailed me the following observations about his students: The students don’t want to think anymore. Nowadays students are just looking for the correct answer. When I ask them to think critically, all I get are superficial responses. Students don’t ask