MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box #9

MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box #9: These letters are absolutely fictional (to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.) But, with the hint of truth, maybe we can make som...

Principal's Suggestion Box #9

These letters are absolutely fictional (to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.) But, with the hint of truth, maybe we can make some adjustments. Principals have the best chance to do that.

Dear Principal,

Just thought I'd give you a progress report, and let you know I am so excited about the new schoolyear. The plans for teacher collaboration seem to be a reasonable amount of time, and very creative that some of the teams are based on areas of interest rather than only grade levels or teaching areas. Already, Mr. -- and Ms.-- and I have been emailing this summer for plans on the school garden. Mr.-- is so helpful, knows vegetables, and excited to be included on a GenEd team. He says his Special Ed. class will be very enthusiastic gardeners! Ms.-- is a Master Gardener in the community and is keeping us so organized. Mr.-- isn't on our team, but hopes to bring out his English class to the garden to sit write from time to time. Mrs. -- from the cafeteria staff. says she can use the veggies, and let the kids know what recipes they are going into. I've been able to get donations from Home Depot and Lowe's for equipment and supplies. Of course, I am also preparing for my incoming 9th grade math kids--I feel more invigorated with the garden being in the mix. So much math in gardening--even if we don't spent an inordinate amount of time there, the kids will love it. And we get to be outside once in awhile.

Thanks again for your innovation.

Teacher Enjoying A Break in the Monotony

School Garden Checklist

http://www.letsmove.gov/school-garden-checklist 

The Benefits of a School Garden

http://www.myhealthyschool.com/gardens/benefits.php 

Nature Deficit Disorder

http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/ 

My suggestion: Principals, be flexible. Most of the staff time is preordained. No choice, really a huge, highly stressful sequence of tasks. Every day. If staff members have an idea that may relieve the monotony or tenseness--let them give it a shot. Poetry Reading Festival? Vincent van Gogh Chalk drawing on the quad? Sing Alongs at lunch? Learn a New Soccer (or Dance) Move before school? Prepare and give speeches at assemblies?A garden? Why not, if it isn't too expensive, it's safely administered, and sounds like a bit of fun. Let the staff and kids blow off a little steam. But the garden would be awesome.

 

Mr. Kashiwagi's garden at Jehue Middle School.

MzTeachuh: Summer Bump Not Slump: MzTeachuh's Top 20 Movies T...

MzTeachuh: Summer Bump Not Slump: MzTeachuh's Top 20 Movies T...: You've got the time, you've got the audience. So share some of your favorite movies with your kids. It's almost, almost, like ...

Summer Bump Not Slump: MzTeachuh's Top 20 Movies To Watch

You've got the time, you've got the audience. So share some of your favorite movies with your kids. It's almost, almost, like an important reading list. But films that were central to our growing up and our cultural experience are worth sharing. And making a special occasion creates a lasting bond as the older generation shares experiences and preferences from your own life with your kids. Some of these films may be famous, but that doesn't mean your 14 year old ever heard of it. Let them know why you chose this film, what it represented to your generation at the time, why you want to watch it with them. Be conscious of appropriate ratings for your audience.

 Here are some of my favorites, that I also think are important to view for a cultural background. I watch a lot of television and movies (documentaries, too.)
Hurrah for Hulu and Netflix!
Set a time to watch when it is really too hot to go outside, or you are replacing Xbox time.
 In no particular order, here is MzTeachuh's Top Twenty Movies to Watch:

Forrest Gump (1994) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/

Lincoln (2012) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/

Men in Black (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/ 

Frankenstein (1931)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021884/ 

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058182/ 

Sophie's Choice (1982) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084707/  All in the Indiana Jone series, but especially  Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/

All in the series, but especially The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/ 

All Mel Brooks' films, but especially  The Producers (1967) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063462/ 

A Patch of Blue (1965)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059573/ 

Gravity (2013)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/ 

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/ 

Schindler's List (1993) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/ 

Glory (1989)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/ 

All Episodes--but definitely Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ 

The Sound of Music (1965) - IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ 

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/ 

My Left Foot (1989)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097937/  

Gone with the Wind (1939) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/

  Here are a couple lists from experts:

The 55 Essential Movies Kids Must Experience (Before They Turn 13)

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13/ 

Top 100 Kids & Family Movies

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_kids__family_movies/?category=11

 

 

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/28/14

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/28/14: Find Your Digital Space http://www.edutopia.org//blog/find-your-digital-space-andrew-marcinek?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed...

