Saturday, February 15, 2014
MzTeachuh: Next Week's Lesson Plans Tweets of the Day 2/15/14...
MzTeachuh: Next Week's Lesson Plans Tweets of the Day 2/15/14...: Oh, man, time to do lesson plans again already? This link may help you develop plans for current events. This link is great for le...
Next Week's Lesson Plans Tweets of the Day 2/15/14
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| Oh, man, time to do lesson plans again already? |
This link may help you develop plans for current events.
This link is great for lessons in the next couple weeks of Black History Month. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/impact-of-black-scientists-inventors-ainissa-ramirez
These links are good to bring depth to your lesson plans:
Teaching Empathy: Turning a Lesson Plan into a Life Skill
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/empathy-lesson-plan-life-skill-joe-hirsch
Lesson Plans and Resources for Arts Integration
http://www.edutopia.org/stw-arts-integration-resources-lesson-plans Planning Lessons
https://www.teachingchannel.org/questions/planning-lessons
These links will help you schedule fun and physical activity.
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| Saw the cutest square dancing lesson for Grades 1 and 2 this week. |
Swing Your Partner: The Basics of Square Dancing
Explore the art of square dancing and the role it played in American history
Engaging Classroom Games for All Grades
These links will help you keep organized (and sane):
Make Time to Teach:Ten Tools For Reducing Paperwork
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=streamlining+paperwork+teaching&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35
Five Keys to Successful Parent-Teacher Communication
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| http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/11/teaching-is-writing-your-lesson-plans.html |
MzTeachuh: Where I Get My Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day ...
MzTeachuh: Where I Get My Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day ...: 1. http://www.edudemic.com/ 2. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning http://www.educatorstechnology.com/ 3. ...
Where I Get My Special Needs Tweets of the Day 2/15/14
Special Needs Digest
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| 3. http://www.ncld.org/ |
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| 4. http://www.autismspeaks.org/ |
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| 5. http://www.wrightslaw.com/ |
Special Education & IEP Advisor
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| 7. http://www.snagglebox.com/ |
MzTeachuh: Where I Get My Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day ...
MzTeachuh: Where I Get My Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day ...: 1. http://www.edudemic.com/ 2. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning http://www.educatorstechnology.com/ 3. ...
Where I Get My Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 2/15/14
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| 1. http://www.edudemic.com/ |
2. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/
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| 3. http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ |
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| 5. http://higherinnovation.net/ | |
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| Wokka, My Paperless Classroom http://www.mypaperlessclassroom.com/ |
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| 7. Ed Tech Review http://edtechreview.in/ |
MzTeachuh: Writing Prompts to Sooth Kids' Toxic Stress Tweets...
MzTeachuh: Writing Prompts to Sooth Kids' Toxic Stress Tweets...: We've heard of talk-therapy. In a class, writing can serve as an emotional release for students. Having a voice, using it in a confide...
Writing Prompts to Sooth Kids' Toxic Stress Tweets of the Day 2/15/14
We've heard of talk-therapy. In a class, writing can serve as an
emotional release for students. Having a voice, using it in a
confidential framework--a personal release of events and circumstances
that a kid may really need. That is a gift from a teacher.
Research indicates children need practice expressing their feelings, identifying what is an appropriate response, and who is their support system. Writing assignments can really help.
1. Should Social and Emotional Curriculum be Part of the Curriculum?
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/08/22/should-social-emotional-learning-be-part-of-academic-curriculum/
As a middle school teacher, I would ask the students to follow the
pattern of a five paragraph essay (with appropriate preparation and
explanation.) Each of these prompts includes a 'three' for the internal
paragraphs. Yes, I'm practical enough to want to prepare them for the
California State Writing Examination for Grade 7 in March.
Writing, however, can function as an outlet for a student's deep feelings.
Here is my Number One All Time Favorite Writing Prompt; it works especially well at the beginning of school. The students are given a promise of confidentiality.
"Three Things I Want You To Know About Me."
Students can describe sports' preferences, music, family life. With seventh graders, I found they would frequently write about very serious things, too, that their dad was in prison, or how their mom had been diagnosed with cancer but is okay now. Kids can be eloquent, if someone just asks them something important. As a teacher I got to know the students very quickly, and I don't just mean that they couldn't spell or punctuate. It felt good for them to write about something important, something they chose to tell Teacher about.
Although it is not just kids suffering in poverty that need a release
through writing, here is more research on the importance of giving
students access to expressing their personal thoughts as a release to
toxic stress, and the tools to deal with emotions.
2. Student Achievement, Poverty and “Toxic Stress”
http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2012/01/04/student-achievement-poverty-and-toxic-stress/
Let's not be always so serious all the time. Life for kids now is pretty stressful in general. So here is a topic that can generate fun, friendship and comradery. If you wish, the students can create powerpoints. One year I did a powerpoint of my own, the students thought it was pretty funny.
