Donald Gately Ed.D.
Category Archives: Inside the Middle School
About Reading: Don’t take it for granted!
I have been following with great interest a recent series of blog posts by Grant Wiggins about the nature of reading. Wiggins explores the essential question: What exactly is going on in our minds when we read? It’s mysterious really, … Continue reading
Posted in Inside the Middle School, Personal Best, reading, Reflections
Tagged adolescence, Fish in a Tree, learning, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, middle school, Mindset, reading
6 Comments
About Bullying: What makes an easy target?
We recently held the third annual Bully Prevention Kickoff at our School. For the second year in a row students, staff and family members walked thousands of miles to demonstrate their commitment to stand up to bullying. It was an incredible … Continue reading
About the first week of school: Some highlights and reflections
Okay, it’s Friday. We are off to a great start to the school year. Just three days in and everyone seems like they never left. I love all the smiles around our school. Some highlights and observations: First of all, … Continue reading
About a field trip
This entire week I have been away from school on the eighth grade trip to Québec and Montréal as part of our students experience studying French at the middle school. An administrator attends this trip along with the teachers every … Continue reading
Posted in Educational Focus, Inside the Middle School, Personal Best, Reflections
Tagged field trip, learning, middle school, students
2 Comments
About parent involvement: Not important? REALLY?
It’s been two days since the New York Times published a piece entitled, “Parent Involvement is Overrated“. It was written by two researchers who are soon to publish a book based on their study with the intriguing title: The Broken … Continue reading
Posted in Educational Focus, Inside the Middle School, Personal Best, Reflections
Tagged middle school, parent involvement
2 Comments
About leadership – don’t be annoying…
When I first bought a house, I remember I was nervous because of all the paperwork and attorneys, it was intimidating. Somebody said to me, “Don’t worry about it, it’s always tough when you buy your first house, after that, … Continue reading
In the Middle of Learning
I have had a blog for some time now, but only this year have I become more dedicated in posting to it at least once every two weeks. I appreciate the voice it gives me and the opportunity to work … Continue reading
Posted in Inside the Middle School, Personal Best, Reflections
2 Comments
I don’t know, ARE our kids too coddled?
Frank Bruni, a writer for the New York Times has been getting beaten up in the “blog-world” (see Tony Wagner, Jersey Jazzman, Paul Karrer, Patrick Walsh, and John Horn) for a recently published editorial entitled: Are our kids too coddled? … Continue reading
Bully Prevention – Walk the Talk!
Last weekend, some middle school staff participated in a Bully Prevention 5 K Race at Sunken Meadow Park sponsored by CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services). I wasn’t able to run because I had tickets to the Giants game (talk about … Continue reading
Adolescent Resiliency
Is it OK for your child to fail? You may reply, “It depends on what it is they’re failing?” The middle school years are filled with opportunities for kids to experience failure and disappointment. Some examples: (a) Kids don’t make … Continue reading
