Education, Lessons Learned In Combat

Teaching the Who, not the What

shawnacoppola

Throughout the ten years that I worked as a classroom teacher, I remember spending hours upon hours (upon hours) each summer working to develop units and "bare bones" lesson outlines that would give me some sense of what my school year would look like. I would devour professional books and educational web sites--there were few teacher blogs… Continue reading Teaching the Who, not the What

Education, Literacy

‘Mr. Terupt’ = Good Teaching?

shawnacoppola

Even if you haven't read Rob Buryea's debut novel Because of Mr. Terupt, you are likely familiar with its plot: Mr. Terupt, a fifth grade teacher, is such a phenomenal educator that he manages to bring his students together both as a community of learners and as a family, even as an unforeseen tragedy threatens… Continue reading ‘Mr. Terupt’ = Good Teaching?

Education, Illustration, Lessons Learned In Combat, Literacy

Everything I’ve Learned about Illustration Study…

shawnacoppola

..has not yet been realized. After all, I only began dipping my toe into these lovely waters two years ago, when I first read Katie Wood Ray's fantastic book on the subject, In Pictures and In Words: Teaching the Qualities of Good Writing Through Illustration Study (2010). But in that short amount of time, I have learned some… Continue reading Everything I’ve Learned about Illustration Study…

Education, Lessons Learned In Combat

What Walking 39.3 Miles (Re)Taught Me About Teaching

shawnacoppola

A week and a half ago I finished my sixth Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, a two-day event that encompasses 39.3 miles during which its participants walk along the streets, overpasses, and public gardens of beautiful Boston, Massachusetts. (There are also walks that take place in Houston, TX; Washington, D.C.; and Santa Barbara, CA, among other cities… Continue reading What Walking 39.3 Miles (Re)Taught Me About Teaching

Education, Lessons Learned In Combat, opt out

“Live Free or Die?” Not When It Comes to Opting Out.

shawnacoppola

My husband and I are in shock. We have just received a letter from our children's superintendent and elementary school principal denying our request to opt our children out of their state standardized testing, most notably the NECAP and the upcoming Smarter Balanced assessment. This, from a NH district (Live Free or Die!) that many… Continue reading “Live Free or Die?” Not When It Comes to Opting Out.