Metacognitive Journaling Metacognitive journaling is an activity that can be done at any grade level and any knowledge level. Metacognitive thinking is simply thinking about thinking, or rather, the reasoning behind a person's decisions, opinions, perspectives, etc. Metacognition can help students of all levels grow in their ability to understand themselves: strengths and weaknesses, inferencing,…

Writing Conferences Writing conferences give students a chance to sit down in a one-on-one session with their teacher to explain their reasoning, ask questions, or clarify any misunderstandings or missing information before a piece of writing is due. Students are then able to revise their writing with confidence. Each conference can last anywhere from a…

Portable Word Wall Portable word walls are an easier way for students to organize their vocabulary words as an alternative to bullet point note-taking or classroom word walls. This way, students are able to study their words even outside the classroom, and the words are organized in a simple, easy-to-read way. To create a portable…

Socratic Seminar Socratic seminars are a kind of discussion in which questioning is considered better than debating or finding answers. Ideally, Socratic seminars are done in small groups, student-led, and teacher-guided but may be adjusted so students don't feel intimidated or lost in the assignment. A good way to get students accustomed to participating in…

Below are some general ideas for school projects (final projects and on-going ones students may work on throughout the year) that teachers may use to formulate their own. The project ideas may be shaped and edited to the needs and requirements of each classroom and can be large-scale or short-term. Student Blog A good way…

It was a cold evening.  It was the kind that makes people scrunch up their shoulders and draw their coats tighter to their shivering bodies.  Snow dusted the city sidewalks, and salt began to dry and cake on my boots.  We were in good spirits.  It was Christmastime, and the city was a-light with the…

a work in progress “Are you decent?”   “Not morally, no, but I have pants on if that’s what you’re asking.” “Ugh,” Penn rolled his eyes dramatically as he entered the room.  “It’s time to head out.” “Where to again?” “EZRA.” “I’m serious!” Ezra furrowed his brow and ruffled his hair, ashamed.  A growl of…

Part I The ground was dark and felt like fresh coffee grounds. If only it smelled as nice.  An older gentleman raised his brow, looking all around him.  The muddy red sky, and the shrieking in the distance made him realize… “Oh dear,” he said, “I must be in hell.” “WELCOME TO PURGATORY,” shouted a winged…

Artwork by Dana Luquingan.  

"What does a pastor do when he's having questions and doubts of his own?" This week, we read a few chapters from Brian McLaren's book, A New Kind of Christian.  Told in narrative form (actually, it kind of reads like a YA novel...), McLaren presents a problem within the church: Christianity hasn't evolved with the times,…