In 1983 a report titled A Nation at Risk was published highlighting deficiencies in public education. The deficiencies were (are)… Read more Public Education’s 9/11
Category: Educator
Writing from my perspective as an educator
The Learning Cycle
Consider this question: where does most of the mass come from in a tree? The soil or the air? If… Read more The Learning Cycle
The First Day of School
I can clearly recall the excitement I experienced before my first day of kindergarten. I sang, over and over, a… Read more The First Day of School
Educating Hunter-Gatherer Minds in Modern Society
Modern humans’ brains evolved approximately 200,000 years ago. For most of our species existence we lived as hunter-gatherers with maximum… Read more Educating Hunter-Gatherer Minds in Modern Society
Size Matters
Let me tell you about a couple of end of year school events I attended at two different schools. The… Read more Size Matters
Education, History, and Place
My heart is aching this morning. Actually the last few days. Also the last few days I have awakened at… Read more Education, History, and Place
Reflect, Rebuild, & Recharge
Every spring I re-read the poem, Prayers of a Mad Farmer by Wendell Berry: At the start of spring I… Read more Reflect, Rebuild, & Recharge
Aha Moments. The Joy of Teaching
Teachers teach for the “aha” moment. That’s the real payment for teaching. When that student lights up with understanding and… Read more Aha Moments. The Joy of Teaching
Vroom Vroom! Speeding up to change…not much!
I heard Ted Kolderie speak once (I think it was him) where he provided this metaphor for the public school… Read more Vroom Vroom! Speeding up to change…not much!
Hamburger Model of Curriculum Planning
Curriculum planning is often thought of as a linear process. First create objectives or (I prefer) guiding questions. Then think… Read more Hamburger Model of Curriculum Planning