It is the best of jobs, it is the worst of jobs, it is the career of joy and fulfillment, it is the career of crippling self-doubt and soul-crushing imposter syndrome. Or, maybe that’s just me. Full confession: I ended last year in a very, very bad place. I was just undone by the enormityContinue reading “Teaching is hard, but it isn’t brain surgery.”
Tag Archives: teaching
The MAGIC of Reader’s Theater Part II: Making REALLY Tough Texts Readable
Some time ago, I posted a basic how-to (and why-to!) guide to Reader’s Theater. Few strategies have had a bigger positive impact on building engagement and community in my ELA classroom. However, it’s important to remember that engagement and community are the first steps toward what we’re really after: comprehension. As ELA/Social Studies teachers, weContinue reading “The MAGIC of Reader’s Theater Part II: Making REALLY Tough Texts Readable”
I love it; students love it: The Sacred Spaces Model Project
In a nutshell, what it is: students work in small groups to create a model of a garden dedicated to the beliefs and values of a specific world religion/philosophy. Why we do it: Students benefit from a broader understanding of world views, hone their research skills, and get to collaborate. Plus, it’s super fun toContinue reading “I love it; students love it: The Sacred Spaces Model Project”
Engage: Agree/Disagree Walkaround
Here’s a quick activity to get students interacting with each other and talking about big ideas. How to set it up: Here’s a link to an Agree/Disagree Walkaround I shall use this coming week to launch a study of government: Government: What is it? Why do we need it? You can use it as isContinue reading “Engage: Agree/Disagree Walkaround”
Inspire! Middle Grades ELA and Social Studies 