Every year the PDK (Phi Delta Kappa—a professional organization for educators) polls Americans to capture their current views about public education. The most recent poll is the 49th. Check out these results: Only 42% of the respondents feel performance on standardized tests is a highly important indicator of school quality. A whopping 82% of the…
Have you ever considered using a wireless doorbell to assist you with classroom transitions? I recently discovered that several teachers do. “How clever!” I thought. I was searching online to find out if these wireless ringers were expensive when my tech savvy colleague, Karen, says, “I bet there’s an app for that…” And there is!…
Helpful or harmful? Toy or tool? Are these ball-bearing devices truly an antidote for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and autism? Or are they low-cost toys designed to drive teachers insane? Promotions for fidget spinners tout increased concentration for individuals with anxiety, autism, and ADHD. One marketing campaign suggests that a spinner may also “bring…
I was recently reminded, in a rather unusual way, of the many benefits that clear classroom behavior expectations provide. I’ll explain. This past summer, I moved into a home with a partially fenced backyard. As you know, I have a playful pup,…
Have you read about the high school teacher who, in an effort to gain the attention of his rowdy students, clutched his chest and dropped to his knees as if having a heart attack? After the fact (or act!), the teacher realized this wasn’t such a great idea even though it was quite effective. What…