As I wrote in my previous article, President Trump announced that end-of-the-year testing would not be required of public school students, nationwide. In response to the president’s declaration, Annie Marges, from the Oregon Department of Education, clarified the Department’s position on the testing of home schoolers. She wrote: I have received several questions about this (the…
Parents want what’s best for their children. As I wrote in my previous article, the motivation for testing, in addition to complying with state law, is to know how their children are doing academically. In light of President Trump’s decision today to suspend this year all requirements for end-of-the-year standardized testing, the question now is,…
With the feelings of panic and uncertainty we’re facing with the Coronavirus, you’d think the last thing parents would be wondering about is required achievement testing. Many of you, though, are thinking about it for a good reason. Educators use achievement testing to do more than simply comply with state law; their primary interest in…
I know. My subject line doesn’t make much sense. I’ll unpack it a little. When it comes to setting up a practice schedule that will make remembering something likely, I suggested you teach content in small but meaningful parts. That’s the answer to the how much question I posed in another tip of the week….
Most physicians recommend exercising 3 hours a week. What does this look like? There seems to be a consensus among doctors and personal trainers not to do your 3 hours all in one day. The results of exercising 3 hours a week in one session does not produce the same fitness level as 6 days…
Were you a sleepwalker as a child? I was. I’d get up at night and shuffle around. I’d even have conversations with my parents who told me to get back in bed. I grew out of it. When I got my diagnosis a little over a year ago, one of the first revelations I had…
Well, yes. I’m writing about doing “this” again, and again, and again. I’m talking about practice as another factor in improving your student’s memory of what you’re teaching. Practice, though, is not simply doing something over and over again. When you think about setting up a practice strategy, you have three questions to answer. They…
A California surfer new to the Northwest decides to try snowboarding. In his mind the sports are virtually identical, using the same movement patterns to get the same results. The only difference is that a surfboard glides on top of water, a snowboard on snow. The surfer, once off the lift, straps in and points…
Does the phrase, “wax on, wax off,” sound familiar? I didn’t think so. It’s a line from a popular but decades-old movie, The Karate Kid. Daniel, a young karate student is being mentored by a sensei named Mr. Miyagi. Instead of heading for the dojo, his mentor teaches him to make a precise circular motion….
Do you remember: A favorite vacation? A proud moment at work, church, or home where what you did was affirmed? A hard-earned accomplishment that was finally realized? A conversation where you felt truly listened to? Likewise, do you remember: A stressful family vacation or trip where you couldn’t wait to get back home to recover?…