The daily meanderings of a teacher

Category: The Foxfire Approach to Teaching

  • Decontextualizing – Learning is a journey strewn with boulders

    Bird Droppings January 9, 2017 Decontextualizing – Learning is a journey strewn with boulders   “In a word, learning is decontextualized. We break ideas down into tiny pieces that bear no relation to the whole. We give students a brick of information, followed by another brick, followed by another brick, until they are graduated, at…

  • Walking and listening among the Cotton Woods

    Bird Droppings January 8, 2017 Walking and listening among the Cotton Woods   Since starting my breathing treatments for sleep apenea, I awake to vivid dreams on some nights. Today I walked outside briefly as I do listening, observing, trying to understand this reality I am walking about in. The sky was sprinkled in clouds…

  • Should children be left behind?

    Bird Droppings December 23, 2016 Should children be left behind?               “I believe that our own experience instructs us that the secret of education lies in         respecting the pupil. It is not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do. It     is chosen and foreordained, and he only…

  • Being patient

    Bird Droppings December 13, 2016 Being patient   For thirty eight  years I have shared my life with my wife Pat. We have had hills and valleys and children and grandchildren and each day seems better than the last. So today I salute my wife Pat thank you so much for your patience with me…

  • Waiting for a miracle

    Bird Droppings December 7, 2016 Waiting for a miracle   Miracle is used often by people of faith. It is an explanation for things that happen with no apparent cause and or rationale. It seems we all sit waiting for miracles perhaps waiting for that solution to pop up, to show its self and poof…

  • What do we really know?

    Bird Droppings December 6, 2016 What do we really know?   “Teachers are one of the most important resources a nation has for providing the skills, values and knowledge that prepare young people for productive citizenship – but more than this, to give sanctuary to their dreams and aspirations for a future of hope, dignity…

  • It is about telling our grand children

    Bird Droppings December 5, 2016 It is about telling our grand children Yesterday my wife and I took our local grandbabies for a movie and lunch. We went to a movie about oral traditions Disney’s new kid’s movie Moana. Being a fan of oral tradition I took notice to how each symbol and decoration on…

  • Can you give it one more try?

    Bird Droppings December 2, 2016 Can you give it one more try?   “You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out, but you gotta suit up for them all.” Satchel Paige often attributed to J. Askenberg   Teachers at my school judge seasons by testing season not weather. I am sitting here…

  • What is the Holy Grail in education?

    Bird Droppings December 1, 2016 What is the Holy Grail in education?   Teachers in Georgia High Schools on block schedule are scrambling this time of year getting ready for the semester End of Course milestones. Basically teachers have been told by administrators to prepare for the tests. Teachers are encouraged to be proactive and…

  • Trying to tie a knot with only one end

    Bird Droppings November 30, 2016 Trying to tie a knot with only one end   It is a Tuesday morning and no one else up but me and I am about to go out and wander in the darkness for a bit running to all night pharmacy for birthday cards. I have over the years…