Heather Wolpert-Gawron

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Projector Central article: How a Teacher Learned to Get Along with her Promethean Board

Projector Central article: How a Teacher Learned to Get Along with her Promethean Board

By on October 8, 2009

I recently reviewed the Promethean Board, and more specifically its projector, for Projector Central.  You can read the article here.

Imagine Magazine: Your Slice of the Multiple Intelligences Pie

Imagine Magazine: Your Slice of the Multiple Intelligences Pie

By on October 2, 2009

I’m a semi-regular contributor to Imagine Magazine, a print periodical published by Johns Hopkins University and marketed to Gifted Middle Schoolers.  The beauty of this magazine is in how it talks to kids.  It takes high-level concepts and delivers them

Why I’m Jealous of Teach For America or Collaboration on the Can

Why I’m Jealous of Teach For America or Collaboration on the Can

By on September 24, 2009

I don’t mean to whine, but I’m feeling neglected. For all my questions about the eventual impact on education with TFA, I find myself a little pouty that they get all this professional development and I don’t.

Costa’s Levels of Questioning and Student-Designed Assessments

Costa’s Levels of Questioning and Student-Designed Assessments

By on September 19, 2009

So this week I introduced Costa’s Levels of Questioning to my students. We have some teachers on my site talking about these triggers of metacognition so it compliments everyone’s efforts to enter this discussion in the classroom. Costa’s is, in

When you Can’t Talk, You Can Still Teach

When you Can’t Talk, You Can Still Teach

By on September 12, 2009

So in my semi-annual tradition, I’ve already lost my voice. Now, I’m not talking about still whispering here. I’m talking about a totally stripped, honk-when-I-try-to-produce-sound lost voice. It happens to me 2-3 times a year and I’m starting to think

Literacy, A Print-Rich Environment, and No Reading Logs Allowed

Literacy, A Print-Rich Environment, and No Reading Logs Allowed

By on September 10, 2009

I think that so much about encouraging literacy is about making it sexy. Make reading attractive and make it unavoidable to enjoy. I’ve written about my classroom library in the past, but I also wanted to let you know about

Obama’s Speech Update: As it turns out…

Obama’s Speech Update: As it turns out…

By on September 8, 2009

…nobody needed to worry about the contents of the speech, because our limited technology couldn’t stream the darn thing anyway! I just wish it hadn’t happened in front of the press. Yes, it’s true. 5 minutes before the start of

Obama’s Speech to the Schools (UPDATED)

Obama’s Speech to the Schools (UPDATED)

By on September 5, 2009

As we’ve all heard, President Obama is addressing the children of our schools on Tuesday, speaking about the value of education, and encouraging students to work hard. The White House has also included lesson plans that focus on listening comprehension

What Every 5th Grader REALLY Needs to Know

What Every 5th Grader REALLY Needs to Know

By on September 1, 2009

So I’ve become a Guy Kawasaki fan. It all started when I was searching for commencement day speeches for my Speech and Debate team to compete with. I found his “Hindsight”.

First 3 Days of School: Tips, Lessons, and Reflection for the Start of the Year

First 3 Days of School: Tips, Lessons, and Reflection for the Start of the Year

By on August 29, 2009

So the first three days flew by, and on the justice scale of what went right vs. what went wrong, laughter and learning won out. So I thought I’d share with you a brief run-down of the highlights in a

Arne Duncan and His Distance Learning Missive

Arne Duncan and His Distance Learning Missive

By on August 12, 2009

I read this article on August 8th with no real plans to write a post about it, but sometimes the content just sticks with a gal, you know? In The LA Times, “Swine Flue Won’t Mean School’s Out,” Education Secretary

Peter Walsh, OfficeMax, and me, Oh My!

Peter Walsh, OfficeMax, and me, Oh My!

By on August 8, 2009

So earlier this week, I was flown to Chicago to participate in a Webcast helping parents to organize their students for back to school. Sponsored by OfficeMax and hosted by Peter Walsh (of TLC’s Clean Sweep and Oprah fame), the

Dear Parents: What happens in the testing room?

Dear Parents: What happens in the testing room?

By on July 24, 2009

Dear Parents,  I’m going to walk you through what happens in a testing room to help demystify your child’s test taking experience.   First off, I’m told to take down anything from my walls that might help kids out.  That

Advice for a Future Department Head

Advice for a Future Department Head

By on July 22, 2009

So generally I write a post giving advice to all you new educators out there, but this time I need the advice.    I’m the new English Department Chair for my middle school, and I’ve been set to lead a group

Help!  Save schools from Massive Ed Tech Budget Cuts!

Help! Save schools from Massive Ed Tech Budget Cuts!

By on July 15, 2009

As a teacher concerned about the future of education, and as a blogger who has jumped whole-heartedly into an online collaborative existence as a means to help teach her students, I am astonished at the oxymoronic message coming for our

Facebook Quizzes and Lesson Planning

Facebook Quizzes and Lesson Planning

By on July 12, 2009

It used to be 4 colors that defined the differences between personalities: gold, blue, green, and orange. Then it advanced to 8 slices of a pie used to categorize the different intelligences: linguistic, logical, naturalistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual/spatial, kinesthetic, musical.  There are

Standards Conversation #1: Should Education Take a Tip from Starbucks?

Standards Conversation #1: Should Education Take a Tip from Starbucks?

By on July 5, 2009

Starbucks is the ultimate in differentiation.  In fact, it’s built an empire on providing individualized, one-on-one product to any member of its clientele, no questions asked.  Cute, young baristas (some with piercings, some without) hand out drinks with a smile,

Parent Support Suggestions

Parent Support Suggestions

By on July 4, 2009

Type your suggestions into the comment box below. Check back in for updates on my webinar series or subscribe to tweenteacher.com! Sincerely, Heather Wolpert-Gawron aka Tweenteacher

Teacher Support Suggestions

Teacher Support Suggestions

By on July 4, 2009

Type your suggestions into the comment box below. Check back in for updates on my webinar series or subscribe to tweenteacher.com! Sincerely, Heather Wolpert-Gawron aka Tweenteacher

Ask a Teacher

Ask a Teacher

By on July 4, 2009

Hey Parents, Guardians, and Students! Want me to address an issue about education and school life in my upcoming Webinar series?  Leave your comment below. I want to discuss what you find the most important…so no-holds-barred, and ask away!