Back when I was in the classroom I was approached by someone in our district who wanted me to submit some of my students’ artwork in a public showing. Normally I would be all over an opportunity like this. But this time the timing was all wrong. Much of the students’ best work was alreadyContinue reading “A funny thing happened when I stopped telling kids what they had to do.”
Category Archives: “Student engagement” transformational
It’s About Relationships.
“This kid stood up and told my wife F*#@& you right to her face in front of me and that kid didn’t even get suspended.” “Classrooms are wild these days. Kids are so out of control, it didn’t use to be like this. And the Principal never suspends anybody, that’s why it is so outContinue reading “It’s About Relationships.”
Goodbye to the Science Fair
When I started my current position one of the projects being worked on was a redesign of the district science fair. It seemed everyone was frustrated with the status quo- a collection of cardboard tri-folds and volcano models. Not much had changed in decades, and no one felt it was a good example of whatContinue reading “Goodbye to the Science Fair”
Top Chef: Minecraft Edition
Today my district ditched the Science Fair. We turned it into the Science and Engineering Expo. It was a blast. It took a whole crew of people to pull off, and it was a huge success. The part I was most involved in though was what we called Top Chef: Minecraft Edition, with a tipContinue reading “Top Chef: Minecraft Edition”
Why Maps?
We all know about maps, right? You know, Google Maps. We all use Maps to figure out how to get somewhere, what’s the best route, or how long it will take. I remember that first time, at a Cue Conference, when a collegue showed me that if you type “nearby pizza” into Google on a phone, youContinue reading “Why Maps?”
My Edu-Hero
This last week I was invited to attend some presentations in one of our elementary schools. The invitation was an opportunity to go and see how technology is being used in schools. On Tuesday morning I made my way over to the Primary Years Academy, pushed my way through a crowd of proud parents outside Ms.Continue reading “My Edu-Hero”
Passion
Now that I have been in my new job for a half of a year, it is time to start getting back to the blog. One of the things that bothered me about being a classroom teacher was the isolation. A teacher never gets to go out and see what other teachers are doing. SureContinue reading “Passion”
Learning is not quiet.
“It should be quiet in here. You should be studying for the quiz!” “Sit down and do your work, I want it quiet in here!” I have heard these directions, and others like them many, many times through the years, and I just do not get it. When I am trying to learn something, especiallyContinue reading “Learning is not quiet. “
Ditch the Points
This year I am doing it, I am ditching the points. After years of pretending that giving points for assignments was an objective way of giving grades, I am finally admitting that all those points really do is keep track of how many assignments a student does. Points do not measure what a student knowsContinue reading “Ditch the Points”
Why Can’t They Start Now?
It was one of the last days of the school year and Alex, one of our seniors, said it: “I just can’t wait to graduate high school, go to college and finally work on what I want to be in life.” He was so excited. As he talked to his friends it became apparent that heContinue reading “Why Can’t They Start Now?”
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