MzTeachuh: Summertime Reading Tweets of the Day (6/1/2012)

MzTeachuh: Summertime Reading Tweets of the Day (6/1/2012): Choosing a book--sports are good. Here is more inspiration to keep reading with your kids this summer. Advice from PBS Parents. 1. ...

Summertime Reading Tweets of the Day (6/1/2012)

Choosing a book--sports are good.

Here is more inspiration to keep reading with your kids this summer. Advice from PBS Parents.

1. 'Tackling School Summer Reading Lists' http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/reading-language/reading-tips/tackling-school-summer-reading-lists/

They say:

Fascinating.

 Create a reading plan with your child. Using a calendar, help your child make a schedule for summer reading. Helping your child plan ahead and stick to the schedule will help him avoid leaving his reading until the last few days of summer.

• Set aside a consistent time each day for reading. Depending on your family’s schedule, reading time might be in the morning, afternoon or before bed. Whatever time you choose, stick to it, but also remember that flexibility around trips and special family events is OK.
• Alternate required reading with your child’s own choices. Your child will be more motivated to read when she has the opportunity to select some of her own reading.
• Read books together and discuss them. You can read aloud together by taking turns by page, or you can get two copies of the book and each read silently. In either case, tell your child what you are thinking as you read and ask your child questions about what he reads. By reading together, you help your child to understand what he reads and motivate him to read by demonstrating that you enjoy sharing ideas about books.
• Find audio books if your child is struggling. By listening to books on tape and discussing them with you, your child will learn new vocabulary and information. If audio books are not feasible, read required books aloud to your child and discuss them together. At the same time, help your child to find books at a comfortable level so she gets practice reading herself.

I am  not a big fan of audio books--maybe once in awhile. Listening is an entirely different experience than reading, and reading is the main point here.

Hugging our treasures.

 This is a comprehensive, leveled list that should be very helpful as you browse.

2. 'Character Based Literacy Summer Selection Reading List' 
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/education/summerreading.html


3. 'Summer Reading Slide' This is not a fun, playground slide--its a downward learning slide. And how several articles to avoid kids sliding (not in a fun way.)


 http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/summer-reading-slide.htm

4. This site is full of info and ideas on helping families with early literacy.

'For Parents' http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/

Maybe its a joke book.

MzTeachuh: Nights in White Satin

MzTeachuh: Nights in White Satin: Camille Pissarro : Boulevard Montmartre at night , 1897 The Moody Blues - 'Nights In White Satin' With a 1967 video of Paris. And ...

Nights in White Satin

Camille Pissarro: Boulevard Montmartre at night, 1897

The Moody Blues - 'Nights In White Satin' With a 1967 video of Paris. And there's another rock and roll flute.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8

 Reminds me a little of the poet William Blake, Jim Morrison's favorite. Its moody and its blue.

Nights in White Satin

Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send
Beauty I've always missed
With these eyes before
Just what the truth is
I can't say any more
'Cause I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you

Gazing at people some hand in hand
Just what I'm going through they can't understand
Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be you will be in the end

And I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you

Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send
Beauty I've always missed
With these eyes before
Just what the truth is
I can't say any more

'Cause I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you
'Cause I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you

MzTeachuh: Bourée: Rock and Roll Flute

MzTeachuh: Bourée: Rock and Roll Flute: Gas Mask Pop Art by ~ PureCaos ...plus a visual comment anti-war comment during the video; now it would be an environme...

Bourée: Rock and Roll Flute

Gas Mask Pop Art by ~PureCaos

...plus a visual comment anti-war comment during the video; now it would be an environmental comment, I think.

Bourée, by J.S. Bach, interpreted by Jethro Tull

Maybe Jethro Tull should be in the
Baroque 'n' roll Hall of fame.

JETHRO TULL Bouree 1969 LiVE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5_hZV9U4aA 

MzTeachuh: Who Is the Toughest of Them All? Snow White?

MzTeachuh: Who Is the Toughest of Them All? Snow White?: Snow White just ain't the same gal she used to be...is that good? We'll see what women's lib has done for fairy tales this summer with film...

Who Is the Toughest of Them All? Snow White?

Snow White just ain't the same gal she used to be...is that good? We'll see what women's lib has done for fairy tales this summer with films and television. I must say to clarify to young readers, they probably should read the originals first (and I don't mean Disney, that revisionist.)

