Saturday, November 9, 2013

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln: Spielberg's 'Lincoln' coming out November 16, 2012. It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But ...

Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

Spielberg's 'Lincoln' coming out November 16, 2012.

It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But Steven Spielberg has brought him to current prominence in a huge manner, much like Ken Burns did in the 90's with 'The Civil War' documentary.

These are incontrovertible facts about Lincoln: he was born into extreme poverty in Kentucky during the formative years of the US; he was a pioneer boy, self taught--reading, too-- in Indiana. He lost his mother at an early age, and revered her input into his life. He was highly intelligent and motivated, becoming a successful pioneer lawyer in the early days of Illinois. He could read people. He had a conscience based on his morality. He was courageous. Did he have flaws? Of course. He retained a bias against Native Americans but continued to be willing to risk everything due to his belief that all men are created equal.

What a time to be a hero! An American period raw with passion, polarization, and violence. Kind of sounds like now.

Here are links that will help teachers put together pertinent information on Lincoln.

I love American Rhetoric. Of course, there is not a recording of his voice, but you can find excellent actors reading his eternal speeches. Then you could compare them to Daniel Day-Lewis' interpretation. And you know I'll be reminding you to listen to FDR's 'Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself' speech on Dec. 7.

1. American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States
www.americanrhetoric.com/
I'm thinking you can find these in the library, but don't tell Amazon.com I said so,

2. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB

Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals, the basis of Spielburg's film and Barrack Obama's cabinet (he says the book inspired him.) Henry Louis Gates is a highly respected author and filmmaker who recently has specialized in helping folks find their genetic roots and family history and making documentaries, such as African American Lives. I can't imagine a better team for this assignment. Check it out.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Lincoln books. It is great history with a poetic flair every so often.

Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years: Carl ...

For the upper grades:

Abraham Lincoln

http://ushistorysite.com/lincoln.php

Thank you, Poetry Foundation, again, for having such wonders convenient and waiting.

Walt Whitman

Here are only two poems about Lincoln, both by Walt Whitman.

O Captain! My Captain!

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174742

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748

Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed all Americans, including those in the future. A free and appropriate education for all, including the handicapped. Voting rights, even for women. Equal pay for equal work. Freedom to be who you are, and the right to say it.

The Civil Rights Movement is still moving because of Lincoln; let's keep in step.

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 11/8/13

Tis a Gift

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/tis-gift.html

Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 11/4/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-11413.html?spref=bl

Benefits for All Tweets of the Day 11/7/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/benefits-for-all-tweets-of-day-11713.html

King Tut, Tut

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/king-tut-tut.html

Autumn Activities: Cute Baking with Kids

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/autumn-activities-cute-baking-with-kids.html

Ed Tech Tweets of the Day 11/6/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/ed-tech-tweets-of-day-11613.html

Happy Birthday, Joni

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-birthday-joni.html

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/5/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/special-needs-tweets-of-day-11513.html

Teachable Moment: Nat. Geo's 'Killing Kennedy' 11/10

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/teachable-moment-nat-geos-killing.html

PBS On Tuesdays thru 11/26: The African Americans by Henry Louis Gates

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/10/coming-to-pbs-starting-tuesday-african.html

Yes! I Expect To Learn!

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/yes-i-expect-to-learn.html

Thank you to our international audience, it is a privilgeg to seve you. USA, Ukraine, Canada, France, Russia, UK, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Bangladesh.

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/9/13

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/9/13: Will ADHD Medication Change Your Child’s Personality? http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/adhd-related-issues/adhd/medica...

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/9/13

Will ADHD Medication Change Your Child’s Personality?

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/adhd-related-issues/adhd/medication-effects-on-child

1. Common Test of Brain Function Can Help Differentiate Subtypes of ADHD

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2013/11/common-test-of-brain-function-can-help.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

2. Students With Disabilities at Virtual Charter Schools Are Protected by Civil Rights Laws
http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/students-with-disabilities-at-virtual-charter-schools-are-protected-by-civil-rights-laws

3. "Cousin Jeff" Johnson Talks About Dyslexia Detection In Children
http://dyslexia.yale.edu/MDAI/MDAI_In_News.html

4. Blackburn student with dyslexia celebrates degree success

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/10789826.Blackburn_student_with_dyslexia_celebrates_degree_success/?utm_content=buffer62326&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

5. Understanding Your Child's Learning Disabilities

http://www.memphisparent.com/Memphis-Parent/Living-in-the-Moment/October-2013/Understanding-Learning-Disabilities/

6. Prince Harry among celebrities to back blue ribbon dyslexia campaign run by Scots schoolgirl Ellie

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/prince-harry-among-celebrities-back-2677084?utm_content=bufferc852d&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

7. Typography Book Explores What It Feels Like To Have Dyslexia

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/06/dyslexia-typography_n_4220353.html

MzTeachuh: Reading and Thinking for Real Tweets of the Day 11...