"Three Of The Coolest Things I've Ever Seen."
Its amazing. Some of my students have seen the pyramids in Mexico City.
They can describe, in detail to make Howard Cosell jealous, a header in a
soccer game that scored the winning goal. A homerun completely
unexpected. A teacher can also learn a lot about music from essays like
this. The students want to share these essays, so I set up groups for
them to discuss; we have a good time, showing respect for other's
opinions is our number one goal. (Always Dodgers and Angels fans
describing a homerun or great catch. Lots of debates between these two
groups as to who is best.)
Here's a link with so many other ideas for fun in class.
4. Classroom Fun
http://www.info.com/classroom%20fun?cb=27&cmp=4315&gclid=CN3gq6-nva8CFSkaQgodrworvw
Middle school kids have a very basic sense of humor, so teachers had better be ready for this one. Actually, age doesn't really mature a sense of humor in most people. So I just tell the kids to keep it 'G' rated, and try to minimize the bathroom humor with this topic.
"The Three Times I Laughed The Hardest"
There's lots of falling, farting, and SNL skits with these essays, but
sometimes a kid's just got to be silly, and laugh awhile. Everybody
does. That will sooth toxic stress for a bit.
Here's a link for help with explaining the technicalities of writing.
Oh, the Three Coolest Things I've Seen?
Research indicates children need practice expressing their feelings, identifying what is an appropriate response, and who is their support system. Writing assignments can really help.
1. Should Social and Emotional Curriculum be Part of the Curriculum?
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/08/22/should-social-emotional-learning-be-part-of-academic-curriculum/
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| Writing is a powerful outlet. |
Writing, however, can function as an outlet for a student's deep feelings.
Here is my Number One All Time Favorite Writing Prompt; it works especially well at the beginning of school. The students are given a promise of confidentiality.
"Three Things I Want You To Know About Me."
Students can describe sports' preferences, music, family life. With seventh graders, I found they would frequently write about very serious things, too, that their dad was in prison, or how their mom had been diagnosed with cancer but is okay now. Kids can be eloquent, if someone just asks them something important. As a teacher I got to know the students very quickly, and I don't just mean that they couldn't spell or punctuate. It felt good for them to write about something important, something they chose to tell Teacher about.
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| Kids can be eloquent if allowed. |
2. Student Achievement, Poverty and “Toxic Stress”
http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2012/01/04/student-achievement-poverty-and-toxic-stress/
3. What Do Education Policymakers Do About “Toxic Stress”?
http://educationnext.org/what-do-education-policymakers-do-about-toxic-stress/
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| Angels' fan in the midst of Dodgers' fans. |
Let's not be always so serious all the time. Life for kids now is pretty stressful in general. So here is a topic that can generate fun, friendship and comradery. If you wish, the students can create powerpoints. One year I did a powerpoint of my own, the students thought it was pretty funny.
"Three Of The Coolest Things I've Ever Seen."
 |
| The Chivas forever. |
Here's a link with so many other ideas for fun in class.
4. Classroom Fun
http://www.info.com/classroom%20fun?cb=27&cmp=4315&gclid=CN3gq6-nva8CFSkaQgodrworvw
Middle school kids have a very basic sense of humor, so teachers had better be ready for this one. Actually, age doesn't really mature a sense of humor in most people. So I just tell the kids to keep it 'G' rated, and try to minimize the bathroom humor with this topic.
"The Three Times I Laughed The Hardest"
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| I laughed so hard... |
Here's a link for help with explaining the technicalities of writing.
5. What Works in Writing Instruction
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2013/10/30/fp_laud.html
The anecdotes the kids can come up with!
Here are more resources on the topic of Social and Emotional Learning:
6. How to Integrate Social/Emotional Learning Into Common Core
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicki-zakrzewski-phd/how-to-integrate-socialem_b_4777457.html
7. Social and Emotional Learning
http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning
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| Joe |
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| Can't Touch That |
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| So cool. |
MzTeachuh: The Snow Is Dancing
MzTeachuh: The Snow Is Dancing: Snow near Honfleur Monet Hope not too much. Claude Debussy - The Snow is Dancing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dobF8wJ...
Friday, February 14, 2014
MzTeachuh: STEM Valentines
MzTeachuh: STEM Valentines: I judge not; I am a nerd, too, and I think Nikola Tesla is flirting with me.
MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/14/14
MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/14/14: 1. Special Needs Tweets of the Day 2/10/14 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/special-needs-tweets-of-day-21014.html 2. Awww ...
MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/14/14
1. Special Needs Tweets of the Day 2/10/14
1. Special Needs Tweets of the Day 2/10/14 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/special-needs-tweets-of-day-21014.html
2. Awww Garsh--Love Songs for Valentine's Day #23
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/awww-garsh-love-songs-for-valentines_11.html?spref=bl
3. Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 2/10/14
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| Jon and band |
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-21014.html
4. Best Articles for Educators Week of 2/9/14
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/best-articles-for-educators-week-of-2914.html
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/ed-tech-and-stem-tweets-of-day-21114.html?spref=bl
Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for Valentine's Day
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/cheesy-jokes-and-serious-thoughts-for.html
7. I've Got To Admit We're Getting Smarter Tweets of the Day 2/12/14
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/02/ive-got-to-admit-were-getting-smarter.html?spref=bl
Thanks to our international audience: USA, Canada, Russia, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Ukraine, Brazil, Japan.
MzTeachuh: Getting Connected--Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the ...
MzTeachuh: Getting Connected--Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the ...: Teachers can find professional networking online. Educational sites afford convenience, privacy, and expertise in a variety of educa...
Getting Connected--Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 2/14/14
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.
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| 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.
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| https://www.teachingchannel.org/ |
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| http://www.ncld.org/ |
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| 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.
MzTeachuh: Do Behavior Support Plans Work? Special Needs Twee...
MzTeachuh: Do Behavior Support Plans Work? Special Needs Twee...: This is a pretty way to picture it. I don't know how many BSPs I have written, probably an average of five a year for ...
Do Behavior Support Plans Work? Special Needs Tweets of the Day 2/14/14
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| This is a pretty way to picture it. |
1. My experience in Special Education included directing a Non-Public School (that's a separate facility for kids with extreme behavior problems due to behavior dysfunctions or emotional disturbance who have been expelled from their home public school.) At the small school I directed, we had students who had been expelled from the larger non-public schools. It follows that the Behavior Support Plans added to the IEPs (Individualized Educational Programs) for these students were written with input from medical doctors, educational psychologists, counselors, and frequently psychiatrists as well as District personnel and myself as the case carrier.
These were precision directives, much like a medical prescription or a protocol for physical therapy. There was nothing haphazard about this. With a carefully administrated system of positive reinforcement, interesting curriculum, and above all, parent buy-in, we saw progress. This was the elite level of teaching. Only the few, the proud and the thoroughly trained can maintain.
2. Behavior Support Plans are also written for students in other areas of Special Education. Many students on a public school are classified as Moderately Handicapped, and mostly learn in one classroom separate from general education. The handicaps are not the same, and could include OHI (Other Health Impaired), autistic, SLD (Specific Learning Disability) or a variety of disabilities identified as Moderate by special testing done by the District psychologist. In our state, for many years this was called Special Day Class requiring more specialized instruction for the students to succeed. There are separate Special Day Classes for Emotional Disturbed students because the regimen required is differently structured than other classes. The BSPs for these students are similar to the ones in a non-public school, addressing specific behaviors that can be modified by positive intervention.
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| Finger pointing is not considered a positive support. |
3. A student identified as Mildly Handicapped may also need a BSP. Students in this category may have only one class taught by a Special Education teacher, mainstreaming the remainder of the day. If a student exhibits behavior that merits certain discipline interventions from administration, then the Special Education teacher schedules an addendum IEP meeting, prepares a BSP to support the student to begin showing positive improvement. The whole IEP team includes the student, the parents, all teachers, administration and District Psychologist. This is the team that will help the student replace the inappropriate behavior with appropriate behavior. Again, the BSP is only as effective as the adults administering it. And this is a challenge.
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| IEP meetings are really, really important. |
If you are reading this, you are an educator, a parent, or a concerned friend. Maybe you're the student. If you have a concern, check with a professional more trained than yourself to answer questions about your child or student's behavior.
I would also check out (and this advice is for teachers, too) to see how organized the school site is--are the rules consistent? Is the work appropriate for your child's developmental stage? (For example, is there recess? Does your child or class have creative opportunities? Are bullies under control? Is there enough supervision?) Teachers and administrators need to constantly self-evaluate the soundness of a school's program--the entire school. When kids' needs are met, there is less disruptive behavior.
But sometimes there are other forces in a child's experience. That's when a parent or teacher checks out what a psychologist or doctor has to say.
Here are some resources on the topic of Behavior Support Plans.
| 1. Behavior Support Plans |
| What is a Behavior Support Plan (BSP)? http://www.pent.ca.gov/beh/bsp/bsp.htm |
2. Behavior Assessment, Plans, and Positive Supports
http://nichcy.org/schoolage/behavior/behavassess
3. What to Do When Challenging Behavior Persists
http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/challenging_behavior5.html
4. Write Your Own Behavior Plan
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialeducation/qt/behaviorplan.htm
This last link is for teachers. Don't forget to check with families, other teachers, administration, and/or a Special Education teacher if a student it giving you a tough time. Maybe you don't know the whole story!
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| Here's another platitude that may also help: This, too, shall pass. |
5. Keep Your Cool: Tips for Handling Difficult Students
http://busyteacher.org/6064-keep-your-cool-tips-handling-difficult-students.html
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