Open Source Teaching… Because We Are All Learners
I’m obsessed with the Maker Movement. It is the exact kind of learning I wanted as a kid. I believe it holds promise for truly changing education. It’s not that I’m inspired by all the stuff, it’s so...
View ArticleMore Than Exist
When I think about places I’ve stood that I’ve considered some of the most inspiring as a learner… inside NASA’s VAB building, underneath the Saturn V rocket in Huntsville, inside the White House when...
View ArticleBetter Than Every Thing Ever
The struggle in learning. We love to talk about it. But how often do we make sure our students get to experience it. This week, I was reminded of it’s power. It’s like a flower. You can’t hold it...
View ArticleThe Hope of Education
Where have I been? Living under a rock? Or just complaining about standardized testing? It’s like I just woke up today and felt my purpose. This past week at #CMK15, while I can’t even fully explain...
View ArticleMaking Across the Curriculum for Elementary & Primary
Making is not just about STEAM, reserved for science class, or even meant to be just an activity for after school. Making across the curriculum can change the way students are thinking, interacting,...
View ArticleOut of the Darkness
I have always loved a great sunrise. Something about it is so full of hope. As the darkness falls away and the rays light up the sky, dancing in the clouds, it’s like the world’s details start smiling...
View ArticlePlease Just Don’t
Don’t try to put making in a box. Don’t make it a kit, standardize it, and water it down. Don’t develop a canned-for-sale-program out of it. Don’t make it a packet to sell on website. Don’t reduce...
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Start Making in YOUR Classroom
I’ve gotten several emails after my last post and they all ended with the same line, “Where do I start?” It can be overwhelming to start by Googling “makerspace.” What do you most often see? That...
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Looking Back: Evolution of a Classroom
When I think back to how my classroom has evolved over the last ten years, so much has changed. But, many things have remained the same. From the very first moment I stepped into my classroom I knew...
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When Sharing Turns Into Stealing
There is an ugly side to educators’ online sharing where people take things from Pinterest, recreate copies, and sell them. It’s where users copy entire books authored by others and sell them. It’s...
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The Stuff That Life’s Made Of
Tomorrow morning is my first day back at school. I mean, I’ve been in and out this summer, but this week I have some plans to carry out, so I’m considering it my first day back. Tonight I’m filled...
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Join #gtchat This Friday!
I’m looking forward to this Friday’s #gtchat on Twitter! I’ll be guest-hosting and sharing about the Maker Movement and what it has to offer Gifted Education. Join in the discussion, share your...
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Let’s Do Better Than This
I want to share three stories with you. Three different times in my life when I realized that understanding copyright is a really serious issue, and too important to ignore as we prepare our students...
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EdCampGlobal: Building Digital Citizenship in PreK to 4
Saturday, August 1 at 11am Central Time Collaborative Chat Notes: https://goo.gl/7TXUMX Join us! No Twitter Experience Necessary. Use TweetChat to search the hashtag!
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Digging In
Every night a read a research article or a book chapter that pertains to my dissertation study. I’m working hard to narrow down to one question. My previous topic, on public school gifted programming,...
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Unless You Want School to Be Boring
I hated math when I was a kid. Not just disliked it, I couldn’t stand it. Why? Because I hated doing 800 problems of the same thing. The repetition and practice was so boring and the unimaginative...
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A Better Tomorrow
You know what I love about sunrises? They are a fresh start to a new day. Colorful sky lit up with hope. Just like the start of a new school year. Today was our first official day back and our...
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Why Your Elementary School Needs A Blogging Mascot
Our brilliant librarians have a few cute friends who make appearances through the year and who I personally have enjoyed interactions with. I still feel terrible about the bacon joke I made in front...
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Learning Is Hard
I’ve written a million things about the struggle in the learning. I have watched JFK’s Moon Speech with students. I’ve even hung posters that said “There is great learning in the struggle.” Ironic....
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A Whole New View
This has been quite a week. A week of busy, non-stop, chocked full to-do lists and a week of starting to see some plans come together. And a week of feeling like the plan was falling apart before it...
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