There is, of course, the Grimm Brothers. Not the one living in Portland. Is this confusing enough yet?

Here is an online library link:

http://openlibrary.org/works/OL3050267W/The_Classic_Grimm%27s_Fairy_Tales_%28Children%27s_Storybook_Classics%29

Snow doesn't look that tough.

And you can buy one. Its marked down.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Classic-Fairy-Tales-Grimm?r=1&utm_medium=cpc&sort=R&store=book&fmt=PHYSICAL&utm_campaign=C_3&utm_source=google&cm_mmca1=13d525b4-8312-2f88-eaea-000060bf3fb1&view=list&utm_term=+grimm%20+classic%20+fairy%20+tales&imkwid=22967033&cm_mmc=Google-_-C_3-_-Classic%20Fairy%20Tales%20series,Grimm-_-%2BGrimm%20%2Bclassic%20%2Bfairy%20%2Btales

The Brothers wrote rather eloquently.

Here is an online version translated from the German.

The Story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/snowwhite/story.htm

There are also stories from France, like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood, by Charles Perrault in his 'Mother Goose Tales.'

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/perrault.html 

And there's always Faerie Tale Theatre from the 1980s that were relatively faithful to the stories and legends. They're on hulu, or you can buy them. They are very entertaining for kids younger than about 15.


http://www.hulu.com/shelley-duvalls-faerie-tale-theatre 
http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Duvalls-Theatre-Complete-Collection/dp/B00077BPH8


I found the collection for about twenty bucks--but don't remember where.

Man, not more magic in Maine!

There is one television series with uncountable fairy tale characters that won't help you understand anything about the who's who in the land of wicked queens and handsome princes. The Mad Hatter and Snow White? That's kind of a mixed metaphor. Here's the link to "Once Upon A Time," the TV script that probably is plagiarism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_%28TV_series%29

I like how they handled Cinderell

Another fairy tale based television show, Grimm , highlights the story's original form at the beginning of each episode, and has created lots of 'artifacts' tied to the Grimm brothers' stories, legends, superstitions and myths. It's very creative, and I like the characters, especially Monroe, a blutbad. 

Monroe the blutbad.

The premise reminds me of Warehouse 13 on SyFy that spotlights urban legends, and folktales, too.That series is not so grim (pardon the pun.)

Claudia's getting a little steampunkish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimm_%28TV_series%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warehouse_13

Hey, Tink!

There are two, count them, two movies out currently about Snow White. I don't know why, maybe no one does. Here are the trailers.

I'm kind of fatigued with the cool, hip (tired) language inhabiting lots of kids' movies.  Like this Julia Snow White one. I really did like Julia when she played Tinkerbelle (Hook)

Mirror, mirror, who the evilest queen of all? Man, Charlize got some crazy eyes



I will call this the Julia Roberts one.

'Mirror Mirror' Trailer 2012 Julia Roberts Movie - Lily Collins as Snow White - Official [HD] 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35EGNolcxEg 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the Kristin one. Somehow I don't think she's singing, "Someday My Prince Will Come." Maybe to polish her armor.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY67V0wOlz8

 I'm going to see the Kristin one today, I like the Shakespeare sound of their language in the trailer. I hope CG effects doesn't interfere with the story.

MzTeachuh: Tweets of the Week: Learning Differently

MzTeachuh: Tweets of the Week: Learning Differently: Mom working with her autistic child. Learning differently leads us to much research. Why does autism happen? http://www.nytimes.com/...

MzTeachuh: Smooth, Chill Out

MzTeachuh: Smooth, Chill Out: Coasting into Lavendar, JAISON CIANELLI Kick your shoes off, relax, it's been a long day. Give your left brain time off. This is a ve...

Smooth, Chill Out

Coasting into Lavendar, JAISON CIANELLI

Kick your shoes off, relax, it's been a long day. Give your left brain time off.


This is a very smooth relaxing tune performed Azymuth.

  "Voo Sobre O Horizonte (Fly Over The Horizon)" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbgZEhjT7k4&feature=related

MzTeachuh: Shop Talk: Industrial Tech in School Tweets of the...

MzTeachuh: Shop Talk: Industrial Tech in School Tweets of the...: Should every American student prepare for college? Why not give options for the practical and the ephemeral aspects of education? Like so...

Shop Talk: Industrial Tech in School Tweets of the Day (6/1/2012)

Should every American student prepare for college? Why not give options for the practical and the ephemeral aspects of education? Like some European countries.

