Saturday, July 28, 2012

MzTeachuh: Music to Drift Off To

MzTeachuh: Music to Drift Off To: Green Surf, Gaynor Hanaghan Claude Debussy: Nocturnes - Sirenes  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33cpNZTkVIk     See, there the sire...

Music to Drift Off To

Green Surf, Gaynor Hanaghan

Claude Debussy: Nocturnes - Sirenes 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33cpNZTkVIk 

 See, there the sirens are, there in the distance.

MzTeachuh: NCLB, Data, and Tech Tweets of the Day 7/28/12

MzTeachuh: NCLB, Data, and Tech Tweets of the Day 7/28/12: The President's team is making adjustment to NCLB. Changing focus on the national scene for how to help students to achieve. 1. State...

NCLB, Data, and Tech Tweets of the Day 7/28/12

The President's team is making adjustment to NCLB.

Changing focus on the national scene for how to help students to achieve.

1. States Granted NCLB Waivers Offer Varying Goals For Helping Education Reform, According To Report

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/report-examines-goals-of-_n_1711111.html 

This is a complicated piece of data.

2.  Education Olympics: How Does America Rank Compared To Other Countries? (INFOGRAPHIC)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/education-olympics-how-do_n_1707968.html 

How will this change teacher evaluations, I wonder?

3.  No Child Left Behind Waivers Granted To More Than Half Of U.S. States

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/no-child-left-behind-waivers_n_1652574.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008 

Hmmm, nature or nurture or both?

4.  Educational Achievement Could Be Linked To Three Genes, Study Finds 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/genes_n_1646691.html?1341501117&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

5. U.S. Graduation Rate, Unemployment Compared To Other Nations In Infographic 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/infographic-shows-how-us-_n_1628187.html?utm_hp_ref=education&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008 

Bill Cosby and Deborah Kenny

6. Deborah Kenny, Harlem Village Academy Founder, Sits Down With Bill Cosby For Education Chat 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/26/deborah-kenny-harlem-vill_n_1706644.html 

Here a couple pieces of good reading from Edutopia, so they know I haven't gone over to Huffington Post Education.

7. Ten Ideas for Teaching Teachers Technology

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-teachers-technology-monique-flickinger 

Nicholas Provenzano

8.  Summer School for Teachers

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/summer-school-for-teachers-nicholas-provenzano 

MzTeachuh: Hey, Folks, Its the Newport Folk Festival

MzTeachuh: Hey, Folks, Its the Newport Folk Festival: Where Dylan got his start in 1963. Want to know more? http://www.newportfolkfest.net/ Its streaming today on NPR.  http://www.npr.o...

Hey, Folks, Its the Newport Folk Festival



Where Dylan got his start in 1963.
Want to know more?
http://www.newportfolkfest.net/

Its streaming today on NPR. 
http://www.npr.org/event/music/155839092/newport-folk-festival-2012?ps=cprs

  • Saturday, July 28
  • My Morning Jacket, 6pm
  • Guthrie Family Reunion, 5:30pm
  • Spirit Family Reunion, 5:15pm
  • Iron & Wine, 4:15pm
  • Dawes, 4pm
  • Sharon Van Etten, 3pm
  • Alabama Shakes
  • First Aid Kit
  • Sunday, July 29
  • Jackson Browne, 6pm
  • Punch Brothers, 5:15pm
  • Conor Oberst, 4:45pm
  • Of Monsters And Men, 4:15pm
  • The Head And The Heart, 3:30pm
  • Gary Clark Jr., 3pm
  • Charles Bradley, 2pm
  • New Multitudes, 1:45pm
  • Trampled By Turtles, 1pm
  • Joe Fletcher, 12:30pm

MzTeachuh: How Does It Feel To Be One Of The Beautiful People...

MzTeachuh: How Does It Feel To Be One Of The Beautiful People...: Opening Ceremony London Olympics 2012 Swedish Team The Olympics show kids so many good things about people. The qualities of persistence...

How Does It Feel To Be One Of The Beautiful People?

