Writing

Progressive Education Media Review Critical Analysis Social Justice Personal Reflection Organization Updates

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Starting off Right: Writing a Pro-Student Syllabus

Progressive Education

The words we use to structure our syllabus can have a lasting first impact on how students view our class. Intentionally or not, the verbiage and wording of our attitude toward students is reflected in our writing.

Review: White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide

...white rage through the most explosive periods in America’s racial history, which the reader comes to understand through the brutal clarity and consistent facts of the historical narrative.

Review: We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be

We Got This is part personal narrative, part Paulo Freire critical pedagogy, and part comic book allegory. It’s a fascinating look at how a current public school teacher disrupts the status quo so his students have every possibility to achieve.

Death to the Acronym

Critical Analysis

Educators love acronyms. It’s the key to successful empire in the professional industry; developing a simple phrase to communicate adjectives in a catchy way. But they mean absolutely nothing.

“You Do Not Have to Be Good”: De-emphasizing Product in Arts Education

Progressive Education

Arts educators can have a vital role in building a more humane, joyous, peaceful, equitable, democratic society.

It’s time to stop using Kahoot as a whole class review tool.

Critical Analysis

For some students, this is a way to quickly recall information they may need to know, but this isn’t justifiable for whole class review where most Kahoot sessions take place.

Power to the Students: Teaching Issue-Based Organizing

Eric M Schildge

Progressive Education

Why teach students to organize? I hear a lot about teachers “empowering” students. I always ask these teachers, “Cool, so what is your definition of power?”

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Progressive Education

This year I challenged my sophomore AP Euro students as we headed into the final weeks of class: Put your best foot forward.

Small, big changes

Personal Reflection

I have seen every single one of my students move forward as readers and writers in measurable ways. I’m talking about kids who went from never reading so much as a letter of a printed page on their own to finishing two or more novels this year...

Review: The Book of Learning and Forgetting

The Book of Learning and Forgetting is a simple book in the best way possible. A 120-page, Q&A filled, assurance that students are learning all the time.

Reflecting on Rigor

Progressive Education

Every year I struggle with this fact: when we run students through the “rat race” of perceived rigor by our endless assignments and high-stakes exams, are we actually teaching a student anything?

A Playground Should Have A Pulse

Progressive Education

What do you think of when you hear the word play? I associate it with joy, innocence, freedom and flow. I picture my littles hard at play exploring, experimenting, falling, and learning. Play makes me smile, shoot nervous glances at my wife, and at times, gasp.

Review: Why They Can’t Write

John Warner’s message is clear in Why They Can’t Write: we need to restore purpose to writing (and all curriculum) by removing antiquated “structure.

Dispelling Illusions

Progressive Education

Chomsky relays how our society holds up its “truths” in an Orwellian fashion — each idea is how it has always been, and changing it would be neigh impossible.

The Cult of What

Progressive Education

I think I should disclose from the outset that I do not believe this is a college problem. It’s bigger than that. This is a problem generated by the Cult of What. Let me start there.

Review: The Inner Level

The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity, and Improve Everyone’s Well-being by Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson demonstrates a fundamental element to education: we can’t fix the system solely by making schools “better.”

Making Progress on Progressive Education: First Empower Teachers

Eric M Schildge

Progressive Education

At the heart of progressive pedagogy are questions about student motivation: How can teachers best motivate students? How can schools best motivate teachers?

On failure

Personal Reflection

But this past week, as I sat in front of my gradebook and frowned at a 6% (6% of what?), I realized that although my grading practices have evolved, my definition of failure has not. So I ask you: what does it mean to fail?

I use evidence to inform my teaching.

Progressive Education

There’s hundreds, perhaps thousands, of articles promoting progressive education. Research among child development psychologists overwhelming favors student choice and voice and experiential learning.

Improvisation and the Transformative Potential of Play

Eric M Schildge

Progressive Education

Improvisational theater and its underlying progressive principles have the potential to transform school culture and reorient students and educators towards a more human and democratic approach to education.

Tracing Letters

Progressive Education

In many ways, the college application highlights much of what is wrong with our current approach to education.

The Real World

Personal Reflection

What is the “real world”? And how do you know when you’re there?

Review: A School of Our Own

Hearing a high schooler’s perspective, combined with the expertise of a post-graduate education specialist, is as interesting as it is informative.

You Can…Until You Can’t

Personal Reflection

February 22, 2019

Can they turn that in late? Can they retake the test? Can they use resources? Can they demonstrate differently? In many classrooms, yes. But in the “other many,” kids confront cannots.

At a Crossroads of Anti-Authoritarianism: Dismissing Far-Right School Advocates

Critical Analysis

February 18, 2019

Progressive education typically wants a plethora of schools and non-traditional experiences for children to choose from. However, I want to outline the differences of thought between some libertarian homeschoolers versus ours.

