One of my current college composition student wrote a personal narrative essay that beautifully illustrates one of my ideas to reform education ( ). This is what I proposed in that post: The Philanthropic Experience For those students who don’t want to continue their formal education but aren’t ready to go out into the worldContinue reading “The Philanthropic Experience: A Student’s Perspective”
Category Archives: Advice For Parents
Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie
Inside Out I know. This is a Wednesday, but when I started writing about Inside Out last Friday, I realized this movie was a post I needed to write about, not for writing practice, but to explore why it impacted me so profoundly. When I taught American Literature, I told my students that we studyContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie”
Kaplan’s “Path to Recess”
Excellent post about what is truly important for success. The “soft skills” Kaplan refers to are the 25 things I wrote about in my book, Uncommon Core. “Reflecting on my experiences teaching both at this school and at more traditional public schools, I find myself wondering if the methodology that enables young children to achieveContinue reading “Kaplan’s “Path to Recess””
Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: October
Can social media have a role to play in managing a successful classroom? Social media can be used in certain classrooms successfully. If teachers need to send out announcements, Facebook and Twitter meet students where they spend much of their time. There is no better application available to send out last-minute reminders or changes ofContinue reading “Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: October”
Uncommon Core Book Reading: Chapter 14
On September 10, 2015, I read Chapter 14: Teach Them to Be Problem Solvers from Uncommon Core: 25 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in a Cookie Cutter Educational System at The RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, NH. To purchase Uncommon Core, go to WordCrafts Press or Amazon. To schedule a book reading, speaking engagement, or interview contact me at pdhawk1010@msn.comContinue reading “Uncommon Core Book Reading: Chapter 14”
Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: August
What are the best ways parents can help teachers and that teachers can help parents? Communication and honesty are keys to building a positive, healthy relationship between parents and teachers. This relationship is the main reason I wrote Uncommon Core: 25 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in a Cookie Cutter Educational System. I wantedContinue reading “Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: August”
Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: July
What are several real ways you have seen bullying reduced? The only way to reduce bullying is for parents and teachers to take an active role in teaching and role modeling respect for other people to the children in their lives. Most “bullying” is due to a lack of respect for another person, plain andContinue reading “Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: July”
Uncommon Core Book Trailer
Opt-out Letter 2015
March 23, 2015 Dear New Hampshire School District, I am refusing to allow my child, Ian Hawkins, to take Smarter Balanced assessment, the Science NECAP, or any other state standardized tests. I believe that my child’s educational progress can best be measured using his daily school work and regular classroom testing. According to the U.SContinue reading “Opt-out Letter 2015”
Opting Out: Why Ian Will Never Take State Tests
I’m taking a stand this year: My son is not taking the standardized state tests that are being mandated by the government. His school will receive a zero for my opting him out, which will lower his school’s proficiency standings. On one hand, I feel bad that his school is being punished for my decision;Continue reading “Opting Out: Why Ian Will Never Take State Tests”
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