Opening Ceremony London Olympics 2012 Swedish Team
The Olympics show kids so many good things about people. The qualities of persistence, excellence, team spirit, as well as qualities the child may lack. Do all children have the talent, skill, and opportunity to train to see if they have the talent and skill to be an Olympian? Are all children physically perfect and beautiful according to the world's highest standards? Are all children fed every day so they even have the energy to play? How many of the world's children will even live to age five? As John Lennon wrote, "Do they even know its Christmas?" do most of the world's kids even know its the Olympics? I appreciated the segment of the Opening Ceremonies that spotlighted children's literature and the National Health Service, especially the signing kids. And I'm looking forward to watching the athlete with prosthetic legs run. Let's declare its a new world for all kids and their families.

We can share the excitement and thrill of these games, it is fun; also finding ways to encourage a good self image in kids at the same time. I don't know the percentage of kids that make it to the Olympics--certainly less than the infamous 1%. So I guess the rest of of  are the 99.99%.

This pic is from a Black History month project. How adorable.


One of the cutest things I've ever seen.
 1. Developing Your Child's Self Esteem
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/self_esteem.html

It is important to think about what all the family needs: anyone hungry? angry? lonely? tired? (That was Maslow's Hierarchy in four words.)

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

Helping kids realize they are empowered to help, in his/her home, at school, and church, and in the entire world; this is the best building block of self esteem. So, if you want to model helping the world...

The following international organization is faith based.

3. Saving Moses is a 5 and under global missions initiative to assist children and infants to not only survive, but also thrive, giving them the chance to live and flourish by assisting with physical, medical, food and water needs is a 5 and under global missions initiative to assist children and infants to not only survive, but also thrive, giving them the chance to live and flourish by assisting with physical, medical, food and water needs.

 http://savingmoses.org/


So now for the big questions from John and Paul:
The Beatles Baby You're A Rich Man (2009 Stereo Remaster) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS1HGjIPQ1I 



How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people?
Now that you know who you are
What do you want to be?
And have you traveled very far?
Far as the eye can see.
How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people?
How often have you been there?
Often enough to know.
What did you see, when you were there?
Nothing that doesn't show.
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man too.
You keep all your money in a big brown bag inside a zoo.
What a thing to do.
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man too.
How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people?
Tuned to a natural E
Happy to be that way.
Now that you've found another key
What are you going to play?
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man,
Baby you're a rich man too.
You keep all your money in a big brown bag inside a zoo.
What a thing to do.
Baby you're a rich man...

Friday, July 27, 2012

MzTeachuh: Kids' Activities for the Olympics Tweets of the Da...

MzTeachuh: Kids' Activities for the Olympics Tweets of the Da...: Wenlock, the Olympic mascot Hurrah, poetry! 1. Honoring The Games, And The Past, With Poetry http://www.npr.org/2012/07/27/157370975/...

Kids' Activities for the Olympics Tweets of the Day 7/27/12

Wenlock, the Olympic mascot
Hurrah, poetry!
1. Honoring The Games, And The Past, With Poetry
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/27/157370975/the-poetry-of-sport-the-sport-of-poetry 

Roles models, anyone?
2.  Photos: Female Arab Athletes On The Rise
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/ 
 
Something to color!

3. Olympic rings!
 http://www.first-school.ws/t/apflag-friends.html

A family tradition.

4. 2012 Olympics Guide for Families

The Olympics go social and let families bring the games closer to home.
 
Somebody's always got to be a grump.
 
5.London 2012 Branded as 'Obesity Games' by Children's  Food Campaign Charity

McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Cadbury's in firing line as Children's Food Campaign calls on IOC to drop unhealthy food and drink sponsors

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/367049/20120726/london-olympics-obesity-games-chiildrens-food-campaign.htm 

 


 
 

MzTeachuh: Gotta Get Up, You Gotta Get Up, Gotta Get Up In Th...

MzTeachuh: Gotta Get Up, You Gotta Get Up, Gotta Get Up In Th...: Add caption I can't get 'em up I can't get 'em up I can't get 'em up this morning; I can't get 'em up I can't get 'em up I can't get 'em...

Gotta Get Up, You Gotta Get Up, Gotta Get Up In The Morning!

