Pernille Ripp

Absolutely living a fantastic life being an elementary teacher, mother to a fantastic monster and soul mate to an incredible man. I am the creator of the Global Read Aloud project and blog about my learning journey as well.

Pernille Ripp has written 11 posts for Cooperative Catalyst

All Hail the Rambunctious Girls – What Will Ever Come of Them?

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ February 6, 2012 ⋅ 9 Comments

“Mommy, mommy help….” Thea is hiding in the house and has managed to get herself stuck. I free her and off she runs; things to do, mommy, things to do. I look at my little girl, the picture of energy, rambunctiousness, and vitality and I wonder what will school do to her? At her daycare … Continue reading »

Let’s Admit It – Education is Not the Most Important Thing in Life

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ December 28, 2011 ⋅ 19 Comments

Aah Christmas break, or winter break, as we call it in my district so as not to offend anyone with our secularism. The students eagerly awaiting when I would drop the bomb; the homework bomb. How much would I require to make them do during their break, what projects would they have to cram in … Continue reading »

The Creation of the Lifelong Learner

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ October 9, 2011 ⋅ 21 Comments

“Mommy!!! BUG!!!” Thea screams at me as we walk around our deck. ”Lookit mommy, bug,” she runs to me grabs my hand and pulls me near. Behold; the lifelong learner. Children are naturally curious; if you give them a box they are not allowed to open, they will beg and beg until they finally get … Continue reading »

I am Nothing Special – Why Are Teachers Afraid to Share Their Successes?

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ September 28, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

I posted this Saturday on my blog and was astounded by the level of dialogue it created. Therefore it is time to open it up to the Coop. Even in the staunchest of schools, teachers celebrate their students. Whether it is through formal rewards, which I am not a fan of, or informal recognition, which is more … Continue reading »

Technology Does Not Make a Classroom Succesful, the Teacher Does

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ September 9, 2011 ⋅ 6 Comments

cross posted from my blog Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension It appears that technology is sweeping the nation as the answer to the “broken” education system in America. Everywhere you turn school districts are touting their Interactive Whiteboards, their iPads, their one to one systems and anything else tech related. Since I am techie myself, … Continue reading »

Teachers Save Lives Too

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ August 18, 2011 ⋅ 8 Comments

Image taken from here As the recession rolls on and the politicians gear up for another fight on this new super committee, I drive back and forth to school getting ready for a new school year. One politician was discussing what could be cut save our country from the brink of bankruptcy and discussed Medicaid, a … Continue reading »

Creation of the Anxious Child

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ August 1, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

I never saw a multiple choice test until I decided to become a teacher in America. Having gone through the Danish school system, of course, there were tests but they happened at the end of the year and were written and oral exams, not just fill in the bubble and the machine will take care … Continue reading »

We Say It Is All About the Children

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ July 8, 2011 ⋅ 10 Comments

Cross posted from my blog Time and time again I hear the statement, “I do it for the children…” or “It’s all about the children.” Politicians, the general public, and yes many educator if not all at some point utter something similar. I hear it from teachers before I hear any educational philosophy or methodology, … Continue reading »

A Definition of Success

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ June 1, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

As the school year ends and we ponder whether we have been the best teachers we possible could be by looking at test results, I wonder, what are we missing? Are these results the only marker of whether a child has been successful this year? Are tests, homework grades, attendance and all the other quantifiables … Continue reading »

Why Should We Ask the Children?

Posted by Pernille Ripp ⋅ May 18, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

This year I took the ultimate risk; I asked my students what they wanted to learn about. The first time I did this, I was met with averted eyes and mumblings. One student even asked me if this was a trick question? After much reassurance, after all, these kids know that adults usually use their … Continue reading »

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