Regardless of where we are located, it’s looking like we should be prepared for some form of distance learning at some point next year. Last spring, one of the most frustrating aspects of my remote teaching experience was the constant barrage of emails and texts from students and parents asking how to log in to […]

Students in my district are still scheduled to start school in person on August 17–at least those students who don’t, or can’t, choose one of the e-learning options.  As teachers, we need to plan to accommodate 25 to 30 kids in our classes because we have no idea how many kids will show up.  It […]

Relationships will be more important than ever this school year.  Last spring, we were sent home for the fourth quarter in my district–like teachers and students across the world, we tried our best to teach and learn from home.  It was not a success, but it wasn’t a failure either.  The main reason we didn’t […]

We need to help our students dig deeper into the text.  We want them to understand–to make connections, to be able to explain what they’ve read, to use this knowledge after they’ve left our classrooms.

Every morning I get up a few hours before anyone else in my house. I use this quiet time to read, think, write, and drink coffee–it’s my time. It’s also a lonely time. Sometimes solitude is good, but other times I wish there was someone with whom to share the a-ha moments. Hence, I keep […]

The simplicity and flexibility of the simple single-point rubric make it a win-win for students and teachers.

“The most difficult thing is to try to forget what is in your memory and re-approach.”

If only I had the answer. I don’t think anyone does, but here are a few ideas that might help.

“Focus on…what’s right instead of what’s wrong.”