Saturday, December 7, 2013

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/7/13

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/7/13: Therapeutic Holiday Gift Guide – Great Gift Ideas for 7 “Isms” Read more at http://special-ism.com/holiday-gift-guide-for-special-needs-ki...

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/7/13

Therapeutic Holiday Gift Guide – Great Gift Ideas for 7 “Isms”
Read more at http://special-ism.com/holiday-gift-guide-for-special-needs-kids-great-gift-ideas-for-7-isms/#jSxUfKt7U8c29CC6.9

Therapeutic Holiday Gift Guide – Great Gift Ideas for 7 “Isms”
Read more at http://special-ism.com/holiday-gift-guide-for-special-needs-kids-great-gift-ideas-for-7-isms/#jSxUfKt7U8c29CC6.99

1. 5 Tips for an Autistic Child to Get a Better Night's Sleep

5-tips-autistic-child-get-better-nights-sleep

2. So You’re Thinking About Complementary and Alternative Therapies?

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/treatments-therapies/cure-ld-therapy-research-complementary-alternative-therapies?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=social_controversial_therapies

3. 99 Questions About Autism

http://www.snagglebox.com/2013/11/99-questions-about-autism.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Snagglebox+%28snagglebox%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

4. Gifts for the 7 'isms'

http://special-ism.com/holiday-gift-guide-for-special-needs-kids-great-gift-ideas-for-7-isms/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Special-ism+%28Special-ism%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

5. Apps for Dyslexics and Struggling Readers

http://momsofdyslexics.blogspot.com/p/apps-for-dyslexics-struggling-and.html

6. Typical Behavior Problems at Formal Events—and How to Prevent Them

http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/social-emotional-skills/how-to-prevent-typical-behavior-problems-formal-events?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=social_for_parents

7. Due Process Hearings

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/dp.index.htm

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/7/13

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/7/13: 1. How To Use Augmented Reality In Education http://www.edudemic.com/guide-to-augmented-reality/ The Week In Review - The Most Po...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/7/13

1. How To Use Augmented Reality In Education

http://www.edudemic.com/guide-to-augmented-reality/
The Week In Review - The Most Popular Posts

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/12/theutm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo#.UqM_0vTZhfs

2. Speaking in tongues? Voice translator

http://www.tmadeeasy.com/home/2013/12/2/speaking-in-tongues-voice-translator.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tmadeeasy%2FYfHE+%28Technology+Made+Easy+in+Education%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

3. 12 tips for creating a facebook page for your class

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/12/12-tips-to-help-you-create-facebook.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+educatorstechnology%2FpDkK+%28Educational+Technology+and+Mobile+Learning%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

4. Do You Blog About Math?

http://letsplaymath.net/2013/12/03/do-you-blog-about-math-7/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LetsPlayMath+%28Let%27s+play+math%21%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

5. Google Glass: Making Learning Visible with Wearable Technology

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/google-glass-learning-visible-technology-classroom-stacey-goodman

6. Should Schools Teach Social Media Skills?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/12/should-schools-teach-social-media-skills/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

7. A Technique for Self-Reflection: Video Recording

http://www.teachhub.com/technique-self-reflection-video-recording

MzTeachuh: Get Those Kids Thinking! Tweets of the Day 12/7/13...

MzTeachuh: Get Those Kids Thinking! Tweets of the Day 12/7/13...: 1. Common Core academic standards force teachers to work on critical thinking over memorization http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/02/co...

MzTeachuh: Silent Night in Irish

MzTeachuh: Silent Night in Irish: Silent Night by Yoshiko Mishino Enya Silent Night (in Irish) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTfL6_eiWo Oíche Chiún [Si...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Communicating With Parents

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Communicating With Parents: 1. Tips for Parents: Parent Teacher Conferences http://www.thelearningcommunity.us/resources-by-format/tips-for-parents/parent-teache...

Teaching Is Communicating With Parents

1. Tips for Parents: Parent Teacher Conferences

http://www.thelearningcommunity.us/resources-by-format/tips-for-parents/parent-teacher-conferences.aspx

2. Parent-Teacher Conference Tip Sheets for Principals, Teachers, and Parents

http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/parent-teacher-conference-tip-sheets-for-principals-teachers-and-parents

3. 10 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference

http://school.familyeducation.com/slideshow/parents-and-school/38585.html

4. Parent-Teacher Conference: Tips for Parents

http://habee.hubpages.com/hub/Parent-Teacher-Conference-Tips-for-Parents

5. 12 Questions to Ask at Your Parent-Teacher Conference

http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting-your-kids/parenting-kids/learning-and-school/elementary-school-parents/parent_teacher_conference.html

6. Top Ten Questions to Ask at an IEP

http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/top-ten-questions-to-ask-at-an-iep/

7. The Best IEP Questions to Ask

http://seemyiep.com/the-best-iep-questions-to-ask/

Great smile, teacher: warm, sincere, and look at all that info for the student.

