At the end of the semester, “motivation” soars. High school teachers get heartfelt pleas from two groups of students: those who are failing and really want to pass, and those who are earning A-s and really want As instead. “What can I do?” both groups ask. “I’ll do anything!” The first group – the kids…
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Reflections on a lesson that didn’t work
There’s a lovely section in Donald Finkel’s book, Teaching with Your Mouth Shut, where he describes a high school literature class discussing Homer’s Iliad. The students generate their own questions about the reading — like, is Homer for or against war? — and learn from each other in a rich discussion, drawing on passages from…
Read MoreTech devices are powerful – but not motivating
The optimists among us see technology creating schools full of self-directed, collaborative workers, using the power of the internet to advance their own learning at light speed. The pessimists see technology allowing teenagers to become image-conscious dabblers, skilled at manipulating their Facebook profiles, taking selfies and playing games — but not much else. This digital…
Read MoreThe goal: Get students to love the work
In 20+ years of teaching, I’ve never heard one student say they deeply enjoyed the time they spent studying for or taking a multiple-choice test — or that they were really engaged by reading the textbook. Working on a meaningful creative project, however, triggers something different. “It sounds cliché, but ‘time flies when you’re having…
Read MoreHigh school: What is it good for?
I’m reading an intriguing, short book published in the late ’90s called Teaching with Your Mouth Shut. The author, the late Donald Finkel, argues that teachers can foster better learning without being the center of attention. I like his ideas and plan to try his student-centered methods. But three pages into the book, I read…
Read MoreHow to cope when you’re under attack
One of the toughest things to realize, as a young teacher, is that not everyone is going to like you. Not every student, not every administrator, and certainly not every parent. Most people who become teachers are idealistic. We want to improve the world. We want to share ideas with young people and inspire them to…
Read MoreWrapping up NeverBore’s first semester
For my final post of 2015, I want to provide updates on a few of the pieces I’ve written this fall. I have enjoyed writing and reflecting on my 20+ years in the classroom, and I look forward to making the blog and website even better in the new year. Thanks for reading! Re-learning that…
Read MoreBeware the power of incentives
If you had to choose between (1) teaching two weeks of difficult AP course content or (2) prepping your students for a broader but less rigorous state test in your subject, which would you choose? Before you decide: Your pay is tied to student performance on the state test, but not the AP test. One…
Read MoreWhat teachers want
This week I presented my first workshop as a College Board consultant. My task: In six hours at a hotel conference room in Cincinnati, help 10 high school teachers hone their ability to teach AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics or both. Six hours isn’t much time, let alone for two distinct subjects, and most of the teachers at…
Read MoreThe right amount of stress
If you are a bright, motivated 9th grader, which combination of courses should you take? Algebra I, English, Human Geography Geometry, Honors English, Human Geography Geometry, Honors English, AP Human Geography Calculus, Honors English, AP Human Geography Option A would be typical in many high schools, but in my experience it’s too easy for most…
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MARTHA RUSH 