Blog - Page 47 of 49 - Spencer Education

Sep 22 2014

Six Alternatives to Book Reports

By John Spencer Uncategorized 19 Comments

When I was a kid, I hated book reports. I hated filling out a form describing what I read. I wasn't a fan of artsy crafty alternatives, like cereal box projects or dioramas. What I did love, though, was geeking out on what I read.…

Sep 11 2014

Why “Wasting Time” Is Vital for Creative Thinking

By John Spencer Creativity 11 Comments

When I was a kid, I spent hours drawing pictures. Even when I wasn't supposed to be drawing, I doodled. I sketched cartoons on the back of sermon handouts. I drew characters on the margins of the notes I took in class. For me, drawing…

Aug 27 2014

Seven Shifts in How Students Do Research

By John Spencer Literacy, Uncategorized 7 Comments

When I first began teaching, I viewed research as something separate from the rest of learning. We did research projects or we kept the research as a phase within a project. Since then, I've had some shifts in how we do research: 1. Start with…

Jul 29 2014

An Open Letter to My Son’s Second Grade Teacher

By John Spencer Teacher Life 2 Comments

To Whom It May Concern: My son is a curious kid. He's high-energy and artistic and he loves thinking deeply. He's a sensitive soul and sometimes the smallest amount of criticism can feel crushing. I could tell you the ideal way to teach him. I'd…

Jul 10 2014

Media Criticism Questions

By John Spencer Technology and Media Literacy No Comments

I use the following set of questions sporadically through our lessons as a way of thinking critically about technology and our world. Multimedia You now have instant access to video, audio and photography. What does that mean in terms of telling your story? What does…

Jun 09 2014

The Food Truck Mindset

By John Spencer Uncategorized One Comment

When we think of innovative companies, it's easy to imagine an open-air tech startup with ping pong tables and free drinks and huge windows and chairs so modern you're not sure how you're supposed to sit in them. Sometimes I look at those spaces and think,…

Mar 11 2014

12 Alternatives to Boring Professional Development

By John Spencer Uncategorized 2 Comments

I'm not a huge fan of most school-based professional development. It's not that the delivery is bad, but that it is precisely that: a delivery. It's something teachers receive rather than create. So, even when the quality is good, there is the risk that it…

Jan 27 2014

When Creativity Isn’t Fun

By John Spencer Creativity One Comment

I used to believe that creativity would lead to fun. I thought that if I crafted the right project and included a high level of creativity, students would enjoy every lesson. I was crushed, then, when I saw students getting bored, angry, anxious and confused.…

Oct 30 2013

Five Keys to Collaboration

By John Spencer Creativity 3 Comments

"Collaboration" is a great word for Buzzword Bingo. It's often listed as a 21st Century Skill (as if somehow the people in past centuries didn't have to work together). It's included in project descriptions and even mission statements. What was once called "a meeting" is…

Sep 19 2013

Eight Alternatives to Boring Staff Development

By John Spencer Uncategorized One Comment

I'm not a fan of traditional staff in-service. I know that people are doing their best. However, it can be hit or miss, because it's often stuck in a format or in a topic that doesn't fit who I am. Here are eight alternatives that…