All too often, students are faced with rules and procedures that are to be followed. They are shown exactly how to solve a problem, how to think, and how to proceed before they are then asked to practice what they were just shown.
Read More
Instead of writing a list of New Year's resolutions of what we will and won't do, there is a movement to determine one word that will focus our goals. This one word can shape decisions and serve as an inspiration throughout the year.
Read More
I was thrilled when I recently came across the term generative learning, which describes much of what I believe about education. I like the very sound of the word and all of the implications that go with it.
Read MoreI remember distinctly when I decided to pursue more education. I was working as a fifth grade teacher, teaching 3 sections of math each day - and loving it. I was fortunate to have an uncle as a mentor who had taught the youth of Providence and advocated for higher standards of mathematics for all.
Read MoreAs I presented a visual model of a computation as an illustration of the new 2011 frameworks, there sat Erica. "This does not make sense to me. Why are we using this model?" I acknowledge such questions and answer with a question of my own, "Good questions. Just because the standard says to use a particular visual model, why is this better for students? And, how will you know it is better?" and thus our journey begins.
Read More