According to grade guru Ken O’Connor, in his book A Repair Kit for Grading, “grades are broken when they include… Read more In Assessment, Zero Can Still Be a Hero
Valentine’s Day – Another Dress Down Day, Another Opportunity to Take Advantage
This is come off as a little crazy, but bear with me… Dress down days at school can be fun,… Read more Valentine’s Day – Another Dress Down Day, Another Opportunity to Take Advantage
Simplifying Classroom Observations
Last week I was having a conversation with my principal. We were talking about the idea of teachers getting out… Read more Simplifying Classroom Observations
Movies in the Classroom – 5 Things
It is easy to dismiss movies as a way teachers build in breaks for themselves. But, when used correctly and… Read more Movies in the Classroom – 5 Things
Don’t Put a Holiday Countdown in your Classroom
It’s just a few weeks until my school’s Christmas break. But, if I can help it, my students will never… Read more Don’t Put a Holiday Countdown in your Classroom
JFK Assassination Google Doc Project
Each year, around the 22nd of November, I put my U.S. history class on hold and I introduce my middle… Read more JFK Assassination Google Doc Project
Student Anxiety Survey – Results and Analysis
Maybe it was the first time I actually noticed it, but this year it seemed like more students than normal… Read more Student Anxiety Survey – Results and Analysis
Forget KISS – Keep Your Teacher Talk Complex
My wife is on our school’s Language-Rich Environment team. At one of their meetings, the team showed a video by… Read more Forget KISS – Keep Your Teacher Talk Complex
Dealing with an Artful Dodger
I recently stumbled across a new category of student – I call them Artful Dodgers. With apologies (but no royalties)… Read more Dealing with an Artful Dodger
Don’t Forget the Magic Part of Teaching
Recently, a colleague asked me to share some assessment data from the first quarter of the school year. I was… Read more Don’t Forget the Magic Part of Teaching
