During the plague of 1527, Luther was asked what to do. What he said was simple, direct, and comforting. I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become…
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…
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…
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…
Live, Die, Repeat. That’s the subtitle of a science fiction movie, Edge of Tomorrow. Tom Cruise plays a soldier who repeats the same day of combat, living and dying over and over again. The key to his surviving longer into each repeating day is dependent on his learning and remembering what to do and what…
Terry Hershey tells a story in his latest book, This is the Life, in which a first grade teacher asked her students to name one or more of the seven wonders of the world. Student answers came quickly like The Great Wall of China, The Grand Canyon, The Empire State building, etc. One student was…
Dear Friends & Family, I wanted to give you an update on Curt’s health as it has been awhile since I’ve written. First, thank you all for your prayers for our family and the practical support you have provided us this past year. We are grateful for the cards, texts, financial help and the…