Tag Archives: edreform

Assume a spherical cow: The Common Core and recess

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Cedar Riener

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 →

Posted in education | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Cedar Riener

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

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Cedar Riener

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 →

Posted in education | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Obama’s Tears and No Voter Left Behind

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Cedar Riener

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 →

Posted in education, politics | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Cedar Riener

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 →

Posted in education, science | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

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

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Cedar Riener

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 →

Posted in education, politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Cedar Riener

>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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments