Essential Teaching and Learning

 Photo credit: (C) 2003 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger Turn the page and open your eyes. This is no Disney fairy tale.  While it may seem as though we have been strapped in for months on the Wicked Twister , the time has come to step off the ride and step up for families .  As we enter a new chapter in the continuing evolution of the home-school relationship during the days of Covid-19, transparency becomes paramount as truth equates with trust.  How do you soothe parental nerves during a pandemic?  Here are five trustworthy tips for singular school leaders. 1. The Equation is Straightforward: Transparency = Trust First, report continuing, relevant developments on a consistent basis, and ensure information is available in a variety of languages .  Even if unsure, inform parents that you will try your best to unravel answers, and be sure to follow up as soon as humanly possible.  After 164 visits to Disney theme parks, I noticed tha...

                                                       Photo credit: (c) 2008 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger Hate has no place .                                                              Not the color of your face. Not religion, gender, race. Judge me for who I am . Hate has a name. And it says we’re all the same. Yes, we know it’s very lame. Judge me for who I am . See me knocking on your door, But you’re looking at the floor. Is human kindness such a chore? Judge me for who I am . Inspired by recent world events, help children learn about equality and civil rights , global citizenship , ...

Photo credit: (C) 2019 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger With the advent of new technologies being infused in school curricula, educators and school leaders are beginning to rethink all facets of data in the classroom. New, innovative methods of data collection are continually being developed, which offers new options for ongoing formative, culminating summative, and alternative assessments.   Yet what precisely do nouveau research-based instructional strategies entail?   Although challenges in curricula design may arise due to advanced technology integration, schools are nonetheless embracing the future.   Here are five emerging trends for 21 st -century classrooms. 1. App Innovation and Gamification As a result of the recent explosion in education-related apps, educators can decipher students’ interests, academic passions, and “trouble spots” more readily and in real-time to differentiate and fine-tune instruction.  MIT App Inventor, for exam...