If We Do Not Teach Children to Listen, Why Are We Talking to Them?

Every teacher is responsible teaching active learning. We fail when we believe that by middle school all children know how to be active listeners. Good listening skills must be taught and practiced in every grade and every subject for every child. Given all the noise in the world, it is too easy for any child, or adult, to slide into the noise Continue reading

The Curious Kick the Can of Facts into Possibilities

Education that does not evoke curiosity is telling the same stories over again in a daycare center to children who daydream with their eyes and ears closed. Continue reading

Is The Outcome of Public School a Generalized or a Specialized Education? The Answer is Yes.

Public education in the United States is our nation’s longest standing institution; however, its compass direction today is decided in thousands of classrooms by individual teachers. Our educational mission is adrift Continue reading

To Improve Student Outcomes, Theory Needs to Guide Teaching and Learning Practices

When we align foundational teaching and learning theories, principles, and practices as a through-line in student learning, we will see improved data because it results from connected instruction. Continue reading

Banning Cellphones In School Creates Unintended Consequences.

Banning student access to cellphones during instructional time is not simply a rule change. It is a transaction that demands teacher attention to the question of “what now?” If teachers think banning cellphones alone will improve classroom behavior and student attention, they are in for very rude future. Continue reading