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Ideas
& Essays APPROACHES
TO TEACHING The
Essential Skill of Crap Detecting.
Students can practice the art using today's news. Teaching
Politics & the Politics of Teaching There's no escaping it:
Teaching is a political act.
THINKING
IS QUESTIONING
Thought-provoking
reading and exercises for teachers and students on the importance of good questions. TEACHING
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Suggestions
for guiding students through a class project on an issue they care about--including
a student activity that shines a light on group process. The
Plagiarism Perplex The world wide web is the greatest resource
for student plagiarism since the creation of the encyclopedia, writes Alan Shapiro.
What's a teacher to do? THINKING
CRITICALLY ABOUT INTERNET SOURCES
An
introduction to some the skills students need to use the internet critically. How
to Stop Cheaters Students enter the test room with time-honored
ways of playing the cheat. But what if they could tattoo their bodies with numbers
if it pleased them and examine them anytime they wished? FREIRE,
AYERS & AN ECONOMICS LESSON FOR FIFTH-GRADERS
The theories of Freire and Ayers--and the Massachusetts
curriculum framework--guide Emma Rose Roderick in creating a unit plan for fifth-graders
on work (Freire, Ayers
& an Economics Lesson for Fifth Graders).
REVIEWS
& ESSAYS
THIS
IS JUST TO SAY: NCLB and Race to the Top Leave Education Behind
(8/23/10)
Alan
Shapiro's essay challenges us to consider current education policies
and what real reform might look like.
STONES
INTO SCHOOLS (1/20/10)
Alan
Shapiro reviews the new book by Greg Mortenson, whose mission is to "promote
peace through books, not bombs" in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Juan
Cole on ENGAGING THE MUSLIM WORLD: An Overview for Teachers
(10/28/09) Alan
Shapiro provides background for teachers on the 'standoff' between the Muslim
world and the West through an overview of the new book by Middle East scholar
Juan Cole. 'THREE
CUPS OF TEA' and a Man with a Mission
Alan Shapiro appreciates
the book about Greg Mortenson, the man who builds schools and bridges of understanding
with people in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan. ENGAGING
YOUR CLASS THROUGH GROUPWORK
Alan Shapiro summarizes nine different techniques teachers can use to encourage
constructive interaction among students using small groups. Essay:
HISTORY: THE DISENCHANTING INSTRUMENT OF RECALL
Alan Shapiro asks: Are we, as teachers and citizens, willing to examine the disturbing
actions of our government since 9/11? And what are the consequences of not
examining them? EARTH
DAY 2008: An Essay on HISTORY & THE ENVIRONMENT An
Earth Day presentation to students prompts educator Alan Singer to reflect on
some vital questions that Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth left out.
FREIRE,
AYERS & AN ECONOMICS LESSON FOR FIFTH-GRADERS
The theories of Freire and Ayers--and the Massachusetts
curriculum framework--guide Emma Rose Roderick in creating a unit plan for fifth-graders
on work (Freire, Ayers
& an Economics Lesson for Fifth Graders). NURTURING
THE PEACEMAKERS IN OUR STUDENTS: A Guide to Writing & Speaking Out About Issues
of Peace and War Alan
Shapiro reviews the new book by teacher Chris Weber THOUGHT-PROVOKING
SUMMER READING
Our ever-inquiring
curriculum writer Alan Shapiro suggests books, articles & a blog that are
sure to sharpen your thinking. Book
Review: OVERTHROW Alan
Shapiro reviews Stephen Kinzer's compelling account of "America's Century of Regime
Change from Hawaii to Iraq." Book
Reviews:
BURY THE CHAINS: Prophets & Rebels in the the Fight to Free an Empire's
Slaves and KING LEOPOLD'S GHOST
Alan Shapiro
reviews two books by Adam Hochschild about injustices and those who fought to
end them. Essay:
WARMTH & LIGHT DISPEL THE CLASSROOM CHILL In
a talk at the recent Educators to Stop the War Conference, ESR
Metro executive director Tom Roderick reflects on the creativity of teachers during
these trying times. Essay:
POST-ELECTION THOUGHTS ESR Metro executive
director Tom Roderick considers Bush, Kerry, the nature of moral values, and where
we go from here. Teachers'
Forum: HOW DO YOU TEACH ABOUT THE ELECTION?
Classroom teachers share their
ideas about how to address the 2004 presidential election in the classroom. Essay:
SEND IN THE COPS?
School
violence is once again making headlines in New York City and politicians are scrambling
to do something about it. Unfortunately,
so far they aren't addressing the core issue: how to foster good relationships
in our schools. Film
Review: To Be and To Have
The widely hailed
documentary about a French teacher and his elementary class is a paean to conformity,
says reviewer Maxine Phillips. | 
