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Here's a great metacognitive lesson that integrates poetry.  Or is it a poetry lesson that is metacognitive?  (Shrug)  I believe that good writing and great structure can be taught through mimicking great authors.  Using this philosophy as my guide, my ...

I've been working on metacognitive lessons with my middle schoolers in an attempt to teach reflection and the act of thinking about thinking.  Anyway, one of the most important elements in teaching about thinking is in your own remembering of ...

I recently watched John Merrow's interview with Michelle Rhee on the NewsHour.  Michelle seems like a real mixed blessing for education. On one hand, she's willing to clean house, and education does seriously need it.  On the other hand, however, ...

The UCI Writers Project has monthly meetings for its alumni where we discuss certain topics, bringing our field studies and expertise into the conversation.  Last night we tackled an issue related to developing a common language: Skills vs. Strategies. Many of ...

OK, so we preach about differentiating our lessons.  We preach about differentiating our students.  We preach about differentiating our assessments.  But what about differentiating the requirements of our new teacher programs?

Yesterday I was proud to judge a number of our group website entries for our History Day competition.  Three of our history teachers use History Day as a project-based learning opportunity for all of their students.  These students have their ...

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 ...

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, ...

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?), ...

So I just finished reading Neal Shusterman's The Schwa Was Here.  I know, I know.  For all you librarians out there, you're probably saying: "What?  It took you THIS long to read it?  Jeesh, what kind of tweenteacher are you?"  ...