Heather Wolpert-Gawron

Viewing: Educational Policy

XWikiWorkspaces

XWikiWorkspaces

By on December 1, 2008

I thought I’d share a little of what I’m doing in the classroom with XWikiWorkspaces.  So, going off the frustrating fact that my district is blog-o-phobic, I was wracking my brain in how to teach internet literacy while still catering

Second-Career Teachers…Aren’t we All?

Second-Career Teachers…Aren’t we All?

By on November 22, 2008

The Illinois News-Gazette recently reported an increase in second career teachers.  But, really, aren’t we all second-career teachers?  I mean, unless we bopped from high school to a BA to an education program and landed directly into the teaching field,

CUE 2009

CUE 2009

By on November 16, 2008

I have two sessions that I will be presenting at CUE in March this year.  I thought I’d share a little of what I sent to them to give you a little preview of what I’m going to be talking

Fundraising Mafia

Fundraising Mafia

By on November 15, 2008

I’m being stalked by two of the tiniest, cutest 7th graders I’ve ever seen.  Big eyes.  High voices.  You know the type.  They are apparently the heavies for Yearbook, sent out into the wilds of 8th period to swing open

Obama and World of Warcraft

Obama and World of Warcraft

By on November 11, 2008

Where were you when?  It’s a question I asked my readers and my classes the day after the election, and you know what answer I heard the most often?  Ironforge.

Hola, soy redesignated…

Hola, soy redesignated…

By on November 7, 2008

So, please, somebody tell me how this scenario is best for the child: Recently, I received a student, a full quarter into the school year, from our ELD classes.  That’s not the problem as much as the fact that she

Where were you when…?

Where were you when…?

By on November 5, 2008

Man walked on the moon.  JFK assassination.  Shuttle explosion.  9/11.  Obama elected president.  Where were you when history was made last night? Clearly, not all of these rank quite as high as the memories from last night, but there are

Grammar Snafu and Dances with the Stars

Grammar Snafu and Dances with the Stars

By on November 3, 2008

OK, I admit it.  I’m a Dances with the Stars Fan.  Although I do believe that the series has jumped the shark with the group hip-hop number two weeks ago (did we really need to see Cloris Leachman in short-shorts?),

The Carnival of Education is in town

The Carnival of Education is in town

By on October 29, 2008

This week’s carnival is hosted by Leading from the Heart.  Enjoy! -TT

Innovative Learning Conference ’08

Innovative Learning Conference ’08

By on October 13, 2008

Well, I’m off to San Jose to present at the ILC.  I’ll be presenting my session, “Podcasting with 50 Middle Schoolers – RU Crazy?!”  It isn’t just about podcasting.  It’s also about the evolution of a tech-tentative Language Arts teacher

Get out there and Vote

Get out there and Vote

By on October 4, 2008

Wish this was G-rated to show the kids, but I thought I’d share it with you guys instead.  Great message. Enjoy. -Tweenteacher  

When it works, it’s amazing!

When it works, it’s amazing!

By on October 3, 2008

I’m referring, of course, to my new Interactive Whiteboard. I think I’m going to name my second child Promethean.

The Excitement Graph: Plot and Word Choice

The Excitement Graph: Plot and Word Choice

By on October 2, 2008

Every year, I do this activity when teaching Narrative Plot.  I’ve used it from 3rd grade to 12th grade.  I learned a version of it first in 1993 at a UCLA Extension class on “Teaching Reading to Secondary Students” and

The snail wins the race…with RSP

The snail wins the race…with RSP

By on October 1, 2008

Just a brief post of victory to share: At the beginning of Sept 2007, I gave a pre-assessment to my class in order to learn their levels and begin the process of differentiation.  I looked through the results and my

What’s my role in this debate?

What’s my role in this debate?

By on September 28, 2008

Dear Fellow Edubloggers, Many of you have been blogging far longer than I have.  I have many of you on my Google Reader and I admire your wit, your writing, and would now love your advice. Last week, I posted

Should a free education be unconditional?

Should a free education be unconditional?

By on September 6, 2008

So you know when you get your group of kids on the first day, there are those who immediately set off your alarms?  Well, that definitely happened to me on my first day. I have a student who clearly needs

Oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a’comin…

Oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a’comin…

By on August 30, 2008

So, in a move reminiscent of a 12-year old girl caught up in the riot mentality of rumors, I believed the whisper I heard about not getting my Whiteboard for 2 months.  But I tell you now: it was false,

The Carnival is in town!

The Carnival is in town!

By on August 27, 2008

Howdy all! The Carnival of Education is in town and tweenteacher has joined the parade.  Interesting host and post. Enjoy!

Hurry up & Wait – My New Interactive Whiteboard: Part II

Hurry up & Wait – My New Interactive Whiteboard: Part II

By on August 24, 2008

So, I had my online training.  I met the Whiteboard sales guy in my classroom to discuss where the board is to be mounted.  I talked with my principal to develop an interactive whiteboard presentation during our first staff development

The Carnival is in!

The Carnival is in!

By on August 13, 2008

Welcome to another Carnival of Education hosted this week by Joanne Jacobs.   After taking a writing break for a few weeks, I am back in the party.  Something I love about Le Carnival is that is represents both sides of