Saturday, February 7, 2015

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/7/2015

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/7/2015: Strategies to Level Up Learning http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-to-level-up-learning-matthew-farber Why Schools Need Specia...

Education Links 2/7/2015

Strategies to Level Up Learning

strategies-to-level-up-learning-matthew-farber

Why Schools Need Specialists and Coaches

http://www.mypaperlessclassroom.com/2015/02/why-schools-need-specialists-and-coaches.html

Improving Your Child’s ADHD with Exercise

http://www.nesca-news.com/2015/02/improving-your-childs-adhd-with-exercise.html

Blogs About Reading

Little Journey on the Prairie

http://www.readingrockets.org/blog/exploring-history-and-story-little-town-prairie?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29

Formative Assessment Is Transformational!

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/formative-assessment-is-transformational-andrew-miller?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=formative-assessment-transformational&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link

The Brutal Authenticity Of BYOD

http://www.teachthought.com/trends/byod-is-shortest-path-to-student-centered-learning/

Why teachers can’t deliver real personalized learning in today’s schools

- See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/why-teachers-cant-deliver-real-personalized-learning-in-todays-schools/#sthash.Suzw5cYO.dpuf

Why Teachers Can't Deliver Real Personalized Learning In Today's Schools

http://www.christenseninstitute.org/why-teachers-cant-deliver-real-personalized-learning-in-todays-schools/

Pentagon Report Claims Vladimir Putin Has Asperger’s

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/06/pentagon-putin-aspergers/20031/

MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box Letter #13

MzTeachuh: Principal's Suggestion Box Letter #13: These letters are absolutely fictional (to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.) But, with the hint of truth, maybe we can m...

Principal's Suggestion Box Letter #13

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,

I am very excited about the teacher ed tech training day we will have before the kids come back. As you know, I am from another district. What you may not know is that I was trained on PCs and not Apple, so the tech training will be very helpful. I haven't even seen an Apple product for several years, not even an iPhone or iPad, so it will take some concentration to jump in the deep end with record keeping, flipping the class, etc. I didn't even know how to turn on the desktop! Another teacher showed me the hidden button. It is an elegant design, but you almost need a secret handshake to get info from the computer.

I am very enthusiastic about the iPads in the class. The other teachers have clued me into the particular handling and storage requirements. The apps sound phenominal. Thank you for having foresight in ed tech.

Yours Truly,
Teacher in Tech Transition

Training Teachers to Integrate Technology

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2011/11/team-effort

Training Teachers Who Are Terrorized by Technology

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr176.shtml

Mac vs. PC: Is the Debate Still Relevant?

Mac vs Pc Is the Debate Still Relevant?

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/archives/mac_vs_pc.shtml

My suggestion: The differences between a Mac and a PC can be truly overwhelming if a teacher is just thrown into it. Have reliable resources to assist the transition, without judgement or the hint of the condemnation each side feels for the other. We're all in this together.

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: The Original Glee Girls

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: The Original Glee Girls: The Marvelettes in a 1963 promotional photo.Clockwise form top left, Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, and Wanda Yo...

Black History Month: The Original Glee Girls

The Marvelettes in a 1963 promotional photo.Clockwise form top left, Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, and Wanda Young

These girls were in their high school glee club when they were signed by Motown. They were the first successful girl group for Motown.

I like the integrated audience way back in 1961. BTW the Beatles did a cover of this song (what an amazing compliment for the girls from Detroit; the Beatles very much appreciated black artists--young women artists, too.)

So we celebrate Black History Month with encouragement to all teens everywhere to sing, sing, sing.

The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman

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

As an aside, music of all kinds provided impetus to the Civil Rights Movement, and I would like to give the Beatles some credit for appreciating all types of music as well as standing up for human rights at the beginning of their world fame when money and even their safety was at state. (The KKK threatened them and demonstrated at some of their concerts.)

Beatles Refused To Play For Segregated Audiences, Contract Reveal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/16/beatles-refused-to-play-segregated-audiences_n_966541.html

1965 Pro Integration Beatles Contract Sells For $23K

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/09/21/1965-pro-integration-beatles-contract-sells-for-23k/

And the Beatles gave homage to the Marvelltes, with John Lennon requesting to 'delivah da lettah, the sooner the bettah.' And a little British humor.

