I will never forget my first experience at Ellis Island many years ago. I struggled to connect. I was confused. My great-grandfather had passed through Ellis Island when he immigrated from Hungary. How could I not connect? This was my family's story. As much as I tried to put myself in his shoes, I just couldn't … Continue reading Museum Monday: The Things They Carry-#BLOG365 Day 140 #sschat #museumed
Month: January 2017
What We Need Right Now – #BLOG365 Day 139 #sschat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfTNFaZqUvQ "What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our … Continue reading What We Need Right Now – #BLOG365 Day 139 #sschat
Don’t Shy Away-#BLOG365 Day 138
There is a lot going on in our nation right now. It's time for teachers to do what we do best...teach, expose, question, connect, build relationships, build community, support. Because right now our kids need it more than ever and we can't shy away. We can't shy away from difficult conversations. We can't sweep things … Continue reading Don’t Shy Away-#BLOG365 Day 138
I Have No Words-#BLOG365 Day 137
I have no words. My words have been used up in battles large and small. So tonight I am planting the seeds of a new crop and watering them with the promise of tomorrow.
I Like History, But…-#BLOG365 Day 136
Actually I love history. But, in education we are too stuck in the past. I saw this article today, "Could Our Obsession With Exams Lead to Long Term Failure." In it the author references Sir Ken Robinson "who argues that schools cannot meet the needs of the future by just refining what we have done … Continue reading I Like History, But…-#BLOG365 Day 136
Museum Monday: Protest Objects-#BLOG365 Day 135 #sschat
I still have protest on my mind after this weekend. I also participated in a #sschat this evening. It got my gears turning again around the idea of teaching protest, this time on the object-based learning wheel. It also reminded me of one of my favorite museum blogs, O Say Can You See? Stories From … Continue reading Museum Monday: Protest Objects-#BLOG365 Day 135 #sschat
Teaching Protest -#BLOG365 Day 134 #sschat #edchat
This weekend I have been thinking a lot about how we as educators are teaching the history of protest in the United States, from the Boston Tea Party to the Women's March yesterday. Teaching in elementary schools for so long has taught me the value of visuals. Written primary sources are great, but they are … Continue reading Teaching Protest -#BLOG365 Day 134 #sschat #edchat
Don’t Give Up the Ship- #BLOG365 Day 133
There are moments when we all feel discouraged. Moments when it seems easier to give up or move on. In those moments I am reminded of this quote by Commander James Lawrence during the War of 1812. It's perfectly acceptable to take a few steps back to reflect and regroup when we feel things aren't going … Continue reading Don’t Give Up the Ship- #BLOG365 Day 133
The “joyous task” of being an American citizen – #BLOG365 Day 132 #sschat
"It falls to each of us to be those those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we've been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we, in fact, all share the same proud title, the most important office in a … Continue reading The “joyous task” of being an American citizen – #BLOG365 Day 132 #sschat
Oh, #Homework… – #BLOG365 Day 131 #edchat #hacklearning
Oh homework, how we loathe you in my house. You take us away from family time and dinner conversations and walks around the neighborhood and play time and even recreational reading time. You invade car rides and take away sleep. You diminish social time with friends. You make us question participation in Boy Scouts … Continue reading Oh, #Homework… – #BLOG365 Day 131 #edchat #hacklearning
Jill Cross 