MzTeachuh: Reading and Thinking for Real Tweets of the Day 11...: 1. The Most Critical Activity for Reading Success http://blog.k12.com/tips-parents/most-critical-activity-reading-success?utm_source=...

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 11/9/13

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 11/9/13: 1. How To Use Real-Time Technology In 1:1 Classrooms http://www.edudemic.com/real-time-technology-in-11-classrooms/ 2. Inqui...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 11/9/13

1. How To Use Real-Time Technology In 1:1 Classrooms

http://www.edudemic.com/real-time-technology-in-11-classrooms/

2. Inquiry Learning Ideas for Math and Science With iPads

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/11/inquiry-learning-ideas-for-math-and-science-with-ipads/

3. You Can Create Your Own Characters in Quandary, Now Available on Tablets

Quandary

http://www.learninggamesnetwork.org/tag/quandary/

4. 3 Simple Ways To Start Using Smartphones In The Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/using-smartphones-classroom/

5. 30 Apps Perfect For BYOD Classrooms

http://www.edudemic.com/byod-apps-symbaloo/

6. 5 Options for Connecting Your iPad to a Classroom Display

http://www.teq.com/blog/2013/11/5-options-connecting-ipad-classroom-display/#.UnrEKJRVDaR

7. 12 Effective Ways To Use Google Drive In Education

http://www.edudemic.com/12-effective-ways-use-google-drive-education/

Reading and Thinking for Real Tweets of the Day 11/9/13

1. The Most Critical Activity for Reading Success

http://blog.k12.com/tips-parents/most-critical-activity-reading-success?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=socialmedia#.UnlSGhCnet8

2. Re-thinking Assessment in a Technology Rich Common Core Classroom

http://networkedblogs.com/QKLpR

3. Work or Fun? The Future School Day Blurs the Boundary

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/01/work-or-fun-the-future-school-day-blurs-the-boundary/

4. Developing Empathy through Service-Learning: 
Finding Friends, Hope, and Community at a Local High School

http://secure.campaigner.com/Campaigner/Public/t.show?61d6h--366xz-r9dgz62

5. Project Zero Teaches Students To Think About Thinking

http://www.washdiplomat.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9672%3Aproject-zero-teaches-students-to-think-about-thinking&catid=1510%3Anovember-2013&Itemid=428

6. The Common Core Doesn’t Cut Literature – It Complements It

http://neatoday.org/2013/11/04/the-common-core-doesn%E2%80%99t-cut-literature-it-complements-it/

7. Fostering Independent Thinking: The "I Don't Get It" Battle

http://one-lesson-at-a-time.blogspot.com/2013/05/fostering-independent-thinking-i-dont.html

Friday, November 8, 2013

MzTeachuh: Inquiry Based Learning AKA Project Based Learning

MzTeachuh: Inquiry Based Learning AKA Project Based Learning: Mind/Shift and Edutopia are leading sources of educational thought. Cogitate on these for awhile! 1. The Challenges and Realities of I...

Inquiry Based Learning AKA Project Based Learning

Mind/Shift and Edutopia are leading sources of educational thought. Cogitate on these for awhile!

1. The Challenges and Realities of Inquiry-Based Learning

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/07/the-challenges-and-realities-of-inquiry-based-learning/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

2. Inquiry Learning Vs. Standardized Content: Can They Coexist?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/05/inquiry-learning-vs-standardized-content-can-they-coexist/

3. Project-Based Learning

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

4. Project-Based Learning: Success Start to Finish

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-project-based-learning-best-practices

5. Creating Classrooms We Need: 8 Ways Into Inquiry Learning

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/03/creating-classrooms-we-need-8-ways-into-inquiry-learning/

6. Project Based Learning Resources

http://www.edutopia.org/groups/project-based-learning/399566

7. Why Inquiry Learning is Worth the Trouble

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/01/what-does-it-take-to-fully-embrace-inquiry-learning/

8. Project-Based Learning as a Context for Arts Integration

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/PBL-context-for-arts-integration-andrew-miller

MzTeachuh: Counseling and Supervision; Supervision and Counse...

MzTeachuh: Counseling and Supervision; Supervision and Counse...: What to change a school? I have reflected upon what change would have the greatest impact based upon my own observations. Counseling ...

Counseling and Supervision; Supervision and Counseling

What to change a school? I have reflected upon what change would have the greatest impact based upon my own observations.

Counseling and supervision. More and more effective supervision and counseling. Kids learn better when their minds are focused. Internal and external conditions affect their ability to be successful in school, therefore counseling and supervision.

Counseling usually indicates a counselor working in scheduling classes and sometimes personal intervention with parents and kids. Of course keep this, adding more opportunities for individual students and groups to interact with trained counselors. Have a variety of topics, a variety of groups. Maybe even a club. A qualified counselor at every school site.

