Interdiscipinary learning

October 27, 2017

What Does “Education Spring” mean?

In 2002 the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. My colleagues in education despaired at the fact that (among other provisions) standardized testing would become a sole indicator of a student’s progress. By then, I had been a school principal in two districts and knew that Continue reading

History and Social Science, Interdiscipinary learning, Speaking and listening, Teachers and teaching, Teaching and Learning, Writing

Arab Spring, democratic education, Education Spring, standardized testing options

May 31, 2016

A Robin in the Wreath

Sometimes, you just have to take a breath and look at the world. Or, out your front door and onto a wreath, where a robin built a perfect nest. For at least the last three weeks, I’ve been hosting a new family of robins. It was pure magic to see the mother twist the last pieces of Continue reading

Interdiscipinary learning, Science at Home, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

Curiosity, Teach at home, Wonder

April 23, 2016

The Art of Tinkering Teaches Thinking

It’s Saturday morning and you have a list of chores to complete. One of them is to fix part of the backyard fence. The wear of winter snow tore away some lengths of wire from the wooden posts, which are somewhat rotted. Your child tags along. You talk to her out loud as you poke around in your workbench Continue reading

Interdiscipinary learning, Relationships, Speaking and listening

problem solving, Teach child tinkering, Tinkering

February 29, 2016

What Does Leap Year Mean to You?

If you have a February 29 birthday, it probably means you have a celebration planned for Leap Year Day. Or, like Amy Adams in the movie Leap Year, you might be following an Irish tradition of proposing marriage to your boyfriend. As you continue reading, listen to “A Leap Year Promise,” by Randy Edelman. Your family can create Continue reading

Celebrations, Interdiscipinary learning

critical thinking, Family fun, Leap Year tradition, writing letters

January 12, 2016

Use What Talents You Possess

…The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” I love this quote, attributed to Henry van Dyke (1852-1933). It encourages us to grow our talents and share them with the world. It’s also the way we encourage students to aim high, practice, and try even harder. It’s Continue reading

Interdiscipinary learning, Music, Teaching and Learning

gifted and talented