No Santa Hats Allowed!

A couple of my fifth grade girls showed up at school today wearing Santa hats. “Santa hats?” I said. “We … More

Girl. Fighter. Hero.

Women soldiers? It’s not so unusual in 2015, but back in the 18th century, the very idea would have drawn … More

You Fancy Me Mad?

Fairies waving candied wands… Goblins drooling chocolate malt… Halloween has such a bizarre place in our classrooms. In my school … More

Grades: Who Needs ’em?

How do you grade a play? I read an article recently about the merits of “gradelessness” in the classroom. It … More

Old But New Favorites

Imagine saying the Pledge of Allegiance to a bright yellow flag featuring a coiled rattlesnake! The history of the flag … More

Prevent Zombies: Teach the Arts!

In my school we’ve taken to referring to our state-of-the-art music room as the “Musicless Room.” Oh, it still says … More

Why You Should End the Year with Algebra

I think much of what I know about teaching, about kids, about life itself, I learned from Spanky and Our … More

How to Counteract the Terrible Test

I can gripe with the best of ‘em, and every year the teaching profession seems to provide plenty of new … More

Are You the Mad Scientist?

Just as all television families seem to live in mini mansions, whenever TV-world students put on plays, the sets are … More

Two New Plays (and Free Comprehension Stuff, Too!)

A guess you can qualify me as a “Vitamin D Addict.” This time of year, the sun is typically obscured … More