TL;DR: Introduce the author first, and let students know why they are reading this particular novel and what the background of the story is. Teach essential questions, themes, motifs, and symbolism ahead of time, especially with difficult texts. Include visual art with their reading. Allow students to differentiate their pace. Using differentiated instruction in the classroom does not have to be … Read More
Rule-Breakers & Risk-Takers
TL;DR: We’ve noticed recently how often adults don’t follow the rules. Treat students with compassion when they break rules. We ought to produce a generation of ‘risk-takers’ who understand how to analyze their decisions and understand consequences. Uncharted Territory School has just moved back on-campus for us despite a bloom of COVID cases. It feels like we’re entering unchartered territory … Read More
Maintaining Student Engagement in December
TL;DR: December will be a difficult month to keep students engaged, especially this year with a somewhat return to “normal.” Maintain student engagement by focusing on relationships and having fun. Have students participate in project-based learning and other activities to keep things interesting rather than focusing on the curriculum. For most educators, December can be a tricky month in terms … Read More
Tales of a Teacher: Starting a Podcast
TL;DR: Learn all about a new education podcast, The Fandalorians, to hear about pop culture from the perspective of three teachers. This post shares the triumphs and tribulations of starting a podcast. Connecting with Educators One of the things I’ve grown to love about social media (and trust me, I don’t always “love” social media) is that it has connected … Read More
Learning from World AIDS Day
TL;DR: We must not erase the toll of the AIDS epidemic from our historical memory. Health teachers aren’t the only teachers who can/should talk about HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day and beyond. Author’s Note: HIV/AIDS is absolutely a world issue; however, this post focuses on its impact in America most prevalently. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are quickly approaching … Read More
