Tag Archives: edreform

Assume a spherical cow: The Common Core and recess

The Common Core State Standards are an admirable effort to give our students a firm foundation of knowledge, and teachers guidance about content. I’m an advocate of a rich, content-based (rather than skills-based) curriculum, and I sincerely hope that the … Continue reading

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Deep and Shallow Arguments in Logos, Cursing and Civil War Memory

Over the weekend I witnessed several seemingly unrelated conversations that held a common thread. On the surface, these might seem to be shallow conversations about logos, style of language, or word usage. However for many having strong feelings about these … Continue reading

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A Day at an Elementary School with a Cognitive Psychologist

In what is becoming an annual tradition, I spent a day at elementary school last week, as part of the WATCH Dogs program. I thought I’d share some reflections. I learn something new every time I go. If you are … Continue reading

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Obama’s Tears and No Voter Left Behind

Like many progressive Obama supporters, I was moved by his tears as he thanked his Chicago staff and volunteers this past week. Whether or not you believe he is a great president, it is pretty clear he is a good … Continue reading

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A Failure of Imagination – Jonah Lehrer is “Nothing more than a schoolteacher”

I have followed with morbid fascination the downfall of Jonah Lehrer. I’ll admit to really enjoying Proust was a Neuroscientist, as well as How We Decide. I still see value in each of these books, and I will continue to … Continue reading

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“Then, they came for the 3rd grade teachers, and I said nothing”

German pastor Martin Niemoller is quoted as saying First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a … Continue reading

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David Brooks: C’mon Feel That Invigorating Moral Culture, baby!

>David Brooks recent column on education reform is not as immediately awful as many of his other columns. It does not make me want to throw it down in disgust (but in the bestest, smirking-est, Taibbi-est way possible). It does not … Continue reading

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