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/28/14

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/28/14: Is "Sensory Processing Disorder" a Real Medical Condition? http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118319/sensory-processing-disor...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/28/14

Find Your Digital Space

http://www.edutopia.org//blog/find-your-digital-space-andrew-marcinek?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&

utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29 

3 Digital Reading Challenges for Summer

http://www.edutopia.org//blog/digital-reading-challenges-for-summer-beth-holland?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29 

Games In The Classroom: What the Research Says

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/games-in-the-classroom-what-the-research-says/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Use Google Voice or Speak Pipe to Hear Students Proofreading Their Papers 

 http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/06/use-google-voice-or-speak-pipe-to-hear.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.U64_xLGmV5M

Chasing The Elusive 'Quality' In Online Education

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/06/27/323329818/chasing-the-elusive-quality-in-online-education?ft=1&f=1013 

4 apps for astronomy, grading, videos, and more

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/27/june-apps-roundup-873/ 

45 Powerful Tools To Create Polls And Quizzes In The Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/45-tools-create-quizzes-polls-classroom/ 

 

 

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/28/14

Is "Sensory Processing Disorder" a Real Medical Condition?

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118319/sensory-processing-disorders-myriad-symptoms-create-controversy 

Why Autism Risk Rises with Mom’s Age: Study May Shed Light

http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/why-autism-risk-rises-mom%E2%80%99s-age-study-may-shed-light 

Many Parents Of Kids With Autism Have Autistic Traits Too

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/27/many-parents-autistic-too/19483/ 

Higher Expectations to Better Outcomes for Children with Disabilities

 http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/06/higher-expectations-to-better-outcomes-for-children-with-disabilities/

Video: Experience A Little Bit Of What Someone With Autism Feels….

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/06/27/video-experience-a-little-bit-of-what-someone-with-autism-feels/ 

Sex-Abuse-Prevention Efforts Urged for Students With Disabilities

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/06/24/36abuse.h33.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EducationWeekSpecialEducation+%28Education+Week%3A+Special+Education%29 

Is it Auditory Attention or Auditory Distractability?

http://special-ism.com/auditory-attention-or-auditory-distractibility/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Special-ism+%28Special-ism%29

 

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Looking Out For The Kids Tweets of the Day 6/28/14...

MzTeachuh: Looking Out For The Kids Tweets of the Day 6/28/14...: Is Technology Widening Opportunity Gaps Between Rich And Poor Kids? http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/is-technology-widening-oppo...

Looking Out For The Kids Tweets of the Day 6/28/14

Is Technology Widening Opportunity Gaps Between Rich And Poor Kids?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/is-technology-widening-opportunity-gaps-between-rich-and-poor-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Sending Mixed Message: Do Parents Value Kids’ Achievement Over Empathy?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/sending-mixed-message-do-parents-value-kids-achievement-over-empathy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

The Best Kind Of Summer Slide: A Summer Bucket List

http://www.teachthought.com/interest/5-summer-activities-family-bonding/ 

Higher Expectations to Better Outcomes for Children with Disabilities

http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/06/higher-expectations-to-better-outcomes-for-children-with-disabilities/ 

What We Can All Learn from a No-Hitter

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/06/26/learn-from-a-no-hitter/ 

What We’re Watching: Arne Duncan on New Roles for Teachers

http://educationnext.org/watching-arne-duncan-new-roles-teachers/ 

What's Your Relationship with Your Textbook?

What’s Your Relationship with Your Textbook?

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/whats-relationship-textbook/ 

 

What’s Your Relationship with Your Textbook?

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: GenEd and SpecEd Communication

MzTeachuh: GenEd and SpecEd Communication: Collaborative Teaching: Bridging the Gap Between General and Special Education Instruction   http://questgarden.com/105/51/2/100712065245...

GenEd and SpecEd Communication

Collaborative Teaching: Bridging the Gap Between General and Special Education Instruction  http://questgarden.com/105/51/2/100712065245/process.htm

Communication during busy schools days is vital and tricky. As GenEd and SpecEd collaborate in a class, both experts are gleaning information from their specific perspectives. These two views can reap a bountiful harvest of success for all the students. The expertise combines, forming a living, thriving academic experience. 

GenEd Keeping records--so valuable! Every classroom teacher keeps attendance, grades, and discipline records, which are communicated to the office and to the parents. But when do the Special Education teachers become aware of this important information? The office and the teachers together need to formulate a system so the Special Education teacher, who is a prime liason to the parents, has timely information about the students. Discipline, in particular, needs to be communicated to the SecEd teacher immediately. Your records will be important input at IEP meetings when discussing current academic performance. Have a hard copy for the SpecEd teacher's file and the parents.

SpecEd Keeping records--so valuable! No matter the grade, there frequently are students that may have an unidentified learning disability, emotional disability, or physical ailment that a SpecEd teacher may help pinpoint. That could lead to the Special Education process, or the School Nurse. The expectation is for all students to succeed, and when there are bumps in the learning road, having other experts in the class can help smooth things out. 

When parents contact the teacher--whether GenEd or SpecEd--let the other teacher know what's up. Have each other's back. Be supportive of parents together. If it seems serious, include the administration or District level SpecEd staff in on it. The IEP team is called a team for a reason. We all play for the same side, our goal being success for the student.

Schedules--SpecEd needs to develop an efficient system of scheduling so all members of the IEP team have a heads up when the meetings will be. Special Education is very fluid, and this scheduling information can change quickly. Flexibility is the name of the game. But most SELPAs and Districts give a general list to each teacher, so there are initial expectations of annual and triennual IEPs. There can be addendums and behavior plans added any time. The communication to parents is formulated, but communication to teachers, other professionals involved with the student, and admin needs to be most likely more than one method. I suggest email as well as hard copy in schoolsite teacher/admin boxes, ponied to the district, or mailed to other support staff. Don't make them guess. If meetings are cancelled, the same process or a phone call. all of our time is so very valuable, it is important to be sensitive to that.

Be nice, be thoughtful. You don't have to be best friends to collaborate, but you do really need to be professional. Teaching is very demanding, and teaching Special Education in any scenario is somewhat more complicated. So, SpecEd teacher, remember that GenEd teacher's work just got a lot more complicated with your students on their classlist and you in their class collaborating. And GenEd teacher, understand the SpecEd teacher's job is very complex, and he/she now needs to handle you, too. Be courteous, the kids are glad to see that. Be flexible, it takes time to find a rhythm. Be honest. Take time to communicate what can be better, or just different. If you feel like a Grumpy Cat some days, tell each other, be a support. You're only human, even if you're being asked to perform as a Superhuman every day.

MzTeachuh: What GenEd and SpecEd Need to Know About Each Othe...

MzTeachuh: What GenEd and SpecEd Need to Know About Each Othe...: About Collaboration Among Regular & Special Education Teachers  http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/collaboration-among-regular-spec...

What GenEd and SpecEd Need to Know About Each Other

About Collaboration Among Regular & Special Education Teachers 

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/collaboration-among-regular-special-education-teachers-13906.html

With the new federal push to improve outcomes for Special Education students, GenEd will be asked to participate more fully in the development and execution of services for Special Education.

Behind the Headline: States’ Special Education Services Face Tighter Oversight by the Obama Administration

http://educationnext.org/behind-headline-states-special-education-services-face-tighter-oversight-obama-administration/ 

What do both GenEd and SpecEd need to know to create an efficient collaboration?

