I get tons of emails about kids not “getting” it in reading classes. Advice is solicited to get students using rigorous text and stretching their reading levels. The more I talk with teachers the more I notice an absence of scaffolding. Scaffolding is when you slowly release responsibility to students instead of just dumping the skill, concept, or content in front of them. If… Read more →
As Common Core begins to roll out, I have been really dissecting these standards, particularly for high school. I’ll be honest, I have been looking and reading with a skeptical eye. My skepticism is really not about whether the standards are good, bad, or other. My skepticism comes from the mere notion of standardizing anything. As a critical race theorists, I instantly… Read more →
The clips below include SEVEN video clips that I have compiled. **WARNING** One makes a reference to safe sex (clip 6 or 7). Not for the younger audience. I find the high school students are fine with it; make your own judgment calls. This is always a great way to help students understand how media persuades us. Watch each video… Read more →
The latest trending meme in pop culture is..wait for it…”S- – – White Girls Say…to Black Girls”. A series of video parodies, produced by differnet individuals, has gone viral, spreading like wildfire across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The first video was the infamous, “S- – – Girls Say.” Followed by “S- – – Black Girls Say” and “S- – – White Girls Say.”… Read more →
I had this idea that I just needed an extra teacher in my class to teach more effectively. I decided that the role of lecturer could be taken on by anyone; if I just had someone. If that was the case, I could spend my time with small groups, helping students, or circulating to check for understanding more effectively. I… Read more →
The 2012 Election season is reved up in full throttle right now. It is hard to turn on the television and not be overwhelmed with polictical advertisements, interviews, or election coverage of some type. This is a teachabe moment for students. Whether you are teaching English or Social Studies, this year the 2012 election will be a hot topic! With… Read more →
I am excited! I have read some great reviews on Hunger Games! I am dying to teach it to my tenth graders next semester. The engagement level is high and it offers an interesting spin on the hero’s journey. To add to my excitement, I bought MY FIRST Kindle book—yes—Hunger Games a few weeks ago. To add to my excitement… Read more →
Whenever I come across an inspired teaching strategy or lesson, I get giddy with excitement. Well, if giddiness is a measure of great ideas, then I am woozy and lightheaded right now. Who do I have to thank for this? Robin Bates , of course. Bates stands at the convergence of Facebook and Jane Austen. Huh? Well, talk about Remix… Read more →
