Getting Real with Rubrics: Providing More Authentic Opportunities with the College Essay

Think about how much thought goes into the creation of a rubric.  There is so much to consider: How many criteria should it have?  What are the appropriate criteria?  How should each criteria be weighted?  How should this rubric be set up? Should it have boxes, a checklist, or something else?  These are big decisions […]

The Closet Project: Awakening Possibilities With Authentic Writing

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you know that I am a big advocate of creating authentic writing opportunities for students without losing the rigor of academic assignments.  This is especially important for students who struggle with writing; real scenarios can give them the push they need to become motivated and invested in […]

The Most Essential School Supply (Plus 3 Instructional Practices to Make the Most of It!)

It’s that time of year. Yeah, we may sometimes feel like we’re in survival mode with eager tallies marking how many Mondays are left in the school year, but as much as we might be counting down, we’re also starting to plan ahead for next year. We’re waxing reflective and submitting school supply lists to […]