Anyway, here's a provocative yet surprisingly sensible quote from his book Focus, which I've only just started reading:
" ... the key to success is not innovation; it is "simplicity and diligence" applied with fierce devotion to our highest priorities" (p. 9).
I immediately thought of Ben Franklin and his worship of Almighty Industry (i.e., hard work).
Too often in schools we are caught up in the latest trend, only to discard them soon after. So many cool things are inefficient at best and total time wasters at worst. Let's make a list: Edmodo, centers, Reading First, educational board games, online educational games ...
None of these are a substitute for what Schmoker calls "authentic literacy." Authentic literacy consists of reading, writing, and discussion. Clicking through some nonsense on Starfall does not teach kids to read, and I will defend that assertion to my dying breath. Otherwise, just replace us teachers with computers the way Edison thought his film projector would replace us. The time-sucking nonsense does not teach kids to read and comprehend. Teachers teach kids to read by teaching kids to read.
Simplicity and diligence. Dig it, my brothers and sisters. The Gospel of Schmoker.
