Writing – Write Away

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

June 28, 2016

The “Sloppy Copy” That Changed History

School kids learn that the first draft of writing is considered the “sloppy copy.” Rereading and revision is the writing process they are taught to use and it’s a good one. This summer you may see it, especially if a piece of writing is due on the first day of school. This Fourth of July, tell your Continue reading

Celebrations, Teaching and Learning, Writing

Declaration of Indepence, student summer writing, Writing process

April 8, 2015

The Lowell Goat’s Tale

A good community story engages readers of all ages, especially when it’s about an escaped animal. Our area had one: the Lowell Goat who escaped slaughter by fleeing from its Tewksbury, MA farm. The goat went on the lam. The Lowell Sun started a hilarious Twitter feed from the goat. No kidding. A Go Fund Me campaign Continue reading

Speaking and listening, Storytelling, Writing