Nicole Simon's Page

Dec 11, 2009

Griselda replied to Nicole Simon's discussion What happens when you don't control your classroom space?

"This sounds terrible, I hope this doesn't happen to me especially as a first-year teacher. For a college professors it's okay because their only in their for a few hours a week but a secondary school teachers that's a pain. How do you…"

Nov 30, 2009

William Johnston replied to Nicole Simon's discussion What happens when you don't control your classroom space?

"Sharing rooms has been a common practice at all the schools I've worked throughout my career. Here are some of the strategies that I have used to help make this work: -Make sure that each teacher has a desk or work space in the room. If this…"

Nov 27, 2009

Sarah Hopper replied to Nicole Simon's discussion What happens when you don't control your classroom space?

"In my early days of teaching I taught a class in what was usually the Health room. To optimize that environment: *I got a list of the teachers who did use that room regularly, so I could communicate with them about materials or seating…"

Nov 22, 2009

David Culley replied to Nicole Simon's discussion What happens when you don't control your classroom space?

"I would agree that this is a huge problem. I don't share or move rooms, but I have one of the smallest rooms in the building. I have 34 desks in my little room and I am very limited in how I can arrange them. Any suggestions/ideas would be…"

Nov 21, 2009

Nicole Simon added a discussion to the group Harvard Social Studies Methods (T213)

CRN: Ayers

Creating an Environment for LearningThe overarching purpose of this article is to discuss how the “learning environment is a complex, living reflection of teachers values”This article details the imperative for teachers to construct their classrooms into “laboratories for learning” that are “broad and varied” enough to challenge students diverse in abilities and passions. He warns that classrooms must simultaneously be “focused enough to offer students some coherent rhythms and goals.”The…See More

Nov 21, 2009

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Nicole Simon posted a discussion

What happens when you don't control your classroom space?

The physical learning environment holds a lot of power for students of all ages. I can think of lots of ways that I would design my classroom if I had a perfect space, and didn't share it with anyone else. (Though ideas on this front are welcome!) But how do you make sure your learning environment is optimal when you DON'T control it - you either share a classroom, hop around from one classroom to another, or work in a suboptimal building with difficult space?

Nov 21, 2009

4 Comments

Nicole Simon replied to Susan Yao's discussion Teaching culture explicitly in the classroom

"You should check out Mica Pollock's Everyday Antiracism book. It's got lots of examples of everyday actions that are both explicit and implicit, content-oriented and whole-school systems oriented, that address this issue. I did a terrific…"

Nov 20, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to Michael Wilkinson's discussion "Praxis Question"- How to develop Self-Advocates?

"I think a really powerful way of teaching students to be self-advocates is by putting them in positions where they have no choice but to develop those skills. I think internships/work experiences are great places for kids to learn how to speak up or…"

Oct 24, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to Bill Biondolino's discussion Is Video Necessary in the Classroom?

"I think the benefits of using video in the classroom are clear, and many of them have been outlined by other people who've responded. I think it's probably true that without video, our students miss out. But, I have a few concerns about…"

Oct 17, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to Melissa Aguirre's discussion Moral Development- for who and why?

"David Whitman wrote a book called Sweating the Small Stuff: Inner City Schools and the New Paternalism. It addresses a related topic through a discussion (that's pretty biased in support of) of how schools that are effectively narrowing the…"

Oct 12, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to David's discussion Pedogical Puzzle Presents Pondering in the group Harvard Social Studies Methods (T213)

"Dave, this is a really interesting question. I think that it would be a good one to pose to students in the class when you're discussing the purposes of the course with them. I think it would help them think about how they think about history."

Oct 12, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to Susan Yao's discussion Praxis Question: Culture in Social Studies in the group Harvard Social Studies Methods (T213)

"This is such a critical conversation. I think a really important piece of this conversation - and one that is glossed over way too often - is how the culture of the teacher may influence a classroom-based discussion of students' home cultures.…"

Oct 12, 2009

Meira Levinson and Nicole Simon are now friends

Sep 23, 2009

Nicole Simon replied to Michele Harcarik's discussion Teaching kids about peace

"Hi Michelle, I also like the Teaching Tolerance materials. Subscriptions are free to their print magazine (as are most of their materials). What about also bringing a guest speaker - or a set of guest speakers - into your classroom who can either…"

Sep 23, 2009

Nicole Simon is now friends with Arpan Chokshi, Michael Wilkinson, Katharine Millet and 2 more