Recently, I shared the Everest statement of our social studies team. I’m not the leader of the team, but boy, am I privileged to be a part of it. This time, I’d like to share how our ninth grade transition team focuses its work. Why Ninth Grade? Every year of a child’s education is important, […]
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An Everest Statement for a Social Studies Department
In our social studies PLC, we brainstormed an Everest statement* a couple of months ago, and I’ve been meaning to share it. The secondary social studies department aims to produce productive, contributing, and positive CITIZENS who are: –KNOWLEDGEABLE (historically, economically, and civically literate); –WISE (mature, open-minded, and globally aware); and –ENGAGED (participate in civic duties; […]
Why ‘the Best’? Will Good Do Instead?
We lose all kinds of energy and vitality when we aim to be the best at something rather than trying to be good at it. Aiming at best will guide our hearts toward competition, comparison, and viewing others as threats. It has to. That’s what best means. There can only be one. Best means scarcity. […]
The First Key to Connecting Well with All Students is to Like Them; This Often Takes Work
Please note: Names and details in my articles are changed for the sake of protecting students’ privacy. Here’s a moment of genuine connection that stood out to me today while teaching my four classes of 120 students total. While students were doing an independent practice portion of my lesson, I pulled Kandyce into the hallway. […]
The Best Way to Make Students Feel Valued, Known, and Respected…
…is to actually value, know, and respect them.