I vividly remember back-to-school time as kid. What will I wear on the first day of school? Will my friends be in my class? Will I like my teacher? For parents, this time is marked by getting back into school night routines and pushing carts up and down the aisles of Wal-Marts and Targets. In the midst of this…
Our school’s final days might make all the difference to a child
On Monday night, around 10 pm, I was preparing for our last week of school when I heard a dim roar. Then, a few minutes later, I heard it again. A minute later (48 seconds, to be exact) I heard a third roar. What was it? While I was home preparing our teacher’s End of Year Rubric conversations, the Nashville…
Avoid the “summer slide”
Six great books to read this summer Summer is almost here! To avoid the “summer slide” (when students lose academic gains made over the school year), make it a habit to have your child read independently for at least 30 minutes every day. Summer is a great time for kids to read popular series such as Dork Diaries or Diary…
The need for more high-quality elementary schools
Today, a conversation with my coworker reminded me of a fundamental flaw in our academic goals for students. While sharing the award winning documentary Waiting for Superman with my students, I noticed their general lack of internalization of the message. The documentary seeks to communicate that there are structural flaws in education due to many competing variables. The film articulates…
Two strategies to combat test stress
This month across the state of Tennessee students will take assessments in math, reading, science and social studies to measure their learning over the course of the school year and their preparedness for the upcoming year. It’s easy to get overly amped during this time and create a stress-filled environment for kids and adults alike. Here are two research-based and…
15 Minutes or Less and It’s Free: Delivering Values through Morning Meetings
Want to play Buzzword Bingo: Teacher Edition? Easy. You’ll need a room of highly qualified educators and bingo cards. Best played in conferences and professional development settings. Bonus points if you use the math teacher’s blue flair felt tip pen you knowingly took from the workroom. Don’t worry, it’s fine, she buys in bulk from Amazon. Add your buzzwords:…
History in the Making
Since I was in school we have learned about the same Black history heroes every year during Black History Month: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Tubman, Malcolm X, George Washington Carver, W.E.B. DuBois, Sojourner Truth. These heroes and heroines helped shape the world today and can never be forgotten as integral components of American heritage, culture, and history,…
Learning from our school’s families
“In God we trust. All other bring data.” -W. Edward Demming Right now, our school is planning to open a Middle School in two years. We’re spending a lot of time figuring out the details — everything from the reading curriculum to the tile on the floors — on a limited budget. Unfortunately, everything seemed to matter. In…
Teachers: You are someone’s hero
I hope you look at your student, frantic with explanations and remember, you are someone’s hero. It is that time of year again. The black hole between winter and spring break. The ominous vortex of half read emails, after school meetings that seem to last decades, and Murphy’s law awakening from his winter long hibernation with a vengeance. …
Simple strategies for reading comprehension
Teaching reading when one size does not fit all I love the experience of reading a novel together as a class. We laugh together, we feel sad together, and together, we develop a shared love for brave characters who face significant challenges with humor and grace. It’s also a useful touch point as we develop our understanding of literature. When…