When the mornings are chaotic, the days jam packed, and the nights exhausting, it's hard to notice the brightspots. I have done a horrible job of reflecting this week and yesterday an interaction with a teacher over Lucy Calkins made me gasp and take a step back. Yes, Lucy Calkins makes lots of people gasp … Continue reading Brightspots-#BLOG365 Day 143 #tcrwp
Author: Jill Cross
Opening Up-#BLOG365 Day 142
I am a big Sara Bareilles fan. My husband and son joke that when I am long gone they will hear the beginning lyrics of "Bottle It Up" and think of me. It's funny how you can hear songs over and over again and, yet, hear them so differently depending on the day, the circumstances … Continue reading Opening Up-#BLOG365 Day 142
Down With Homework – #BLOG365 Day 141 #edchat #hacklearning
Yes...I am writing about homework again. As parents we want our kids to be part of clubs and exhibit their talents in theater and sports. We want them to part of these things because we know the benefits. Homework doesn't have the same benefits. Homework is done in isolation. It is rarely a creative outlet. … Continue reading Down With Homework – #BLOG365 Day 141 #edchat #hacklearning
Museum Monday: The Things They Carry-#BLOG365 Day 140 #sschat #museumed
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
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
Jill Cross 