I just read Teachers to Curriculum Creators: Give Us the Real World. Data from a nationwide survey of 800 math, science and technology teachers indicates that when asked “What characteristics are most important in a curriculum resource?” more than two-thirds of the teachers selected “Shows real world connections.” The least ...

Chris Lehman shares some of his ideas about school reform. I challenge you to consider his ideas with an open-mind. Just a Note I think the structure for presentations at this event is clever. Speakers could use 20 slides with 15 seconds allowed for each slide. I think I’m going to begin using this strategy in several [...]

Nan got a new job.  She is now going to use the master’s degree in social work which made her wayyyy over-qualified to be working in my room as a special ed assistant.   I am happy for her, because it’s a great opportunity for her and she’ll be great, but I’m feeling very sorry for myself.  This fall I have relied on her ...

This commercial is a good follow-up to my recent post, Failure Can Be a Good Thing. Failure is a big part of success. (Hat tip to Dean Mantz) a Keep on Trying Similar Posts:Review of Frontline’s “Growing up Online” Leave Audio and Video Comments 1 Thing Teachers Should Know about Teaching with Technology 1 Thing ...

Here’s a spelling activity that I’ve never seen before. I thought it was fun and innovative and wanted to share it. (Hat tip to Tom Barrett) What are some ways that this activity could be extended? a Fun with Spelling Similar Posts:The Piano: Teaching Film Narrative Collaborating with Online Word Processing Photo ...

I think I may be losing my mind. Some people figure I'm already a couple tacos short of a combination plate for willingly plunging into my third year as a substitute teacher. But it isn't the substitute teaching itself that's causing the marbles to fall out of my ears. I've already come to terms with the nuances of substitute teaching--the ...

How do you think your students would respond to this? a Failure Can Be a Good Thing Similar Posts:7 Engineering Wonders of the Modern World Greetings from North Carolina Teens Talk about Educational Technology 1 Thing Teachers Should Know about Teaching with Technology

The 190th Blog Carnival of Education is up at Steve Spangler’s site.  And, by the way, how cool is it to have one of my entries right next to a mention of appearing on the Ellen Degeneres Show? There are a few really thought-provoking posts that you should check out in this week’s Carnival, including one about the struggle to ...

I am not generally inclined to discuss politics in this forum, but ‘tis the season. When it comes to selecting a new leader for our country, state, town, etc., I am a fairly cynical individual.  I have followed electoral issues and political races for most of my adult life and, perhaps, this is why I have so little faith in the ...

Scott Merrick shared an interesting resource with me in response to yesterday’s post. Where We Stand: America’s Schools in the 21st Century aired on PBS and presents an evaluation of the American educational system. I encourage you to watch the program and look through the site and reflect on your opinions/beliefs related to this ...