An archived stack of papers: December 2006
How It Should Be Done
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Dec
- 31
- 2006
While reading Andy Carvin’s summary of the good news about DOPA, a click on “TV for Teachers,” a link I found at the bottom of the page, lead me to a lesson plan. Usually,... read more
And Rubrics Are For…?
In a stack of papers called Writing.
- Dec
- 27
- 2006
I keep thinking of throwing rubrics out the window. Most are ill conceived because the correct audience has never been considered. The fatal flaw is one inherent in the design: rubrics are for teachers, not students.
Typical
“Demonstrates a comprehensive, thoughtful grasp of the text.” When students report that they lose, throw away, or never even look at the rubrics I... read more
Strange Christmas Gifts
In a stack of papers called Personal.
- Dec
- 23
- 2006
I’m sure you’ve all gotten a gift for Christmas that’s odd. Bunny pajamas, a shirt you’d never wear, a CD in a musical style completely outside your listening habits, 6 loaves of fruitcake. These kinds of... read more
Why We Need Realistic Education
In a stack of papers called Reform.
- Dec
- 17
- 2006
College isn’t for everyone. Going to college simply because you feel like you should is possibly one of the biggest mistakes you will make in your life.
College should be a means to an end, not an end in itself.
It’s a nice dream that no child will be left behind, all students will be ready and willing to go to college, and all citizens will be well educated and care about... read more
D.I.Y. Graphic Organizer
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Dec
- 15
- 2006
My juniors are not reading… again. Still, I have confidence that this can be a learning experience for them. I’ve split the class into groups, based on where they are in the novel: 2 groups that are where they should be, 2 groups about 50 pages behind, and 2 groups 100+ pages behind. Ideally, they help each other make sense out of those pages and push forward in the story.
Group... read more
Don’t Call Home
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Dec
- 14
- 2006
It is December 14th. We start Winter Holiday tomorrow at 1:15. When we get back from break, there are only 2 weeks before semester finals. That means that, even though it’s a month away on the calendar, there are only 2 weeks left in this semester.
And this is the week that parents start to call or email teachers about their child who is failing or in danger of failing a course. Why are... read more
Drop Those Red Pens
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Dec
- 11
- 2006
My hand sits poised over the last of 51 Oedipus the King essays to read for this year. “Since the end of October, jeez…” I mutter and shake my head, taking another swig of black coffee. Putting Sunday morning on hold to correct papers never proves easy. But these papers have gathered dust on my desk or in my bag for going on 2 months.
Painfully aware of the fact that... read more