"The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards.” -T.H. White This is an idea I frequently consider in my practice and in working with teachers. It's the idea that at the end of the day everything you do as an educator is rooted in what is right for the students. … Continue reading “The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards” – #BLOG365 Day 102
Education
The Art of Abandoning a Book – #BLOG365 Day 101
I haven't been so great at reading for pleasure lately. Most of my reading is informational, and mostly for work. I can't really blame myself. I have had a hard time finding a book I am willing to stick with. Thank goodness for my Kindle so I can download portions of a book and then … Continue reading The Art of Abandoning a Book – #BLOG365 Day 101
Lagging Behind…-#BLOG365 Day 96
Yesterday I was watching Fareed Zakaria, my usual Sunday morning coffee watching. One of the topics of discussion was the recent PISA results in which the United States fell 11 points in math and stayed stagnant in reading and science. In fact, the United States falls below the average on math scores. The results are … Continue reading Lagging Behind…-#BLOG365 Day 96
Words Are Not Just Words-#BLOG365 Day 95
I thought about this while I watched my son study definitions and names of places and people for his midterm exams. He couldn't tell me why he was studying any of them, except that he had an exam, and I thought about all the opportunities those words offered for connections and the building of … Continue reading Words Are Not Just Words-#BLOG365 Day 95
A Picture’s Worth…A Word’s Worth…A Memory’s Worth… -#BLOG365 Day 94
Last night I accidentally found a picture of my first class in public school. It was a picture taken after the fifth grade presentation at a P.T.A. meeting. Our kids did a Stomp dance, student choreographed. It was hilarious and beautiful and amazing. I am thankful for this photo and all the other ones I … Continue reading A Picture’s Worth…A Word’s Worth…A Memory’s Worth… -#BLOG365 Day 94
Do History!-#BLOG365 #sschat Day 91
I spent last week at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference and am still on a high from being with a bunch of proud history nerds. While I was in Washington, D.C. I went to the Florida House and I was talking to our host about Common Core. She was in graduate school for public … Continue reading Do History!-#BLOG365 #sschat Day 91
Silence Isn’t Empty. It’s Full of Answers- #BLOG365 Day 89
Over the weekend I happened upon this sign near a yoga studio in Washington, D.C. I have to admit, at one point in my life, I would have considered this corny and hokey. Not so much anymore. Thanks to yoga and maturity I have come to relish my time alone. I am highly aware of … Continue reading Silence Isn’t Empty. It’s Full of Answers- #BLOG365 Day 89
If I Can Dream #Elvis #ElvisPresley #Graceland – #BLOG365 Day 84
This is an image of pure happiness. Me, in the foyer of Graceland. Happy happy heart! And it was decorated for Christmas! More happy heart! What does my family do with our Thanksgiving vacation? We go to Graceland! Elvis has been a part of my life for a long time. When I was teaching my classroom … Continue reading If I Can Dream #Elvis #ElvisPresley #Graceland – #BLOG365 Day 84
I’m OK With It – #BLOG365 Day 80
Chaos...in my classroom. I am ok with it. Controlled chaos, of course. Desks in rows make me cringe. Silence stifles me. Conversation and debate invigorate me. I am good with students not doing the same thing at the same time. I am fine with them guiding me. I am not saying throw out the organization. … Continue reading I’m OK With It – #BLOG365 Day 80
I Give Up – #BLOG365 Day 77
Ever had one of THOSE days. The kind where nothing seems to go right. That's my today. Hump day of the week before Thanksgiving break. On my 77th day of blogging... My kitten knocked over water laced with red Mio this morning (before 7am). That same kitten decided to crawl into the box of litter … Continue reading I Give Up – #BLOG365 Day 77
Jill Cross 