Girls Just Want To Have College Prep?

A system of industrial school and college prep training exists in Germany, as I learned while obtaining my California teaching credentials. The opportunity to combine both programs appealed to me--the student can study literature and automotive; calculus and construction. Here is the philosophy:

Early Job-Skills Training
German students have the opportunity to pursue formal job-skills training at a much younger age than in the U.S. About one third of the German secondary student population graduates from Hauptschule after the 9th or 10th grade with a Hauptschulabschluß, a diploma certifying the equivalent of a 10th grade education at a U.S. high school. They can transfer to a Berufsfachschule (full-time job-skills training school) or pursue a formal dual-track job-skills training program: a three-year paid internship paired with classroom instruction. Graduates of the program enter the employment market as specialists in labor and technical fields. Many open small businesses or work in the service industry. They can upgrade their specific skills by continuing formal training at a Fachschule (upper level career training school) .
Graduates of the training program also have the option of continuing formal education at a Fachoberschule (specialized college-oriented high school), grades 11 through 13, and obtain a Fachabitur, a certificate which allows college-level studies in a restricted field of majors at a Fachhochschule (polytechnic university.

1. 'The Educational System in Germany' http://academic.cuesta.edu/intlang/german/education.html

Is prayer in school legal? As long as there are math tests.

Britain had a similar system when the Beatles were in school. McCartney (he was going to teach English) and Harrison were scheduled for college, Lennon to Art school. Ringo would have been classified Other Health Impaired in the current school system here because of physical illness while in school. Kids were pidgeon-holed by what we would call Eighth Grade. But with the Beatles, Rock and Roll prevailed.

Shop classes are not gender specific, girls can learn engineering, mechanics, construction.

Girl Power for anything.

The snobbish, class distinction between blue collar and white collar should be diminishing (is computer tech blue or white?) This year's presidential race has brought out some accusations of educational snobbery, but that, I think, that was related to how to spend the tax payers' money. Let's diversify educational opportunities earlier and maximize the kids' talent. Kids are our greatest resource.

2. 'Merging Career Tech with College Prep: Why It's Succeeding'

Learning in the three-dimensional world.

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-career-technical-education-success 

 Connecting High School to College and Career video

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-career-technical-education-overview-video

 Teachers and students have diversified interests now. Let's go with it.

3. 'Julia Steiny: An American School Successfully Uses An “Eastern Block” Curriculum'

http://www.golocalworcester.com/news/julia-steiny-part-ii-an-american-school-successfully-uses-an-eastern-b/ 

Getting very, very  practical.

4. 'Academies: School Within a School'

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-career-technical-education-academy-model 

Not a scene from the Outsiders.

5. 'Not My Father's Shop Class: Fusing Career Tech with College Prep' 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/stw-merging-career-tech-college-prep

This student now works at BMW.

  6. 'Shop Classes Return -- with a 21st-Century Twist'

 http://www.edutopia.org/shop-classes-vocational-education-technology

7. 'Teaching Kids to Pursue Their Dreams -- and More'

http://www.edutopia.org/learning-one-one 

8.  'Why Should We Care About Vocational Education?'

 http://www.edutopia.org/blog/vocational-education-benefits-mark-phillips?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=vocationaled

I would also like to speak up for literature and the arts, which are necessary for humans. Must have Shakespeare. And shop.

We have fit the kids into our programs--now let's see it our programs can fit the kids.

MzTeachuh: Happy Birthday, Walt Whitman

MzTeachuh: Happy Birthday, Walt Whitman: There is something so appealing about Walt Whitman; the poet willing to publish his own radiating, pulsating poetry in the middle of Victo...

Happy Birthday, Walt Whitman

There is something so appealing about Walt Whitman; the poet willing to publish his own radiating, pulsating poetry in the middle of Victorianism.

 He chose to go into the Civil War hospitals, nursing the mutilated soldiers. Walt caught the essence of Christian-good-works America without the Puritan judgment and hostility.

Walt did not recognized class distinctions. He honored the folks who actually built America.

Breaking loose from the traditional shackles of poetic forms, he released poets permanently from unnecessary, phoney dignity. His "Leaves of Grass," was a huge "WHOOPEE!" compared to the sedate "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud." from England (and New England.)
 

I like the whoopee; maybe because I'm from the West; marinated in creative California. Optimism lives. Amazement lives. Joy lives.

