For the record, I teach 6th grade geography. I say this to provide perspective before I delve into what my first lesson of the school year looks like. 6th graders are a unique bunch. They crack me up and infuriate me at the same time. On the verge of adolescence, chomping at the bit to get […]
Read more "The first lesson"You probably felt the dread creep somewhere into your soul this morning. It’s the last week of July and the next school year is still almost a month away (for most of the country, I recognize that many school districts are starting next week in some parts of the country) and yet many of […]
Read more "Preparation"Reflecting on reflections I know what you’re going to say. “Well, duh! Of course they should!”, you might snipe sarcastically in my direction. I would agree with you wholeheartedly, too. The one and only #mschat tackled the role, place and need for reflecting in teaching. It’s a subject near and dear to my heart and […]
Read more "Should teachers reflect on their practice?"One of the first classrooms I taught in was handed down to me by a retiring teacher almost a decade ago. She said something on her way out that has stuck with me over the years. “It’s just a room, what you do inside is what matters”. I’ve always tried my best to keep this simple yet […]
Read more "My flexible learning space."I’ve been enjoying this series of reflections from #mschat from last week and today’s question is no different. How do teachers keep students engaged in learning over the course of a snow/cold day cancellation? I have a few thoughts on it and I’m inclined to take an contrarian position today than most of the participants […]
Read more "How do you engage your students in learning on a snow/cold day?"Well, this question I was not expecting in the #mschat from last week. To be honest I can’t seem to find any difference between coming to work and being professional as a banker or a teacher. As @mrgranito said perfectly: “Uh…suck it up! We’re the professionals here!” I’m speaking from a perspective of someone who […]
Read more "How do teachers maintain HIGH professionalism and energy during the winter?"I was in the #edchat on this past Tuesday evening (you can read about my reflection on that chat HERE) and the topic of the day was all about rejuvenation. How do teachers rejuvenate themselves during the school year. It was a great conversation and I found many interesting, useful ideas to use in my […]
Read more "The emotional toll of teaching."For my first major post of the new year I’ve decided to tackle a new reflection. If you’ve been reading the blog you have probably noticed that I have been writing a reflection for each #mschat question from the past three #mschats before the holiday break. I intend to continue the reflections but since the […]
Read more "Rejuvenation Nation: First #edchat reflection of 2015"It’ been over a week since I’ve written anything. I took the holidays as a time for some personal reflection on my blogging and where I am in life. Now that the year has begun I’m ready for some great things this year. I was contemplating writing an obligatory New Year’s Resolutions post but honestly […]
Read more "Welcome back!"Wow, here we are. Reflection number four of seven for this topic of celebrations in learning. I’ll was traveling for the past few days so unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend last week’s #mschat and thankfully it was postponed for holiday celebrations… fancy that! As with the week before, by this point in the chat […]
Read more "What do we do with students who don’t earn a celebration?"
peter spiegel 