My mom was a believer in experiences. While I couldn’t detail the gifts I received over the years, I can still recall the scent of melting wax that we poured into sand candles and the roar of jet engines above the long-shuttered O’Hare Airport observation
Choice is good for the soul. Once upon a time I was a wild child adolescent, standing up to every “should” that came my way. If I was told to do something, I actively sought out any and every way to do the opposite. Looking
Often, we combat time constraints by teaching more to the whole class, while interacting less through small groups or one-to-one. Yet doing so creates more teaching-to-the-middle and less individualization. So how do we move toward more individualized learning opportunities within our time constraints? Small-group reading experiences!
Both knowledge and paint have no use until applied. I’ve always liked this adage, perhaps because as a teacher and a parent, I see firsthand that knowledge… is not enough. Application is everything or to use the trendy term du jour, transfer, is the hallmark
Educational Absurdity As I begin my twelfth year as a teacher, I find myself reflecting on the more absurd aspects of the profession—those practices that are continually implemented despite their demonstrable ineffectiveness—and how they are perhaps most prevalent in the teaching of literacy. The English Language
“As I began research for this book, I realized this over-emphasis on strategy instead of purpose was not only affecting students’ ability to write meaningful pieces, it was also affecting their ability to infer and interpret the stories they read. When students see no meaning
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
Learning to read is laborious. Students’ minds are constantly decoding words, remembering what they have read, and making sense of the text. It’s no wonder so many students decide reading just isn’t for them by the middle grades! This doesn’t have to happen, though. Teachers
When our children were young, we lived in Austria, which was light years ahead of the U.S. when it came to recycling. We had three bins in our pantry: one for cardboard or paper products, one for glass and the other for tin and metal.
Want the secret to engaging every kid in the room in less than a tweet, because you’ve got a stack of papers to grade, dinner to cook, and the need for more than six hours of sleep? Don’t ask me, ask them! Five words. That’s it. You