The College Process & Progressive Ed: What’s Wrong

Critical Analysis

February 13, 2019

...which are meant to increase the likelihood that a student will be admitted to the school of their choice. So, what does this have to do with progressive education? As it stands today, very little.

Making Them All Look the Same

Critical Analysis

February 9, 2019

It’s not enough that students are required to attend whitewashed, water-downed classes that the masses can distribute, but now they must have the same on their bodies.

Data: A New Conversation

Critical Analysis

February 2, 2019

In an era where standardized measurement is a given, and it isn’t going away any time soon — why don’t we change the data measured?

Review: On Critical Pedagogy

January 26, 2019

On Critical Pedagogy by Dr. Henry A. Giroux inspires me to rally teachers and students and overthrow the government. Of course, that’s not realistic so I’ll start by overthrowing my classroom and work from there.

Neo-Progressivism

Critical Analysis

January 24, 2019

Experiential learning isn’t a packaged curriculum. Social and emotional learning isn’t an expensive workshop on managing stress in a classroom. Ed-tech isn’t meant to do what we already do “better.” Student voice and choice aren’t concepts sold in the latest book.

A Year of Mathematical Freedom

Progressive Education

January 21, 2019

As a student, mathematics was a confusion of disjointed concepts to be memorised from page upon page of joyless, sterile and seemingly endless textbook problems. It was about speed and rules and conformity.

Something There Is That Doesn’t Love a Grade

Progressive Education

January 17, 2019

We give our kids opportunities to show, to demonstrate that they are growing, that they are learning. And then, at some point, the chase has to come to an end, and we have to try to make sense of it all. We have to turn it into a grade. But…

Rejecting the Huxley Supposition: Using Technology in the Classroom for Real Transformative Learning

Progressive Education

January 12, 2019

The worst part was all of the wide-eyed educators and administrators who were just eating it up, all mesmerized by the message that using these tools are how kids should be learning in the 21st Century.

Lies on Their Shoulders

Personal Reflection

January 10, 2019

Whether we think it or say it, when we warn kids with the “real world,” it is an affront to their existence, to their humanity, to their reality.

Assurance

Progressive Education

January 2, 2019

I’ve rarely discussed progressive education without this question. Yet the assumption always is that students, parents, and educators reject these ideas. I don’t think this is the case. Instead, it is a lack of understanding.

Wait, 20 is the perfect amount for a classroom?

Critical Analysis

December 28, 2018

Outside of the obvious logistic and financial reasoning for larger classrooms, I just couldn’t wrap my head around why we would ever want 20 students as a “great number.”

The Naughty List: Stop the Madness

Critical Analysis

December 24, 2018

Critics outcry that “rote-based memorization”, “facts and dates”, and prison-like environments aren’t commonplace, and the average school is a vibrant place of learning.

Review: This Is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education

December 17, 2018

This Is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education by José Luis Vilson heralds a personal, provocative story of doing what’s best for children.

Taking the Plunge

Progressive Education

December 14, 2018

This is the kind of learning that is possible if we unencumber our classrooms from complicated instructional strategies...

The Way of Things

Personal Reflection

December 11, 2018

Somewhere along the way we got our wires crossed. What I expected and what she thought I wanted were two different things, and, consequently, it affected her performance.

“In your opinion, what matters?”

Progressive Education

December 5, 2018

We were trapped in the circular logic and language of letter grades and points: I got an A so I must have learned it, and I know I learned it because I got an A.

The “Fad Trap” of Progressive Education

Critical Analysis

December 2, 2018

Because these ideas are surface-level, wastefully rolled out, and so commonly a marketing tool rather than for actual teaching, they fall short, kids suffer, the school loses money, and teachers double down on traditional practice.

Finding Your Purpose in Education

Progressive Education

November 25, 2018

Finding my purpose in education was born out of an immense frustration with education itself.

Review: The End of the Rainbow: How Educating For Happiness (Not Money) Would Transform Our Schools

November 22, 2018

This isn’t a critique as much as it is an inspiration for teachers looking to reignite their passion for the profession. It’s time we restore the purpose of education.

Cutting Content to Make Room for Learning

Progressive Education

November 21, 2018

But writing “My Pragmatic Journey…” wasn’t just an exercise, it served as a clarification of my values and my role as a teacher.

Work's Worth

Personal Reflection

November 20, 2018

And while I didn’t always appreciate the lessons from work when I was younger, I proudly acknowledge the impact they had on shaping the person I am today. Hard work matters.

Being That Teacher: Shifting Towards Student-Centred Learning

Progressive Education

November 19, 2018

As teachers, it seems the system measures us by the “success” (see standardised test scores) our students achieve while in our care, but perhaps the truest measure of an educator should be defined by the number of options our past students have available at age 30.

Escape from Reality: The Apathetic Adolescent

Critical Analysis

November 15, 2018

How can I possibly design a curriculum that conquers instant gratification? Especially when this content stands to be delivered no matter what (as it is a “standard”) and students have no choice in coming to the building?

