During my prep period today, I ran across a discussion between a few people on Twitter. It revolved around a Harvard Gazette article where five experts engaged in a discussion regarding how to "jump-start effective learning." I read the experts and found
Read MoreThe Tassel’s Not a Hassle*
Sometimes it is frighteningly transparent who is profiting from access to our schools.
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Their, Them, Mine, and Us
I’m fortunate enough to have a staff that would be willing to have their data tied to the peformance of the whole school, support each other in improving the learning for all through flexible grouping. They are willing to sink or swim as a team. When I asked if such a unique declaration could be made, the answer was simple.
Read MoreWhite Noise
The Spanish-American War was an act of conquest. I don’t teach it that way. I do, however, offer primary sources, statistics and stories from the time period that challenge the textbook assumptions that Mexico baited the U.S. into war and
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Tripping Over the Bar
For all of our conversation about critical thinking and higher level skills, we certainly spend much of our time preparing students for lower level skill assessments. If this is the case, just how low is the bar for those top performers?
Read MoreThe Weight
The reality of day ten leaves a heavy weight. A feeling I have not felt before. To help you better understand let me take you back to that day. Driving home from work, I received a phone call from the
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Language Ghettos
“Mr. Spencer, what is a common assessment?” a student asks. “It’s a test that every student on the grade level has to take,” I explain. The student furrows his eyebrows and continues, “So, why are we going to put our
Read MoreBully: Will it Get Better? Part 2
Will bullying ever go away? Probably not. Will things get better for those being bullied? Yes, it will but it won't happen on its own. We have to empower children on how to handle bullies and be there to help
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Clueless? I Hope Not…
So, this week, I’ve been thinking about my district as we move ahead with Common Core. I have a feeling some of these questions are being asked around the country. Are they being asked in your district?
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Memo From The System
Welcome to your first day of school; it is obvious you are excited to be here and to learn about the vast world around you. I hope you revel in the wonder of this morning and enjoy meeting your well-intentioned teachers.
I want to take a moment to warn you, however, that such enthusiasm will be short-lived.