As I sit here watching these little turkey-butts take their state-mandated tests, I am reflecting on the various issues that have brought them to me. Here I will list phrases used on our placement information sheet and the number of times each is used if more than once, or if privacy allows. This is out…
April 25, 2010 This video clip disturbs me. Shall I list the ways or shall I invite my fellow caped crusaders to tell me themselves? And let’s be even-handed. What do you like and dislike about this video and related article (if you can read it without skipping most of it as I very much…
This story on NPR caught my attention today and made my heart a little wobbly. I’ve included the link to the story I heard, though there are many articles online. His words and the words of his staff speak to me. It sounds like he has left quite a legacy in education. Remembering D.C. Educator…
I have my 6th and 7th grade girls convinced that if they whine, I will get a nervous twitch. This is not technically a lie, since I do think it could kill me if I have to listen to as much whining as they are capable of … of which they are capable … that they are…
Disclaimer: Lest you think I am this brilliant, I am not. I did not create the beagle assignment below. It is from DownWrite Funny: Using students’ love of the ridiculous to teach serious writing skills by Randy Larson. In fact, I took a perfectly good lesson about a beagle and messed it up entirely. Today…
“If you ever teach a yodeling class, probably the hardest thing is to keep the students from trying to yodel right off. You see, we build to that.” Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy
Ms. M: Happy Birthday R. Here’s your birthday pencil! R: Is that all? Ms. M: (gives “the look”) R: I mean thank you.
As promised, here are the much anticipated photos of our Spirit Day project based on Faith Ringgold’s Tar Beach (see previous post here). The students are enjoying looking at the different squares and their small selves flying above the city.
T’was the first day back from a two-week vay-cay. All the punkin’ heads were reading their books. Ms. M. notices A. leafing a little too quickly through his and questions his actions. A. replies, “I’m looking for a hyphenated modifier.” And he was! It’s a good day when one of your little turtle doves learns…
School starts back up on Monday. How does a caped teacher go back to the grind after two lovely weeks off? What’s that quote about faking it until you make it? While many of us miss our little pumpkin-heads, and worry about them, and think of great things for them to learn, we still cherish…
Wear The Cape 