The Doc Is In

Lighten Your Grading Load

2013-05-11T03:51:52Z

I assign one major project, paper, or speech per month per class, and I’m often asked how I keep up with the grading load. While there are many ways to keep up with the paper load, I tend to rely most on allowing students to choose their due dates. I...(read more)

There Are Idiots Among Us

2013-04-20T18:40:21Z

If the accusations are true, it will simply prove that there is moronic behavior everywhere. What was he thinking? Filed under: Frustration Read More......(read more)

From the Mouths of Babes

2013-04-20T15:31:36Z

Check out this test (at the end of the article) written by an 8th grader. The innocent often speak truth. Click here for the test and article. Filed under: Good Mood , Testing Read More......(read more)

Novel Bookmark Idea

2013-04-04T03:41:02Z

I’m starting a new novel with my students on Monday, and I like to give out a reading schedule for each book. Instead of a typical placeholder, I like to do two things with the bookmark. First, I print out a daily schedule of readings with the date and...(read more)

The ABCs of Learning

2013-03-26T03:37:59Z

Every high school student knows his ABCs, and that’s a good thing since those very ABCs are a good tool in allowing kids to learn in fun ways. A number of assignments I use require the basics of the English language, and here are a few I’ve used recently....(read more)

Bill Maher vs. Michelle Rhee

2013-03-19T03:41:54Z

The comedian versus the reformer. Who woulda thought that the comedian would get the upper hand in the education debate? Well, a lot of people, actually. John Stewart and Stephen Colbert do it regularly. However, Bill Maher softly debunked a few of Michelle...(read more)

Wanted: The Best and Brightest?

2013-03-10T17:48:48Z

My home state, Washington, was often seen as a progressive and enlightened hotbed of education ideas; however, my state is quickly becoming much like the rest of the education world with pseudo-reformers hijacking the conversation and the direction. Even...(read more)

New Course

2013-02-19T04:59:50Z

For some time I’ve considered proposing a new course or two to my department and then my administration. My first thought is a Film Analysis course where students analyze movies (the way the film is shot and the thematic elements within each film). We...(read more)

Are Classroom Rules Needed?

2013-02-10T22:19:40Z

My school is shifting its policies and behavior programs, and I was asked what rules I felt were essential in the classroom. I replied that I don’t have any classroom rules and have never felt like I needed them. Obviously, there was a bit of shocked...(read more)

To Test or Not to Test

2013-02-07T02:54:15Z

Seattle is seeing its fair share of controversy regarding the required MAPS testing in its schools. Teachers are boycotting the test, and the Superintendent has issued a warning . Now, parents are joining the teachers in their stance against a test the...(read more)

Films in the Classroom

2013-01-16T03:53:59Z

I’m not a huge fan of showing movies in class; most films do not meet my expectations for a good use of class time. I tend to ask myself: Will a clip suffice? Will a series of short clips from a film suffice? What is the purpose of using the film in class?...(read more)

Multiple Measures in Teacher Evaluations

2013-01-09T04:13:02Z

The Gates Foundation spent three years and $45 million to determine that multiple measures are needed in teacher evaluations–exactly what teachers have been saying for many years more. Really? Looks like another “Duh” study. Filed under: Frustration ,...(read more)

Allusions and Cultural Literacy

2013-01-06T03:53:57Z

I continually hear from my fellow department members that kids today are not as intelligent as kids 10 years ago, and I admit that I have seen a distinct difference between the general students of today and a decade ago; however, I also see a marked contrast...(read more)

Common Core Question Answered

2013-01-04T06:17:11Z

On the 1st I mentioned my concern about administrators in my district pushing non-fiction texts into Language Arts classrooms to an unwelcomed and unintended degree. This article by the two co-lead authors of the Common Core Standards affirms my assertions:...(read more)

Common Core is Here

2013-01-02T03:07:24Z

Well, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are here, and my district (and a few department members) see it as the panacea for this generation of students. While I don’t have anywhere near that sort of faith in the new standards, I do like the professional...(read more)