Imagine going to your physician for a medical examination. During the exam, the physician records data on your height,weight, blood pressure, and heart rate, and asks you questions about your lifestyle and how you are feeling. After gathering all this information, imagine the physician entering the data into a computer that uses a mathematical algorithm to calculate a single number describing your physical condition. The physician then reports the…

The Best-Laid Plans of Grown-Ups

Whatever is going on in the country needs serious attention by educators. To assume that children aren't hearing the news, even with one ear, is misguided. They need help making sense of news about violence, lying, sexual harassment, racism, bias, and xenophobia. Before entering into conversations, or inviting speakers, or teaching these topics, leaders and teachers have to check in with themselves. Many of our Facebook friends have agreed to not speak about politics or the news and…

How many voices does it take? Is one child enough to cause a leader to set everything else aside and listen? Will 20 voices make the difference if one story doesn't create enough credibility or move a leader to action? Or is it hundreds? When does the conscience of a leader take over and compel the defense of a student even if it might cost adults a job or an institution financial support? Both Michigan State and USA Gymnastics have given us examples these past few months....and those…

As progressive education has successfully replaced traditional education, it has filled up every classroom within an array of dubious theories and methods.

Particularly interesting is the absolutism of the people doing this. The propaganda is relentless that Sight-words are a valid way to teach reading, that Constructivism is the only way to go, that Common Core is the best way to organize a school,…

"Geography is important for students to learn, starting at a young age, because it provides them with perspective on diversity—that nations and people differ yet have similarities.

It’s also one of the most engaging subjects for students, as there are many interactive lessons and resources for teachers to utilize and apply in their classrooms. From having students name and locate all of the state capital cities on a map to learning about a foreign nation’s political system, geography…

Sharing Student Work with Spark Page Digital Bulletin Boards