Teaching
I love this and hate this.
It’s rare that a document can bring joy to my heart and enrage me all at the same time. King Jordan, the student who wrote this journal response, clearly has strong and justifiable feelings about Columbus Day and the reality of the explorer’s accomplishments. While his journal response might not be the most measured and…
Read MoreThis punishment may have gone too far.
I am not opposed to the unorthodox, clever, or even severe consequence when one of my students (or one of my children) misbehaves. As much positive feedback as I offer my students and kids on a daily basis, there are moments when a consequence is needed and warranted. But when it comes to punishments, I…
Read MoreHBO had some interesting offerings on Christmas Eve
As I started to wrap gifts on Christmas Eve, I switched on HBO, thinking, “Maybe I’ll watch that Elf movie for the first time. Or A Christmas Story. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Love Actually. Hey. Maybe Die Hard will be on.” You know. One of those classic Christmas staples. HBO had apparently failed to notice that…
Read MoreAny gift that includes murder, blood, and betrayal is perfect in my book
I never expect a holiday gift from my students, and when asked what I want, my reply is always the same: “Word hard. Be kind. That would be more than enough for me.” Despite these protestations, I often receive gifts. This year the class was kind enough to give me my very first pair of…
Read MoreMy students are threatening the sanctity of our future
I was sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office yesterday, reading, when the gentleman beside me began watching something on YouTube without headphones. I assumed that it was a mistake. His browser has opened accidentally. He would quickly close the app and maybe even apologize. But no, he just thought it perfectly fine…
Read MoreDamn fine answer, Yasmin.
My kind of kid. I wish she were in my class.
Read MorePractice makes perfect
While Elysha and I were at the Patriots game on Sunday, our children spent the day with friends. Part of that day was also spent at a classmate’s birthday party. As we drove the kids over to our friends’ home, I said, “Clara. Charlie. Make sure you say please and thank you today. And when…
Read MoreTeaching is full of unexpected surprises
One billion years ago, I taught a third grader named Kaity to multiply. Last night, as Elysha and I were leaving for a Moth StorySLAM in Somerville, I asked Kaity, now an adult and frequent babysitter to our children, to help my third grade daughter with her multiplication homework. It was surreal. No one ever…
Read MoreA fitting end to a new beginning
My summer vacation has come to an end. Today I return to the school that has been my home for the last 19 years. These last few days of summer have been excellent, and they have served as a reminder about how important my school is to me. How important the people who I met…
Read MoreThe ineffectiveness of signage
A rule of signage that people don’t seem to understand: Signs only work on people who obey signs. I worked with teachers this summer who wanted to hang signs on campus to enforce rules that they already had the power to enforce. Parents who were visiting the school weren’t adhering to the limitations outlined during…
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