Are you a Freedom Writer?

For some reason, I was in need of inspiration today. Even though I'd seen it before, I watched the movie Freedom Writers.

I taught for 20 years, and I like to believe that along the way I made a difference in many kids' lives. Erin Gruwell, though, makes me wonder just how true this is.

As a young, new teacher, Gruwell chose to go where no one wanted to be -- a tough inner-city school, newly integrated, where she was given classes full of the most troubled students. Constantly told she should lie low, that she couldn't help them, Gruwell did everything humanly possible to make her students feel valued.

I found myself wondering how often I was like her, in two decades in the classroom.

If you haven't seen the movie, watch it. Then, ask yourself if you are a Freedom Writer.

Don't miss ROLE Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom, now available in the ASCD store, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com and Mark's new book, The 5-Minute Teacher: How do I maximize time for learning in my classroom

Real change takes courage and leadership

For decades I dwelled in a school district that was cemented firmly in outdated teaching methods. Sure, we got new technology -- a mobile laptop cart here, a few new desktop computers there -- but the pedagogy remained the same. I probably don't have to tell you that the philosophy was to get kids to pass high stakes tests at all costs.

So, each year brought more workbooks, more ill-conceived online reading and math tutorials and a steady stream of district-wide test scores that were, at best, pedestrian.

I rode this ride to mediocrity yearly, until I realized that I had to make change, regardless of the path my district took. Enter results-only learning, and the miraculous transformation it brought. Meanwhile, my school district forged ahead, no change in sight.

True Leaders

I recently worked with some true leaders at a school in Coppell, Texas. These are people who are ready to make major change. From superintendent to building principal to classroom teacher, they are embracing results-only learning -- tossing out archaic traditional methods, in favor of a progressive, student-centered, digitally-enhanced classroom.

They are even altering the way they evaluate learning -- discarding traditional points and letter grades, in favor of narrative feedback. The courage these educators have, leaving behind what most schools in America can't escape -- the chains of workbooks, worksheets and, yes, even grades -- is unparalleled.

So, this is where it begins -- in the great state of Texas. Educators in one school will pilot results-only learning. They will begin a wave of change that might eventually turn into a tsunami.

All it took was real leaders and courage. Well done Coppell!



Don't miss ROLE Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom, now available in the ASCD store, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com and Mark's new book, The 5-Minute Teacher: How do I maximize time for learning in my classroom

Do your students understand why we pledge allegiance?

At my school, we say the Pledge of Allegiance to begin each day. Many schools do this, but some do it only on major holidays -- like Patriot Day and around Memorial Day. Some schools say it only on the first day of the week.

What has always frustrated me as a teacher is how many students give so little regard to saying the Pledge. Some don't understand its meaning; they also have little or no comprehension of the great history of the flag. They slouch, mumble or stare into space, while their peers pledge.

This video, produced by the History Channel, provides an excellent, brief history of the flag. Share this with your students, no matter what age, and discuss the tradition of the flag and why we pledge our allegiance to it.

Then, encourage your students to stand straight and pledge with pride throughout the year.


Cross-posted at Learn it in 5

Don't miss Mark's book ROLE Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom, now available in the ASCD store, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com

Weigh in on this discussion on Education Talk Radio

Larry Jacobs, Education Talk Radio host, and I discus student-centered learning and other concepts from Role Reversal in this brief interview.

Listen at your leisure and weigh in on the discussion.

Listen to internet radio with EduTalk on BlogTalkRadio

Cross posted at Learn it in 5

Don't miss Mark's book ROLE Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom, now available in the ASCD store, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com

Botched interview rescheduled

You may have caught some of my interview with Education Talk Radio host, Larry Jacobs, this morning. About 20 minutes into the discussion, a technology snafu cut us short. 

Larry has kindly invited me back for round two -- a complete do-over -- on Friday, June 21, at 9 AM EST.

In case you missed the first attempt, or would like to hear the entire interview, I hope you'll tune in Friday. Just click this Education Talk Radio link to hear the interview live or check out the archived version.



Don't miss Mark's book ROLE Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom, now available in the ASCD store, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com