Comments for

Comment on Handshake, High-Five, or a Hug by Paul Townsend

Paul Townsend — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:27:03 +0000

I receive criticism from TEACHERS, not parents. Touch is our first language. Long before we can see an image, smell an odor, taste a flavor, or hear a sound, we experience others and ourselves through touch, our only reciprocal sense. I value the child — the person — who, at my school, often does not receive the same emotional support and attention as we might assume. I am a father of five and see through the lives of my children how important touch and validation and support are to the child . . . but how to communicate? In an ELL classroom, one must discover a common language. Touch, whether hug, fist bump or high five, is necessary to ALL of us.

Comment on More Digital Teacher Tools- Turning it in with DropBox by Marsha

Marsha — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:12:26 +0000

I LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing. I am going to use this with my teachers. I hope that if they try it with me, and see it is successful, they will try it with their students! Great post. GRACIAS mi amiga.

Comment on Summer Thoughts & Tough Questions for Teachers by Kira

Kira — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:47:28 +0000

I love these questions! These are exactly the questions I am asking myself right now as I reflect on the past year ((((take a needed breather))))) and start preparing for the next.

Comment on Idiots Should Have to Refund Taxpayers by Kira

Kira — Fri, 27 May 2011 01:56:38 +0000

LOL! Marsha, you made me laugh with that last statement. It’s incredible how quickly EVERYONE forgets that they, too, went to school and were taught by… wait for it… a teacher! Some people are just bitter. I’m sorry for that person, obviously they must have had a rough time in public school.

Comment on Being Appreciated As A Teacher by Lisa Cohen Kirby

Lisa Cohen Kirby — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:50:17 +0000

This is such a great post to read; it makes me proud of you! :+) I’m sure that there are those students who you aren’t aware of who just either aren’t on FB or who don’t make the effort to locate you, which is neither here nor there. No blame on anyone for not finding former teachers on Facebook of course…
So, be reminded that you have impacted so many others as well! lisaKirby

Comment on Teaching with Concept Maps by Marsha

Marsha — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:12:00 +0000

I love the way you used concept maps. You gave them the parts you wanted to them to know, but put them in charge and made the responsible for learning. That is an awesome way to engage them. I bet they didn’t even realize they were learning!

Comment on Author’s Purpose vs. Author’s Perspective by Marsha

Marsha — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:09:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing what you learned in your meeting. I wish teachers created, or had, the opportunity to hash out ideas and come to clearer conclusions together, but if they can’t, it is helpful to have explanations like this as a guide!

Comment on Education Needs to Embrace Web2.0 & Mobile Devices in Classrooms by Kira

Kira — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:24:38 +0000

Awesome observations Marsha! I have jumped on this bandwagon with all my might in my photography classes, and got the other photo teacher at school on board with me. We created a closed network, and the kids thanked us for “creating a private facebook” for them to do their schoolwork. Unfortunately for viewers, the groups where the kids do their actual work is private and closed- that’s a safety measure for the kids, of course. But you can see part of what we have going on at http://kiraslye.com/WBHSphoto. They love it. Their first two assignments were to respond to visual metaphor and simile in writing, and then take photos and compose their own metaphors and similes. We “tricked” them into practicing their FCAT skills

Comment on Free to Move Around the Classroom by Sonja Wood

Sonja Wood — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:37:46 +0000

So fabulous …

Barbie … you are soooooooo good at what you do … being in touch with your clients/students … makes all the difference in the world … And your perspective is always “RIGHT ON”

Comment on Superman, Not Needed in Our Classrooms by Kira

Kira — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:36:54 +0000

That was great Barb! As one of those teachers who feels overworked and in need of rescue, I have always believed the only one who is going to rescue me, is me. That’s why my “kids” (9-12 graders) know they will get a smile and a joke when they come to class, and they know I have really been pushed over the edge if my voice raises. I have to laugh outwardly to alleviate the situation that inwardly, sometimes, makes me cringe. But then I click my heals together….