Category Archives: Classroom
Data without context
When my school put in new copy machines 18 months ago, everyone was assigned an account number. As a result, the administration knows exactly how many copies each teacher has made. Last week they sent the faculty an email about … Continue reading
What do you like to read?
“I don’t like to read unless it’s something that I’m interested in,” he said almost apologetically as we browsed the stacks looking for a book about — I don’t remember now — about hunting or dirt bikes or football. He … Continue reading
Assessment
I had told my students on Monday what their grades were, but some spent a couple of days suspended between disbelief (“It can’t really be that good”) and denial (“It can’t really be that bad”) before receiving their report cards … Continue reading
Scarlet Letter, here we come!
My school offers dual credit classes through an arrangement with a local community college. Last year we expanded into junior English by offering American Lit for college credit. We knew it was “iffy” — the local community college would offer … Continue reading
Propagate
We were working on vocabulary, and Ian was looking up the word “propagate” in the online dictionary. Suddenly he exploded. “Look at that!” he nudged his buddy. Almost immediately two other guys were also looking over his shoulder. “What’s the … Continue reading
Etymology: Australia
I was talking to students about where words come from, getting ready to teach the word etymology. I put the word checkmate on the board and asked if anyone knew what language the word came from. One young man spoke … Continue reading
Why I will never be a “value-added” teacher …
The test question: In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” the speaker is sad because ___. Students who don’t remember anything else about Poe should remember that the answer has to involve the fact that someone, somewhere has died. But … Continue reading
A Bad Case of Stripes
“I don’t want to take notes. I’m not going to need this.” Cody sat in the back row, his arms folded across his chest, his mind made up about the value of Emily Dickinson in his life. I smiled and … Continue reading
MakeBeliefsComix launches Contest
MakeBeliefsComix.com is sponsoring a comic strip contest as part of its efforts to encourage students enrolled in literacy and English as Second Language programs to develop their language, writing and reading skills. Each month students can submit by email their … Continue reading
Missing Cat
Earlier today a colleague forwarded one of those silly emails about a secretary who’s lost her cat. He added a note that he didn’t usually forward these, but he especially liked this one. I’m grateful that he did — it’s … Continue reading