First, I suggest GenEd do a little homework on the Special Education system, and the types of needs they will most frequently encounter in their classrooms or at the school site.

What do General Education Teachers Need To Know About Special Education?

http://www.schoolpsychologistfiles.com/2008/11/what-do-general-education-teachers-need-to-know-about-special-education.html 

Types of Learning Disabilities

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities 

And, SpecEd needs do a little research, too, checking out their school sites participation in Common Core (or other standards adopted) in order to write copacetic goals and objectives into the IEP. The best goals and objectives are ones that are already being taught in the general instruction, with as little need for adaptation to service the student as possible. When students need assistance outside of class or the schoolday, what tutoring or help classes do the school offer? Find out the teachers' schedules, office hours, and style of teaching. Be sure to relate your schedule.

Resources for Writing IEPs Aligned to Common-Core Standards

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2013/12/resources_for_writing_ieps_ali.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OnSpecialEducation+(Education+Week+Blog%3A+On+Special+Education)

Sharing Your Google Calendar with Others

http://cis220fall13.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/sharing-your-google-calendar-with-others/

Collaborating on a daily basis, in the same room, requires a great deal of communication. You don't have to be best friends to collaborate, but you do need to be professional. There are several methods of collaboration in the classroom. Together GenEd and SpecEd teachers choose the best plan for the lesson.

Collaboration Between General and Special Education Teachers

https://www.teachervision.com/teaching-methods/resource/2941.html

Collaboration between General and Special Education Teachers. ERIC Digest.

http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED409317

Each teacher is a professional, highly qualified in an area of expertise. I would suggest SpecEd teachers only do direct instruction of a GenEd class if they hold credentials in that specific area, and GenEd teachers absorb information and advice from the SpecEd teacher on the Special Needs student's detailed program (as in the IEP) and input from the parents. The school experience of a Special Needs student is very fluid, possibly including health issues, emotional balance, and input from parents at least on a weekly basis. GenEd and SpecEd really need to communicate!

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/27/14

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/27/14: A Look at Recent Findings on Technology in the Classroom  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/drew-hendricks/technology-education_b_2867458.h...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/27/14

A Look at Recent Findings on Technology in the Classroom 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/drew-hendricks/technology-education_b_2867458.html?utm_hp_ref=education-technology 

Instead Of Getting Ready For The Tech Revolution, Schools Are Scaling Back

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/schools-scale-back-technology_n_5340711.html?utm_hp_ref=education-technology 

10 Ways To Use Mobile Devices in the Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/mobile-devices-in-the-classroom-2/ 

How Should Keyboarding Be Taught in Elementary School?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/schools-scale-back-technology_n_5340711.html?utm_hp_ref=education-technology 

How I Blended My Math Class

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/06/18/gp-arcos-math.html 

Why Book Trailers Are Great Alternatives to Traditional Book Reports

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ 

Core Practices for Ambitious Science Teaching

http://tools4teachingscience.org/ 

 

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/27/14

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/27/14: Autism Act Clears House http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/25/autism-act-clears-house/19472/   New Accountability Framework Ra...

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/27/14

Autism Act Clears House

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/25/autism-act-clears-house/19472/ 

New Accountability Framework Raises the Bar for State Special Education Programs

http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-accountability-framework-raises-bar-state-special-education-programs 

Sheltered Workshop Eligibility May Soon Be Limited

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/education/ 

Common-Assessment Groups Differ on Accommodations 

http://www.edweek.org/topics/specialeducation/ 

Court Affirms Reimbursement for Special Education 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/education/23special.html?_r=0 

 Ed Dept. Issues New Special Ed Rules

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/ed-dept-issues-special-ed-rules-24282044 

 

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 6/27/14

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 6/27/14: Best Articles for Educators 6/22/14   http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/best-articles-for-educators-62214.html Check Out Edudemic...

