by ALISTAIR BOMPHRAY
Hey everybody, we’re 1! (which is, like, ancient in blog years, right?)
Teacher, Revised is officially all growed up. Well, not really, but we did make it a whole year without becoming complete computer nerds or getting our tires slashed by vengeful homeschoolers (that’s an inside joke for those of you who have been [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Uncategorized’
March 17, 2010
Top Ten Teacher, Revised Stories of 2009-10
January 11, 2010
Thank you, A Better Oakland
We recently got a nice shout-out from the popular Oakland blog, A Better Oakland. They said, “(Teacher, Revised’s) reflections on their classroom experiences and the education system are sometimes maddening, frequently heartwarming, and always a refreshing reminder of what wonderful, caring people we have out there trying to take care of Oakland’s kids.”
Always good to [...]
December 17, 2009
When Our Students Become Our Teachers
by JESSE SCACCIA
It’s the end of the term, and things are crazy busy for us all, so this will be a shorter post.
I’ve been going through a rough time lately, both personally and with my writing. One of my former students who I keep in touch with–who is now also a teacher–caught wind of this, [...]
December 3, 2009
Why I Love Vonnegut is also Why I Love Teaching
by JESSE SCACCIA
This week my class and I have been talking Vonnegut. My unit plan had called for lessons about letter writing, but for some reason recently I had mentioned Vonnegut in passing. I waited for some sort of response or sign of recognition. Nothing.
“Have you people heard of Kurt Vonnegut?”
Blank stares. Slow shaking of [...]
November 18, 2009
Advocating for our Students: It’s Necessary at the Policy Level Too
by JESSE SCACCIA
I was reading my local paper today when I came across an interesting article. Currently schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia only give solid letter grades. The discussion involves adding in the ‘plus’ as an option. The net result will be an upward shift in grade point averages.
Here’s the full article.
You might be thinking, [...]
November 10, 2009
The Silent E Changes Everything
The most exuberant educational song ever (performed by my co-teacher’s son):
November 1, 2009
Keep me searching for a heart of stone?
by ALISTAIR BOMPHRAY
Going to see the documentary, Heart of Stone, tonight at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco. It’s about a Newark, NJ, high school’s attempts to confront its prevailing culture of violence and gangs. Check back soon for a review.
October 28, 2009
Letter From a Korean Classroom: The Case for Classroom Cameras
by CHRIS BACON
Working at a private English academy in South Korea consistently highlights the benefits and pitfalls of education as a business. Though such a system has its ups and downs, one particular “up” is that to survive, a business must guarantee a quality product. In educational terms, this means fostering awesome teachers. [...]
October 22, 2009
Another Way To Get A Class Discussion Going: Inspire Them
by DAVID PAUL KLEINMAN
Spring semester is a semester of contrasts.
I teach a “bad class” and a “good class.” In bad class, students stroll in fifteen minutes late with veiny red eyes, reeking of cheap pot. In good class, a student who lives on a collective farm, who also writes excellent imitations of Tony Hoagland poems, [...]
October 21, 2009
One Way To Get A Class Discussion Going: Offend Them
by DAVID PAUL KLEINMAN
“Do you know why I’m calling?”
“No sir, I do not.”
“There’s been a complaint.”
“A complaint?”
“Yes, and while it isn’t a formal complaint, I just need to follow up to make sure our classrooms are. . .um. . .um. . .safe.”
“Safe?”
My first conversation with the English department chair went forty-five minutes. A parent had [...]