Classes and class activities can identify and/or aid in relief of tensions and stressors. Activities can give kids confidence and bolster their ability to learn.
One year when I was teaching a Special Day Class for the Severely Handicapped, a group of students from the student government class came once a week for a class period for peer interaction. My students and the gen. ed. student leaders interacted while I ran a very simple self-esteem class. The benefits? The gen ed. kids were exposed to new career choices (SPED teacher, counselor, etc.) and my students gained language and other academic skills, plus great self-confidence and new friends. It was like pouring Miracle-Gro on them.

Here are a few activities I developed to help students relieve stress:

Writing Prompts to Sooth Kids' Toxic Stress
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/04/writing-prompts-to-sooth-kids-toxic.html

Books to Relieve Kids' Toxic Stress
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/05/mzteachuh-books-to-soothe-kids-toxic_26.html

Here are curriculum sources for self-esteem:
Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/self-esteem.cfm

Writing prompts have therapeutic effects for students, too. The counseling comes in with discussion, either through teacher's written response or carefully guided group discussion. Kids are eloquent when narrating their own feelings and experiences. Teachers are professionals who interact with students at least 35 hours a week--we need to know them and how they are doing. Reading their thoughts in writing will do that. Then it is up to us to interact personally with them. Identify a student's internal stressor a student leads to getting them the help she/he needs.

Here are sources for writing prompts for self-esteem:

Self Esteem & Confidence 52 Journal Prompts for Kids
http://journalbuddies.com/journaling/self-esteem-confidence-journal-prompts-for-kids/

Reflective Journal Writing Prompts

http://www.self-esteem-health.com/reflective-journal-writing-prompts.html

Supervision-oh my! By my observation, only one school I taught with in the about a dozen in the past two decades actually followed the principal's directives on supervision consistently. On the playground, at the classroom doors before and after school, during assemblies. It was amazing. It was as though that principal had somehow cornered the teacher market on efficiency and cooperation. As a result, the kids were more secure, cooperative and generally happier. School rules were consistently enforced. The teachers were dependable in their appearances to supervise. At this school, the principal was also present on the campus, even making surprise visits to the classrooms, where he was welcome.

No teachers at any other school I encountered, except for the one above, even consistently enforced supervising passing time between classes. Every year the principal of these schools would announce the importance of teachers being at the door during this time, and in about a week most of the teachers stopped doing it. Why? Because people do what you inspect, not was you expect. The principals had no system to verify if teachers were doing this, except the increase of horseplay, fights and other misbehavior in the hallways based on referrals. Parents of my students would tell me their child was afraid to go down the fall, to lunch or even to the restroom.

Supervision, or lack thereof, enhances the student's learning environment or detracts from it. Personally, I believe the leadership in the admin. building needs to step up on this matter.

Just to put a chill down our spines.

FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE STUDENTS

CAN LEAD TO EXPENSIVE LITIGATION

http://www.mymcharterlaw.com/pdf/Student_Safety_on_Campus_020808.pdf

School Supervision Problem Areas

http://web3.esd112.org/docs/risk-management-matters/risk_winter_10_insert.pdf?sfvrsn=0

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 11/8/13

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 11/8/13: 1. New Study Uncovers The Powerful New Role Of Media In Children’s Lives http://www.edudemic.com/media-in-childrens-lives/ 2. A V...

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 11/8/13

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 11/8/13: Tis a Gift http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/tis-gift.html Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 11/4/13 http://mzteachuh.blogspot....

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/8/13

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/8/13: 1. Video: Exclusive–Sir Richard Branson on Dyslexia http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/videos/video-richard-branson-on-...

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 11/8/13

1. Video: Exclusive–Sir Richard Branson on Dyslexia

http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/videos/video-richard-branson-on-dyslexia

2. Parental stress and autism: what's effective at reducing it?

http://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2013/10/parental-stress-autism-reduction.html?m=1

3. Common Test of Brain Function can Help Differentiate Subtypes of ADHD

http://www.medindia.net/news/common-test-of-brain-function-can-help-differentiate-subtypes-of-adhd-126349-1.htm

4. Autism Signs Spotted In First Months Of Life

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/11/07/autism-signs-first-months/18871/

5. 8 Strategies to Create a Safe Environment during Explosive Behaviors & Risky Meltdowns

http://special-ism.com/8-great-strategies-to-create-a-safe-environment-during-explosive-behaviors-risky-meltdowns/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Special-ism+%28Special-ism%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo#sthash.fFEtI1eQ.dpbs

6. Autism and language impairment genetically linked

http://www.sciencecodex.com/autism_and_language_impairment_genetically_linked-122006

7. Self-Advocacy

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/self.advocacy.htm

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 11/8/13

Tis a Gift