Silent Night in Irish

Silent Night by Yoshiko Mishino

Enya Silent Night (in Irish)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTfL6_eiWo

Oíche Chiún [Silent Night]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Cách 'na suan dís araon, [Soundly in slumber, the pair together]
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis [The pair and love, watching with affection]
Naoín beag gnaoigheal [The small bright beautiful child,]
ceananntais caomh [darling little one.]

Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Aoirí ar dtús chuala 'n scéal; [Shepherds first heard the tale]
Allelúia aingeal ag glaoch. [The angels crying out Alleluia.]
Cantain suairc i ngar is i gcéin [Lovely chanting near and far.]

Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin [Christ, the saviour himself.]
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin [Christ, the saviour himself.]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Cách 'na suan dís araon, [Soundly in slumber, the pair together]
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis [The pair and love, watching with affection]
Naoín beag gnaoigheal [The small bright beautiful child,]
ceananntais caomh [darling little one.]

Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]

Get Those Kids Thinking! Tweets of the Day 12/7/13

1. Common Core academic standards force teachers to work on critical thinking over memorization

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/02/common-core-academic-standards-force-teachers-to-work-on-critical-thinking-over/

2. Watch These Little Girls In Afghanistan Be Better At Skateboarding Than You'll Ever Be

http://www.upworthy.com/watch-these-little-girls-in-afghanistan-be-better-at-skateboarding-than-youll-ever-be-2

3. Sparking Civic Engagement by Building in Public Spaces

http://www.edutopia.org/is-school-enough-community-civic-engagement-video?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=question-video-of-week-public-spaces

4. In a Digital Age, Print Books Find Favor With Young People

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2013/12/in_a_digital_age_print_books_find_favor_with_young_people.html

5. Age of Distraction: Why It’s Crucial for Students to Learn to Focus

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/12/age-of-distraction-why-its-crucial-for-students-to-learn-to-focus/

6. Common Core in Action: Writing for an Audience

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/common-core-in-action-writing-for-audience-rebecca-alber?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-writing-6-examples-repost-dec

7. Teens Who Feel Supported At Home And School Sleep Better

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/12/05/248885401/teens-who-feel-supported-at-home-and-school-sleep-better?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Friday, December 6, 2013

MzTeachuh: Forecast for Dec. 12, 2013: Smaugy

MzTeachuh: Forecast for Dec. 12, 2013: Smaugy: That's one big lizard... Early Reviews: ‘Desolation of Smaug’ a Vast Improvement Over First ‘Hobbit’ http://movies.yahoo.com/blog...

Forecast for Dec. 12, 2013: Smaugy

That's one big lizard...

Early Reviews: ‘Desolation of Smaug’ a Vast Improvement Over First ‘Hobbit’

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/critics-des

olation-smaug-vast-improvement-over-first-hobbit-212500723.html

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Trailer 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGjmAQdQ8uY

Fly the friendly skies of Smaug! Air New Zealand.

MzTeachuh: You're Still A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

MzTeachuh: You're Still A Mean One, Mr. Grinch: The little dog reminds me of my chihuahua. Dr. Seuss' poetry is renowned--but here his talent as lyricist also excels. I thin...

You're Still A Mean One, Mr. Grinch


The little dog reminds me of my chihuahua.

Dr. Seuss' poetry is renowned--but here his talent as lyricist also excels. I think Charles Dickens, who created Scrooge one hundred and twenty years prior, would have howled with laughter at these lyrics.

You're a mean one Mr Grinch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQgSvN7hYo

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.

I wouldn't touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crockodile.

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you, are as follows, and I quote:
Stink, stank, stunk!

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
You're the king of sinful sots.
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grinch.

Your soul is an apalling dump heap overflowing
with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
rubbish imaginable,
Mangled up in tangled up knots.

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
With a nauseaus super-naus.
You're a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked hoss.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a three decker saurkraut and toadstool sandwich
With arsenic sauce!

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/6/13

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/6/13: 1. A Charlie Brown Christmas: the Music http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-charlie-brown-christmas-music.html 2. Music for ...

