Author: dcwriting

Dave lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Judy. Publishing credits include works in PA Educational Leadership, The Social Studies, Middle Level Learning, and College Bound.

Expanding Our Understanding of Academic Intervention

Academic interventions are more than individualized action plans designed and implemented to improve failing grades. Mindfully and cooperatively designed interventions provide opportunities to build relationships and soft skills related to emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resiliency. Delving into some of the philosophies behind the practice of intervention can also provide educators with new insights into assessment,... Continue Reading →

Fostering the Habit of Proofreading

Proofreading can be a habit just as much as a set of skills, and consistent use of informal writing checklists can help to foster this habit in students.  Structured proofreading is an ubiquitous part of composing essays, assembling projects, and writing reports, the big summative projects occurring every-once-in-a-while in our jam-packed curriculums, but are occasional applications... Continue Reading →

Dr. Gesundheit and Story-based Learning: Fiction is Not Just for Reading or English Classes

A knock on your classroom’s door stops your math lesson.  You look up from your book and see your teacher crossing the room. “Students, he’s here!  Please welcome Dr. Gesundheit!” The special guest your teacher has been talking about for weeks bounds through the door.  “Hello, everyone!” You can’t believe your eyes.  Dr. Gesundheit stands not much taller than... Continue Reading →

The Build to July 4th, 1776

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in rooms he rented from bricklayer Jacob Graff at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia. The home is administered by the National Parks Service and is open to public tours. The desire for independence from Great Britain grew slowly in American colonists' hearts. Their central grievance with the mother... Continue Reading →

Seasoning the Writer and the Writing

Gus and Gus, a Rehoboth Beach boardwalk food stand operating since 1956, serves an outstanding burger.  I stood a few hours ago at their ocean-facing counter and watched my cheese, fried-onion, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard masterpiece come together on a grill possibly original to the stand.  The grill is the magic ingredient.  Grilling lore tells us my... Continue Reading →

ESWA– The Subject is Writing

To all of our teachers in the Eastern Shore Writers Association (and ESWA writers interested in education), please check your inboxes for an invitation to the Thursday, May 8th session The Subject is Writing beginning at 7:30 PM via Zoom. We will explore practical techniques to promote writing across subject areas and grade levels-- and... Continue Reading →

Multiple-choice Items That Measure Up

Many interns I have worked with possess the common misconception writing multiple-choice items is quick, easy, and assessments composed of these items are a breeze to administer and score.  Reality sets in as they draft their first sets of questions and submit these to me for feedback. They find themselves suddenly in the weeds of communicating... Continue Reading →

Movement and Energy in Writing

Plot, character development, and setting are expected ingredients for an engaging and moving story, but what about energy?  A pivotal moment in my evolution as a writer occurred in the late nineties when Stuart Jaffe and David Bender, fellow members of a writers’ group, helped me to see the relationships between pacing, rhythm, and scenes, which... Continue Reading →

Jimmy Grits, Private Eye Cover Reveal

Here is the final cover spread for Jimmy Grits, Private Eye.  Thank you to Aubrey Brown for the incredible cover art and Stephanie Fowler of Saltwater Media for the cover design.  The last of the logistical decisions are being made, and next comes the proof from the printer. See the blog post entitled “Cover Art for Jimmy Grits,... Continue Reading →

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