Saturday, December 20, 2014

MzTeachuh: Unique Insights Into Learning (and Teaching)

MzTeachuh: Unique Insights Into Learning (and Teaching): What the Future of Learning Might Look Like http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/07/what-the-future-of-learning-might-look-like/ ...

Unique Insights Into Learning (and Teaching)

What the Future of Learning Might Look Like

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/07/what-the-future-of-learning-might-look-like/

Half of All Kids Are Traumatized

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/12/half-of-all-kids-experience-traumatic-events/383630/

Five Most Popular Posts Of The Week

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/12/20/five-most-popular-posts-of-the-week-12/

A Second Look at the Dyslexie Font

https://www.understood.org/en/community-events/blogs/in-the-news/2014/12/04/a-second-look-at-the-dyslexie-font?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

How Does a Child With Executive Functioning Issues Think Differently?

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/executive-functioning-issues/how-does-a-child-with-executive-functioning-issues-think-/58/slide-1.html?utm_content=buffer48103&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer http://www.additudemag.com/slideshow/58/slide-1.html?utm_content=buffer48103&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover: Tech-Savvy Teens Remain Fans of Print Books

http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2014/dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover-tech-savvy-teens-remain-fans-of-print-books.html

Actually, Teens Love Print Books, Libraries, And Bookstores

http://www.businessinsider.com/actually-teens-love-print-books-libraries-and-bookstores-2014-12

It seems the president's teens like print books, too.

MzTeachuh: Elvis Sings 'The First Noel'

MzTeachuh: Elvis Sings 'The First Noel': Elvis Presley: Best Christmas Song 2013 (The First Noel) New Arrangement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZprKOOmhXss

Elvis Presley: Best Christmas Song 2013 (The First Noel) New Arrangement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZprKOOmhXss

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Giving Kids Choices

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Giving Kids Choices: 1.The value of choice in student engagement http://www.thepolliwogjournal.com/?p=470 2 . The Classroom of Choice: Managing the Lear...

Teaching Is Giving Kids Choices

1.The value of choice in student engagement

http://www.thepolliwogjournal.com/?p=470

2. The Classroom of Choice: Managing the Learning Environment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVsTXUS52IA

3. Offering Students Choices from Day One

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods/classroom-management/6710.html

4. The Classroom of Choice: Giving Students What They Need and Getting What You Want

http://www.questia.com/library/119453308/the-classroom-of-choice-giving-students-what-they

5. Choice Is a Matter of Degree

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept10/vol68/num01/Choice-Is-a-Matter-of-Degree.aspx

6. Personalised Learning - Engaging Students by Providing Choice in the Classroom

http://kidspeak.wikispaces.com/Personalised+Learning+-+Engaging+Students+by+Providing+Choice+in+the+Classroom

7. How to Put Choice Theory in the Classroom

http://www.ehow.com/how_7913359_put-choice-theory-classroom.html

8. Liven Up Your Lessons by Giving Students Choices

http://www.edutopia.org/lesson-engagement-student-choice

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...

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 spring semester. 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 over the break 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, Fontana, California.

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/20/14

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/20/14: Upbeat Educational Outlooks http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/upbeat-educational-outlooks.html Games for Holiday Class Par...

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/20/14

Upbeat Educational Outlooks

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/upbeat-educational-outlooks.html

Games for Holiday Class Parties

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/games-for-holiday-class-parties.html

Principal's Suggestion Box #15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/principals-suggestion-box-15.html?spref=bl

Educational Links 12/13/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/educational-links-121314.html

Educational Links 12/19/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/educational-links-121914.html

Educational Links 12/16/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/educational-links-121614.html

Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 12/15/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-121514.html

Laughing All The Way

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/laughing-all-way.html

Educational Links 12/18/14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/educational-links-121814.html

Teacher Burnout--U Gotz It?

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/12/teacher-burnout-u-gotz-it.html

Friday, December 19, 2014

MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box Letters #10 and #11

MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box Letters #10 and #11: These letters are absolutely fictional (to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.) But, with the hint of truth, maybe we can make ...

