Category: Education
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Together we grow
To my journaling educator friends We met, a pod of varied ages, values, upbringings, expectations and expertise. But all who spend our days hoping to ignite a spark in others. We gather according to the calendar to read and listen, to chuckle and giggle, to sigh and frown, but mostly to write– or draw or…
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The Coelacanth Still Scares Me
Suddenly, now that I have time to think, things aren’t the same anymore. Suddenly, things that were factual, aren’t. Or things that were fringe are mainstream. Case in point: Pangea. “No, of course the continents were never all hooked together,” my fifth grade teacher snorted. Even though we looked at a map and could see the…
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Building academic success in a test-heavy, AI world
For many years, I took my sophomores to our local university library during their research unit. They entered, awed at the four stories of books available to them as they begin their academic writing careers. By the time they finished their instruction session and research scavenger hunt, they became intimate with databases, the electronic card catalog, academic…
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Why I speak gibberish
What was your first word? Of course, you don’t remember, but maybe your mom does. Or your dad, especially if it was “Da Da.” My oldest child’s first word was “Ah-ee.” Luckily, I knew that this two-syllable utterance actually had a meaning. Otherwise, I might’ve missed this watershed baby book moment. She was referring to…
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Poetry Is an Acquired Taste
Poetry is an acquired taste, kind of like roses. Often, we don’t appreciate certain things until we acquire a little maturity. That’s certainly true of me and poetry. When I was a kid, like brussel sprouts, poetry was foreign to me. It had a suspicious odor about it, and I instinctively knew that I wanted…
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Remember This in Your New Reading Plan
The book is well worn, its pages creased and soft, the edges frayed. The cover even has some teeth marks on the corners. That’s because it’s embroiled in a survival battle. For a second generation. “Moo moo buzz buzz pop pop pop!” I never tired of reading Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr.…
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Only in My Dreams
Rugmini says I have been here before. In a previous lifetime.
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It’s time for teachers to be more inclusive.
My Indiana Writing Project colleague Kathy and I are pushing for a change. From all teachers! With all the hoopla about the science of reading, by now, most teachers and administrators know that using explicit instruction is required for successful ELA skill development. In addition to reading with purposeful mini lessons, writing frequently with explicit…
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An Indian New Year's Day Outing
With inspiration from my new young friend Today is Vishu, the Malayalam New Year. Yesterday, the streets of Palakkad, Kerala, India, were filled with newly constructed vendor stands selling fruits and vegetables for offerings to the gods and special meals. They were also crowded with people, budding entrepreneurs and consumers eager to make their last-minute…