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 6/27/14

Best Articles for Educators 6/22/14  

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/best-articles-for-educators-62214.html

Check Out Edudemic Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 3/8/14 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/03/check-out-edudemic-ed-tech-and-stem.html

BYOD--Is It Fair and Equitable for the Poor Kids? 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/byod-is-it-fair-and-equitable-for-poor.html 

Big Special Education News Tweets of the Day 6/26/14physcial edcuation necessary

 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/big-special-education-news-tweets-of.html

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/25/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/ed-tech-and-stem-62614.html 

Ah, A New Teacher Tweets of the Day 6/24/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/ah-new-teacher-tweets-of-day-62414.html 

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/24/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/special-needs-tweets-of-day-62414.html 

Diverse Educational Topics Tweets of the Day 6/25/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/diverse-educational-topics-tweets-of.html 

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/24/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/06/ed-tech-and-stem-tweets-of-day-62414.html 

 

 Thank you to our internation audience. It is a privilege to serve you. USA, France, Germany, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Russia, UK, Turkey, India, Canada.

MzTeachuh: Improving Teacher to Teacher Communication

MzTeachuh: Improving Teacher to Teacher Communication: http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/teaching-is-collaborating-until-youre.html Tips for Effective Teacher to Teacher Communication ...

Improving Teacher to Teacher Communication

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/teaching-is-collaborating-until-youre.html

Tips for Effective Teacher to Teacher Communication

http://teaching.about.com/od/pd/a/Teacher-To-Teacher-Communication.htm 

The General Ed Teacher’s Guide to the Inclusive Classroom

http://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/inclusion/the-general-ed-teachers-guide-to-the-inclusive-classroom/ 

Making the Most Out of Teacher Collaboration

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-collaboration-strategies-ben-johnson 

The Benefits of Teacher Collaboration

http://www.districtadministration.com/article/benefits-teacher-collaboration

Communicating with colleagues and administrators

http://www.massteacher.org/teaching/newmembers/communications/communications_colleagues.aspx 

How Technology Is Changing How Teachers Communicate With Students

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/how-technology-is-changing-how-teachers-communicate-with-students/ 

The importance of communication between teachers, parents and students

http://www.hobsons.com/blog/blog-detail/the-importance-of-communication-between-teachers-parents-and-students 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Gen Ed/Special Ed Teamwork

MzTeachuh: Gen Ed/Special Ed Teamwork:   What do General Education Teachers Need To Know About Special Education? http://www.schoolpsychologistfiles.com/2008/11/what-do-gen...

Gen Ed/Special Ed Teamwork

Inclusive Classroom

 

What do General Education Teachers Need To Know About Special Education?

http://www.schoolpsychologistfiles.com/2008/11/what-do-general-education-teachers-need-to-know-about-special-education.html 

Types of Learning Disabilities

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities 

Welcome to SERGE

Special Education Resources for General Educators

http://serge.ccsso.org/ 

The General Ed Teacher’s Guide to the Inclusive Classroom 

 http://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/inclusion/the-general-ed-teachers-guide-to-the-inclusive-classroom/

Collaboration Between General and Special Education: Making it Work

http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=1097

Why Do I Have a Special Ed. Kid in My Class? 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/09/why-do-i-have-special-ed-kid-in-my-class.html 

IEP Meeting? Do I Have To Go? 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/03/iep-meeting-do-i-have-to-go.html?spref=bl 

"Inclusion: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from the NEA"  

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/lre.faqs.inclusion.htm 

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/26/14: How to Use OpenEd to Create Practice Assessments Aligned to the Common Core  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/06/how-to-use-opened...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

How to Use OpenEd to Create Practice Assessments Aligned to the Common Core 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/06/how-to-use-opened-to-create-practice.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.U6tw2rGmV5M 

Mixing it Up with Mangahigh: Using Games to Differentiate Instruction

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/mangahigh-games-to-differentiate-instruction-kristof-mueller?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29 

Learning in the Digital Age

http://educationnext.org/learning-digital-age/ 

Educational technology isn’t leveling the playing field

http://hechingerreport.org/content/educational-technology-isnt-leveling-playing-field_16499/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HechingerReport+%28Hechinger+Report%29 

‘Oregon Trail’ Pioneer Developing Tablet Education Apps - See more at: http://www.educationnews.org/technology/oregon-trail-pioneer-developing-tablet-education-apps/#sthash.7SH3rmSt.dpuf

Oregon Trail pioneer developing tablet app

http://www.educationnews.org/technology/oregon-trail-pioneer-developing-tablet-education-apps/  

Sortify: a free open-ended game for all grade levels

http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2014/06/sortify-free-open-ended-game-grade-levels.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCornerstone+%28The+Cornerstone+Blog%29 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Big Special Education News Tweets of the Day 6/26/...

