Mario Mabrucco
@m-mabrucco.bsky.social
educator || oise m.ed: critical studies in curriculum & pedagogy, specialist in educational policy || occasional writer || general nerd
Reposted by Mario Mabrucco
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
I wanted an authentic writing task for my destreamed Gr 9s that mimicked the skills required in an essay. We came up with writing letters to the federal government asking for movement on the 94 Calls to Action, based on evidence from "The Marrow Thieves".
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖
November 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I wanted an authentic writing task for my destreamed Gr 9s that mimicked the skills required in an essay. We came up with writing letters to the federal government asking for movement on the 94 Calls to Action, based on evidence from "The Marrow Thieves".
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖
Best compliment I got at parent-teacher interviews:
"Sir, I tried to use ChatGPT for your assignments but they're just too weird. The results were nonsense. I had to do it myself."
*yesssss*
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
"Sir, I tried to use ChatGPT for your assignments but they're just too weird. The results were nonsense. I had to do it myself."
*yesssss*
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
a cartoon of spongebob singing into a microphone with the words and it 's sweet sweet sweet victory yeah
ALT: a cartoon of spongebob singing into a microphone with the words and it 's sweet sweet sweet victory yeah
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Best compliment I got at parent-teacher interviews:
"Sir, I tried to use ChatGPT for your assignments but they're just too weird. The results were nonsense. I had to do it myself."
*yesssss*
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
"Sir, I tried to use ChatGPT for your assignments but they're just too weird. The results were nonsense. I had to do it myself."
*yesssss*
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Reposted by Mario Mabrucco
Working to get English class into a position where it can ask as much of students as STEM courses do
November 19, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Working to get English class into a position where it can ask as much of students as STEM courses do
Gr 11s are starting Maus by examining the modalities of the graphic novel form. We began by examining this selection from the Toronto Public Library.
I take for granted that I can just walk in, grab a bunch of high quality texts, and walk out 📚 ❤️
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
I take for granted that I can just walk in, grab a bunch of high quality texts, and walk out 📚 ❤️
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
November 19, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Gr 11s are starting Maus by examining the modalities of the graphic novel form. We began by examining this selection from the Toronto Public Library.
I take for granted that I can just walk in, grab a bunch of high quality texts, and walk out 📚 ❤️
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
I take for granted that I can just walk in, grab a bunch of high quality texts, and walk out 📚 ❤️
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Gr. 9s used mind maps to develop a better understanding of themes in "The Marrow Thieves" 🧠🗺️
I was surprised that mind mapping was a new concept for some of them. Took more direct instruction than I had planned for, but the results were worth it!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
I was surprised that mind mapping was a new concept for some of them. Took more direct instruction than I had planned for, but the results were worth it!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
November 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Gr. 9s used mind maps to develop a better understanding of themes in "The Marrow Thieves" 🧠🗺️
I was surprised that mind mapping was a new concept for some of them. Took more direct instruction than I had planned for, but the results were worth it!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
I was surprised that mind mapping was a new concept for some of them. Took more direct instruction than I had planned for, but the results were worth it!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
I've read so much AI writing lately that its "voice" is clearer to me than that of my students 🤮
This paper is a fascinating look at whether or not AI has an idolect, and how it can be discerned.
My key takeaways in the🧵 below:
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
www.arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16385
This paper is a fascinating look at whether or not AI has an idolect, and how it can be discerned.
My key takeaways in the🧵 below:
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
www.arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16385
www.arxiv.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I've read so much AI writing lately that its "voice" is clearer to me than that of my students 🤮
This paper is a fascinating look at whether or not AI has an idolect, and how it can be discerned.
My key takeaways in the🧵 below:
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
www.arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16385
This paper is a fascinating look at whether or not AI has an idolect, and how it can be discerned.
My key takeaways in the🧵 below:
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📚
www.arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16385
Great examples of hexagonal thinking from #NBE3U and The Rez Sisters. They were struggling with connecting overarching ideas to textual specifics...so why not make literal connections?
