Assessment for learning, not just of learning. It's a catch phrase educators are well aware of--but it's much more than just a bunch of buzz words. Assessment for learning is something we should be using on a regular basis for real growth in our classrooms.Unfortunately, for too much of … [Read more...] about Managing Formative Assessment
Secondary Smorgasbord–Beach or Bust!
It's time to link up again with the gang at Secondary Smorgasbord. This time we're looking at how secondary teachers relax and recharge.What about me? Well, my summer is pretty relaxing. We rarely go on a summer vacation because we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Once … [Read more...] about Secondary Smorgasbord–Beach or Bust!
I’m a teacher, not a police officer
Well, obviously. However, looking back over my evolution in the classroom, I know that I've spent too many years wearing the wrong hat. I was policing. I was giving out "tickets" for late assignments, for homework not completed, for work that was not up to par. The tickets, of … [Read more...] about I’m a teacher, not a police officer
Super Secondary Appreciates Teachers!
Super Secondary collaborators are eager to "thank you...thank you very much..." for ALL that you do to make the world a better place! So shake, rattle, and roll on over to these TpTstores on May 5th and 6th to get up to 28% off on fantastic resources! Don’t forget to use the promo code: … [Read more...] about Super Secondary Appreciates Teachers!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week in the US (we Canadian teachers were appreciated back in February), and to celebrate, Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site wide sale. Most sellers, including me, are offering their products at 28% off--be sure to use the promo code: thankyou when you … [Read more...] about Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Growing an Essay–an update
Last week I wrote about the process my grade ten class was following to "grow' an essay. I found that, while they had a good understanding of the novel and knew what points they needed to make, they were struggling with putting it all together into a strong, cohesive essay.We started with … [Read more...] about Growing an Essay–an update
Writing Prompts
In that magical ideal world, our students would come to us, armed with sharpened pencils, eager to spend the period writing, writing, writing. They would come to class early, turn to a new page, bend their heads and begin. We don't live in that world, do we? The reality is that some of … [Read more...] about Writing Prompts
Gallery Walks for Critical Thinking
One of my favourite strategies to get students to think critically about text is a "gallery walk." Students form groups to discuss a topic and record their ideas on a piece of chart paper. I give them markers and instruct them to write their response, ideas and/or quotations in an organized … [Read more...] about Gallery Walks for Critical Thinking
Is Shakespeare Still Relevant?
Ok, so the plays are over four hundred years old and the language is difficult. Kids will let out an audible groan whenever the teacher announces that Shakespeare is next. So why are his plays still on almost every high school English syllabus?It’s a question that a colleague of … [Read more...] about Is Shakespeare Still Relevant?
What’s Growing in My Classroom? An Essay!
It's time for the Secondary Smorgasbord again, and this month's topic is fresh ideas. So by now you may be scratching your head at my title. An essay? You might be thinking: There’s nothing fresh about that!However, it’s not the product that’s fresh in my room, it’s the … [Read more...] about What’s Growing in My Classroom? An Essay!
Snow Days, Ticking Clocks and Teaching What Counts
Welcome to my blog hop about what really matters in teaching. Read on and be sure to check out the other great ideas below!This year has been one for the record books. As a Canadian teacher, I am no stranger to snow days and snow banks, but both piled up like never before this … [Read more...] about Snow Days, Ticking Clocks and Teaching What Counts
Teaching Students to Analyze Text
When I was in high school, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my English teachers told me what to think about the texts we read. They would assign texts and corresponding questions. We would answers the questions, go over the answers and then memorize said answers when test time came. … [Read more...] about Teaching Students to Analyze Text