MzTeachuh: Big Special Education News Tweets of the Day 6/26/...: States’ special education services face tighter oversight by the Obama administration http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/s...

Big Special Education News Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

States’ special education services face tighter oversight by the Obama administration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/states-special-education-services-face-tighter-oversight-by-the-obama-administration/2014/06/23/a103031e-fb36-11e3-b1f4-8e77c632c07b_story.html 

Behind the Headline: States’ Special Education Services Face Tighter Oversight by the Obama Administration

http://educationnext.org/behind-headline-states-special-education-services-face-tighter-oversight-obama-administration/ 

Reaching the Ideal

Special education has its problems, but they mainly follow from the failure of schools to comply fully with the law

http://educationnext.org/reachingtheideal/ 

A 'Major Shift' In Oversight Of Special Education 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/06/24/325229848/a-major-shift-in-oversight-of-special-education 

U.S. Department to Increase Oversight of Special Education 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-24/u-s-department-to-increase-oversight-of-special-education-1-.html 

Education Secretary Lauds Revised Special Education Evaluation System 

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/ 

Ed. Dept. Releases Results of New Special Education Evaluation Process 

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/ 

Sisyphean Tasks

The reams of paperwork that currently serve as special education’s “accountability" system distract from the practice of teaching and learning. It is time to focus on results

http://educationnext.org/sisypheantasks/ 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Meeting the Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

MzTeachuh: Meeting the Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14: Red, White, and Blue Learning: Seven Resources for Independence Day http://www.edutopia.org/blog/red-white-and-blue-learning-seven-reso...

Meeting the Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

Red, White, and Blue Learning: Seven Resources for Independence Day

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/red-white-and-blue-learning-seven-resources-independence-day 

Why It’s Imperative to Teach Empathy to Boys

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/why-its-imperative-to-teach-empathy-to-boys/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Autism Act Clears House

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/25/autism-act-clears-house/19472/ 

Educational technology isn’t leveling the playing field

http://hechingerreport.org/content/educational-technology-isnt-leveling-playing-field_16499/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HechingerReport+%28Hechinger+Report%29 

Technology Is Making Achievement Gaps Bigger

http://anniemurphypaul.com/2014/06/educational-technology-isnt-closing-achievement-gaps-its-making-them-grow/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=educational-technology-isnt-closing-achievement-gaps-its-making-them-grow 

This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Good Posts & Articles On Education Policy

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/06/25/this-weeks-round-up-of-good-posts-articles-on-education-policy-45/ 

The Courage To Think Critically

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/the-courage-for-critical-thinking/ 

 

 

MzTeachuh: What Fools These Mortals Be

MzTeachuh: What Fools These Mortals Be: Midsummer Night's Dream, P.D. White Looks like Puck's been working out on the stairstep machine. F.Mendelssohn. A ...

What Fools These Mortals Be

Midsummer Night's Dream, P.D. White

Looks like Puck's been working out on the stairstep machine.

F.Mendelssohn. A Midsummer Night's Dream. Overture 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=614ew5HY8vM 

Again, thank you William. 

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

MzTeachuh: Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14: Cuzco, Peru   10 Striking Photos That Capture What Autism Looks Like Around The World http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/p...

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM 6/25/14

MzTeachuh: Ed Tech and STEM 6/25/14: Help! My Students Have a Bad Case of Instamania http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/1300-help-my-students-have-a-bad-case...

