Category Archives: Uncategorized

Numbers Need Narratives to Create Community

That’s where my job as an ELA teacher makes sense to me. If I can help one student more clearly share their story, then we’re one step closer to a more connected community. Kristen Henderson In our world, a dichotomy is created between the qualitative and the quantitative.  You are either a numbers person orContinue reading “Numbers Need Narratives to Create Community”

Creating a Summer Fun List

A family tradition at the Henderson House is to create a summer to do list. We started this a few years back, and it’s something the girls look forward to every year. It also gives them a tangible reference when they’re “bored.” When summer comes to end, we come back to our list to reflectContinue reading “Creating a Summer Fun List”

Creating Meaningful Assignments during Corona

Like all teachers right now, I am learning how to teach remotely on the fly. While our school/district already had a lot of pieces in place to make things go smoothly: 1-to-1 iPads for the entire district, regular Google Classroom use in our building, two years of serious equity training, teaming at the middle schoolContinue reading “Creating Meaningful Assignments during Corona”

Play in the time Time of Corona

Play is a sanctuary of safety. Play is also the original school, far more effective than anything society could possibly invent…in true play the engagement is in the activity, not the outcome. Gordon Neufeld Play is essential to childhood and learning, but to be honest there’s not always a lot of playing at the HendersonContinue reading “Play in the time Time of Corona”

Letting Little Ones Text

Let’s be honest. Everyone is getting more screen time than normal, even our little ones. If we want guaranteed quiet time to work on virtual meeting calls, then a screen will be involved. Our kids are still getting plenty of play time, but play time is loud, sometimes involves screaming at one another, and alwaysContinue reading “Letting Little Ones Text”

Being Intentional With Choice in The Classroom

Most teachers know that student choice is important in the classroom. But sometimes it can be oh-so-tempting to assign a whole-class writing topic based on whatever unit we are in. Then you can easily guide them to similar resources, you can speak more easily to structure, and you can grade more quickly when they’re allContinue reading “Being Intentional With Choice in The Classroom”

Book Speed Dating

I typically start the school year with a whole class read, but after reading 180 Days by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle I decided to establish our independent reading for the first few weeks and then jump into the whole class novel later. That left me wondering what I can do to get the kidsContinue reading “Book Speed Dating”

Wordless books

Books with no words are intimidating.  I remember picking one up and thinking: What do I do with this?  When I was visiting my daughter’s preschool, one of the moms was supposed to be reading the book she purchased the school in honor of her son’s birthday, but it didn’t have words so she didn’tContinue reading “Wordless books”