Imagine saying the Pledge of Allegiance to a bright yellow flag featuring a coiled rattlesnake! The history of the flag…
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…
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…
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…
Teacher Appreciation Week
I told my students the best thing they could do for me for Teacher Appreciation Week is to stay home.…
Nine Ways to Prepare for a Sub
1. Don’t bother. Ignore that cough. Cancel that meeting. Show up to class with a box of Kleenex and a…
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…
Okay kids, fork over those taxes!
No doubt you’ve had kids ask, “Why do we need to know this stuff?” In my classroom, we spend a…
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…
Tongue In, Mouth Closed
McKenna, one of my most “with-it” fourth graders, came up with a new concept I think is worth sharing here.…