Here's a list of things we know. Like, there are scientific studies. It's fact. It's proven. Students don't learn well/at all early in the morning.Students don't learn if they are bored.Standardized tests are bullshit.Stress has negative effects on health.Socialization is an important part of adolescent development (and homework interferes with that).Our school system - The … Continue reading The Cracks in the System
The Real World
I've mentioned before that I hate the term, "The Real World." We tell students that they're only doing/learning/seeing stuff for the purpose of the real world all the time. "This is something you'll need to know when you enter the real world." "You'll encounter this situation all the time in the real world." "Adults in … Continue reading The Real World
How Not to Get Shot
Happy Chanukah! Let's talk about guns. We learned about a new lockdown drill recently. You know, to prepare for the inevitability of a student carrying a grudge and an assault rifle into the school and taking many, many lives in a matter of minutes. It's called an "Options-Based Lockdown." Before the OBL, we had a … Continue reading How Not to Get Shot
The Failure of Grading
Think on this: Every student begins the school year with an A. 100%. The best thing -- the BEST thing! -- that can happen is that they stay the same. The only direction they can go? Down. The only improvement they can show? None at all, actually. What a weird scenario. The best-case scenario is … Continue reading The Failure of Grading
Feminism in the Classroom
I tell all my students that it is important to demystify and de-stigmatize feminism. Yes, sometimes we have specifically feminist units. No, that is not the only time one should have a conversation with students about feminism. I tell them that feminism is not a bad word. It is not synonymous with hatred of men. … Continue reading Feminism in the Classroom
English 101 with Coraline
Whenever I get the chance (read: I make the chance), I teach my students how to analyze literature using the movie Coraline. In my opinion, that movie is Literature 101. It has examples of so many different literary devices, not to mention poetry and plot analysis. Feel free to use my lesson plan if you … Continue reading English 101 with Coraline
First Amendment vs. School Handbook
Here's another story from my first (and only) year working in an El Paso, TX middle school. Did you know that in Texas, students have to say both a pledge of allegiance to the United States AND a pledge of allegiance to Texas? When I found this out, I was astonished, outraged, perplexed, indignant. All … Continue reading First Amendment vs. School Handbook
Abysmally Cringe-worthy Test
I never took the ACT. It was only just becoming a thing when I was in high school, so I took the SAT. But no matter what acronym you give it, a standardized test is a standardized test. If you want to know the problem with standardized tests, and the school system in general, you … Continue reading Abysmally Cringe-worthy Test
Classroom “Management”
I want to start off right now by saying that I am fully aware that this blog will become a cathartic dumping ground for me after a long day of educating people who actively refuse to be educated. Hopefully you can get something out of it, too. The "About Me" page will say all this, … Continue reading Classroom “Management”