William Shakespeare is generally regarded as the greatest writer of the English language.  All too often, though, he is taught at the secondary school level in a way that does not endear this brilliant man to high school students.  I remember being bored by Shakespeare when I was in school.  What can be done to...Read More

One of the most interesting ”learning styles” that I’ve encountered over the course of my teaching is the highly-spatial ”at risk” thinker (I’ll call them “Imagers”).   These kids are often ”at risk” for being diagnosed with learning disabilities, dyslexia, and even ADHD.  However, for the most part, they simply think in a way that is...Read More

Many educators and parents have been worrying that the interruption in school being experienced by so many students nationwide (and worldwide) as a result of COVID-19 will result in significant ”learning loss.”  That is, by not having previous learning reinforced, and by not adding new learning to their experience, students will backslide in their academic...Read More

I’ve been reading in the news the past week about educators who are concerned that with school closures going on until at least the fall, kids are in danger of undergoing ”backsliding” even more severe than occurs during summer vacations. I want to challenge that idea.  In my mind, if students ”lose” knowledge after three...Read More

With all the time that’s been freed up from having to go to school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many kids are taking online lessons directly from their school, others are engaged with formal or informal homeschooling programs, and still others are just taking it easy and ”chilling.”  In the midst of all this activity...Read More