Song at Sunset

By Walt Whitman

1819-1892

---

Splendor of ended day floating and filling me,
Hour prophetic, hour resuming the past,
Inflating my throat, you divine average,
You earth and life till the last ray gleams I sing.

Open mouth of my soul uttering gladness,
Eyes of my soul seeing perfection,
Natural life of me faithfully praising things,
Corroborating forever the triumph of things.

Sunset in Chicago

Illustrious every one!
Illustrious what we name space, sphere of unnumber'd spirits,
Illustrious the mystery of motion in all beings, even the tiniest insect,
Illustrious the attribute of speech, the senses, the body,
Illustrious the passing light--illustrious the pale reflection on
the new moon in the western sky,
Illustrious whatever I see or hear or touch, to the last.

Good in all,
In the satisfaction and aplomb of animals,
In the annual return of the seasons,
In the hilarity of youth,
In the strength and flush of manhood,
In the grandeur and exquisiteness of old age,
In the superb vistas of death.

Wonderful to depart!
Wonderful to be here!
The heart, to jet the all-alike and innocent blood!
To breathe the air, how delicious!
To speak--to walk--to seize something by the hand!
To prepare for sleep, for bed, to look on my rose-color'd flesh!
To be conscious of my body, so satisfied, so large!
To be this incredible God I am!
To have gone forth among other Gods, these men and women I love.

Wonderful how I celebrate you and myself
How my thoughts play subtly at the spectacles around!
How the clouds pass silently overhead!
How the earth darts on and on! and how the sun, moon, stars, dart on and on!
How the water sports and sings! (surely it is alive!)
How the trees rise and stand up, with strong trunks, with branches
and leaves!
(Surely there is something more in each of the trees, some living soul.)

O amazement of things--even the least particle!
O spirituality of things!
O strain musical flowing through ages and continents, now reaching
me and America!
I take your strong chords, intersperse them, and cheerfully pass
them forward.

I too carol the sun, usher'd or at noon, or as now, setting,
I too throb to the brain and beauty of the earth and of all the
growths of the earth,
I too have felt the resistless call of myself.

As I steam'd down the Mississippi,
As I wander'd over the prairies,
As I have lived, as I have look'd through my windows my eyes,
As I went forth in the morning, as I beheld the light breaking in the east,
As I bathed on the beach of the Eastern Sea, and again on the beach
of the Western Sea,
As I roam'd the streets of inland Chicago, whatever streets I have roam'd,
Or cities or silent woods, or even amid the sights of war,
Wherever I have been I have charged myself with contentment and triumph.

I sing to the last the equalities modern or old,
I sing the endless finales of things,
I say Nature continues, glory continues,
I praise with electric voice,
For I do not see one imperfection in the universe,
And I do not see one cause or result lamentable at last in the universe.

O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.

MzTeachuh: Evening Star

MzTeachuh: Evening Star: Hesperus, 2009, Robin Street-Morris The unusual pensive moment when we think about eternity. Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennys...

Evening Star

Hesperus, 2009, Robin Street-Morris

The unusual pensive moment when we think about eternity.

Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson

 Sunset and evening star,
  And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
  When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
    Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
    Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
    When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
    The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
    When I have crost the bar.

MzTeachuh: Innovative Teaching Tweets of the Day (5/31/2012)

MzTeachuh: Innovative Teaching Tweets of the Day (5/31/2012): We have the flexibility to meets student's diverse learning needs. This is truly a very dynamic time to teach. Kinesthetic (hands-on) le...

Innovative Teaching Tweets of the Day (5/31/2012)

We have the flexibility to meets student's diverse learning needs. This is truly a very dynamic time to teach.

Kinesthetic (hands-on) learning

1. 'Teaching Non-Traditional Learners'

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/supporting-struggling-students-suzie-boss 

2. 'Behavior Plans: Another Type of Teaching Plan'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-minahan/behavior-plans-another-ty_b_1555380.html?ref=education 

Thank you for that raised hand.

 I wrote about eight Positive Behavior Plans last schoolyear. My beef is how infrequently most Special Ed. and Gen. Ed. teachers are willing to give positive feedback in a reliable manner so the student can see a cohesive pattern. How else can the student respond in an effective way? Teaching is mainly a science, and with consistent, meaningful and professional input students have a high probability of success. So let's get ourselves together.