Principal's Suggestion Box Letters #10 and #11

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.

Letter # 10
Dear Principal,

I have a concern about collaborating with Special Education. Mr. W is requiring too much input and time on behalf of just one student, who seems to be doing fine without much outside help. I know it is just two weeks into the school year, but with 34 fourth graders (and several more 'active' ones than usual), it seems an inappropriate use of my time to be focusing on one student. His mother is just as bad, wanting daily updates and 'documentation' of his progress. And Mr.W doesn't just pull Jordan over to the table to finish his work, like Mrs. T did before she retired, but helps any student that requests it. . Is he supposed to do that? Is he qualified to do that? It seems disruptive to the flow of the class. He makes suggestions about all the students.This year just isn't like other years, like its supposed to be. Can you speak to Mr. W?

Thanks,
Mrs. M, Concerned and Somewhat Overwhelmed Teacher

Letter #11
Dear Principal,

I have a concern about collaborating in the General Education room of Mrs. M. She has experience working with Special Education with Mrs. T, but now the model has changed, per District instruction. The individualized education plan that Jordan has includes Common Core goals of working with other students. Mrs. M is resisting this, and prefers he has pull-out, either to the Resource Room or to a corner of the class. When Jordan does join my Reading Intervention in the Resource Room, he misses Math instruction in Mrs. M's room, which he isn't supposed to. She says 'it is just so much more quiet when he's gone.' I know there are several 'active' students in her class this year, which I can help with, but Jordan really needs his math. Jordan's parent feels that Mrs. M is cutting her off, and won't communicate. Can you help us?

Thanks,
Mr.W, Concerned and Somewhat Overwhelmed Teacher

IEP Collaboration Techniques http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/iep-collaboration.html

Collaboration - the heart of the matter

http://seonline.tki.org.nz/IEP/IEP-guidelines/Collaboration

Collaboration Between General and Special Education Teachers

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

Communicate With Special Education Parents

Some Strategies for Keeping Parents Happy and Informed

http://specialed.about.com/od/classroommanagement/a/communicationparents.htm

Educational Leadership Philosophy
Special Needs Education

http://teaching.about.com/od/admin/ss/Educational-Leadership-Philosophy_7.htm

My suggestion: Collaboration can be a sensitive issue. Principals need to be up-to-date on District expectations as well as school personalities (not that, as professionals, we let personality get in the way. Ha!) In this scenario, there is more at play than only collaboration. Mrs. M's class may have been the 'dumping ground' for the active kids plus the Special Ed. kids. That sometimes happens, unfortunately. If the school at large just has lots of active kids, then there needs to be a schoolwide behavior management plan developed by the school staff that is generally implemented by all staff all day--at recess, lunch, before and after school programs--so the kids know what to expect, and the limitations.The classrooms will be more calm.

As far as two teachers collaborating with a new model--have a training for all teachers involved lead by a District Special Education leader. Clarify expectations in the IEP for each other and the parents, and what the District needs from the team. You might even invite the parents. Don't let them loose on each other the first day of school cold turkey. A teacher's classroom is her/his castle--don't make it so the SpecEd teacher sets off an intruder alert. Principals have great influence on their staff and can create a positive, calm climate of camaradie.

MzTeachuh: Upbeat Educational Outlooks

MzTeachuh: Upbeat Educational Outlooks: What Believing in the Possibilities Can Do For Learning and Teaching http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/12/what-believing-in-the-po...

Upbeat Educational Outlooks

What Believing in the Possibilities Can Do For Learning and Teaching

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/12/what-believing-in-the-possibilities-can-do-for-learning-and-teaching/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

http://www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-classroom

New Class Roles: Building Environments of Cooperation

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/new-roles-building-environments-cooperation-lori-desautels

Disney donates $55M in apps, books

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/12/19/disney-book-app-203/

Gratitude Can Fuel School Transformation

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/gratitude-school-transformation-elena-aguilar

From The Brilliant Report: How To Increase Group IQ

http://anniemurphypaul.com/2013/04/from-the-brilliant-report-how-to-increase-group-iq/#

The Learning And Design Principles Of Connected Learning

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/6-design-principles-connected-learning/

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Having With It Ness

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Having With It Ness: 1. Teacher Withitness http://rossieronline.usc.edu/teacher-withitness/ 2. Withitness...what does it mean? http://ww...

