Alan Lawrence Sitomer » ELA

End of Year Ideas

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00:17 +0000

I love using Project-Based Learning (PBL) in the classroom. There are about a zillion reasons why and a host of research exists on why using PBL is simply, well… good teaching. No need for me to really explain the sound…

If merit plays no role, our institution of public education will crumble.

Alan Sitomer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:30:36 +0000

So since I am in the mood to offer up so many thoughts as of late about how to re-shape K-12 education (heck, who isn’t doing it these days) I thought I’d chime in on the silliness of the manner…

All heed Nancie Atwell – and ignore her work at our collective peril.

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:30:44 +0000

Nancie Atwell recently published this article in Education Week about THE CASE FOR LITERATURE. It’s well worth a read.

Perhaps one of the most telling parts of the article comes from this passage where Nancie writes…

In 2007, fully 70

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The Lords of District Oversight that Ban the Reading of Novels in English Class

Alan Sitomer — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:30:57 +0000

Is there such a thing as an English class that doesn’t read a single, real, whole book over the course of the year? I mean I know there is. Some places — WAY TOO MANY in fact — have the…

The Conundrum of Handling Student Farts

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:30:17 +0000

So what is to be done when a student farts in class?

Hey, don’t laugh, this is a serious academic issue.

The way I see it, there are a coupla options.

1) Try to pretend it didn’t happen. Of course,…

My Wife Zapped My Blog

Alan Sitomer — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:30:41 +0000

Last night after putting my daughter to sleep, I spent a long time writing a blog for today. Actually, it was too long. I’d spent over 45 minutes on it and knew it needed to be trimmed down or converted…

You mean Hot Cheetos Aren’t a Vegetable?

Alan Sitomer — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:30:16 +0000

According to a new report by the Center for Disease Control, 9 out of every 10 teens are not eating enough of their recommended fruits and veggies.

You mean Hot Cheetos aren’t a vegetable?

Am I the only one that…

Don't other teachers pretty much tune out?

Alan Sitomer — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:30:23 +0000

Everybody recognizes the spectacular value and importance of literacy. Or rather, everybody that actually gives serious thought to it when considering a means by which we can improve our schools recognizes the spectacular value and importance of literacy.

The research,…

Yo, before you open your mouth, open a book, huh?

Alan Sitomer — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:30:19 +0000

People who work in schools moan and moan all the time about how “the kids don’t read” but you know what… the people who are moaning aren’t really reading either. At least they’re not, in large part, doing the professional…

Loving the Bad Guy

Alan Sitomer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:30:41 +0000

Had an exceptionally interesting conversation today with my literary agent about the need for an interesting villain in fiction. He spoke quite eloquently about the idea that the strength of a hero is really predicated on the force of opposition…