UNREAL! I was just given MORE BUBBLE TESTS to give my kids
Just when you think the bubble tests are over I get slammed with a bubble test that all my 9th grade students must take in order to “place them” in an appropriate 10th grade class. 70 questions....
View ArticleFree SAT Prep for All and the Undeniable Impact of Having Cash to Prep for...
It’s SAT season and if there is one thing about working in a Title 1 school, it’s that you get to witness a HUGE disparity when it comes to college test prep. The fact is, those who can afford to …...
View ArticlePart 1: The answer as to which students deserve our school’s best teachers?
So I am going to try something new and pose a question. Here we go: Which students deserve our school’s best teachers? Next I am going to answer the question. (One sec.., it’s coming.) And then I am...
View Article“Who knows the answer to _________________ ?”
“Who knows the answer to _________________ ?” Well, as a teacher, whenever I ask that question, don’t I already know who knows the answer to ____________ ? I mean, isn’t it all too often the same kid...
View ArticleHmm… will America ever be post-racial?
Every year on MLK day, I always wonder if we, as a nation, have achieved the Dream of Dr. King? And year after year, the answer still remains in this fuzzy grey area for me. In some ways we have. …...
View ArticleIt’s World Read Aloud Day
Today is March 9th which means it is World Read Aloud Day. And on this day, lots and lots of people are being asked, “What I would miss most if I could not read or write?” Feel free to share … Continue...
View ArticleRiffin’ on Writin’
The other day I realized that I’ve been writing for over 30 years. And I have been studying the art of writing for over 25 of them. And now that I am at a place where I am a professional … Continue...
View ArticleWhat to do when you feel blue.
Doing keynotes speeches has become big part of my life. Really, it’s not something I ever planned for but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I enjoyed it. Simply put, there’s a rush to be had from...
View ArticleKids Must Taste Academic Fun.
I was asked be be the guest blogger for the International Reading Association (IRA) last week. This is a reprint of my esteemed literary contribution. Time for a Pop Quiz. Question: What do you called...
View ArticleStudent assemblies prove something. (I just don’t know what.)
I am on a bit of a blog kick as of late which have all been connected to the same opening line: “When I enter the schools of other teachers wearing my hat of “YA author” to do student assemblies, …...
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