Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination: a presentation by Michael Bromley

From the Sycamore School Lecture Series: Parenting 21st Century Kids: On March 1, 2017  at the Arlington, VA Central Library, Michael Bromley presented: Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination Michael Bromley discusses strategies to help ourselves and our children overcome the urge to delay. Michael is a high school teacher, historian, published author and founder and president … Continue reading Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination: a presentation by Michael Bromley

How to know if your student is really learning: “If you can’t teach it you don’t know it”

We hear it all the time. Students say, “I get it when my teacher shows it to me, but I can’t do it on the test.” Then parents tell us that their child “doesn’t test well.” When children say, “I get it when my teacher shows me,” what they’re really saying is that they didn’t … Continue reading How to know if your student is really learning: “If you can’t teach it you don’t know it”

Five tips on how to “study better” for an exam: extending memorization for brain memory and recall

When students say they don’t “test well” or that they “don’t know how to study,” parents and teachers often respond with suggestions — and criticism — to, well, just “study harder.” Great. But what does “study harder” actually mean? We can see how “studying harder” might actually work if we divide learning into the two distinct parts … Continue reading Five tips on how to “study better” for an exam: extending memorization for brain memory and recall

Laptop, Tablet, or Desktop? Google Docs or Office 365? Which technology is best for high school and college?

What’s best for school, a laptop, tablet, or PC? Heading back to school always feels like a fresh start. And like a new set of clothes, getting a new device just makes you feel good. But for high school and college students, freshmen especially, the choice of technology can really impact academic performance. The wrong … Continue reading Laptop, Tablet, or Desktop? Google Docs or Office 365? Which technology is best for high school and college?

Student web searches on why I have to do homework & how a misguided SEO program taught us a lot about students

Search engine results reveal much about ourselves, something worth reminding both teens and their parents. Not only can a search history flag a teen’s behavioral choices, such as being frustrated over grades and homework, it tells us what’s going on in general. And web searches can even predict the future, such as a Bing analysis of web searches that … Continue reading Student web searches on why I have to do homework & how a misguided SEO program taught us a lot about students

Dan Bozzuto on Effective Teaching, Learning & Standardized Tests: Student Success Podcast no. 27

Dan Bozzuto explores the difficulties to replicate great teachers, the inherent problems with standardized testing, and some great ideas on how to address both. Part 1/2, featuring Dan Bozzuto, award winning educator and inspired classroom teacher. Dan considers my question, “are good teachers replicable?” which takes him to standardized tests and other obstacles to student learning, … Continue reading Dan Bozzuto on Effective Teaching, Learning & Standardized Tests: Student Success Podcast no. 27

ADD: a reminder for parents what “Attention Deficit” really means

Parents of a student who has been diagnosed with “Attention Deficit,” commonly known as “ADD” and “ADHD,” get a reminder every hour of every day that by, “attention deficit,” ADD is more than some inability to focus. Wikipedia defines “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” (ADHD) as: characterized by problems paying attention, excessive activity, or difficulty controlling behavior … Continue reading ADD: a reminder for parents what “Attention Deficit” really means

Sleepers Awake: a celebration of J. Reilly Lewis, master organist, conductor & educator

J. Reilly Lewis, world-renowned conductor, organist, and expert on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and our dear friend, died unexpectedly last week. A Friend to All We called him our friend because, for Reilly, if you were a friend of Bach, you were a friend of Reilly’s — and if you were a friend of … Continue reading Sleepers Awake: a celebration of J. Reilly Lewis, master organist, conductor & educator

Deconstructing Graduation Day: Administrators, “The Road Not Taken” Speeches & Other Regrets

It’s hokey, trite, and boring:  long live the great American high school graduation ceremony & hopes and dreams for students and parents! As a teacher I grew cynical about graduation ceremonies. At my school the faculty blessedly sat well behind the podium, mostly out of view. When one of our kind ever “went to the dark … Continue reading Deconstructing Graduation Day: Administrators, “The Road Not Taken” Speeches & Other Regrets

Mike Cahir on Why Shakespeare Matters & How Parents Can Help Their Child Learn & Enjoy Shakespeare: Student Success Podcast no. 26

Oh, no, Shakespeare? English teacher Mike Cahir explains why learning Shakespeare matters and how parents can encourage their child to engage in the enormous benefits of learning from the Bard. Featuring Mike Cahir, high school English teacher and Department Chair. This podcast began when I asked Mike for his advice to one of our A+ … Continue reading Mike Cahir on Why Shakespeare Matters & How Parents Can Help Their Child Learn & Enjoy Shakespeare: Student Success Podcast no. 26