"Write long and strong." I heard this in a classroom the other day. We adopted a new writing series this year and I have been in classrooms almost every day to see how it's going, offer support, and facilitate the introduction of writing workshop at our school. Being in the midst of writing instruction … Continue reading Write Long and Strong – #BLOG365 Day 15
#Blog365
What’s the Point: A Follow Up – #BLOG365 Day 14
I read Meghan Everette's post What's the Point? -Lessons That Serve No Purpose last week. Her point about looking at the big picture when it comes to lesson design and planning resonated with me. As educators it is so important to know where we are going before we start any journey in the classroom or in … Continue reading What’s the Point: A Follow Up – #BLOG365 Day 14
Museum Monday: The Feejee Mermaid – #BLOG365 Day 12
When P.T. Barnum took control of Scudder's American Museum in 1841, the American public was brimming with social confidence. Ordinary people were empowered like they had never been. Individual learning was prized and the American Museum in New York City catered to this demand by offering an eclectic collection of natural history, illusion, and entertainment. … Continue reading Museum Monday: The Feejee Mermaid – #BLOG365 Day 12
5,475 Days Later- #BLOG365 Day 11
I started teaching the year after 9/11. In the first few years of teaching I took part in commemoration ceremonies each year. Then those ceremonies became moments of silence. Eventually the moments of silence became classroom lessons. Now, in many instances, it is left up to teachers how 9/11 is taught or if it is … Continue reading 5,475 Days Later- #BLOG365 Day 11
I Like Making Mistakes – #BLOG365 Day 10
"I like making mistakes." These are the words that came out of my 11 year old's mouth as we were walking home from his voice lessons on Sunday. If we were in a movie, this would be the moment the sappy music started to play. The plot turning a-ha moment. A few months ago … Continue reading I Like Making Mistakes – #BLOG365 Day 10
The Textbook is Not the Curriculum – #BLOG365 Day 9
Last night I was watching Kindergarten Cop. There is a scene where Arnold Schwarzenegger walks over to get help from Penelope Ann Miller; her character is a teacher. He knocks on her classroom door and she is sitting on her desk teaching an English lesson. I don't even know if I can use the word teaching. It … Continue reading The Textbook is Not the Curriculum – #BLOG365 Day 9
The T in STEM Doesn’t Stand for Theater – #BLOG365 Day 8
I had another post scheduled for today. But, I saw this ad from Wells Fargo over the weekend and I felt I had to write about it. Wells Fargo was quick to issue an apology after the outcry on social media. They were also quick to point out that they have donated $93 million to … Continue reading The T in STEM Doesn’t Stand for Theater – #BLOG365 Day 8
Five Things I Miss About Teaching – #BLOG365 Day 7
I have been in and out of the classroom the last few years. After a four-year stint as a Curriculum Integration Specialist in a public school, I moved to a charter school to teach. Then, a year and a half later, I moved to my current position, Director of Teaching and Learning at a private … Continue reading Five Things I Miss About Teaching – #BLOG365 Day 7
Museum Monday – #BLOG365 Day 5
I have always been a collector. As a child I collected Barbies (in the box), ceramics, and Cabbage Patch dolls. I collected books and Russian trinkets and JFK memorabilia. I even had a shopping bag collection at one point growing up. Today my collections are too numerous to count: Liberty Blue, presidential bobble heads or really anything … Continue reading Museum Monday – #BLOG365 Day 5
Tales of Survival – #BLOG365 Day 4
My co-worker suggested I do a blog post about how I survived Hurricane Hermine. Honestly, I slept through most of it. The worst part for me was the lack of internet, cable, and cell service on Friday morning when I woke up. Well, that and my yoga studio is closed because they have no power. … Continue reading Tales of Survival – #BLOG365 Day 4
Jill Cross 