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Ideas
& Essays
APPROACHES
TO TEACHING
Reflections
on the eve of 9/11: HOW DO WE HANDLE OUR KIDS' HARDEST QUESTIONS?
As
the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, parents and teachers
can expect a lot of questions to come up for discussion with their
kids. How can we answer kids' questions about tough issues honestly,
acknowledge their complex feelings, and help them understand our
points of view? Reflections and suggestions from parent and education
activist Jinnie Spiegler.
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 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
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 Morningside
Center 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.
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