@jcasatodd.bsky.social , this is always such an eye-opener!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
@jcasatodd.bsky.social , this is always such an eye-opener!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
November 3, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Great examples of hexagonal thinking from #NBE3U and The Rez Sisters. They were struggling with connecting overarching ideas to textual specifics...so why not make literal connections?
@jcasatodd.bsky.social , this is always such an eye-opener!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
@jcasatodd.bsky.social , this is always such an eye-opener!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
Yes, this is a #writing prompt. #ENG3U students brought in a mix of in/organic materials and will brainstorm tactile, haptic connections between the item and our play. Can't wait to see how they rise to the challenge.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
November 3, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Yes, this is a #writing prompt. #ENG3U students brought in a mix of in/organic materials and will brainstorm tactile, haptic connections between the item and our play. Can't wait to see how they rise to the challenge.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Incredible investment in starting book clubs in our department. Over 100 copies of culturally diverse texts, including several 2SLGBTQ+ titles I wasn't familiar with.
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
November 3, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Incredible investment in starting book clubs in our department. Over 100 copies of culturally diverse texts, including several 2SLGBTQ+ titles I wasn't familiar with.
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
D&D and Magic: The Gathering clubs were well attended at Club Fair! Makes my little need heart sing ❤️🧙⚔️
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @wotc-news.bsky.social
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @wotc-news.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 1:22 AM
D&D and Magic: The Gathering clubs were well attended at Club Fair! Makes my little need heart sing ❤️🧙⚔️
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @wotc-news.bsky.social
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @wotc-news.bsky.social
My mom used to teach Italian; she gave me these old flash cards as writing prompts 🇮🇹✍️
Why am I being discovered alone in all these scenarios? More importantly, why aren't I being left alone?! 🤔
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Why am I being discovered alone in all these scenarios? More importantly, why aren't I being left alone?! 🤔
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
November 3, 2025 at 1:19 AM
My mom used to teach Italian; she gave me these old flash cards as writing prompts 🇮🇹✍️
Why am I being discovered alone in all these scenarios? More importantly, why aren't I being left alone?! 🤔
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Why am I being discovered alone in all these scenarios? More importantly, why aren't I being left alone?! 🤔
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
It really says something that students believe the basics of good pedagogy - offering multiple opportunities to assess most recent evidence of learning - is a magnanimous exception to totalitarianism.
"Try it again" shouldn't be a shocker!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky #onted
"Try it again" shouldn't be a shocker!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky #onted
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
It really says something that students believe the basics of good pedagogy - offering multiple opportunities to assess most recent evidence of learning - is a magnanimous exception to totalitarianism.
"Try it again" shouldn't be a shocker!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky #onted
"Try it again" shouldn't be a shocker!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky #onted
Happy Hallowe'en from the heroes & villains of Greek myth! (aka the English department)
November 1, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Happy Hallowe'en from the heroes & villains of Greek myth! (aka the English department)
Took 1 line from each #ENG3U student poem and used it to start a Beautiful Language wall. They were agog. Thrilled when they saw their writing, celebrating others, asking eachother "what inspired you?". Still can't cut in a straight line though 😆
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
October 17, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Took 1 line from each #ENG3U student poem and used it to start a Beautiful Language wall. They were agog. Thrilled when they saw their writing, celebrating others, asking eachother "what inspired you?". Still can't cut in a straight line though 😆
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Testing living, group annotations in ENL1W for "The Marrow Thieves" as visible thinking of how the text and our understanding of it evolves over time. We'll add categories and inferences as they come up, and reference it in our talks.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted @elanontario.bsky.social
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted @elanontario.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Testing living, group annotations in ENL1W for "The Marrow Thieves" as visible thinking of how the text and our understanding of it evolves over time. We'll add categories and inferences as they come up, and reference it in our talks.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted @elanontario.bsky.social
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted @elanontario.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Whenever my students have a Math or Science test after my class, I feel like just quitting for the period. They are so panicked and obsessed with that assessment that it's almost impossible for them to - God forbid - read a poem and talk about how it makes them feel.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
September 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Whenever my students have a Math or Science test after my class, I feel like just quitting for the period. They are so panicked and obsessed with that assessment that it's almost impossible for them to - God forbid - read a poem and talk about how it makes them feel.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Expanding my suite of tactile, multimodal literacy approaches for next year. Embodying English is no easy task, but I think it's more important than ever!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
June 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Expanding my suite of tactile, multimodal literacy approaches for next year. Embodying English is no easy task, but I think it's more important than ever!