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 6/25/14

Help! My Students Have a Bad Case of Instamania

http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/1300-help-my-students-have-a-bad-case-of-instamania 

 What Technology Does What: An #edtech Chart For Teachers

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/education-technology-edtech-chart-for-teachers/ 

Young Birder of the Year Contest

http://youngbirders.aba.org/young-birder-of-the-year-contest 

How Vine videos can improve the classroom experience

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/25/vine-education-classroom-452/ 

5 Ways To Use Word Cloud Generators In The Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/5-ways-use-word-cloud-generators-classroom/ 

Technology in the Classroom Offers Advantages for Introverts 

http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-offers-advantages-introverts 

32 Ways To Use Google Apps in the Classroom

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/06/32-ways-to-use-google-apps-in-your.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+educatorstechnology%2FpDkK+%28Educational+Technology+and+Mobile+Learning%29 

 

 

 

 

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 6/26/14

Cuzco, Peru

  10 Striking Photos That Capture What Autism Looks Like Around The World

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/picturing-autism-debbie-raisel-captures-what-autism-looks-like_n_5522468.html 

A 'Major Shift' In Oversight Of Special Education 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/06/24/325229848/a-major-shift-in-oversight-of-special-education 

Tantrums, Meltdowns and More: Executive Dysfunction and Behavior

http://ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/executive-function-disorders/executive-dysfunction-behavior-problems

Your Questions Answered with @LD_expert 

http://ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/ldchat-open-forum 

Predicting Dyslexia — Even Before Children Learn to Read

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/predicting-dyslexia-even-before-children-learn-to-read/ 

Common Warning Signs of Dyscalculia in Children Pre-K to Grade 2

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/common-warning-signs-of-dyscalculia-in-children-pre-k-to-grade-2 

Summer Reading Tips for Parents 

http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/homework-study-skills/summer-reading-tips-parents 

 

MzTeachuh: Diverse Educational Topics Tweets of the Day 6/25/...

MzTeachuh: Diverse Educational Topics Tweets of the Day 6/25/...: Apparently, you don't even have to be Italian to use expressive hand gestures Cracking a Secret Code to Learning: Hand Gestures h...

Diverse Educational Topics Tweets of the Day 6/25/14

Apparently, you don't even have to be Italian to use expressive hand gestures

Cracking a Secret Code to Learning: Hand Gestures

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/06/cracking-a-secret-code-to-learning-hand-gestures/ 

Response: 'Teachers Know A Lot About Scaffolding' For Complex Texts

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2014/06/response_teachers_know_a_lot_about_scaffolding_for_complex_texts.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB 

 The Ten Dumbest Common Core Problems

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/373840/ten-dumbest-common-core-problems-alec-torres

Teaching Empathy: The Ancient Way Is Now Cutting-Edge

http://startempathy.org/blog/2014/06/teaching-empathy-ancient-way-now-cutting-edge 

Pediatrics Group to Recommend Reading Aloud to Children From Birth

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/us/pediatrics-group-to-recommend-reading-aloud-to-children-from-birth.html?_r=1&utm_source=ReadingRockets.org&utm_medium=Twitter 

Summer Reading and Rejuvenation 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/summer-reading-and-rejuvenation-joshua-block?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-summer-reading-and-rejuventation-link

How to Divorce Your District

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-to-divorce-district-elena-aguilar?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-how-to-divorce-your-district-link 

Wikipedia pops up in bibliographies, and even college curricula 

http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-wikipedia-20140615-story.html#page=1 

 

MzTeachuh: Lincoln and the Fourth of July

MzTeachuh: Lincoln and the Fourth of July: Only Lincoln photo after the Gettysburg Address. Abe Lincoln made more than one speech about the Battle of Gettysburg, which was f...

Lincoln and the Fourth of July

Only Lincoln photo after the Gettysburg Address.

Abe Lincoln made more than one speech about the Battle of Gettysburg, which was fought on July 1,2,and 3 in the year 1863. The battle ended on July 4, 1863. One year later, Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address on the field of battle in Pennsylvania, November 19, 1864.

