Jennifer Orr
@jenorr.bsky.social
Long time elementary school teacher, author of Demystifying Discussion and co-author of We're Gonna Keep on Talking
I love this thread. The power of writing positive notes to others is fantastic. Not for them (although it can be for them) but for the one writing the notes. I write one note to a colleague and two postcards per class (I have two classes) each week. It helps me so much.
Every year I write a letter of gratitude to each of my students. It’s nothing deep; I’ve been making little notes about beautiful sentences they write and smart things they say in discussions. Even my “tough” students get a “thank you for challenging me to see things differently!” 😂 +
November 11, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I love this thread. The power of writing positive notes to others is fantastic. Not for them (although it can be for them) but for the one writing the notes. I write one note to a colleague and two postcards per class (I have two classes) each week. It helps me so much.
Yes, yes, yes. We spend so much time at work with people who may be fine (or may not be) but most of them aren't actual friends. What a gift it is when it happens.
Finding an actual friend at work is a rare and precious thing.
November 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Yes, yes, yes. We spend so much time at work with people who may be fine (or may not be) but most of them aren't actual friends. What a gift it is when it happens.
I'm a bit hesitant to share this because there are so many great books here I'd love to win, but I want as many people to donate as possible! This is such a wonderfully generous, thoughtful idea and action.
Ed Books Against Hunger: in one week, educators from across the country have raised $1113 for our local book banks! You can enter to win an amazing book at bit.ly/EdBooksAgain..., or contribute to our total and put n/a for address if you don't need another book on your TBR :)
November 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I'm a bit hesitant to share this because there are so many great books here I'd love to win, but I want as many people to donate as possible! This is such a wonderfully generous, thoughtful idea and action.
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
For two days we've used Slow Reveal Graphs as my fourth graders explore line graphs. As I click to each new image there are loud gasps. It makes my day.
Slow Reveal Graphs
An Instructional Routine to Promote Sensemaking about Data
slowrevealgraphs.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
For two days we've used Slow Reveal Graphs as my fourth graders explore line graphs. As I click to each new image there are loud gasps. It makes my day.
I came across this in this article, which has a link to the study.
October 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I came across this in this article, which has a link to the study.
I just can't with what education is to so many people currently. Students don't test as well when it is hot? So time tests when the temperatures are cooler and invest in HVAC systems. Seriously? Maybe we could, instead, consider placing less emphasis on tests that can be impacted by temperature.
October 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I just can't with what education is to so many people currently. Students don't test as well when it is hot? So time tests when the temperatures are cooler and invest in HVAC systems. Seriously? Maybe we could, instead, consider placing less emphasis on tests that can be impacted by temperature.
Reposted by Jennifer Orr
That’s the kind of kneejerk dismissive advice that makes me violent. Telling people to just grow their own food is tantamount to telling them to eat cake.
On Threads, the usual suspects are telling ppl about to lose SNAP benefits to just start a garden. As a gardener, I had to laugh. You need at LEAST an acre of land to feed a family of 4. Start-up costs are enormous. But yes, subsistence farming on the balcony of your rental apartment is the answer
October 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
That’s the kind of kneejerk dismissive advice that makes me violent. Telling people to just grow their own food is tantamount to telling them to eat cake.
Please! Come on, professionals!
Media Pro tip: Call out the lies by any political figure EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!
October 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Please! Come on, professionals!
On my way to San Francisco to see my sister for a long weekend and that brings me so much joy. All my travel taking place during the No Kings rallies and missing them on both coasts makes me sad. Thank you all for sharing signs and stories and for being out there and standing up!
October 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
On my way to San Francisco to see my sister for a long weekend and that brings me so much joy. All my travel taking place during the No Kings rallies and missing them on both coasts makes me sad. Thank you all for sharing signs and stories and for being out there and standing up!
This is a fabulous thread giving some really important context to go beyond the hype that is everywhere.
