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