Teaching Is Having With It Ness

1. Teacher Withitness

http://rossieronline.usc.edu/teacher-withitness/

Teacher Withitness - Inside USC Rossier, the blog of USC Rossier School of Education's online teaching degree

2. Withitness...what does it mean?

http://www.withitness.com/

3. Withitness in the Classroom

http://www.education.com/reference/article/using-xray-vision-substitute-teacher/

4. “Withitness”: Being Aware of What’s Going on in the Classroom

http://www.aaeteachers.org/index.php/blog/764-withitness-being-aware-of-whats-going-on-in-the-classroom

5. The Kounin Model of Discipline

http://www.teachermatters.com/classroom-discipline/models-of-discipline/the-kounin-model.html

6. Teacher Engagement and "Withitness" in the 21st Century Classroom

http://cfrehlichteach.blogspot.com/2012/01/teacher-engagement-and-withitness-in.html

Great video--relieve some stress!

7. With-it-ness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7iRglS9Vik

MzTeachuh: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lennon's Wishful Thinking...

MzTeachuh: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lennon's Wishful Thinking...: War Child in Iraq 2014 1970 John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4Uu0OlmTg

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lennon's Wishful Thinking

War Child in Iraq 2014

1970

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4Uu0OlmTg

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 12/19/14

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 12/19/14: For Teenage Brains, the Importance of Continuing to Learn Deeply http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/for-teenage-brains-the-impor...

Educational Links 12/19/14

For Teenage Brains, the Importance of Continuing to Learn Deeply

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/for-teenage-brains-the-importance-of-continuing-to-learn-deeply/

Where have all the black and brown teachers gone?

http://hechingerreport.org/content/black-brown-teachers-gone_18482/

Fixing Autism Research

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/533366/fixing-autism-research/

Does Your Child Have a Mental Disorder?

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/12/does-your-child-have-mental-disorder.html

Create Your Own Educational Games on Your Android Phone or Tablet http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/12/create-your-own-educational-games-on.html#.VJQ5FcBY

Send Scrooge Packing: How ADHD Mamas Can Love Christmas

http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/30/11104.html

The Best Resources For International Migrants Day

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/12/19/the-best-resources-for-international-migrants-day/

7 Habits of Successful Online Students

http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2014/12/7-habits-of-successful-online-students.html?utm_content=buffer0b622&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Thursday, December 18, 2014

MzTeachuh: Making Classroom Adjustments

MzTeachuh: Making Classroom Adjustments: I want the educational Swiss Army knife. What Does a Great School Year Look Like? Ask the Students http://blogs.kqe...

Making Classroom Adjustments

I want the educational Swiss Army knife.

What Does a Great School Year Look Like? Ask the Students

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/07/what-does-a-great-school-year-look-like-ask-the-students/

Cyberbullying Increases as Students Get Older, Study Finds

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/09/cyberbullying-increases-as-students-get.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29

The First Hard Evidence on Virtual Education

http://educationnext.org/first-hard-evidence-virtual-education/

11 Sample Education BYOT Policies To Help You Create Your Own

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/11-sample-education-byot-policies-to-help-you-create-your-own/

Exercise Before School Can Ward Off ADHD Symptoms, Study Finds

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2014/09/exercise_before_school_can_war.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OnSpecialEducation+%28Education+Week+Blog%3A+On+Special+Education%29

Ten Recommendations for Improving Group Work

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/10-recommendations-improving-group-work/

10 Recommendations for Improving Group Work

4 Big Ideas for Engaging Students (Deeper Learning)

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/09/12/4-big-ideas-for-engaging-students/

MzTeachuh: MLK Quotes: #1-22

MzTeachuh: MLK Quotes: #1-22: MLK Quotes: #1 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-1.html MLK Quotes: #2 http://mzteachuh.blogsp...