At the risk of being struck by lightning, I want to gently push back on the idea that universities have gone all-in on AI. I think my institution is fairly typical. And, here's what we've done:
*Made private versions (no use of our data for training) of Co-Pilot and Gemini available
*Created a minor
*Made private versions (no use of our data for training) of Co-Pilot and Gemini available
*Created a minor
October 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is a fabulous thread giving some really important context to go beyond the hype that is everywhere.
I will miss her. I've listened to NPR for a significant majority of my life and her voice and stories are treasures.
Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, has died. n.pr/4qjVMDS
NPR 'founding mother' Susan Stamberg has died
Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, has died.
n.pr
October 16, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I will miss her. I've listened to NPR for a significant majority of my life and her voice and stories are treasures.
We are in the 8th week of school and I finally have a system for all of my stuff that means my “desk” can be clear! (Desk is a bit of a misnomer because it serves that purpose and it’s also a place I use to meet with small groups.)
October 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We are in the 8th week of school and I finally have a system for all of my stuff that means my “desk” can be clear! (Desk is a bit of a misnomer because it serves that purpose and it’s also a place I use to meet with small groups.)
Reposted by Jennifer Orr
why are we pretending that race shouldn't be predominant when remedying racism?
it's the same problem I've always had with affirmative action being about "diversity" rather than quotas.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SHOULD BE ABOUT QUOTAS.
REMEDYING RACISM IN VOTING SHOULD CONSIDER RACE PREDOMINANTLY.
it's the same problem I've always had with affirmative action being about "diversity" rather than quotas.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SHOULD BE ABOUT QUOTAS.
REMEDYING RACISM IN VOTING SHOULD CONSIDER RACE PREDOMINANTLY.
October 15, 2025 at 4:18 PM
why are we pretending that race shouldn't be predominant when remedying racism?
it's the same problem I've always had with affirmative action being about "diversity" rather than quotas.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SHOULD BE ABOUT QUOTAS.
REMEDYING RACISM IN VOTING SHOULD CONSIDER RACE PREDOMINANTLY.
it's the same problem I've always had with affirmative action being about "diversity" rather than quotas.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SHOULD BE ABOUT QUOTAS.
REMEDYING RACISM IN VOTING SHOULD CONSIDER RACE PREDOMINANTLY.
30 years ago I worked on a cruise ship and got to travel more than I’d ever dreamed possible. I can still remember the feeling entering cities like Istanbul where armed military personnel were noticeable. It was disconcerting. Seeing the same in US cities now (we saw this in DC last week) is scary.
September 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
30 years ago I worked on a cruise ship and got to travel more than I’d ever dreamed possible. I can still remember the feeling entering cities like Istanbul where armed military personnel were noticeable. It was disconcerting. Seeing the same in US cities now (we saw this in DC last week) is scary.
It is done and seems to be working fine.
September 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
It is done and seems to be working fine.
We have needed to replace the light/fan in our bedroom for quite some time. (They stopped working by remote so we pulled the chains. The fan stopped working so I use a floor fan. The chain on the light broke so now it's just art hanging from our ceiling.) This will be a test of our marriage.
September 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We have needed to replace the light/fan in our bedroom for quite some time. (They stopped working by remote so we pulled the chains. The fan stopped working so I use a floor fan. The chain on the light broke so now it's just art hanging from our ceiling.) This will be a test of our marriage.
This is an important question and I feel like Shana usually gets responses so that makes me think there haven't been any noticeable protests. Can anyone shed light?
Have there been any protests in Florida about the thousands of people missing from the concentration camp there? What mutual aid is being done for those families?
Serious question.
Serious question.
September 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This is an important question and I feel like Shana usually gets responses so that makes me think there haven't been any noticeable protests. Can anyone shed light?
I am struggling with this.
1. I still cut out the paper crossword puzzles and mail them to my 98 year old grandmother.
2. I want investigative reporting to still exist. Who do I send my money to these days? (NPR is still on my list. I may go back to the Atlantic and Mother Jones.)
