Well Teacher Appreciation week came and went at my school...like elsewhere around the nation and world. So with all the hubbub the real...| teachingunderground.blogspot.com
"a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession"| Teaching Underground
Have you heard that one yet? Maybe it sounds like a great mantra for 21st century learning. It certainly goes a long way toward making the majority of members in the teaching profession seem like dinosaurs. Sometimes, I think that's the point.| Teaching Underground
I teach a research methods class and lately we’ve been struggling with finding| Teaching Underground
I was just a child when Reagan took shots at the Federal| Teaching Underground
That cultural reference shouldn’t need to be explained, but| Teaching Underground
Some of you are back, others will be soon. Here at the Underground, school starts next Tuesday so once again It's Go Time! I've had a little time to think over the summer, and here's what's buzzing around my brain as this year begins.| Teaching Underground
To paraphrase Groucho Marx, if a school actually invited me to give a graduation speech I wouldn't want to be associated with that type of school. But the annual graduation address has a long history at the Teaching Underground, and I would hate to see the tradition die. So...| Teaching Underground
To start off the school year in AP Psychology, I share with students four lessons from Psychology that can make them a better student. Number one, we talk about metacognition. Two, deep vs. shallow processing. Three, spaced/distributed vs. massed practice. And, point number four is simple: Get enough sleep! Students laugh at this point as if it is too simple to be of value and also because for many of them the idea of sleeping for eight hours or more is just a joke.| Teaching Underground
Yes.| Teaching Underground
I can’t begin to communicate the level of ignorance in my| Teaching Underground
As this school year starts for most people around the U.S., I thought this might be a helpful idea to keep in mind. I've said it before, but I think it is the key to being an effective educator.| Teaching Underground
The Underground has survived floods, lockdowns, tornadoes and earthquakes. But will it survive renovation? As importantly, will things be finished in time for school? Stay Tuned.| Teaching Underground
My previous post touched on some of my thoughts on going 1 to 1. But far more useful is how my students felt about it. I included the following question on my end of the year survey:| Teaching Underground
Random picture of technology...nice huh?| Teaching Underground
School's Out! Wait... it's still May?| Teaching Underground
For the last five years, I've written a "graduation speech that wasn't" on the blog. We don't even really have a speech at our high school's graduation anymore, but if I had a chance, here's what I'd say to the class of 2015:| Teaching Underground
We've been apologizing a lot lately about the absence of activity on the Underground. I was a little surprised to notice today that we haven't added a post since December. Over Five months ago! Where has the time gone? The easy answer would be we just don't have enough time to devote to the blog anymore. That easy answer is actually a lie. Not having enough time is a mind set that limits our perception of control over our life and ultimately adds to the stress and pressure of life. We could h...| Teaching Underground
1.Do-Overs| Teaching Underground
To the readers who once upon a time used to frequent this blog, we're sorry. We just don't have time right now. Our focus on family and work over the past few months has meant we have less time to dedicate to this endeavor. But don't fear...there are plenty of teachers out there providing a glimpse into their experiences which will suffice in our absence. Are they the TU? No. But might they have something to offer? Yes. Personally I feel our lack of activity is a direct byprod...| Teaching Underground
Just because we teach in a basement doesn't mean that's where we always stay. (Just most of the time) Recently my co-author took his classroom out-of-doors for an authentic experience in learning how we learn about Prehistory. Here's the video from our local news:| Teaching Underground
Go Time Indeed| Teaching Underground
I'm pretty sure it was the largest class to ever graduate from Jack Jouett Middle School. Somewhere close to two-hundred and fifty eighth graders. So large, they moved the graduation down the road to Albemarle High School. It worked out well for me, that's where I teach. I wouldn't even have to take leave to slide down to the auditorium for a short middle school graduation.| Teaching Underground
It is a monster. I've seen it terrorize thousands of children. They can't run. They can't hide. It will catch them eventually. I've seen it kill kids...or at least kill their love of school and learning. Like the movie monster Frankenstein it is a freightening patchwork, but in this case not one of used body parts but of misdirected education policy of our own creation that sparks fear, misunderstanding and even panic among people. But Frankenstein wasn't bad...just a guy that g...| Teaching Underground
Each year we watch another class of students walk across the stage to graduate and every cohort differs from the year before. I've composed addresses to each of these classes based on their personalities and my experiences with them. (2013 , 2012 , 2011 ) Below is this years edition of our "graduation speech that wouldn't be".| Teaching Underground