Add caption
I can't get 'em up
I can't get 'em up
I can't get 'em up this morning;
I can't get 'em up
I can't get 'em up
I can't get 'em up at all!
And tho' the sun starts peeping,
And dawn has started creeping,
Those lazy bums keep sleeping,
They never hear my call!

 

Better getup getup getup! Soon you will be heading out the door 3 hours earlier for school! Oh, I'm sorry, did I ruin one of your final vacation days with that thought? Pity.

  

Reveille on bugle ~ Ring Tone??                                                      -----uh, no thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT8FAm3TQ-M


Definition of REVEILLE

1
: a signal to get up mornings
2
: a bugle call at about sunrise signaling the first military formation of the day; also : the formation so signaled

Origin of REVEILLE

modification of French réveillez, imperative plural of réveiller to awaken, from Middle French reveiller, from re- + eveiller to awaken, from Vulgar Latin *exvigilare, from Latin ex- + vigilare to keep watch, stay awake — more at vigilant
First Known Use: 1644

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Reading, Writing and WOW Tweets of the Day 7/26/12


I see this in many of your futures!

1. Examining Elements of Persuasive Speeches 

..but we state them eloquently.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/brainstorm-persuasive-speeches 

Yep, school is on the way back.

2.  Websites help ease kids back into school mode

http://www.freep.com/article/20120726/NEWS09/120726046/Websites-help-ease-kids-back-into-school-mode

And that's the teacher.

Okay, class, we're not on vacation anymore (well, some of you are.)

3. Shanahan on Literacy Common Core or Guided Reading

http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/2012/07/common-core-or-guided-reading.html?utm_source=ReadingRockets.org&utm_medium=Twitter 

This is a creative idea in a difficult situation for the kids.

4. Teaching Writing Through Conversations on Immigration

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/07/25/fp_wagner.html 

This link is just fun.

5. Images That Make You Go WOW !

http://scottbgoldscher.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/images-that-make-you-go-wow/ 

 

MzTeachuh: What Happens When You Help A Little Kid?

MzTeachuh: What Happens When You Help A Little Kid?: George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943) You may help another George Washington Carver work in God's Little Workshop. ...

What Happens When You Help A Little Kid?

George Washington Carver (January 1864– January 5, 1943)
You may help another George Washington Carver work in God's Little Workshop.

Here are some links to the life of George Washington Carver:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver

2. National Park Services George Washington Carver National Monument Missouri 

http://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm 

 A Pocketful of Goobers: A Story About George Washington Carver

by Barbara Mitchell

A Pocketful of Goobers: A Story About George Washington Carver 

MzTeachuh: life doesn't frighten me

MzTeachuh: life doesn't frighten me: #16 Life Doesn’t Frighten me at All based on the poem “Life Doesn’t frighten me at all” by Ian Lantz Helping us understand our stude...

life doesn't frighten me

#16 Life Doesn’t Frighten me at All
based on the poem “Life Doesn’t frighten me at all” by Ian Lantz

Helping us understand our students.

Her original poem read by herself.

life doesn't frighten me by Maya Angelou 

http://www.youtube.com/
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn’t frighten me at all

Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn’t frighten me at all

Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don’t frighten me at all

Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn’t frighten me at all.

I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won’t cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild

Life doesn’t frighten me at all.

Tough guys fight
All alone at night
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.

Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don’t frighten me at all.

That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don’t frighten me at all.

Don’t show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I’m afraid at all
It’s only in my dreams.

I’ve got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.

Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all.

Life doesn’t frighten me at all.




MzTeachuh: School Days (Daze?)

MzTeachuh: School Days (Daze?): Chuck Berry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Berry    Ring, ring goes the bell! (Apologies to History teachers.) School Days -...

School Days (Daze?)

Chuck Berry

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

 Ring, ring goes the bell! (Apologies to History teachers.)

School Days - Chuck Berry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHG5-GxI_Es 

MzTeachuh: A Teacher Shall Plan By Faith

MzTeachuh: A Teacher Shall Plan By Faith: In our part of the world, many schools open next week.

A Teacher Shall Plan By Faith

In our part of the world, many schools open next week.