1. I still cut out the paper crossword puzzles and mail them to my 98 year old grandmother.
2. I want investigative reporting to still exist. Who do I send my money to these days? (NPR is still on my list. I may go back to the Atlantic and Mother Jones.)
My wife finally agreed to cancel the @washingtonpost.com. Today is the first since we moved to the DC area waaaay back in the previous century that an analog copy of the paper hasn't landed on our door step. I shall not miss it.
September 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I am struggling with this.
1. I still cut out the paper crossword puzzles and mail them to my 98 year old grandmother.
2. I want investigative reporting to still exist. Who do I send my money to these days? (NPR is still on my list. I may go back to the Atlantic and Mother Jones.)
1. I still cut out the paper crossword puzzles and mail them to my 98 year old grandmother.
2. I want investigative reporting to still exist. Who do I send my money to these days? (NPR is still on my list. I may go back to the Atlantic and Mother Jones.)
If I never hear another thing about 99 Nights in the Forest I will still have heard about three lifetimes too much.
September 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
If I never hear another thing about 99 Nights in the Forest I will still have heard about three lifetimes too much.
I'm realizing that a big part of starting every school year is deciding what hill I'm going to die on at any given moment in my classroom. (Not the big, ongoing hills, the little, daily ones.)
Right now it's pushing in our chairs. I am bruised from tripping over stools & chairs out in walkways.
Right now it's pushing in our chairs. I am bruised from tripping over stools & chairs out in walkways.
September 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I'm realizing that a big part of starting every school year is deciding what hill I'm going to die on at any given moment in my classroom. (Not the big, ongoing hills, the little, daily ones.)
Right now it's pushing in our chairs. I am bruised from tripping over stools & chairs out in walkways.
Right now it's pushing in our chairs. I am bruised from tripping over stools & chairs out in walkways.
I can't get over how much better my life is because I made a change that makes me happier. I am able to eat healthier, be more focused, and be more present. Not being happy (to small extents and, of course, even more to large extents) can make everything else harder.
I changed schools and districts this year. I nearly doubled my commute. I am happier than I have been in years.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
September 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I can't get over how much better my life is because I made a change that makes me happier. I am able to eat healthier, be more focused, and be more present. Not being happy (to small extents and, of course, even more to large extents) can make everything else harder.
I changed schools and districts this year. I nearly doubled my commute. I am happier than I have been in years.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
September 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I changed schools and districts this year. I nearly doubled my commute. I am happier than I have been in years.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
Sometimes you need a change. That can make all the difference.
Now I can take action in ways I couldn't when I wasn't happy. I didn't have the energy or space in my brain.
My fourth grade team compartmentalizes so I teach two groups of students math and science. My teammate teaches those kiddos language arts and social studies. Said teammate had a birthday yesterday. Mine is tomorrow. I am still, even before tomorrow, more than twice her age.
a man is pointing at a woman in front of a shelf that says old on it
Alt: a man is pointing and repeating old standing behind a seated woman
media.tenor.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
My fourth grade team compartmentalizes so I teach two groups of students math and science. My teammate teaches those kiddos language arts and social studies. Said teammate had a birthday yesterday. Mine is tomorrow. I am still, even before tomorrow, more than twice her age.
Listening to @mrchase.bsky.social and @clehmann.bsky.social discuss their book, School 2.0, on it's 10th anniversary is giving me life. That sounds hyperbolic, I know. And maybe it is. But also, these podcast episodes are keeping me moving forward. (When I get more organized I'll link to it. Sigh.)
August 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Listening to @mrchase.bsky.social and @clehmann.bsky.social discuss their book, School 2.0, on it's 10th anniversary is giving me life. That sounds hyperbolic, I know. And maybe it is. But also, these podcast episodes are keeping me moving forward. (When I get more organized I'll link to it. Sigh.)