Blog

November 27, 2018 Using Standards-Aligned Reading Activities in the Science Classroom

It’s a common fact that with higher standards, students are required to use critical reading and comprehension strategies in their ELA classrooms. It’s equally important that students use these strategies across content areas, and that teachers reinforce them during instruction. More challenging reading standards are...

November 1, 2018 Helping Students Access Complex Texts in Aligned Lessons

I love teaching 5th grade, especially in the fall. I enjoy watching my students settle into our school year, relaxing into the rhythm of our daily work of reading and writing together. In our 5th grade state standards, there is a delicate dance between “learning...

October 24, 2018 Thinking like a Mathematician: Helping Students Meet Higher Math Standards

When we think of challenging grade level texts that align to high standards, our minds tend to gravitate towards Reading/English Language-Arts classes and finding ways to increase our student’s literacy competency. However, my students - and even my honors level students - have more difficulty...

October 17, 2018 Fulfilling the Promise of Assessments

As a middle school math teacher for more than 20 years, I am passionate about my work. One of my first leadership experiences was serving as a teacher researcher on a project focused on assessment through Michigan State University, which sparked my interest in assessment. As our...

October 12, 2018 “Unicorns of the Professional Arena”

As a native New Mexican, and proud teacher, my advocacy for students and education stems from my eighteen years of teaching in a number of settings. I’ve taught in both high and low performing schools that varied in size and demographic. I know the struggles...

September 21, 2018 When in Doubt, Push Through the Objective(s)

I've recently fallen in love with Orangetheory Fitness-- an interval-training program that challenges participants to achieve "Orange" status for twelve minutes to show that we are engaging in exercise in a way that challenges us individually. Watching the colors change on the screen as my workout...

August 20, 2018 Are Our Kids Ready for the New School Year?

It’s back to school time and parents and students everywhere are getting ready! New clothes? Check. New backpack? Check. School supplies? Check. Our kids are ready with all the materials they need but are they ready academically? And how do parents know if they are...