Note: the publisher sent a copy for review but all opinions are my own.Originally published 6 June 2020 “How this plays out affects us, our children and society profoundly. Allow maths education to continue in its current mould, and we will increasingly remove most students’ opportunities for success in a wide range of fields: theContinue reading “The Math(s) Fix: An Education Blueprint for the AI Age by Conrad Wolfram [Book Review]”
Author Archives: whitneysorensen
World Class: One Mother’s Journey Halfway Around the Globe in Search of the Best Education for Her Children by Teru Clavel [Book Review]
Note: The publisher sent me a copy for review, but all opinions are my own.Originally published on 9 August 2019 Comparing education systems is a well explored topic. However, author Teru Clavel’s book is fresh because it is also a memoir of her own and her family’s experiences in different countries and schools, a parent’sContinue reading “World Class: One Mother’s Journey Halfway Around the Globe in Search of the Best Education for Her Children by Teru Clavel [Book Review]”
Performance in ELA: Haunted by Hamlet and Performing Poetry
Originally published 13 August 2018 PART 1— “Though this be madness, yet there [should be] method in’t.” The end of the semester was in sight— a mere two and a half weeks away, when a randomly scheduled PLC made me catch my breath. I came out of the library and headed down the hall toContinue reading “Performance in ELA: Haunted by Hamlet and Performing Poetry”
8 Habits of Dialogical Teachers
“A dialogical classroom is one in which literacy is used to immerse teacher and students in an ongoing reflective conversation with the texts of their lives.” -Bob Fecho Because a dialogical classroom is #goals. Dialogical, Dialogic, Dialogue: Conversation. Originally published 18 November 2016 Answer each question with a question. Read lots and lots of theory.Continue reading “8 Habits of Dialogical Teachers”
Beginnings & Engaging with Works of Art: My Week with Lincoln Center Education & Teachers College, Columbia University
Originally published 24 October 2016 I cannot even begin to unpack all the things I learned in my week with Lincoln Center Education—my first week this summer in the MA English Education program at Teachers College. Each day after class I would go home to the small apartment I rented with a few other girlsContinue reading “Beginnings & Engaging with Works of Art: My Week with Lincoln Center Education & Teachers College, Columbia University”
One Year Teaching in Desperation
Originally published 17 May 2016 I’m sure we all have moments where we collapse at the end of the day, feeling like we’ve been run over in a stampede. I question myself — did that make even the slightest difference today? Are they learning anything? That was me almost every day this year. Now thatContinue reading “One Year Teaching in Desperation”
For My Friend & Mentor
Originally published 15 July 2015 After being on a bit of maternity leave, then moving away for a while so my husband could complete his JD/MBA, I was back home and ran into a teaching colleague from my first couple of years teaching at a middle school. We spent a few minutes catching up, andContinue reading “For My Friend & Mentor”
this is just to say
Originally published 18 January 2012 As a teacher, have you ever had a bad day? It seems a bit silly to ask that question, since it happens to all of us–when you have a hard time making transitions between activities, when you stumble over your words, or when your class is just out of control.Continue reading “this is just to say”
Daydreaming Teacher
Originally published April 2011 On the dreary days at school when the air is still and students are sleepy I wonder what would make today better? If a bird flew in the window! sending students in a craze feathers and pencils flying. If I found a fifty dollar bill on the ledge outsideContinue reading “Daydreaming Teacher”
Teaching Anne Frank in 8th Grade: Silence & Speaking Out
Originally published 11 June 2011 A couple of weeks ago I had a feeling of incompleteness with regards to the upcoming Anne Frank unit in my English classes (we’re reading the play). How could I get students to connect with Anne Frank, and see her story as a meaningful text to study in today’s world?Continue reading “Teaching Anne Frank in 8th Grade: Silence & Speaking Out”
Whitney Sorensen 