An archived stack of papers: 'Instruction'
Mind That Gap
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 06
- 2008
Watching some Ted videos several weeks back, I came across a Hans Rosling presentation. This guy is bristling with energy, obviously excited about his topic. That’s how I want to be every day in the classroom because that’s contagious. Gotta keep up the... read more
Lit Terms In Modern Media
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 05
- 2008
I’ve been thinking about this page for quite a while, but I really only had two or three terms to post with links. Once I sat down to write this, though, I found a few others (Updated 09.19.08).
This list provides examples of literary terms, primarily in videos and images, though there are a few written texts here for now. Page updates will happen. Hopefully this helps... read more
Is It Time Yet?
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 04
- 2008
I hesitated to flip the calendar last Friday. Four days in, now there’s no denying it: August arrived early. I swear I was cheated out of a few weeks last month.
What have you started planning? Any ideas for the first week? How about for the first day? Decided on any new policies (homework, late work, attendance, behavior, etc.)? I’ve written about it already, but the ideas that have... read more
Equity In Video Gaming
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Jul
- 24
- 2008
I just watched King of Kong and loved it. It’s about 75 minutes, so would take two class periods to show. Using the idea that a single set of texts can produce multiple writing styles (and that a single writing assignment can encompass several styles), students begin with the obvious: was Steve Wiebe treated fairly? This encourages simple... read more
Fix, Create, Save, Think
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Jul
- 17
- 2008
Use this summer to fix things. That handout full of typos? That paper you typed up last year that uses a semicolon instead of a colon? That lesson plan that started strong and ended with a fizzle? Fix them.
That handout you wished you’d given before your lecture? That killer video/audio/comic intro to the first unit of study? Create them.
Those sample assignments you... read more
Change In Your Classroom
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Jul
- 16
- 2008
If you’ve stopped reading on a regular basis, it’s time to start again. Here are some beginning ideas for changes I might make to course content this coming school year. I’ll get to classroom policies later. I need you to agree or disagree with me on any of these. What are you thinking about doing in your classroom?
Skills Lists
Produce a list of... read more
3 On Txtng
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 13
- 2008
Students feeling a little disconnected? Find it hard to get them reading? I have just the thing. There are three rounds to this conversation and it all leads up to some in-class writing. I’ve spread this out across a few days. We began on Friday, continued Monday, will pick it back up on Wednesday, and complete the writing on Thursday. Each day was twenty to thirty minutes, allowing time for us to... read more
Been Up To: Quick Version
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 10
- 2008
More details about all of this to come, but I’ve been really busy with work the last few months and want to at least get the beginning of this idea in front of your eyes. I feel like I’ve been cooking something up for the longest time with nothing to show for it along the way. Here’s a peek.
ROI
The biggest return on investment of my time has come from a very simple... read more
Can I Get An Interpreter?
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Apr
- 12
- 2008
Instead of watching cooking and home improvement shows on PBS, I’m off to the district office. Several other department chairs and I will be working together until early afternoon. We’re creating curriculum maps, laying out all the standards that need to be covered at each grade period in English 1 and 2. I’m sure I’ll be the first to ask what skills those standards translate to... read more
The Importance Of Clarity
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Dec
- 31
- 2007
Something about an easy message, this video stuck out to me. The rest of The IT Crowd is hilarious and worth watching, from what little I’ve seen, but this piece should be in all the teacher ed schools. Imagine if something simple like 911 (or the even simpler 999 in England, apparently) changed to something difficult:... read more