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Three Gr 11 students clearly used AI to generate fake quotes from a text...but then theb analyzed those fake quotes (poorly).
Is this cheating? Misunderstanding? Or honestly believing the AI had the answer?
All of it trends towards sad, mad, and bad 😡 😭 😳
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Is this cheating? Misunderstanding? Or honestly believing the AI had the answer?
All of it trends towards sad, mad, and bad 😡 😭 😳
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
a man in a suit and tie is sitting in the back seat of a plane .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is sitting in the back seat of a plane .
media.tenor.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Three Gr 11 students clearly used AI to generate fake quotes from a text...but then theb analyzed those fake quotes (poorly).
Is this cheating? Misunderstanding? Or honestly believing the AI had the answer?
All of it trends towards sad, mad, and bad 😡 😭 😳
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Is this cheating? Misunderstanding? Or honestly believing the AI had the answer?
All of it trends towards sad, mad, and bad 😡 😭 😳
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Reposted by Mario Mabrucco
"Books are a rich source of learning new words, and if kids don’t have that experience reading at home, they’re likely to come to school [with] less vocabulary – and that makes a big difference in how successful you’re going to be [in school]." - Dr. Dawna Duff
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘It’s so boring’: gen Z parents don’t like reading to their kids – and educators are worried
Screen time has increasingly replaced story time, and experts warn this could lead to children falling behind
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"Books are a rich source of learning new words, and if kids don’t have that experience reading at home, they’re likely to come to school [with] less vocabulary – and that makes a big difference in how successful you’re going to be [in school]." - Dr. Dawna Duff
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
NBE3U impressed with their tactile paragraphs. They were challenged to communicate analysis through touch, after examining con/sub/text & deno/connotation. Lots of prewriting before "writing" their (AI-proof!) thoughts.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
June 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
NBE3U impressed with their tactile paragraphs. They were challenged to communicate analysis through touch, after examining con/sub/text & deno/connotation. Lots of prewriting before "writing" their (AI-proof!) thoughts.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Ludonarrative texts continue to be a rich source for NBE3C. Here they critiqued representation in Indigenous-made video games on itch.io, through a public blog.
The further I move away from "traditional" English class, the better the engagement.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @elanontario.bsky.social
The further I move away from "traditional" English class, the better the engagement.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @elanontario.bsky.social
May 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Ludonarrative texts continue to be a rich source for NBE3C. Here they critiqued representation in Indigenous-made video games on itch.io, through a public blog.
The further I move away from "traditional" English class, the better the engagement.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @elanontario.bsky.social
The further I move away from "traditional" English class, the better the engagement.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 @elanontario.bsky.social
Today after school, a student was walking around drinking water out of a construction pylon, singing "construction cone wateeeerrrr" in a gorgeous, operatic tenor.
I love how WEIRD high school can be.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted
I love how WEIRD high school can be.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted
a close up of a person wearing a hat and sunglasses
ALT: a close up of a person wearing a hat and sunglasses
media.tenor.com
May 21, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Today after school, a student was walking around drinking water out of a construction pylon, singing "construction cone wateeeerrrr" in a gorgeous, operatic tenor.
I love how WEIRD high school can be.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted
I love how WEIRD high school can be.
#EduSky #iteachEnglish📖 #onted
Reposted by Mario Mabrucco
when you teach students to write like robots to get into college why wouldn’t they use robots to write once they’re there
May 15, 2025 at 11:29 AM
when you teach students to write like robots to get into college why wouldn’t they use robots to write once they’re there