Here are some recent snippets from my weekly review. Each week I look back and record what I’ve been thinking, reading, and experiencing in the classroom and in life. Think, Learn, Share, Repeat.
Direct Instruction, when done well, is a highly effective teaching method.
As our society becomes more divided, schools can help by teaching about democracy. However, improving civic studies is challenging because of partisanship. We need to find a fair way to boost understanding and active citizenship.
Single-point rubrics are an efficient way to give feedback to students.
We often celebrate the end product. However, it is important to celebrate the thinking, creativity, and imagination behind it all.
Polarization can cause reactivity and breakdowns in communication. Empathy and appreciation can counteract this.
I chatted with my 8th graders about making school better — their wishlist? Their biggest requests were sleeping in a bit more and a richer menu of electives.
Reading is just the beginning. You’ve got to do something with what you’ve just learned.
As students spend more time in school, they should develop more independence.
Brisk Teaching is an AI tool with great promise. I used it to provide feedback to students on a written reflection; some suggestions were spot on.
Education and learning are different. Schools create the structure for learning, but we also need to prepare students for a life outside of school. This includes teaching them practical life skills and encouraging self-directed learning. The ultimate goal is to produce well-rounded individuals who can navigate the world confidently.
“Outer order contributes to inner calm.” — Gretchen Rubin. I always feel better after cleaning the front desk in my classroom.
The crisis in education is not just about pay; it also involves issues such as overwhelming class sizes, lack of control over curriculum, and the inability to strike for public school teachers (@Gambcracker). These factors contribute to the high levels of stress and burnout experienced by educators, further exacerbating the teacher shortage.
Here’s what I’ve been up to.
30 Days of Gratitude: A Challenge to Say Thank You and Spread Positivity
Embrace the Buzz: Preparing for the Incredible Cicada Emergence and Turning it into a Learning Experience.
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