what to teach

learning

School Failures Who Made It Big: What Can We Learn?

Lots of kids do poorly in school only to go on and have wonderfully successful lives. What can we learn from those we failed? Continue reading →

Books

What’s the Purpose of Education in the 21st Century?

What is the purpose of education in the 21st century? We continue to use strategies based on Education 2.0 even though we are living in an Education 3.0 world. Continue reading →

art activities

Encouraging the Artist in Every Child

The arts are essential, not a frill. Sadly, arts are being cut and minorities are most adversely affected. Continue reading →

consumer science

Caveat Emptor: A Lesson Plan for Consumer Smarts

Am I smarter than a fifth grader? Depends on how you measure smarts. If you’re going to quiz me on which of the original colonies voted against ratification of the Constitution, then NO. Just hand me my pride in a … Continue reading →

Activities

TXT Me L8r!

FYI my little 1s (3rd g8rs) just did a unit re: how 2 rite a ltr. Like, a ltr ltr. Old skool, LOL. U haf 2 start w the d8 @ the top. Nxt rite ur address. Not ur email… like @ ur house. Then ur BFF’s address 2. U… Read More

Curriculum

You Majored in What?!

Graduation season is upon us, the time when we pause to celebrate the accomplishments of newly-minted degree-holders. Of course, in economic times such as these, there’s no guarantee that a new graduate, professionally green and facing unprecedented competition for jobs, will land solid employment just on the strength of a… Read More

Activities

Science Through Literature in Inner City Schools

It was very exciting – and a little intimidating – to be invited to spend a day at an inner-city high school in Los Angeles. I have spent over a decade developing and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to teaching core concepts in science and mathematics; throwing out the traditional text… Read More

School Failures Who Made It Big: What Can We Learn?