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About: Donna Miller

Recent Posts by Donna Miller

Honoring Identities

Honoring Identities
A social studies topic that has a place in every classroom, every day is cultural studies.  Culture isn't something separate from the self.  I can't park a piece of myself at the classroom door.  My whiteness, my hetero-femaleness, my German roots, my age--none of these can be separated from my identity.  My students are no…
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Teachers Are Candle Lighters

Teachers Are Candle Lighters
As I was reflecting about Teacher Appreciation Week, the text: Teaching from the Heart: Reflections, Encouragement, and Inspiration by Sharon Draper came to mind.  In the essay “Candles,” Draper celebrates a teacher’s selflessness and chooses the candle as a felicitous symbol to describe how we teach so that others can reach their goals. As Draper…
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April Is Autism Awareness Month

April Is Autism Awareness Month
The first National Autism Awareness Month was declared by the Autism Society in April 1970, and in 2015, then President Barack Obama issued a White House proclamation recognizing World Autism Awareness Day as April 2.  These designations are part of a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion, and self-determination for all and to assure…
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April: National Poetry Month

April: National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month, so as you plan lessons for the coming month, consider incorporating poetry into your lessons.  For example, try pairing two short poems to make a mini-study of a concept, theme, structure, or perspective.  In the space of a class period, it’s possible to employ multiple reading strategies while enriching discussion…
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