Learning to Write Teaches Westerly Students Science
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on January 25, 2012
Published by EducationNews.org – A focus on kids learning to write boosted science learning and test scores in one district. Back in December 2009, excited 4th graders at Westerly’s State Street School sat down to take a practice science test. Like little sports jocks, the kids approached the task as if it were training for the big game [...]
K-12 Task Force Helped Westerly Triumph Over Dismal Science Scores
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on January 19, 2012
Pulbished by EducationNews.org – Westerly’s plan to improve its science instruction, after sobering 2008 scores, included a volunteer effort by teachers. In 2008, bad news came like body blows to the little beach town of Westerly, RI. First, the elementary and middle-school science scores were fairly disappointing, but the high school full-on bombed. The 11th graders scored [...]
Teachers’ Angry Comments Can Stop Education In Its Tracks
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on January 12, 2012
Published by EducationNews.org – Dr. Martin Haberman, pioneer of the ‘Star Teacher Interview,’ analyzes teacher attitudes — and hurtful words — toward students. At the end of Dr. Martin Haberman’s most recent monograph on teaching is a collection of ugly comments made to actual students. He introduces them: “One of the questions which the (teacher-preparation) trainees are asked in [...]
Will Bureaucratic Evaluation Systems Nourish Great Teaching?
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on January 5, 2012
The Most Educational Toys are Completely Free, Or Mostly
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on December 29, 2011
Published by EducationNews.org – The best, most educational toys don’t always need to plug in, have a micro-processor or cost a fortune. “IT CAME FROM THE MAIL ROOM,” BY FLICKR USER LAST MARINER. USED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE. Ah, the quiet week, the post-holiday pause. The gifts have been purchased, wrapped and unwrapped. The house is [...]
A Social Studies Project Lets Us Peek Through Windows into 3rd Grade Lives
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on December 21, 2011
Published by EducationNews.org – At the International Charter School, in Pawtucket, RI, teachers and an artist help third grade students document their culture and lives using photographs. The all-purpose room at International Charter School (ICS) crackles with excitement. Along the walls are the final exhibitions for “Documenting Cultural Communities,” an annual third-grade social studies project. Each child has [...]
We’re on the Verge of Protecting Kids into Incompetence
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on December 15, 2011
Published by EducationNews.org – Kids need play, games and sports to develop into well-prepared, confident adults — and too much regulation puts that at risk. Last spring, officials at New York State’s Department of Health decided that it was high time to regulate children’s games that pose a “significant risk of injury.” And who can blame [...]
‘Tis the Season to Reexamine Kick-Out Culture.
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on December 8, 2011
Published by EducationNews.org — We should re-think our culture of removing difficult kids in education settings, as it does a long-term disservice to them and to us. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,” says the Statue of Liberty. But don’t bother me with your disruptive, troubled, immature, angry, or generally bad kids. [...]
Nixing Managed Risk of Childhood Play Produces Wimps
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on December 1, 2011
Published by EducationNews.org – Eliminating ‘managed risk’ from normal childhood play does a disservice to kids by sequestering them from life’s normal ups and downs. When I was maybe, like 7 years old, I accidently broke Bill Kelly’s leg. I’m guessing he was 12, maybe 13. Three doors down from ours, the Kelly’s house teemed with [...]
Julia Steiny: Children Learn Social Skills at Thanksgiving
Posted by Julia Steiny in Uncategorized on November 24, 2011
Pulbished EducationNews.org — Thanksgiving is an opportunity not just to exercise table manners with kids, but also to help them realize the sometimes surprising depth in people around them. Regular family dinners in my childhood home were the training ground for displaying our good manners at the Thanksgiving marathon. And Thanksgiving trained us for the [...]