MzTeachuh: Whatcha Thinkin' 'Bout? School

MzTeachuh: Whatcha Thinkin' 'Bout? School: Who will be in my class? Planning over the Cinnamon Spice Mocha and biscotti. Here's some music for that: [HD] Morning Coffee - Kore...

Whatcha Thinkin' 'Bout? School

Who will be in my class?
Planning over the Cinnamon Spice Mocha and biscotti.

Here's some music for that:

[HD] Morning Coffee - Korea No.1 Fusion Band Oriental Express Korean Traditional Instruments(Gayageum and Haegeum) meets Smoothjazz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BCTmZODEpo 

 

MzTeachuh: We're All From Africa

MzTeachuh: We're All From Africa: "Head with Crown," Ife Art, Nigeria, Wunmonije Compound, Ife, 14th century-early 15th century https://genographic.nationalgeographic.c...

We're All From Africa

"Head with Crown," Ife Art, Nigeria, Wunmonije Compound, Ife, 14th century-early 15th century
https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html
National Geographic has sponsors a fascinating genetic search which maps an atlas of the human journey.
Most folks understand we are a huge human family, we're all at least 40th cousins. In the United States, genetic analysis can reveal amazing connections to the world. I have participated in researching my genetic past, and truly feel a girl of the world.

Now is the time we embrace our family. We all started in Africa and took a hike from there.

Check out this site from the Atlas of the Human Journey at Nat Geo.
https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/lan/en/atlas.html

Man's Apron, Zulu, South Africa
Kumbaya, baby.

Joan Baez - Kumbaya (1980) in France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MiD_U4CHQ

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

MzTeachuh: Tweets of the Day 7/25/12

MzTeachuh: Fun, Funding, Did NCLB Improve Things For Kids? Tweets of the Day 7/25/12: How did the scientists think of this? 1.Aesop's Fable Unlocks How Crows and Kids Think http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/1...

Fun, Funding, Did NCLB Improve Things For Kids? Tweets of the Day 7/25/12

How did the scientists think of this?

1.Aesop's Fable Unlocks How Crows and Kids Think

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120725200330.htm?fb_ref=.UBCx9HJZPh0.like&fb_source=timeline 

New way to describe taking education money.

2.  Why the Ticking Time Bomb of 'Sequestration' Could Decimate Education

http://www.good.is/post/why-the-ticking-time-bomb-of-sequestration-could-decimate-education/ 

3.  7 Ways to Boost Kids' Confidence  One trick to prevent bullying? Raising confident kids. Here are ways you can build self esteem at any age.

http://www.care.com/child-care-7-ways-to-boost-kids-confidence-p1017-q18640694.html#utm_content=1017&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=general_general&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=& 

Helping the little people understand how the letters work to make a story.

4.  Print Awareness During Read Alouds

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/3400/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Hootsuite&utm_campaign=RRSocialMedia 

Yay, good news!

5.  Kids Count report: America's children are advancing despite the economy

The widely-watched Kids Count annual survey on the state of America's children shows gains in health and education despite the poor economy. But advocates say raised poverty rates merit more attention from lawmakers.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2012/0725/Kids-Count-report-America-s-children-are-advancing-despite-the-economy?fb_ref=.UBBGbW88XZ0.like&fb_source=timeline 

Edutopia reports.

6. High-Impact Professional Development for Rural Schools

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/stw-tech-integration-professional-development?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_content=STW&utm_campaign=emints 

Ending on a very serious notes.

7.  Mental health: What's normal, what's not

Understanding what's considered normal mental health can be tricky. See how feelings, thoughts and behaviors determine mental health and how to recognize if you or a loved one needs help. 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00042/ 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Inchworm, Inchworm

MzTeachuh: Inchworm, Inchworm: Just to clarify, he is not measuring marigolds, these flowers are vinca. Picture by Renee Jardin I am so glad we haven't gone metrics w...

Inchworm, Inchworm

Just to clarify, he is not measuring marigolds, these flowers are vinca. Picture by Renee Jardin

I am so glad we haven't gone metrics with this song , Millimetre Worm just isn't the same.

