Mister Porter - Porter Has Class

The Homework Debate: Effectiveness, Global Comparisons, and Alternatives

Post published:September 17, 2023
Post category:Blog

Consider this: the average American student spends about eight hours daily in school, equivalent to a full-time job. After all of that, what awaits them when they eventually come home - more work - in the form of homework assignments. This topic isn't new - homework has been argued for years. Advocates suggest it promotes learning, while opponents argue that it can cause physical and emotional exhaustion and, in turn, impede academic advancement. We will dig into the complicated homework state in this post, using fascinating data and global insights. Are the extra hours spent studying outside of the classroom…

13 Teaching Resources Guaranteed to Get Your Students Fired Up for School

Post published:September 10, 2023
Post category:Blog

Introduction: Are you a teacher trying to pique your students' interest the moment they come through your classroom door? Do you want to make learning an adventure that kids look forward to daily? You've come to the correct location! In today's ever-changing educational scene, it's critical to arm oneself with a library of teaching resources that fascinate and inspire. Today, we're going on a quest to find thirteen teaching materials that are guaranteed to get your pupils excited about school. Picture a classroom where learning is an immersive experience, where students eagerly anticipate each lesson. Imagine a world where complex…

Unlocking the Power of Canva for Teachers: A Comprehensive Guide

Post published:September 3, 2023
Post category:Blog

Introduction: In the dynamic world of education, technology has become a key player in engaging students and enriching the learning process. One exceptional tool that has gained immense popularity among educators is Canva. Whether you're a tech-savvy teacher or just starting to explore digital resources, Canva has the potential to be a game-changer in your teaching arsenal. In this all-encompassing guide, we will delve into various ways teachers can leverage Canva to craft captivating and interactive content for their classrooms. What is Canva? Canva is an incredibly user-friendly, web-based graphic design platform that empowers educators to create stunning visuals and…

Student Responses to Shirley Jackson’s “Charles”

Post published:August 27, 2023
Post category:Lesson Plans Student Work

Introduction: In last week's blog, we wrote about how to utilize the free resource, Padlet, in your classroom. This past week, I used it in my classroom as a way to review parts of an essay. After instruction, students wrote their versions of introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. Once they completed each part of the essay, they reviewed other classmates' submissions on Padlet and "liked" the posts that best accomplished the purpose of that part of the essay. Below I have posted my second and third-block eighth grader's "Charles" final essays. Writing Task: You have read Shirley Jackson’s short story…