CHANGEd: What if we taught history backwards or offered “war and peace” course? 60-60-60 #42

For many years at my current school, I held membership in the History Department. In a newsletter one year, I proposed the idea (don’t think I am the originator!) of teaching history backwards – start today and work backwards in time tracing connections and interesting linkages. Dr. Lamplugh even did it one year (said he [...]

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CHANGEd: What if we offered courses in News and Studio Hall? 60-60-60 #15

Most schools offer “History,” and many provide “Study Hall.” What if we offered “News?” Various points of entry for current events and modern journalism could be explored. By nature, the topic is transdisciplinary and PBL-rich. I can imagine weaving in every discipline. In “Studio Hall,” learners of all ages could use time to create, not [...]

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CHANGEd: What if we taught children, not subjects? 60-60-60 #11

I find a number of amazing educators struggle with the concept/implementation of PBL (high-quality, transdisciplinary Project-Based Learning). I believe some of that struggle is related to habit. I believe some is related to saying, “I teach English” (or math, science, etc.), instead of “I teach children,” or “I lead learning.” If you teach, how do [...]

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New creation: culinary, jazz-fusion luminescence in teaching – PLCs as surgical-musical-chefs

Working to understand better the functions and processes of PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) – this is a constant pursuit and area of deep investigation and learning for me. I am coming to believe, more and more, that high-functioning PLCs are like some hybrid-cross consisting of the following parts: chefs, surgical teams, and jazz musicians. The [...]

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An integrated, PBL course idea – Past, Present, and Future of USA Schooling

I wonder… Why don’t we devote more time and attention in school to studying schools? What if there were a course akin to “Past, Present, and Future of USA Schooling?” Could mixed-aged classrooms take on various design challenges for improving schools? Could such design challenges lead to learners studying the present state of schools in [...]

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