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

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 … More

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. … More

Pairing Plays & Picture Books for Black History Month

With Black History Month upon us, two bits of news caught my eye last week: the State of South Carolina … More

Celebrate Your Slow Readers

I recently read an article about how “slow reading” is gaining acceptance as an academic approach. Though the piece was … More

MLK Day Inspiration

I’ve been fortunate to have forged a lasting relationship with Scholastic publishers, particularly the wonderful editors at Storyworks and Scope … More