Test Anxiety

Test Anxiety

I have to admit, I don’t understand test anxiety. I have students that tell me they have test anxiety, and that when they sit down to take a test they go blank. I do believe these students, but I don’t understand it. I don’t understand it because I seldom get stressed...
The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do

The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do

A suggested reading from Linda Rae, former CIE secretary. This piece was inspired by a heated discussion I had with a man who believes that teachers have an easy job. Please feel free to share it with others if you agree with the message. I used to be a molecular...
Jigsaws in the Classroom?

Jigsaws in the Classroom?

The jigsaw technique is a collaborative learning strategy that was developed in the early 1970s by Elliot Aronson, a well-known psychologist and co-author with Carol Tavris of Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me). The jigsaw technique divides the class into groups—often...
Guiding student preparation – a journey

Guiding student preparation – a journey

When I began teaching in 2002, I was surprised to find so many students coming to class without completing (often, without even starting) their reading assignments. Why didn’t they read? How could they expect to succeed? Further, what should I do? Were my...

Searching for the Somatic (Week 3)

My writings involve movement descriptions taken from my classroom.  I am trying to bring the reader into a dance classroom to catch a glimpse of movement education.  (Please note:  I will be sharing this information at the Wellness Expo, hosted by NMC’s Phi...