Episode 4 - Recess & Playworks
Between 2 Maples
Kit and Robin chat about recess at Maplewood, what Playworks is and how it helps to make recess at Maplewood even better. Contents 00:55 What do you see at recess? 02:05 What is a “great” recess? 02:50 How recess going last year? Why playworks? 04:25 Recess schedule at Maplewood 05:25 Mixing grade levels for recess 07:10 Do kids have enough recess? 08:25 Recess before lunch 09:10 What is playworks? 11:00 Junior coaches program 12:00 Difference between last year and this 12:25 Cost of playworks 13:35 How has recess culture changed? 15:05 What could be even better? 15:30...
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Episode 3 - A Day in the Life of a Principal
Between 2 Maples
Kit and Robin chat about what being the principal at Maplewood entails on a daily basis - all the stress, drama and joy it can bring. Contents: 01:00: What made you want to be a principal? 02:10 The most frustrating part of the job 02:55 Before school starts 03:45 Eight o’clock – school starts – morning rounds 05:45 Morning meetings 07:20 Dealing with interruptions 08:00 How do you prioritize? 09:55 Classroom evaluation 13:00 What is working well at Maplewood and what isn’t yet? 14:30 What else comes up during the day? Sticky note management 17:00 Planning ahead for...
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Episode 2 - Reading (Part 2)
Between 2 Maples
In this group of episodes we address "reading": How do children effectively learn how to read, what to do when they struggle and how can parents support at home. Part 2: 00:50 How I know if my child is struggling? 02:40 When do you inform parents about struggling children 03:15 How do parents react? 04:20 How to tell parents about struggle effectively 05:15 How can parents help with reading? 05:30 Don’t guess words, sound them out 06:15 Attendance 06:50 Advice by grade level 07:00 Before they know how to read 07:35 Positivity around reading, reading is everywhere...
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Episode 2 - Reading (Part 1)
Between 2 Maples
In this group of episodes we address "reading": How do children effectively learn how to read, what to do when they struggle and how can parents support at home. Part 1: 01:00 Lightening round questions 03:00 Reading levels at Maplewood 07:00 Introducing our guest, Jenni Heaton, Reading Specialist 09:00 Children doing reading exercises 09:50 Why is reading important? 11:50 Can children pick up reading naturally? 12:50 Scarborough’s Reading Rope 13:50 Phonics 14:20 Phonemic Awareness 15:30 How do oral word play and reading interact 17:30 Reading comprehension 18:30 Fluency 20:00 Putting it...
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Episode 1 - Homework (Part 2)
Between 2 Maples
On these first two episodes we talk about homework at Maplewood. Why did Maplewood move away from its “no homework policy”, why and how homework can be an important part of children’s learning process, how homework and equity interact, Principal Galloway answers questions under pressure in a lightening round and we discuss how families can support their children in their homework. Because of the length of the conversation, we split it into two episodes. We welcome any feedback and questions at [email protected] Episode 1: 00:40 Do Teachers enjoy...
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Episode 1 - Homework (Part 1)
Between 2 Maples
On these first two episodes we talk about homework at Maplewood. Why did Maplewood move away from its “no homework policy”, why and how homework can be an important part of children’s learning process, how homework and equity interact, Principal Galloway answers questions under pressure in a lightening round and we discuss how families can support their children in their homework. Because of the length of the conversation, we split it into two episodes. We welcome any feedback and questions at [email protected] Episode 1: 00:40 Do Teachers enjoy...
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Prologue
Between 2 Maples
Welcome to the Between 2 Maples podcast. On this podcast we will discuss all things Maplewood Elementary (Portland, OR) We will talk not just about what is happening at Maplewood but we will ask the even more important questions of why they are happening, what are we trying to achieve together for our children and how do we do it? Each episode will explore one topic, from the perspective of both the school – teachers and staff – and the perspective of families and discuss how we can bring the two together. How does what is happening at school relate to what is happening at home? We will...
info_outlineOn these first two episodes we talk about homework at Maplewood. Why did Maplewood move away from its “no homework policy”, why and how homework can be an important part of children’s learning process, how homework and equity interact, Principal Galloway answers questions under pressure in a lightening round and we discuss how families can support their children in their homework.
Because of the length of the conversation, we split it into two episodes.
We welcome any feedback and questions at [email protected]
Episode 1:
00:40 Do Teachers enjoy assigning homework?
01:25 Why did Maplewood change its “no-homework” policy and is now assigning homework to students?
02:30-03:25 Quick digression: What is the BLT (Building Leadership Team)?
04:30-05:00 Quick digression: What are tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 students?
05:20 Were teachers excited about bringing back homework to Maplewood? What is the framework around homework at Maplewood?
07:10 Deepening the staff discussion after the experiences of the first quarter of the 2022/23 school year
09:00 How much homework should kids do every day?
10:50 Benefits of homework
12:30 Should homework be enjoyable or is it a chore?
14:20 What part of the curriculum is homework-friendly?
15:30 Discussion around homework at recent staff meeting
17:20 How do we know if the new homework policy is working?
18:45 Talk with your teacher if homework is a struggle
Episode 2:
00:30 How do homework and equity interact?
03:30 Lightning Round Questions
- 03:30 What is more difficult: Math assignments or writing assignments?
- 04:15 Doing your homework: Well in advance or last minute?
- 04:50 Finish this sentence: Grading student’s homework is …
- 06:10 The best homework assignment ever given
07:50 How can families support?
12:35 What if homework is a struggle?
14:10 Creating life-long learners
Further reading
- National Education Association: "How much homework is too much?"
- Education Next "The Case for (Quality) Homework"
- American Psychological Association "Is homework a necessary evil?"
- Boston University "Does Homework Really Help Students Learn?"
- Psychology Today "Battles Over Homework: Advice for Parents"