The Long and Short of CliffsNotes
Most of us have been cornered by friends and family who insist on telling an old story that seems to go on […]
Teacher Talk
You don’t need a calendar to know that school is back in session. Campuses across the country are freshly manicured, halls are […]
Thinking Inside the Box: My Piece of Your Professional Development
The unexamined life is not worth living. —Socrates Boxes vary widely in shape and construction, but they tend to all serve the […]
A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: A Reading Lesson
“We will do anything to keep the wolves of insignificance from our door.” —Saul Bellow His name was Charlie. He was a […]
Songs Sung Blue: Everybody Knows One
Teachers don’t typically rely on pop tunes for advice, at least not Neil Diamond. This, however, might be an exception, especially if […]
Some Assembly Required: A Teacher Wish List for the New Year
In a few days, most of the wrapping paper will be recycled, the ornaments put back in the attic, and Aunt Mabel’s […]
Confessions of a Poor Reader
For most, reading is a pleasurable skill that is acquired almost imperceptibly. I’ve heard it’s like waking up one morning suddenly knowing […]
A Little Box of Leadership
This semester, our students, funded by a state grant, have been asked to focus on the knotty term “leadership,” as in “teacher […]
The School House Rock
Some of you may have the wrong impression. First you’ll notice there are no bold primary colors or catchy tunes in this […]
Notes on a Reading List
Teaching is a tough job. First of all, it happens beyond our jurisdiction. Concepts ranging from reducing fractions to splitting infinitives are […]