Lincoln's background made him the ultimate outsider in Washington; he was from the pioneer West, Illinois. Surely not a person of privilege or social connections. His grandfather had immigrated to Pennsylvania from England around 1740, then after the Revolutionary War the Lincolns moved through the Cumberland Gap (as did my ancestors, one being a German immigrant Jacob Link, also from Pennsylvania.) Abraham was born in Kentucky, where they settled briefly (as did Jacob Link) but the Lincolns moved to Indiana, then Illinois. My Links moved to St. Louis, Missouri, around the time Lewis and Clark left to explore.

Lincoln the Illinois lawyer 1846

The Lincolns were really poor, but with the stubbornness of the pioneer, they survived and prospered until Abraham was an up-and-coming lawyer. At this time in US history, the West was wide open. The Civil War was destined to explode over greed (the South wanting to expand the plantation system into the West) and the abolitionists' moral indignity over slavery.

So here we are on the Fourth of July. It is impossible to adequately described the horrors of the Civil War. Here are Lincoln's public comments few days after the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 7, 1863. One year later, Lincoln will give the Gettysburg Address. You can see this speech as a precurser to the profound, eloquent speech that Lincoln cogitated over for a year.

"On July 7th 1863, President Lincoln delivered an impromptu Independence Day address to a group of hundreds who gathered outside the White House in celebration of the July 4th victory at Vicksburg. They caught Lincoln off-guard sometime past 8pm, yet he nonetheless stepped outside and delivered this address:

Fellow-citizens: I am very glad to see you to-night. But yet I will not say I thank you for this call. But I do most sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have called. [Cheers.]

How long ago is it? Eighty odd years since, upon the Fourth day of July, for the first time in the world, a union body of representatives was assembled to declare as a self-evident truth that all men were created equal. [Cheers.]

That was the birthday of the United States of America. Since then the fourth day of July has had several very peculiar recognitions. The two most distinguished men who framed and supported that paper, including the particular declaration I have mentioned, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the one having framed it, and the other sustained it most ably in debate, the only two of the fifty-five or fifty-six who signed it, I believe, who were ever President of the United States, precisely fifty years after they put their hands to that paper it pleased the Almighty God to take away from this stage of action on the Fourth of July. This extraordinary coincidence we can understand to be a dispensation of the Almighty Ruler of Events.

Another of our Presidents, five years afterwards, was called from this stage of existence on the same day of the month, and now on this Fourth of July just past, when a gigantic rebellion has risen in the land, precisely at the bottom of which is an effort to overthrow that principle "that all men are created equal," we have a surrender of one of their most powerful positions and powerful armies forced upon them on that very day. [Cheers.]

And I see in the succession of battles in Pennsylvania, which continued three days, so rapidly following each other as to be justly called one great battle, fought on the first, second and third of July; on the fourth the enemies of the declaration that all men are created equal had to turn tail and run. [Laughter and applause.]

Gentlemen, this is a glorious theme and a glorious occasion for a speech, but I am not prepared to make one worthy of the theme and worthy of the occasion. [Cries of "go on," and applause.] I would like to speak in all praise that is due to the many brave officers and soldiers who have fought in the cause of the Union and liberties of this country from the beginning of this war, not on occasions of success, but upon the more trying occasions of the want of success. I say I would like to speak in praise of these men, particularizing their deeds, but I am unprepared. I should dislike to mention the name of a single officer, lest in doing so I wrong some other one whose name may not occur to me. [Cheers.]

Recent events bring up certain names, gallantly prominent, but I do not want to particularly name them at the expense of others, who are as justly entitled to our gratitude as they. I therefore do not upon this occasion name a single man. And now I have said about as much as I ought to say in this impromptu manner, and if you please, I'll take the music. [Tremendous cheering, and calls for the President to reappear.]

I think in not naming a single man, Lincoln honored all of them. With that sentiment in mind, I post his remarks for all those brave men and women fighting for our nation today, and everyday."
[Gregory S. McNeal]

This is the Gettysburg Address:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Lincoln is also among the honored dead.