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/6/13

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/6/13: Flow by Karen Lean Boyd 1. For Sale: Fine Art by Adults with Asperger's Syndrome http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2013/12/for-s...

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/6/13

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/6/13: 1. The Biggest Myths (And Realities) Of Online Learning http://www.edudemic.com/online-learning-myths/?utm_content=bufferdede7&utm_...

MzTeachuh: Run, Run Rudolph!

MzTeachuh: Run, Run Rudolph!: Tell Santa he can take the freeway down. " Run, Run Rudolph" Chuck Berry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1...

Run, Run Rudolph!

Tell Santa he can take the freeway down.

" Run, Run Rudolph" Chuck Berry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1n3XGViOM

Sing along!

Out of all the reindeers you know you're the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph ain't too far behind
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reeling like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for? "All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar? And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town, come on
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a girl child "What would please you most to get?"A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, and wet And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reeling like a merry-go-round

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/6/13

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas: the Music

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-charlie-brown-christmas-music.html

2. Music for the Soundtrack of Your Classroom: the Winter Holidays

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/music-for-soundtrack-of-your-classroom.html

3. Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/4/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/ed-tech-and-stem-tweets-of-day-12413.html

4. Bet Da Vinci Knew What She Was Thinking

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/11/bet-da-vinci-knew-what-she-was-thinking.html

5. Ten Books for the Holiday Season by Reading Rockets

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/ten-books-for-holiday-season-by-reading.html

6. A Soalin'

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-soalin.html

7. Know Thy Student Tweets of the Day 12/4/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/know-thy-student-tweets-of-day-12413.html

8. Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/civil-war-era-christmas-carol-true-story.html

9. Arts Integration Tweets of the Day 12/5/13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/arts-integration-tweets-of-day-12513.html

Thanks to our international community, it is a privilege to serve you. USA, Russia, Canada, Germany, France, UK, China, Bulgaria, Brazil, Spain.

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/6/13

1. The Biggest Myths (And Realities) Of Online Learning

http://www.edudemic.com/online-learning-myths/?utm_content=bufferdede7&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

2. The Best Education Blogs For 2014: One List

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/best-education-blogs-2014-one-list/

3. Microsoft Produces a Winner in Tablets

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/technology/personaltech/two-winning-tablets-and-from-microsoft-no-less.html?ref=personaltechemail&nl=technology&emc=edit_ct_20131205&_r=1&

4. Make Winter Your Top Birding Season

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2014/Winter-Birding.aspx

5. EdTech Start-ups and the Curse of the Familar

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2013/11/edtech_start-ups_and_the_curse_of_the_familar.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-TW

6. This is Why Kids Need to Learn to Code

http://dmlcentral.net/blog/doug-belshaw/why-kids-need-learn-code

7. It’s More Expensive To NOT Educate A Child

http://www.edudemic.com/educate-a-child/

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/6/13


Flow by Karen Lean Boyd

1. For Sale: Fine Art by Adults with Asperger's Syndrome

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2013/12/for-sale-fine-art-by-adults-with.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

2. 3 Strategies to Promote Independent Thinking in Classrooms

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/3-strategies-promote-independent-thinking-margaret-regan

3. What is developmentally appropriate in learning?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/11/14/what-is-developmentally-appropriate-in-learning/

4. News Roundup: Parents Taking Action for Kids With LD

http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/news-roundup-parent-advocacy?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=social_in_the_news

5. Teaching Reading to Teens with Learning Disabilities

http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/ld-education-teachers/teaching-reading-teens-with-learning-disabilities?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=social_teens

6. Determining if your ADHD/LD child needs an IEP or a 504 Plan and how to go about getting it.

http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/10556.html

7. Western researchers explore links between learning disorders in children

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/269096.php

Thursday, December 5, 2013

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Nelson Mandela

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela, Inspiration To World, Dies At 95 http://www.npr.org/2011/05/23/136590582/nelson-mandela-inspiration-to-world-dies-a...

Teachable Moment: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, Inspiration To World, Dies At 95

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/23/136590582/nelson-mandela-inspiration-to-world-dies-at- 95?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Nelson Mandela, South African Icon of Peaceful Resistance, Dies

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/06/world/africa/nelson-mandela.html?_r=0

Nelson Mandela is dead at 95

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/5/5179686/nelson-mandela-is-dead-at-95

Obama mourns death of icon Nelson Mandel

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-mourns-death-icon-nelson-mandela-223233884--politics.html

Nelson Mandela biography

http://www.biography.com/people/nelson-mandela-9397017

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

http://en.wikipedia.org

/wiki/Mandela:_Long_Walk_to_Freedom

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) Official Trailer (HD) Idris Elba, N

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmm-aazQQKA

MzTeachuh: Arts Integration Tweets of the Day 12/5/13

MzTeachuh: Arts Integration Tweets of the Day 12/5/13: 1. Arts Integration: Resource Roundup http://www.edutopia.org/arts-integration-resources?spMailingID=7513621&spUserID=NjQwOT...

