Continuing a long tradition, Mary Tarashuk reads a novel aloud to her fourth graders after lunch. But this year, in pursuit of “close reading,” she tries out several graphic organizers to help them probe deeper into the dramatic novel Red Kayak.
Embracing Technology / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 02/19/2014 · Last modified 02/20/2014
“It’s hard to come to terms with the digital dinosaur in myself,” writes 5th grade teacher Mary Tarashuk, who’s been asked to help create online courses. “Technology benchmarks are a bit vague for this novice traveler on the Information Superhighway.”
Family & Community Outreach / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 02/04/2014 · Last modified 12/13/2019
It’s report card time again – when carefully constructed comments join all those letter grades to say something to parents about each student’s progress. Mary Tarashuk shares some of her “eggshell” observations, and lets us in on the translations.
Kids on the Cusp / Passion-based Learning
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 01/23/2014 · Last modified 11/19/2019
Storytelling, in its richest form, has an incredible impact on children, writes 4th grade teacher Mary Tarashuk. As her students explore the world of August Pullman in R.J. Palacio’s novel Wonder, she witnesses passion-based learning in full flower.
Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Evaluation
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 01/06/2014 · Last modified 12/10/2019
Middle grades teacher Mary Tarashuk has reached the final rubric in her state’s mandated teacher self-assessment: Professional Responsibilities. She says the words used to define “highly effective” performance seem out of synch with real teaching.
Mary Tarashuck recalls the holiday Venn diagrams she and her 4th graders organized for the first grade kids and imagines some circles of her own – celebrating her colleagues and her past accomplishments and setting some goals for the future.
Family & Community Outreach / Kids on the Cusp
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 12/10/2013 · Last modified 11/15/2019
A Thanksgiving visitor (a student from 16 years past) offers our Kids on the Cusp blogger – 4th grade teacher Mary Tarashuk – a good hook for her latest look at New Jersey’s mandatory self-assessment rubrics for teachers. This time she reflects on what Family and Community Outreach means to her teaching.
Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Evaluation
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 11/19/2013 · Last modified 11/18/2019
It’s report card time. Mary Tarashuk puzzles over the disconnect between calls for authentic assessment & a culture mired in traditional A’s & F’s.
Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Evaluation
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 10/28/2013 · Last modified 01/20/2014
4th grade teacher Mary Tarashuk continues to dissect herself using NJ’s teacher self-assessment rubrics. This time: Delivery of Instruction. Spotlight, please.
Kids on the Cusp / Teacher Evaluation
by Mary Tarashuk · Published 10/14/2013 · Last modified 11/15/2019
Mary Tarashuk is working on the Classroom Management domain of NJ’s teaching self-assessment rubrics. Some words are a bit hard to digest.
