I’ve experimented with literature circles off and on over the past 6 years. Some years, I’ve loved it. Sometimes, it drives me bonkers (I sometimes struggle with giving up classroom control). Using Literature circles is a balance between keeping kids accountable during their reading and making sure you don’t commit Read more…
by Jenifer Gearhart This past Friday evening, my boyfriend and I spent two hours in a used book store in an attempt to freshen up my classroom library shelves. His job was to find more “boy books,” and he did an excellent job. He did sit in the aisle for Read more…
It is the last week of May. The countdown is on the board. The kids are restless, the teachers are tired. How do we still make these last days meaningful? My traditional end of year burn-out started early this year as result of the craziness that was the 2017-2018 school Read more…
BY: JENI GEARHART Teacher brain. At this point in the year, that phrase brings to mind an internet browser with 10 different tabs open—or a pile of mush. Teacher brain is my excuse when I can’t put together coherent sentences on a Friday evening past 7:30 PM. Every teacher knows Read more…
BY: JENI GEARHART I love to get a real letter in the mail. It is a special treat when the remainder of the envelopes are either bills or junk mail. In a world of tweets, instant messaging, and terse e-mails, we seem to have lost the art form of letter Read more…