When we can set up learning experiences for students to be the facilitators of learning, the teacher can be positioned as a listener-observer. In this slice, I share two photographs from our classroom today as we read the lyrics from Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” …
14, Thursday. Nerves Shakin’ Like the Branches
I try to tell a story with this one. It was very windy today in Chicagoland. On my way from one school to the next, I could barely keep my car on the road, but it wasn’t the car as much as it was my …
13, Wednesday. Ending the Term with a Celebration and Gratitude Video
At the end of every term that I teach (college of junior high), I like to end with a celebration video — a video filled with memories of the term and gratitude statements from the students. I take you through my process here. *The great …
12, Wednesday. Tabs and Tasks Between Classes
Today, I am sharing the tabs I have open on my computer: testing bell schedule, sub plans, 3rd quarter grades reflection, field trip plans, open mic GIF. I feel like I do a great job compartmentalizing all these tabs and tasks while I am with …
11, Monday. How I “Grade”
In this slice, I show you how I use the school’s grading system to enter standards and features of writing and then give students feedback into the grade system by not entering a grade but by using the comment feature of the SIS grading system. …
10, Sunday. Portfolios and Final Grades
If you want to know more about minimizing grades and points in the classroom, check out https://teachersgoinggradeless.com/. The slideshow in this slice is inspired by Tamara Molina’s slideshow that she uses with her Biology students: https://teachersgoinggradeless.com/2018/05/12/making-conferences-work/. I have written about my ongoing process of minimizing …
9, Saturday. Sometimes all you can do is make lemon squares
In this clip, I talk about teachers’ lives beyond the classroom and how it can be challenging to leave some energy in the tank for family and friends on the weekend. Still, we have to remember the people who support us and make it possible …
8, Friday. Bathrooms & Public Speaking
This is day 8 of the Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Challenge. It is really a writing challenge, but my personal challenge is to capture about 5 minutes of my day as a teacher to illuminate all the tiny, often overlooked decisions teachers make …
7, Thursday. Book Group Day
Today, I take you into our book group discussion day. Students love this day and really look forward to it. We meet every Thursday in the library. Students bring their books and a “literary focus sheet” much like Harvey Daniels’ book group jobs. These are …
