From 1985 to 1992 my husband traveled behind the Iron Curtain and engaged in an operation that only a select few of our family and friends knew about. Before he could meet up with his contacts in the Eastern Bloc countries where he traveled, there were other individuals who smuggled materials into secret locations for …
For the record, I don’t hate poetry. I rather like it. It can be tricky, however, to pass on a love of poetry to young students. I know this because I remember sitting through interminable, painful lessons on poetry as a student myself. Last month I spent several weeks co-teaching with a first year teacher …
Readers are in for a treat. Today’s guest blogger is Jeff Blankenship, Technology Integration Specialist for Hurst Euless Bedford ISD in Texas. I’m a huge fan as Jeff has been responsible for training me from an absolute rookie in technology to near veteran status. You can reach Jeff by email at jeffreyblankenship@hebisd.edu and follow …
In Part I of Why Is Teaching Kids To Summarize So #@*^ Difficult? I shared that the first critical step is understanding why it’s such a daunting task. “Students must determine what is most important and form ideas from the text that are written in a brief retelling and this requires students to analyze, evaluate …
Nicolle Rulff, first grade teacher on a Title I campus in Texas is guest blogging today. She has a unique perspective on supporting English Language learners and is sharing a strategy that she uses in her classroom with non-English speaking students. Thank you, Nicolle! You can reach Nicolle at nicollerulff@hebisd.edu. Twenty years ago I …
A huge thank you to James Sturtevant for guest blogging today! I am a huge fan of his blog, podcasts and just finished his newest book. James is a teacher and author of Hacking Engagement: 50 Tips and Tools to Engage Teachers and Learners Daily (part of the crazy popular Hack Learning Series) and You’ve …
Thank you to Amy Bettis, kindergarten teacher in Texas, for guest blogging on That Thing You Do segment today. Amy shares today how she and her students engaged in the important work of learning behaviors that lead to strong readers. Imagine a classroom full of young students reading independently: you hear the low hum …
Family engagement is tricky business. We work hard at that in education, but I wonder if we need to allow ourselves to think a little bit differently about this critical responsibility and privilege that falls to us as 21st century educators. Engaging families in the culture of a campus is more than sending home newsletters …
I am incredibly honored that Zaretta Hammond is guest blogging for today’s That Thing You Do! segment. Zaretta is an educator and the esteemed author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. You can follow her at www.ready4rigor.com and on Twitter @Ready4rigor Counter-Narratives Support …
I am beyond excited that you get to hear from my friend and technology mentor, Nancy Bingham. Nancy has taught in elementary classrooms for most of her career. She is currently a Technology Integration Specialist in a large district in Texas, supporting teachers and campus administrators. You can follow Nancy at @nancybinghamHEB Project Based Learning …