MLK Quotes: #1-22

MLK Quotes: #1

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-1.html

MLK Quotes: #2

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quote-2.html

MLK Quotes: #3

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-3.html

MLK Quotes: #4

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-4.html

MLK Quotes: #5

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-5.html

MLK Quotes: # 6

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-6.html

MLK Quotes: # 7

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-7.html

MLK Quotes: # 8

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-8.html

MLK Quotes: # 9

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-9.html

MLK Quotes: # 10

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-10.html

MLK Quotes: #11

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-11.html

MLK Quotes: # 12

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-12.html

MLK Quote: #13

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quote-13.html

MLK Quotes: # 14

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-14.html

MLK Quotes: #15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-15.html

MLK Quotes: # 16

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-16.html

MLK Quotes: # 17

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-17.html

MLK Quote: #18

http://mzt eachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quote-18.html

MLK Quote: #19

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quote-19.html

MLK Quote: # 21

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quote-21.html

MLK Quotes: #22

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/01/mlk-quotes-22.html

MzTeachuh: Focus: Apps for Reading

MzTeachuh: Focus: Apps for Reading: Educational Literacy Apps http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps 6 Great Reading Apps for Kids h...

Focus: Apps for Reading

Educational Literacy Apps

http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps

6 Great Reading Apps for Kids

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/developing-reading-skills/6-great-reading-apps-kids

10 iPad Apps for Teaching Kids to Read

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/tablets/10-ipad-apps-for-teaching-kids-to-read.htm

Apps For Book Lovers

http://appadvice.com/applists/show/apps-for-book-lovers

Learn-to-Read Apps, Games, and Websites

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/learn-to-read-apps-games-and-websites

“50 Best iPad Apps for Reading Disabilities”

https://www.google.com/search?q=apps+for+reading&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Top 12 Comprehension Apps

http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/comprehension/literacyapps_comprehension

MzTeachuh: Teacher Connectivity

MzTeachuh: Teacher Connectivity: The 8 Characteristics Of A 21st Century Teacher http://www.edudemic.com/the-8-characteristics-of-a-21st-century-teacher/ ...

Teacher Connectivity

The 8 Characteristics Of A 21st Century Teacher

http://www.edudemic.com/the-8-characteristics-of-a-21st-century-teacher/

Connected Educators

http://connectededucators.org/about-connected-educator-month-2013/

What Does It Mean to Be a Connected Educator?

http://www.edutopia.org/groups/community-bulletin-board/570301

What ‘Connected Education’ Looks Like: 28 Examples From Teachers All Over

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/what-connected-education-looks-like-28-examples-from-teachers-all-over/?_r=0

Teachers Connect

http://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/

Global Teacher Connect

http://www.globalteacherconnect.com/

Edmodo Tip: Ask Questions of your Teacher Connections

https://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/18/edmodo-tip-ask-questions-of-your-teacher-connections/

Beyond the Teachers' Lounge: The Emerging Connection Gap

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/emerging-connection-gap-mary-beth-hertz

Technology Is About Being Connected

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_ahead/2012/02/technology_isnt_about_tools_its_about_being_connected.html

27 Tips For Becoming A Digital Teacher

http://www.edudemic.com/27-tips-for-becoming-a-dig

MzTeachuh: Cheer up--it's Ella singing 'Sleigh Ride'

MzTeachuh: Cheer up--it's Ella singing 'Sleigh Ride': Wishing you a Swinging Christmas and Very Cool New Year. Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Collection - (Remastered High Qu...

Cheer up--it's Ella singing 'Sleigh Ride'

Wishing you a Swinging Christmas and Very Cool New Year.

Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Collection - (Remastered High Quality)

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

Ella was contracted to sing in what had previously been a non-integrated night club when Marilyn Monroe requested her. That's the spirit.

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 12/18/14

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 12/18/14: Test Preparation Tips: On the Road to Academic Success http://www.nesca-news.com/2014/12/test-preparation-tips-on-road-to.html Tee...