 

 3. 'Can Music Really Aid Math Learning?'

 http://gettingsmart.com/blog/2012/05/can-music-really-aid-math-learning/

Of course, Math people say music IS math.

 Bet Mozart can; not to sure about Jay-Z.

The first movement of Mozart's 40th symphony, accompanied by a scrolling bar-graph score.

It's that digital guy, smalin.  How mathematical is that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvtoqE33iZg 

 I feel more geometric, algebraic and integeraic already. (Is intergeraic a word?)

4. 'Guidelines For Raising an Autistic Child'

http://www.learn-in-ireland.com/guidelines-for-raising-an-autistic-child/ 

 This article is written by folks in Ireland; it gives very practical advice. 

 Here is one of the longest tested, and widespread methods to gain student's interest and trust: humor and good nature.

Even the principal to the left is laughing--what a fun school. It's a new effective teaching technique.

 

MzTeachuh: Order Versus Creativity? Happy Birthday Ellsworth ...

MzTeachuh: Order Versus Creativity? Happy Birthday Ellsworth ...: Spectrum IV Those lines are awfully straight. Like classroom rules. These colors vivid, bright. Like kids' ideas. That arrangement is lo...

Order Versus Creativity? Happy Birthday Ellsworth Kelly

Spectrum IV

Those lines are awfully straight. Like classroom rules. These colors vivid, bright. Like kids' ideas. That arrangement is logical, but with surprises. Like a class discussion with student input. This medium is controlled by the artist. Like a teacher with a lesson plan.


Order and creativity. Thank you, Ellsworth Kelly. Happy Birthday!

Talk about the perfection of order and creativity: our friend, Mozart.  The artists are Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo. Their Show Igudesman & Joo includes various and hilarious music by Mozart, Rach­mani­nov, Bach, Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and their own. 

 The two classical musicians kibitzing about the playing of this music is so great!

Turkish March - A La Turca 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=906_vLPziZY&feature=related 

MzTeachuh: India's Mother भारत मा

MzTeachuh: India's Mother भारत मा: Mother Teresa Do small things with great love. Mother Teresa Sounds like parenting to me. Mothers' Day May 13.

MzTeachuh: The Clouds Will Be A Daisy Chain

MzTeachuh: The Clouds Will Be A Daisy Chain: As close to a cloud daisy chain as I've captured so far. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? Dear Prudence, greet the brand new ...

The Clouds Will Be A Daisy Chain

As close to a cloud daisy chain as I've captured so far.

Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?

Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies

....chirp!

Chirp-a-dee-duh-chirp dee.....

The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?




                                                      Look around round
                                                      Look around round round
                                                      Look around

Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round
Look around round round
Look around

Dear Prudence, let me see you smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again

Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue

Its a brand new day.

It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?

  Dear Prudence 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr2LGqO2Fb0

Is this a better cloud daisy chain? I'm still on the lookout.

MzTeachuh: Reading and Teething Tweets of the Day (5/31/12)

MzTeachuh: Reading and Teething Tweets of the Day (5/31/12):                   Reading tastes good. Teachers should be paid consultants during the summer, since we're always thinking and plannin...

Reading and Teething Tweets of the Day (5/31/12)

                  Reading tastes good.

Teachers should be paid consultants during the summer, since we're always thinking and planning for school. So, here's some food for thought.

You'd think this would be a no-brainer since kids know a great deal about world events.

Still planning for class even on the beach.

1. 'Project-Based Learning: Real-World Issues Motivate Students'

 http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-student-motivation

 Here are some sound ideas for making stronger readers.

Choice makes strong readers.

2. 'Building Reading Stamina'

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/51787/?fb_ref=.T8Zp4zgRHcQ.like&fb_source=timeline 

Library, here we come! 

This article gives instruction on what leads to reading fluency through decoding.

3. 'Small Change In Reading To Preschoolers Can Help Disadvantaged Kids Catch Up' http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/05/29/153927743/small-change-in-reading-to-preschoolers-can-help-disadvantaged-kids-catch-up

Babies, the learning titans.

4. "Babies’ Hunger to Learn Has a ‘Goldilocks Effect’" http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/science/babies-hunger-to-learn-shows-a-goldilocks-effect.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share

I checked, 'War and Peace' is not on this list. Maybe next year,

5.  'Top 10 Books for Babies.' http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boo/2018290302_kidsbooks28.html?utm_source=ReadingRockets.org&utm_medium=Twitter#.T8U88S8KQRI.facebook

      And you can teeth on it!

