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A Math Tip Worth Trying
Charts like these help students talk and write about math. I seldom share practical tips on this blog, but I was introduced to something that I think can help a lot of people. A couple of weeks ago, a...
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Invisible Differentiation: Grouping Without Groups
Differentiated instruction is a practice that has many dimensions to it. My favorite at this point is what I like to call “grouping without groups.” In this post, I will provide some examples of what...
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The Fallacy of “High Expectations”
With high expectations and standards, one size does not fit all (and it never will). Most schools in this country are failing. That’s the way No Child Left Behind is designed. Most schools will still...
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Sal Khan Never Taught Special Ed (or ELLs)
By now, pretty much anyone aware of the goings-on in education reform has heard of Sal Khan, the intrepid gentleman who has recorded nearly 3,000 educational videos for students to view on YouTube....
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A Less Inhibited Use of Language
Something that often vexes me is the fact that my students sometimes are so intimidated by the threat of inappropriate word use that they’d rather stay silent or give up than speak to me (a proficient...
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The Top 10 Things You’ll Hear in a Special Ed Class During Test Prep
10. I don’t know what to do. 9. I don’t get it. 8. This is too hard. 7. This is boring. 6. I can’t do this. 5. This isn’t real reading or writing. 4. Can we read books? 3. Why don’t we write anymore?...
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Dialogue on Data
This is part of a series of letters I am exchanging with a colleague of mine on a variety of education-related issues. It originally appeared on her blog, No Sleep ’til Summer. I will post my response...
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A Call to Action: Spread the Word About “Value”
My colleague Donna and I exchanged a volley of texts this weekend trying to figure out the next steps that could follow her post I dare you to measure the “value” I add, which, I guess you could say,...
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What Does a Know-it-All Know, Anyway?
I’ve heard people suggest that, since I’m a special education teacher, I am also a saint. People have told me, “Those kids need someone like you,” and, “They need a good male role model.” Of course,...
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Dear Students: On the Eve of Your First Test
Dear students, Today, tomorrow, and Thursday, I will try to treat the day like I would any other. Only thing is, despite my attempts at geniality and mirth, you’ll probably notice the heavy and dark...
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Fake It ‘Til You Make It…If You Make It At All
They’re silent. At least they got that much out of this. You can’t talk during a test, plain and simple. Even the slightest sniffle or throat clearing will be treated with suspicion. Some of them are...
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A Question on Testing: What’s the Point?
My students – with their IEPS, modifications, accommodations, academic struggles, and all – just completed a three-day ELA test. On day one, they did their best. On day two, they tried their hardest....
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My Little Wordsmiths
This has probably been the most challenging start to a school year that I’ve had in my six-year career. Challenges are waiting on all sides: a new teacher evaluation system and its components, push-in...
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Some Try, Some Fail, and All Suffer
Over the past, literally, four days, I administered an end of unit reading and writing assessment to my class of 12 students with disabilities (11 of whom receive English as a Second Language...
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Come See Failure at it’s Finest!
An open invitation to politicians, education “experts,” testing lovers, and other assorted nincompoops. ~~~ WHO: Come see LIVE, REAL-LIFE kids frustrated, angry, overwhelmed, disinterested, annoyed,...
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Out with the Old Word Wall, in with the New
Now that it’s been EXACTLY five months since my last post on this blog, here I am with some fresh thoughts for the new school year. But first, how was your summer? And, since I haven’t been here since...
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