A Different Sort

Personal Reflection

November 7, 2018

Maybe instead of clinging to the “some-win-and-some-lose” approach to education, we should embrace the “all-need” approach.

Review: Timeless Learning

October 20, 2018

If the education system didn’t have over a hundred years of the status quo, what would it look like? If we examined real-world careers and passionate opportunities, how would we truly prepare students for them?

Being the Serious Teacher Who Doesn’t Take Traditional Seriously

Progressive Education

October 6, 2018

Educators face this scenario daily: by doubling down on progressive practice, their unwillingness to embrace the traditional delegitimizes their class.

Review: On Being a Teacher

September 23, 2018

Kozol’s unwavering stance carries a heavy weight throughout the entire book, demanding change, taking firm positions, and drastically altering how we view the classroom.

“We all do what’s best for children.”: The Banality of Educative Statements

Critical Analysis

September 9, 2018

“We all work everyday doing what’s best for children.” “We care about kids.” “We work tirelessly for our students.” Frankly, I’m tired of statements like these. It’s the perfect copout to any argument, a safety blanket for failing at innovative practice.

Accepting the Status Quo: Teaching Without Bias

Progressive Education

September 3, 2018

Frankly, to remain neutral is a single-sided story. One can’t teach without bias.

Review: These Schools Belong to You and Me

August 26, 2018

Students should want to go to school — learning is fun, interesting, and natural— but the more we accept our place under the dictatorial rule of standardized, government orders, the less our students will subscribe.

My Pragmatic Journey to Voice & Choice in the Classroom

Personal Reflection

August 16, 2018

Yet my journey to student voice and choice in the classroom was born out of an intense frustration that what I and my co-teacher were spending hours planning, and daily troubleshooting, just wasn’t having the impact we were intending.

“Let’s get to work!”

Progressive Education

August 12, 2018

Students love school the first day and begrudge it the rest. Teachers plan their beginnings to be engaging, then “get to work.” Isn’t it odd how easily this aligns?

Is the factory model a myth?

Critical Analysis

August 10, 2018

And this has bled into our current schools — we’re centered around control, using a traditional structure to tell children what to do, how to do it, and then expect the same uniform result.

Review: Teaching to Transgress

Teaching to Transgress summarizes hooks’ viewpoints through a series of essays which manifest a strong structure for understanding, analyzing, and changing systemic issues.

Response: The importance of rigor in bringing history to life

Critical Analysis

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute prides itself on sponsoring college-preparatory schools across Ohio. Particularly, this article is referenced as one of its most popular and aims to promote this pedagogy.

Teaching at the Edge of Hope

Progressive Education

Oftentimes we feel discouraged or hopeless as educators — whether it be economically, socially, racially, an instance of intersectionality, or otherwise, many of our students (and teachers) are fighting an uphill battle.

A Superhero Teacher's Lament

Critical Analysis

Every passionate teacher enters the classroom with boundless, optimistic energy. They never think they’ll become the sarcastic, aloof, dismissive type. But, when push comes to shove — it seems like it happens to everybody.

Get Out There!: Connecting to the Community

Progressive Education

Authentic work is at the heart of any great classroom. When empowered, students will change the world — they just need the opportunity to do so. Although many teachers are capable of fantastic projects and dialogue, the community beckons young people to innovate and serve.

What really is an "A"?

Progressive Education

Grades are meant to be representative of a child’s progress. If a student is doing well, they receive an A or B, so on and so forth. Often overlooked is the actual measure of progress: feedback.

Review: Making the Grades

I always bite my tongue when I hear educators defend the testing industry, even if they don’t outright support it. “Standardized testing is just one tool in the toolbox!"

Gamification: Is it all just a ruse?

Critical Analysis

I was quickly swept up in gamification. Being a “gamer” all my life, the draw of “gamifying” my content seemed like a no-brainer.

Why are we not taking happiness seriously?

Progressive Education

Where’s the alarm bells? Why is there no national call-to-arms for every educator to solve this problem? Why do our school systems value standardized test scores, GPAs, and attendance ratings over happiness?

The Path to Discovery: Providing Real Choice in Schools

Progressive Education

As far as I knew, this was “great teaching” — not only had I known my students “were learning” but often my lessons were engaging and at least better than what I remembered in school.

Review: Excellent Sheep

Our children spend shockingly little time figuring out what it is that they love to do.

Review: Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be

Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni lays out a remarkable case against the ridiculous nature of college admissions programs and the dangerous pathways it leads our children on.

Prepared for What? The Future for Graduates

Progressive Education

College-ready schools make an assumption that they are actually preparing students for college — however — is this an accurate sentiment? Moreover, what is the danger of always preparing people for the “next thing” without ever focusing on the now?

PSA for Teachers: Teach to Get Fired

Progressive Education

At almost any school you will find the lifeless, dead-eyed educator going through the motions, miserable at the sight of their students, administration, parents, or the education system at large.

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