This is a more formal look at what a child needs to begin reading and then flourish with it.

6. 'Reading, Literacy and Your Child' http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/reading.htm

Here's is a quote, my italics, because that's the most fun part. The best part is the baby doesn't know if you can really sing or not.

 How do you read to a baby?

• Use small, chunky board books that your baby can easily hold onto.
• Talk about the pictures with your little one.
• Sing the text to keep baby's attention.
• Play peek-a-boo with lift-the-flap books.
• Help your baby touch and feel in texture books. 

And maybe baby will learn to sing! Here is a darling youtube video of when baby learns to sing:

 'Baby sings with parents. Very cute.' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NIQqJizeFA 

Nice sentiment, too.

MzTeachuh: Welcome, China! 欢迎您，中国！

MzTeachuh: Welcome, China! 欢迎您，中国！: Famous Chinese Fish Painting, Rice Paper,Liujiwei Liu Jiwei artist Liaocheng, Shandong, male, Chinese landscape painter, member of ...

Welcome, China! 欢迎您，中国！

Famous Chinese Fish Painting, Rice Paper,Liujiwei

Liu Jiwei artist

Liaocheng, Shandong, male, Chinese landscape painter, member of the Blue Sky Painting and Calligraphy Institute, his personal style of landscape painting is outstanding, Cang Yun Chenxiong, vertical and horizontal comfortable charm heaven, he has extensive exploration in the modern spirit of traditional Chinese landscape painting embodies the emphasis on art contemporary and national character, in a bid to the performance of caring for nature and express the spirit of harmony between man and nature, from which to search for traces of beauty, to create a spiritual home.

刘继伟 画家

山东聊城人,男,中国山水画家,蓝天书画院委员,他的山水画个人风格突出,苍润沉雄,纵横自如,韵味天成.在传统中国山水画的现代精神体现上,他有广泛 的探索,强调艺术的时代感与民族性,力图表现对自然的关爱和表达人与自然精神上的和谐,从中追寻美的踪迹,创造精神寄托的家园. 　　刘继伟的作品多次参加全国美展,并在十余个国家和地区展出或获奖.曾在日本东京中央美术馆银 座,台北美术馆,北京中国美术馆和全国各地举办个人展览,进行学术交流.获中国文联“山水画200家”,“中国百杰画家”等称号.书画作品被美国大都会博 物馆,香港艺术中心,澳洲美术馆,孙中山国父纪念馆等30多家海内外收藏机构收藏陈列其作品.

I think the Chinese language looks like art in itself.

Here's music from the Han dynasty, 202 through 220 B.C.
  
Traditional Chinese Song "YOUR COLLAR" Sounds of Nature 诗经也可以唱得很美...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7D7opLqC5 

Here are notes from the uploader on youtube:

Uploaded by kangtaer on Nov 5, 2010

Beautiful Melody！"Based on Han Dynasty folk songs in, Xianghe Song, Lapel is a music form developed in the traditions of Pre-Qin Dynasty and Chu music.Lapel was first recorded in Book of Jin-Music.The traditional singer accompanied himself on a drum, while an orchestral instrument was played at the same time, and so it got its name. Lapel came from Book of Odes-Zheng Feng, which describes a young lady revealing her love to her admirer. The graceful and sophisticated background music and Hahui's singing seem like a boat, we glide through the long river of history, reminiscing about a love of two thousand years ago.

The snippets of remembrances in the lyrics express the emotions with references to the collar of traditional clothing, extending the feelings through recollection.
This song is in the tradition of the ancient rhymes of the Spring and Autumn periods rendered in the folk music melodies of that time"

MzTeachuh: Barbeque or Cookout?

MzTeachuh: Barbeque or Cookout?: So, you call it barbeque or cookout? We've always called it barbeque. Maybe its a western thing. Mesquite wood, secret recipe barbeque ...

MzTeachuh: Movie Review: Films About Jesus

MzTeachuh: Movie Review: Films About Jesus: Jesus is honored among all major religions as a teacher, ethicist, prophet, or mystic. This is Holy Week for those who believe in the orth...

MzTeachuh: Star Light, Star Bright

MzTeachuh: Star Light, Star Bright: First star I see tonight , I wish I may, I wish I might, To have the wish I wish tonight. Starry Night Over the Rhone, Van Gogh Musi...

