“Ah, yeah! The Slow Jams are Back” (Part 2) (originally published here on GettingSmart on 8.3.2016) Ahhhh yeeeeeahhh! It's that time again, my brothers and sisters. Time to kick back and show the world how to rock out poetry the Jimmy Fallon way. Yep, it's time...
“Slow Jam the Poem: A Jimmy Fallon Inspired Lesson” (originally published here on GettingSmart on 3.20.2015) Jimmy Fallon is just too talented. In fact, I believe he could do just about anything sometimes. Now, I don’t want to step out on a limb here, but I bet he...
“The Voting Chips” (originally published here on GettingSmart on 5.1.2017)As I understand it, everything we humans do represents a vote of confidence and faith or a vote of insecurity and trepidation. I mean, everything is an investment, right? Whether it's trying out...
“The Trifecta” (first published here on GettingSmart on 12.27.2016)Have you ever seen an interactive learning structure that fosters academic debates, encourages a deeper analysis of the standards, and challenges students with seemingly insurmountable team tasks? A...
First published here on GettingSmart on 11.6.2012There are many ways to mix things up in a classroom and inject enthusiasm. From blended learning to project-based learning to time-tested traditional methods, teachers today have nearly unlimited resources and ways of...
First published here on GettingSmart on 2.1.2015To me, it is indisputable that literature is meant to be brought to life. Easier said than done, though. Such organic rendering of the written word involves courage in the shape of improvisational and planned acting....
First published here on GettingSmart on 3.26.2014Dear Boring Teacher,Do you know me? I’m the sixteen year-old bedecked in hand-me-down Nikes, baggy jeans that reveal a little too much of my Hanes boxers, and a faded t-shirt that says something borderline rebellious to...
First published here on GettingSmart on 4.15.2015Perhaps it sounds a bit nutty, but I believe two of the most mesmerizing sights are that of an indecisive squirrel scurrying to cross a street and a passionately creative teacher immersed in her craft. In fact, I...
"The Sidekick & The Superhero: Using Google Drive for Peer-Assessment" (Originally published at GettingSmart.com on 12/26/12.)“More efficient than an overworked teacher! More reliable than a carry-home satchel of ungraded papers! Able to simultaneously curate...