Entries Written By Tim
in Brazil
Taking Leave
When I light out from some place, two questions come up: did I leave a mark and, as important, what did I forget? Here’s a poem about these questions: So few have seen the pictures of my past I tramp up familiar dusty stairs And clack the brass ring attached To the door of my …
in Brazil
from Larry Rohter’s “Brazil on the Rise”
In case you’re not moving to Brazil and have only a casual interest in the country and its people, I’ve selected some highlights from Rohter’s book: One of the basic organizing features of daily life [in Brazil] is the jeito…[which means] the skill required to maneuver around the laws or social conventions that prevent you …
Writing the Hero’s Journey
The outlines are in! After studying the phases of the hero’s journey and analyzing exemplars, tenth graders brainstormed the details of their own stories. In groups of four, each student shares their work to receive initial feedback. The teacher, crouching, listens to one group and then another, taking notes on the discussion and, on occasion, …
The Design Trap in Large-Scale Projects
Be wary, PBL teachers who embrace the opportunity to tackle global problems such as climate change, poverty, deforestation, and etc. It’s true: most students immediately grasp the authenticity and importance of these problems. Furthermore, mountains of freely available, high quality resources are just an internet search away. And on top of resource availability and the …
Assessment as Dialogue: Podcast Episode with Innovative Teacher
Traditional quantitative assessment methods can work at cross purposes with schools and teachers attempting to implement a John Dewey-inspired approach to school that consists of authentic experiences and reflection. Furthermore, traditional methods can exacerbate opportunity gaps and unduly punish those students who most deserve support and encouragement. Mark Poole, engineering teacher at High Tech High …
in Education
Three Pillars for Coaching Educators
Superintendents, school leaders, instructional coaches, and experienced teachers must support and develop talent to improve student experiences and outcomes. One avenue for addressing this need is to establish coaching partnerships. How might one create conditions for these learning partners to engage in productive and fertile processes that generate their own momentum? What follows are three …
Helping Teachers Decide What Products Students Should Create
A common challenge for teachers entrusted to design engaging projects for students is deciding on final products.
How to Help Educators Manage Their Time
PJ Caposey’s latest book, Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You (ACSD, 2018), more-or-less delivers on its subtitle’s bold promise: “Strategies that work from an educator who’s been there.” The book opens with a self-assessment designed to help readers determine the root cause of their own clock management challenges. Are you work avoidant, a people …
Effectively Launching Project Based Learning Instructional Coaching
New project-based learning teachers need loads of personalized, authentic, and collaborative support. It should also be uncomplicated too–at least at first.
More Student Choice Does Not Necessary Lead to Equity
Explained, but not proven, in one graph:
Treating Classes Like Gatherings, Part Three: Ending Well(If you haven’t read part one, on establishing purpose, or part two, on facilitating well, I’d [keep reading...]
Treating Classes Like Gatherings, Part Two: Teaching With Generous Authority(If you haven’t read part one, about establishing purpose, consider starting there.) After [keep reading...]
Why Teachers Should Consider Their Classes “Gatherings”Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, a book that, as the subtitle suggests, takes up the subject of [keep reading...]