 Classic Sesame Street - "Inch Worm"  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0lQ0bdcjfY&feature=related 

AND the original song written for the movie about storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, who in actuality was a rather melancholic figure, like most of his stories.

Danny Kaye - Hans Christian Andersen 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=tJy8u4V_hbI 

Not had enough Inchworm?

Paul Mc-Cartney The Inch Worm--with a nice mandolin and a group of kids. Came out on his last CD, Kisses on the Bottom.

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


 

MzTeachuh: George Bernard Shaw: Never At A Loss For Words

MzTeachuh: George Bernard Shaw: Never At A Loss For Words: “Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.” George Bernard Shaw: 12 memorable quotes on his birthday...

George Bernard Shaw: Never At A Loss For Words

“Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.”

George Bernard Shaw: 12 memorable quotes on his birthday

July 26th marks what would be George Bernard Shaw's 156th birthday. In the course of his career, Shaw authored more than 60 plays. When 'Pygmalion' – his most famous work – was adapted into a British film by the same name, he became the only individual to receive both a Nobel Prize for Literature and an Oscar. Many of Shaw's witticisms have become deeply embedded in modern dialogue. A survey of many of his most famous aphorisms are included in 'Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists' by James Geary. Here are a dozen of them.

Thank you Christian Science Monitor.
 http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2012/0725/George-Bernard-Shaw-12-memorable-quotes-on-his-birthday/Aged-and-sage2#.UBBIm3pOcNo.twitter

MzTeachuh: Time to Succeed!

MzTeachuh: Time to Succeed!:                     A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others ha...

Time to Succeed!












A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. 
David Brinkley

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.
Lydia M. Child

Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.
Dale Carnegie

Diligence is the mother of good fortune.
Benjamin Disraeli

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
David Frost

 Action is the foundational key to all success.
Pablo Picasso

 
 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

MzTeachuh: эти летние ночи Those Summer Nights

MzTeachuh: эти летние ночи Those Summer Nights: Music from movie "Grease" (1978).Olivia Newton John, John Travolta. & Theater Cinematograff Moscow. Director KatyaTelegina http://www.cin...

эти летние ночи Those Summer Nights


Music from movie "Grease" (1978).Olivia Newton John, John Travolta. & Theater Cinematograff Moscow. Director KatyaTelegina http://www.cinematografff.ru
Театр "СинематографЪ" Москва Песня Summer nights из фильма Бриолин на языке жестов. Режиссер Телегина Екатерина

It was made by hard-of hearing actors but for
everyone. most our audience (in internet as well as in the theatre) are hearing people 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tN5Z6C2FXM

MzTeachuh: Emily: Presentiment

MzTeachuh: Emily: Presentiment: Presentiment Presentiment – is that long Shadow – on the Lawn Indicative that Suns go down – The notice to the startled Grass That Da...

Emily: Presentiment

 

Presentiment

Presentiment – is that long Shadow – on the Lawn
Indicative that Suns go down –
The notice to the startled Grass
That Darkness – is about to pass –
- Emily Dickinson



Absolutely adore Dickinson's personification.

MzTeachuh: YA Reading and Teacher Movies Tweets of the Day 7/...

MzTeachuh: YA Reading and Teacher Movies Tweets of the Day 7/...: Here's a variety of interesting educational links, mostly reading. 1. A video interview with author Chris Van Dusen http://www.reading...

YA Reading and Teacher Movies Tweets of the Day 7/24/12

Here's a variety of interesting educational links, mostly reading.

1. A video interview with author Chris Van Dusen

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/vandusen/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Hootsuite&utm_campaign=RRSocialMedia 

Have taught many of these in class--my favorite? Anne of Green Gables.

A vote for Ponyboy?

2. Best-Ever Teen Novels? Vote For Your Favorites

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/24/157072526/best-ever-teen-novels-vote-for-your-favorites 

I've read many of these, I must be a fan.

3. Your Picks: Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books 

4. Hooray For YA: Teen Novels For Readers Of All Ages

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/137456199/hooray-for-ya-teen-novels-for-readers-of-all-ages 

 5. Smarter Summers Sending Middle School Youth Back To School Ready to Learn: The Water Problem

http://www.smartersummers.org/2012/07/the-water-problem/

Not 47 or 49, but 48 exactly.

