If you're wondering what's up with CC, this is a good introduction on American Thinker:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/12/common_core_standards_throwing_gasoline_on_a_fire.html

The main thing to note about Common Core is that it is HUGE. Writing an article about it is like trying to do a short piece on Roman History.  

They wrote…

The PISA Puzzle

The lessons of the big test for our school reform movement aren’t as simple as they might seem.

The Answer Sheet

Four lessons on new PISA scores — Ravitch

The Persistent Allure of Paper

The demise of printed material has been predicted for years, but in this article in The Week, Nicholas Carr argues that it’s not going to happen soon. “Paper may be the single most versatile invention in history,” he says, “its use extending from the artistic to the bureaucratic to the hygienic.” The average American uses a quarter of a ton every year. We simply can’t live without it. Printed books are selling…

During the last decade, we’ve heard 1 million voices talking about bullying, to the point where the talk about bullying is a form of bullying.

Instead of complaining about the fact the kids can’t read, can’t do math, and don’t know much, our education critics lament the overwhelming presence of what they call bullying. Hasn’t there always been bullying? Yes, of course. And one would think that a school could state a policy and enforce it. You have to wonder if the…

This was sent to me by a colleague.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

THE DANIELSON GUIDE TO A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE THANKSGIVING



Unsatisfactory: You don't know how to cook a turkey. You serve a chicken instead. Half your family doesn't show because they are unmotivated by your invitation, which was issued at the last minute via Facebook. The other half turn on the football game and fall asleep. Your aunt tells your uncle where to stick…

Are Virtual Math Manipulatives As Good As Actual Manipulatives?

In this article in Teaching Children Mathematics, Justin Burris (a Texas math coach and University of Houston visiting professor) reports on a study of third graders’ mathematical thinking about place value in the Investigations curriculum. Some students used virtual base-ten blocks (part of an enVision software program) while other students used real base-ten blocks. Researchers…

7 proven strategies that WILL help you engage your students...

By Justin Tarte

1. Don't just care...really care!

2. Speak to every student at least once every class period - the more the better!

3. Meet your students where they are; not where they are supposed to be, or where you want them to be...

4.…