Biomimicry… Innovative Imitation 27 Jul 202127 Jul 2021 What does birdwatching have to do with trains? What does “shark week” have to do with staph infection? What do termites have to do with ventilation? These are just a…
New Hampshire Science Quest for The NH State Fossil Revisited 7 Jan 20217 Jan 2021 I was surprised to receive an email today with the subject heading of "Mastodon!" It was from the Concord Monitor's reporter, David Brooks. David Brooks is also known as the…
Being an Example A Letter To My Students 6 Mar 20206 Mar 2020 Dear Fifth Grade Students, I am SO sorry I have not been in our classroom for an entire month! When the doctor first described my surgery, I was told I…
Classroom Management… The Third Quarter Blues 25 Jan 2020 As we enter the third quarter, I remember one of my favorite mentors and how he would compare a school year to a footrace. He would get in front of…
Collaboration… Mistaken Identity: Teaching Is Not Lacking Thanks, It Is Lacking Support 29 Jul 2019 “Teaching is a thankless job.” Time and again I have heard my occupation referred to as being “thankless.” I have always been hesitant to agree. Some of my students have…
Being an Example… Don’t “Have” a Great Day (Part Two) 21 Jul 201921 Jul 2019 You can have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, and even a Plan E for your day, and still end up with a big, colossal “F.” You…
Being an Example… Don’t “Have” a Great Day (Part One) 11 Mar 201911 Mar 2019 “Have a great day!” This phrase is uttered countless times throughout countless homes across our country every morning. It is a nice expression, a sweet little sentiment wishing an individual…
Collaboration… Place-Based Education: Field Trips with a Long-Lasting Focus 5 Sep 2018 Did you know that Christa McAuliffe was also known as “the field trip teacher?” This was because McAuliffe understood the value of place-based education. But, what exactly is place-based education?…
Being an Example… Dear Teacher (on the first day of school) 27 Aug 201827 Aug 2018 I wrote this two years ago. Felt I should share it again...hope all you educators and students have a fantastic school year!!!
Conservation Why You Should Take Care of the Ocean…Now. 14 Aug 2018 “Why should I care about the ocean?” This is the first question I asked middle school students from the Kearsarge Regional School District to think about this summer (and hopefully…
Thom R. Smith 