My great-niece Elise, who is all of seven years old, recently asked her dad why she must go to school. When he responded “to learn,” she promptly informed him that she already knew all her letters and numbers so staying in school was simply a waste of her time. Her dad, slightly amused, offered examples…
students
An Oscar to Your Students?
It’s that time of year when veteran teachers everywhere keep their eyes glued to their televisions and entertainment magazines. Why? To scan for the names of former students when the Oscar nominees are announced. Or am I the only one who does that? To be honest, I didn’t employ nearly as much dramatic play or…
On the Other Hand…
It’s a new year, and I decided to let only a few days pass before I (sort of) contradict myself. I love eBooks, and you should too. Sure, I love paper. I can’t live without it. And, as I said Tuesday, despite owning a high-profile eReader, I still purchase mostly traditional paper books. However, when…
Anticipation
Some things are hard to wait for. Water to boil. Toast to brown. The new season of The Walking Dead to start. George Lucas to apologize for Star Wars episodes I, II, and III and give us the movies we really wanted. Not to mention the moment when your collection of new students turns into…
If Student Test Results Determine Your Future
Is a student best summarized by a test score? I would give you a minute to think about that, but I know I don’t have to. You answered right away. Whether you’ve taught for just a year or you’re on the verge of retirement after a long and fulfilling career in the classroom, you know…
How to Celebrate in Style?
How would you like to see a photo of all The Mailbox editors wearing aluminum foil hats? I’ll make it happen before the end of the school year. But you have to do me a favor. I need lots of ideas for how a teaching staff can wrap up its school year in style. In…
Take the Tech Outside
It’s that time of year. Take your students outside for fresh air and supercharged STEM learning! Courtesy of the STEMblog, here are “5 Ways to Take Technology Outdoors.” 1. Mobile Devices – Smartphones and tablets, with their wide array of apps, a camera, and GPS abilities, are great tools for documenting outdoor observations. As a…
The Rigors of Math According to CCSS
Regular readers know that math and I get along about as well as oil and water, or perhaps open flames and gasoline. However, I do find it fascinating that the Common Core State Standards have what is called the “Standards for Mathematical Practice.” These are eight types of math expertise teachers should look for in…
More on Teachers, Students, and Technology
Sometime back in the 16th century, a Saxon nobleman was heard to declare, “The future is digital!” A few years later, in 2011, The Mailbox responded with our first mobile app, Holidays and Seasonal Celebrations. In 2012, still hearing the clarion call of that prescient aristocrat, we added Kids in the Kitchen and Seasonal Songs….
What’s Your Learning Style?
When do you stop learning? At the end of the day, when you’ve left your classroom and set aside the last papers to be graded, are you done learning? Or maybe you consider yourself an autodidact—a self-taught person forever searching out new things to learn, new things to know, new concepts to understand, new philosophies…