Tag Archives: teaching

More voices: reflecting on harkness discusison

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Now that my grades are turned in, my classroom has been cleaned, and my office packed, I can finally reflect upon the school year that has ended. At some point this year, it was enough to teach each day, come … Continue reading →

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Taking responsibility

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

The end of the school year is hard in many ways, one of which seems to be ending well, saying goodbye, and making a transition to a new phase of schooling and growing up.  At my school, on one of … Continue reading →

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Shake it off, and get right back on the bike

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

One of the new buzz words in education is “resilience,” and even though this notion of helping students build inner strength to deal with the obstacles, failures, and disappointments of life seems like a good idea, I wonder why it … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, children, class, coaching, education, experience, growth, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life in the middle

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

You might be tempted to think that this post will be about surviving one’s middle age, but at the moment, life in the middle is all about the woes of middle school.  This year, I have grown to be quite … Continue reading →

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Sardine rillettes: when things aren’t quite what you hoped

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I have to admit, when I saw this week’s French Fridays with Dorie, I wanted, more than anything to really like it, to be pleasantly surprised, to find a new gem to add to the menu.  I have never eaten … Continue reading →

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Hey, Veruca, find any lost notecards down there?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My students are busily engaged in writing research papers.  For 7th graders, this is a new process, one that requires a significant amount of time, effort and energy.  This year, I have been impressed by their dedication to searching for … Continue reading →

Posted in education, family, mistakes, motherhood, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Diversity day and inclusion: getting personal

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My school hosted a “Diversity Day” a few weeks ago — with the intent of giving our students some workshop-like experiences that would allow them to explore more deeply our school’s motto: SAILL.  SAILL stands for support, affirm, include, listen … Continue reading →

Posted in community, education, experience, family, identity, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

[in Just-] by E. E. Cummings

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

in Just- spring          when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman whistles          far          and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it’s spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old balloonman whistles far          and             … Continue reading →

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Why I teach

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

This email  came to me this evening.  Sometimes, teaching 7th grade is hard. Recently, with hormones flaring, it has been a challenge. But, all in all, I have the best job in the world.  Evidence follows. “What do you think … Continue reading →

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“A Teacher’s Lament” by Kalli Dakos

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Don’t tell me the cat ate your math sheet, And your spelling words went down the drain, And you couldn’t decipher your homework, Because it was soaked in the rain. Don’t tell me you slaved for hours On the project … Continue reading →

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