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Diversity and Social Equity

Getting to Know Our Students

Getting to Know Our Students

A successful school year starts—and continues—with knowing well the students we serve

One of the highest forms of respect around the world is to prove to someone that we really know them, and that we see them as worth knowing. We can connect with the grumpiest of individuals when we prove such things,...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (6404)/Comments (0)/
Topics: TeachingYoung Adolescent Development
Tags: Student EngagementRick Wormeli
It's Worth Getting Up to Speed on School Law

It's Worth Getting Up to Speed on School Law

Knowing laws that affect educators can clarify rights and responsibilities and minimize negative consequences

A few years ago, a colleague of mine at a local middle school lamented that he had to stop being a volunteer leader for his church's youth group. When I asked him why, he said he had heard someone on talk radio say...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (3017)/Comments (0)/
Topics: LeadershipProfessional Development
Tags: LegislationRick Wormeli
Humor? Yes, Please!

Humor? Yes, Please!

Embracing humor in the classroom invites creativity, reduces stress, and enhances retention

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." – Victor Borge In my first year of teaching, I taught kindergarten. There are moments from that year that parallel later moments teaching middle...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (3969)/Comments (0)/
Topics: Teaching
Tags: Humor In the ClassroomRick Wormeli
The Problem with, "Show Me the Research" Thinking

The Problem with, "Show Me the Research" Thinking

Understanding the limitations of education research and accepting responsibility for contributing to moving it forward

Most studies in education are observational studies. This means that investigators pore over data previously collected by others. They seek correlations between different variables. This approach is far less expensive...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (21091)/Comments (1)/
Topics: InspirationProfessional DevelopmentResearch
Tags: Rick Wormeli
Grit and Growth Mindset: Deficit Thinking?

Grit and Growth Mindset: Deficit Thinking?

Examining the cultural narrative around these ideologies

As with most things in education, context can be everything. A skill taught in isolation from meaningful context, for example, is rarely learned, and often becomes grist for blaming the student for his lack of...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (38576)/Comments (1)/
Topics: Diversity and Social EquityTeaching
Tags: Student MotivationRick Wormeli
The Grief of Accepting New Ideas

The Grief of Accepting New Ideas

Changes in school or classroom practices unleash a variety of emotions. How can we support each other in the process?

The faculty lounge crackles with disagreements about the new grading policies suggested by the standards-based grading committee. The English department debates whether or not grammar proficiency is a requisite for...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (59979)/Comments (1)/
Topics: InspirationLeadershipSchool Culture/Climate
Tags: Rick WormeliTeacher Motivation
Memorization Still Matters

Memorization Still Matters

Benefits of quick access to working memory and 25 memorization techniques

In a world in which we can always look things up, memorization still matters. Depending on the situation, engagement, meaning, progress, expediency, and safety are increased significantly if participants have the...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (17650)/Comments (0)/
Topics: Teaching
Tags: Rick Wormeli
Cheating and Plagiarizing

Cheating and Plagiarizing

Ben reads below grade level, and knows that if he whines about how unfair school is, his dad will cave in and do most of the work for him. Jacqueline knows how to do the math, but she doesn't think she should...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (38579)/Comments (1)/
Topics: Classroom ManagementOrganizational StructuresTeaching
Tags: Rick WormeliDiscipline

We Have to Prepare Students for the Next Level, Don't We?

Some universities blame the poor academic performance of their young adult students on the poor quality instruction they think students received in high schools. High schools blame the middle schools, middle schools...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (40501)/Comments (0)/
Topics: InspirationMiddle School ConceptTeaching
Tags: Rick Wormeli

Do Teachers Remain Neutral or Share their Beliefs with Students?

Politics, Racism, Religious, Classism, Sexual Orientation: Do Teachers Remain Neutral or Share their Beliefs with Students? I struggle to respect the opinions of those who believe the earth is only 6,000 years...
Author: Rick Wormeli
Number of views (38223)/Comments (0)/
Topics: Teaching
Tags: Character EducationRick WormeliCritical Thinking
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