6. 48 Ultra-Cool Summer Sites for Kids and Teachers

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/48-summer-websites-kids-teachers-keith-ferrell 

And something for teacher! I like "To Sir With Love."

7.  Top 12 Must See Teacher Movies

http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-must-see-teacher-movies 


 

MzTeachuh: Seuss Says It Right

MzTeachuh: Seuss Says It Right

Seuss Says It Right


MzTeachuh: To Flip or not to Flip the Classroom

MzTeachuh: To Flip or not to Flip the Classroom: But maybe you want to. As a teacher and collaborating as a Resource Specialist (Special Academic Instructor), I have been a 'fly on the...

To Flip or not to Flip the Classroom

But maybe you want to.

As a teacher and collaborating as a Resource Specialist (Special Academic Instructor), I have been a 'fly on the wall' in many teachers' rooms. I have seen it all. And I have seen a good example of a modified 'flipped' classroom, suitable to our demographic in SoCal. Many of our students don't have internet at home, but have access from the school classroom or library.

An unassuming Math 7 teacher balanced the most effective methods in her classes, and it did include a summary review of the specific lessons, coinciding well with the specific California State Standard of the moment. I occasionally also observed the use of this material (which was included in the text book program) in Math 6. The students were engaged with it because it was different than the teacher's voice, methods,  and sometimes ethnicity. If your class is predominantly one ethnicity, it is a good idea to include other 'guest' teachers for a sense of multiculturalism. And this is without making a big fuss. This media was available for the students to access through the District Website, too. 

The amount of time video is used in a class is the real point. Teaching is much more of a science than an art. A teacher can analyze the efficiency of methods for each period of the day.

  • Teachers observe the efficacy of a method by observation. Are the students listening and watching the video? Have you provide a method for them to interact with the information? Do you use a graphic organizer to check off the times the video teacher mentions the same points of the lesson they just worked on in the three dimensional class? Maybe Cornell notes to compare? Kids do what you inspect, not what you expect, and physical proof of their involvement in the video lesson compels them to focus. My Math 7 teacher friend always did this.

  • Teachers observe the efficacy of a method by data. Did the students effectively demonstrate comprehension through homework, quizzes, tests, and discussion? As much as we may dislike the percentage way of evaluating learning (seems so cold), achievement and grading are coming up. Does including video help this group? How about the low kids? Is this helping? How about the Special Ed. kids? Does the common auditory processing disorder make the video ineffective for them? Would a graphic organizer help? 

  • Teachers observe the efficacy of a method by comparison. First we check this group's past achievement, then compare between our own class periods (this is secondary.) Asking our team teachers on the same grade level is enormously helpful. Are we teaching roughly the same method? What are the results? Can we tweek them seeing the success in our collaborator's class? Frequently, one detail can make a difference. The time spent on the activity; the tools used during the activity; the value of the activity. What does the student gain from participating in this activity? Some teachers tie focus during class to various points or rewards, etc.

    Here are some links to help with the discussion:

    1. “The Art of a Flipped Classroom” Must-See Webinar 

    http://ilearnproject.com/the-art-of-a-flipped-classroom-must-see-webinar/ 

    2.  The Flipped Classroom: Pro and Con

    http://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipped-classroom-pro-and-con-mary-beth-hertz 

    3.  The Flipped Classroom Infographic

    A new method of teaching is turning the traditional classroom on its head.

    4.  Reflecting on the Flipped Class from Student Feedback 

    http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php

    5. What is the flipped classroom

    http://www.techsmith.com/flipped-classroom.html 

    Here is some input from this site:

     What are some benefits of this method?

    • Gives teachers more time to spend 1:1 helping students
    • Builds stronger student/teacher relationships
    • Offers a way for teachers to share information with other faculty, substitute teachers, students, parents, and
      the community easily
    • Produces the ability for students to “rewind” lessons and master topics
    • Creates a collaborative learning environment in the classroom

Monday, July 23, 2012