Episodes
Reflections on Jim's Comments, part 2 - 169
This is my reflection on part 2 of my interview with Jim Spradley. If you haven't listened to Part 1, it is episode 166. His focus during this segment of the interview is the importance of school. He wanted to …
Jim Spradley - Child of Sharecroppers - Education, part 2 - 168
This is part 2 of my interview with Jim Spradley. He was born in 1923 in south Georgia. He is in his 90's. Today we are talking about education and a desire to go to school. Jim mentions books that …
Reflections on Jim's Comments - 167
In episode 165 I talked about the upcoming series of shows that would be focused on my interview with Mr. Jim Spradley. In the first segment of the interview (episode 166), Jim shares his thoughts about growing up in rural …
Jim Spradley - Child of Sharecroppers - Rural Georgia - 166
Mr. Jim Spradley was born in 1923. He was the child of sharecroppers in Dooly County, Georgia. This is the first part of my interview with Jim. At the time of this interview he was 91 years old. (By the …
Primary vs Secondary Resources - 165
Do you take time to explain the difference between primary and secondary sources of information to your classes? Do you require the kids to learn to use primary sources not just secondary? Today I will introduce you to the difference …
Homework - 164
Do you give homework? If so, do you know why you give homework? Today's discussion centers around questioning why we give homework. I talk about 3 great reasons for giving homework and 5 problematic reasons. Additionally, I speak to understanding …
Corey Knight & Classroom Tech Made Simple - 163
Corey Knight is a middle school science teacher in Indiana. He also has created a way for you to get started in using technology in the classroom. Even though he has had offers to leave the classroom (since he knows …
Sargy Letuchy & The Visual Edge - 162
Sargy Letuchy is a teacher in suburban Chicago and he has created a book that will hook you up with excellent graphic organizers to help you get the kids to a greater level of understanding. I like to find tools …
John Tibbetts 2018 Georgia Teacher of the Year - 161
John Tibbetts is a 21-year veteran of the US Army and he is now the 2018 Georgia Teacher of the Year. He served in combat as a tank commander in Desert Storm, was deployed to Turkey in the Iraq War …
Procedures for Electronic Devices - 160
Do you have procedures for the electronic devices that the students use in your classroom? Now I don't mean the cell phones and other technology that the kids bring. I'm talking about the laptops, chromebooks/netbooks, and calculators that you have …
Attendance, part 2 - 159
Attendance, part 2 - Paying attention and following up. This is a continuation of episode 158 where I talked about the importance of taking attendance. I have seen adults take forever to determine if all kids are in class or …
Attendance - 158
Taking attendance is very important, but it shouldn't take you more than a minute or two. If it is taking you 5 or more minutes then you may be avoiding starting class. 3 Don'ts in taking attendance: 1. Don't take …
First Day of School - 157
The first day and week of school and what you need to do to be ready. Wow! Is it that time already? The first day and week of school are so very important. Kids and teachers, believe it or not, …
Not My Job, part 2 - 156
In episode 155, I introduced the idea that there are many aspects of our jobs as educators that we do not get paid to do. Instead, these details are expected. I talked about these three areas for example: 1. Connect …
Not My Job - 155
So what do we get paid to do as educators? When you sign on to work in schools there may be things that you are expected to do that you didn't realize were part of the job. Do we get …
Why do you do what you do? - 154
Why do you do what you do? Have you thought about it? If so or if not, how could you use those thoughts to keep you focused on what matters? I recently read Simon Sinek's book, Start With Why. Simon …
Rethinking Classroom Space - 153
I have a unique opportunity right now. I am overseeing the repurposing of an elementary school that was originally built in the 60's. It is now becoming an education training center. The other day, I peered into one of the …
Superheroes - 152
With all of the focus on superheroes, I thought that I would reflect on those individuals who made a difference in my life. They are my superheroes. They all had something in common. They ... 1. Believed in me 2. …
3 Ways to Stay in Contact with Parents- 151
3 Ways to Stay in Contact with Parents: 1. Postcards 2. Your Own YouTube Channel 3. Use Google Voice Today, I'm talking about making a promise to use your summer to learn and use a new way to stay in …
150: Apex Fun Run with Jeremy Barnhart
Apex Fun Run offers the opportunity to fund raise for schools without depending upon traditional "product-based" programs. I don't know about you but as a kid I sold my share of Turtles (the candy not the critter), candy bars like …
149: 9th Grade Transition Program for Parents
Last episode I talked about creating a 9th Grade Transition Program for Kids. This week I am focused on creating a 9th Grade Transition Program for Parents. Today, I'm sharing my 16 ideas for a parent transition program. Do you …
148: 9th Grade Transition Programs for Kids
Do you have a 9th grade transition program for your rising 9th graders? If you don't, you should. If you do, do you have kids help run it? If you don't, you should. Kids don't have all of the answers …
147: 3 Ideas about Making Field Trips Successful
Field trips are important. There is nothing like experiencing something first hand or putting your hands on whatever the content is. Virtual trips are nice for those trips that would be too expensive, but nothing takes the place of being …
146: 40 Years of Star Wars and School
40 Years of Star Wars and School! Wow! Were you there in line on May 25th, 1977? Do you have any favorite memories of any of the Star Wars movies? How about favorite characters or scenes? Let's think about school? …