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/5/13

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/5/13: Tess Thomas, Johns Hopkins '14 1. Learning From My Learning Disorder http://krieger.jhu.edu/magazine/2013/11/learning-from-my-l...

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/5/13

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/5/13: 1. Top Ed-Tech Trends of 2013: Coding and "Making" http://hackeducation.com/2013/12/04/top-ed-tech-trends-2013-coding-program...

MzTeachuh: Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story

MzTeachuh: Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story: A Mournful Christmas Eve 1863--Thomas Nast The lyrics to the Christmas Carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' were wr...

MzTeachuh: ePLNs for Teachers –Getting Connected

MzTeachuh: ePLNs for Teachers –Getting Connected: Teachers can find professional networking online. Educational sites afford convenience, privacy, and expertise in a variety of edu...

ePLNs for Teachers –Getting Connected

Teachers can find professional networking online. Educational sites afford convenience, privacy, and expertise in a variety of educational areas. There are also interactive activities for teachers joining an online community. Here are a few advantages to connecting online:

· Current educational topics discussed by experts and educators in a timely, thorough manner. For example, the latest input on educational technology use in the class, special education innovations, and school-wide interventions such as social and emotional interventions are hot topics currently inspiring teachers in their professional pursuits.

· Convenience and privacy comes with networking online. Professional development is generally limited to scheduled on-campus staff or team meetings, conferences, or District trainings. A teacher may have a question or comment on a topic with no opportunity during these gatherings, or the teacher feels the question or comment is too basic or too sophisticated for the discussion. Educational sites can provide a responsive venue through articles, group discussions, webcasts, videos or a search by a teacher using key words at the teacher’s convenience.

· Opportunities to investigate new teaching areas and/or extend teaching expertise abound through sites that are specific to educational technology, special education, or improved teaching methods. A teacher may want more information about learning disabilities, for personal or professional reasons, and find helpful information and professionals online. Maybe a video demonstrating a specific lesson would be very helpful. There is an abundance of sites to enhance a teacher’s knowledge and methods.

Here are well-established educational sites excellent for teacher connections.

http://www.edutopia.org/

Edutopia This is an attractive, vast website that is has numerous educational topics: experts and educators writing articles, groups to join, videos, classroom guides. Edutopia is a great support for teachers.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/

The Teaching Channel provides specific video demonstrations in K-12 classrooms and lesson plan points on basic curriculum areas, as well as information on implementing the Common Core. There are also articles and blogs. The Teaching Channel provides a ‘Teaching Team’ feature for professional development.

http://www.ncld.org/

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) This site offers connections for parents and teachers in the complex, challenging area of Special Education. There is a diversity of articles that are thorough, clear, and understandable for those not trained in Special Education. The site offers ebooks, podcasts, videos and current news about the IEP process, IDEA, funding, and interventions. NCLD is a tremendous asset for teachers and parents.

http://www.edudemic.com/

Edudemic is a clear, concise, and thorough guide to educational technology, blended and flipped learning, and educational innovation using technology. There are many guidelines on a wide variety of topics that a teacher may not even have enough background in ed tech to ask about. For a teacher wishing to deepen knowledge of ed tech, or a beginner hoping to catch up--Edudemic is very effective.

Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story

A Mournful Christmas Eve 1863--Thomas Nast

The lyrics to the Christmas Carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas 1863. It is more of a mental struggle to continue on than a carol. His circumstances were difficult. His oldest son, Charles aged seventeen, had run off to join the Union Army, and although the family strongly supported the abolitionist cause, the thought his boy in the midst of the chaos and danger created a very melancholy and philosophical poem. His second wife had died in an accident three years before; his first wife in childbirth.

So the imminent prospect of his son entering the gruesome War was not the only stressor oppressing the poet's thoughts. The poem reveals his inner struggle. Longfellow fully realizes the tragic powers at work in his life. But, as with his other poems, despite the darkness, he finds the glow of hope. This poem reaches out to all of us suffering loss and worry for our loved ones, whatever war may be threatening them.

Charley was seriously wounded, but lived to become an excellent soldier.

Ed Herrman with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Longfellow's Christmas