Writing Elves is taking a break this week. So guest blogger Matthew Silkin has stepped in to fill the void. Here’s his take on graduating high school – and graduations in general. Leave comments for him below. Follow him on… Read More ›
school
Standardizing Creativity
File this one under asinine. Emphasis on the first syllable. A friend of mine shared a project that her child’s school launched this year. It’s a school newspaper. I know that doesn’t seem like anything extraordinary, but this is a very… Read More ›
Reading Log Lies
Most nights, I go to sleep wondering if I am teaching my son to lie. It’s true. Straight up. Full disclosure. Maybe it’s because he’s the fifth child. Or maybe it’s just that I’m older. But every night when I… Read More ›
First Day
Another school year starts this week. The school supplies are purchased and packed in different colored backpacks. The uniforms are clean and there are no worn out knees in the crisp blue slacks. The last few days of summer barbecues… Read More ›
Summer Reading
Not that kind of summer reading. I’m talking about the assigned kind. A few years ago I wrote an article about summer reading and how ridiculous it was becoming. Unfortunately, not much has changed. So in honor of my children… Read More ›
Dear Teacher
Dear Teacher, I am writing this to you because I have been in the education business for almost two decades and have been around the block, so to speak, in terms of teaching experience. I’m also a parent, so I… Read More ›
The Greeter
A few years ago, I wrote an article about our school greeter. He would stay in front of my kids’ school every morning, and…well…greet everyone. It was a wonderful way to start the day. They smiled and he shook their… Read More ›
Back to School
My kids are all starting school tomorrow and I again attacked Staples and Office Depot like an extreme-couponer on acid. Interestingly, I had written about what that was like last year and sadly, it has not changed a bit. To those… Read More ›