A school year is the number of days school is open for student attendance. It is a finite quantity. An instructional year is the time necessary for teaching to cause all children to learn their annual grade level and course curricula. For almost all children, the school year ends before the instructional can be completed. The status quo of this inequality significantly contributes to deficiencies in student learning. Continue reading
A School Year Is Not a Year of Instruction
Teach. Try not. Yoda Redux.
Educationese obfuscates. Education requires resolute language of who will do what to cause what learning for children. Inherent in the resolute language is the use of action verbs Continue reading
Squeaky Wheels Should Be Listened To Not Greased
Change your practice from “greasing squeaky wheels” to “listening to squeaky wheels” and to “listening to noise before the wheel squeaks” and never worry about the wheels falling off in your school. Continue reading
No Room For Black Box Teaching Today
The reason for classroom observation of a teacher is more than evaluative; it is mutually informative and affirmative. When teachers do not perceive anyone “knows” their work, a perception of isolation and professional neglect accrues. Continue reading
Relevant Background Knowledge Is The Glue of Our Conversations
PK-12 education builds a common background knowledge for high school graduates, but what was learned is not always remembered. While relevancy becomes the adult filtering system that supports what we need and want to know, background knowledge is the stuff that allows us to meaningfully participate in adult conversations.
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Classroom Interactions Are Soccer Touches – Quality Touches Create Scoring Opportunities
“How many touches did you have?” “How many were quality touches?” “And, what did you do with your quality touches?” I listen to kid-talk about their soccer game. I did not play soccer, so I am learning by watching and … Continue reading
Classroom Passwords: Booster Rockets For Learning
It starts in the doorway. Kindergarten children are greeted by their teacher standing in the doorway of their classroom. The passwords of the day for entering the room are two rhyming words. The teacher says “cat” and a K-girl in … Continue reading
If Students Did Not Learn, Were They Taught? No
Start with this thought experiment. “If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, did it really fall?” You’ve heard it before. It poses the relationship between observation and perception. If you cannot observe … Continue reading
Academic Standards – The Genome of Proficient Learning
Academic standards are the genome of a 21st century PK-12 education. Turn back the covers on any curriculum today and you will find “standards.” They are the “who says this is the right stuff to teach” credentials of school curriculum. … Continue reading
Promotional Proficiency – An Educational Promise Unkept
“I promise…” are words added, often unconsciously, to statements we make to others. Other add-ons include, “… believe me”, “…to be honest with you”, and “… you have my word.” We speak these words and we hear others speak them, … Continue reading