Star Light, Star Bright

First star I see tonight,
I wish I may,
I wish I might,
To have the wish I wish tonight.

Starry Night Over the Rhone, Van Gogh

Music for when your wish comes true.

Mozart " Eine kleine Nachtmusik" Allegro (A Little Bit of Night Music)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_jQBgzU-I 

MzTeachuh: News on Education (and Vegetables) Tweets of the D...

MzTeachuh: News on Education (and Vegetables) Tweets of the D...: Many of today's tweets are very serious. The first one concerns diagnosing autism. 1. 'Families Don't Seek Help for Autism from Pediatric...

News on Education (and Vegetables) Tweets of the Day (5/29/2012)

Many of today's tweets are very serious. The first one concerns diagnosing autism.

1. 'Families Don't Seek Help for Autism from Pediatricians'

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/05/families_don%27t_seek_help_fr.html 

Yes, you are!

 As an educator, I would like to remind that when a student enters school, she has an IEP team, with the medical professional giving input to a group of other professionals: educational psychologists, special education teachers, general education teachers, counselors, and, of course, family members. 

 2. 'How Should Students With Learning Disabilities Be Identified?'

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/05/how_should_students_with_learn.html 

IEP team meeting.

RTI should be only one part of a scientific, strictly administered system of identification for special education needs by educational professionals trained for that specific purpose.

3. 'School Using Shock Therapy Under Fire Yet Again'

 http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/05/school_using_shock_therapy_und.html 

This is unbelievable. I cannot accept this method can be legal anywhere in the world.

Cause and effect toys: fun!

4. 'What Works to Prepare Young Children With Disabilities for School?'

 http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/05/_preparing_young_children_with.html

The methods described involve giving kids choices and asking them to communicate those choices; making an interesting experience of life for them. This will aid the student's brain development, and increase functionality. Plus, it's fun for everyone to interact.

5. 'Bill Would Pay to Train Teachers of Students With Autism'

 http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/04/bill_would_pay_for_training_te.html

This is a great push for general education to have more expertise with all their students. The students on my caseload included two autistic students who mainstreamed all day. Special Academic Instructors collaborated in two of their classes each. More input for general educators in science, social studies, physical education, and electives would be very effective.

6. 'The New Jim Crow'

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2012/05/_my_25_dear_diane.html 

One of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Sadly, this is a valid article, at least for many families I have serviced. I have taught in areas near State and Federal Prisons, and the families frequently live nearby to visit relatives. Is there racism in the system? Let's self-examine privately, and as educators treat kids in poverty and other adverse circumstances as the worthy students they are. Staff at schools develop their own culture; multiculturalism should be very alive and well. Do we educators need special training to address the stressors of students in poverty and other family difficulties? Yes, we do.

Here is a great idea.

'Black History Month celebration' 

http://thenotebook.org/april-2012/124683/black-history-month-celebration

7. 'Positive Self Esteem'

http://www.drwendyschwartz.com/Los-Angeles-Marriage-and-Family-Counseling/life/positive-self-esteem/#.T8Oi1yIRAGY.facebook 

I like the little graphics.

Having a down day? We all do. I once heard a sermon that stated we could use the anagram HALT to see how we were doing when we felt discouraged. H--am I hungry? A--am I angry? L--am I lonely? T--am I tired? Kind of hitting the lower level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, huh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs 

If we, the educated and employed professionals, have down days when we feel like failures--how must the kids feel? Let's be sure to encourage the kids to view themselves positively. Behavior mod says that we should give eight positive comments to two negatives or correction to keep ballast in a child's mind and soul. Our self-talk should be the same.  

The First Lady's new book.

8. 'The First Lady Cultivates 'American Grown' Gardening'

 http://www.npr.org/2012/05/29/153705721/the-first-lady-cultivates-american-grown-gardening 

You go, Michelle! And 'let's move' while we garden.

Mmm, the sweet smell of sage-maybe for Thanksgiving stuffing.

 

 

 

 

Our school has a garden, and our science teacher (who was voted Teacher of the Year by his colleagues) also held an activity afterschool to show how to grow tomatoes. He gave one plant to each student who attended. How cool to have something real, growing, and tasty. 

A few years back, my Special Day Class for the Severely Handicapped at a middle school had a nice little garden; good exercise, fresh air, and fun cause-and-effect. Well worth the work.

 

What middle school gardening fun! And there's teacher's bike he rides to school.