Please Mr. Postman - The Beatles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l94EriAqQXw

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Love Songs for Valentine's Day #19

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Love Songs for Valentine's Day #19: Earthquake Movement Graphic--California I Feel The Earth Move - Carole King - With Lyrics http://www.youtube.com/wat...

Aww Garsh--Love Songs for Valentine's Day #19

Earthquake Movement Graphic--California

I Feel The Earth Move - Carole King - With Lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbQ4m-NqeF8

I feel the earth move under my feet

I feel the sky tumbling down
I feel my heart start to trembling
Whenever you're around
Oh, baby, when I see your face
Mellow as the month of May
Oh, darling, I can't stand it
When you look at me that way
I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down
I feel my heart start to trembling
Whenever you're around
Oh, darling, when you're near me
And you tenderly call my name
I know that my emotions
Are something that I just can't tame
I've just got to have you, baby
I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down, tumbling down
I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down, tumbling down
I just lose control
Down to my very soul
I get hot and cold all over
I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down
Tumbling down
Tumbling down
Tumbling down
Tumbling down

MzTeachuh: Teacher Burnout--U Gotz It?

MzTeachuh: Teacher Burnout--U Gotz It?: 1. Teacher Burnout: Four Warning Signs http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-burnout-four-warning-si...

Teacher Burnout--U Gotz It?

1. Teacher Burnout: Four Warning Signs

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-burnout-four-warning-signs-nicholas-provenzano?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-burnoutsigns

2. How to Rewire Your Burned-Out Brain: Tips from a Neurologist

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-burnout-neurology-judy-willis-md

3. Mentorship for New Educators Helps Combat Teacher Burnout, Improve Retention

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education-july-dec13-teachers_07-04/

4. Blogs on Teacher Burnout

http://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/teacher-burnout

5. Staying Healthy and Managing Stress While Teaching

http://www.advice-for-teachers.com/healthy.html

6. 5 Stress Reduction Strategies for Teachers

http://www.edubabbling.com/5-stress-reduction-strategies-for-teachers/

7. Staying Healthy in the Classroom - Or Not

http://www.weac.org/professional_resources/new_teacher_resources/articles/amelia_armstrong/staying_healthy.aspx

Friday, February 6, 2015

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/6/15

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/6/15: Social Media in the Classroom: 16 Best Resources for 2015 http://www.edudemic.com/16-best-social-media-resources-of-2015/ Applying ...

Education Links 2/6/15

Social Media in the Classroom: 16 Best Resources for 2015

http://www.edudemic.com/16-best-social-media-resources-of-2015/

Applying Mindfulness to Mundane Classroom Tasks

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/applying-mindfulness-mundane-classroom-tasks-abby-wills?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

Unplugging To Connect: A Tech Timeout For Schools?

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/unplugging-to-connect-tech-timeout-schools/

Take Five!: Staying Alert at Home and School

http://special-ism.com/take-five-staying-alert-at-home-and-school/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Special-ism+%28Special-ism%29

CK-12 Launches a New Collection of Elementary School Math Resources

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/02/ck-12-launches-new-collection-of.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.VNQhMS4YMo0

Feds plan to bring new STEM partnerships to students

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/02/05/feds-stem-education-023/

Sunlight and ADHD

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2015/02/sunlight-and-adhd.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29

MzTeachuh: Cabin Fever In The Classroom? Try These Couple of ...

MzTeachuh: Cabin Fever In The Classroom? Try These Couple of ...: http://hydrogeneportfolio.tumblr.com/post/32224401551/minimal-posters-six-women-who-changed-science #1. Have a poster contes...

Cabin Fever In The Classroom? Try These Couple of Ideas

http://hydrogeneportfolio.tumblr.com/post/32224401551/minimal-posters-six-women-who-changed-science

#1. Have a poster contest in your classroom.

Have the class choose a topic, and create a schedule for completion.
Divide the class into teams. Each student will create a poster and the team will collaborate on literary quality and artistic merits.
Give step-by-step instructions on the planning, artistic process and finishing the product during specified periods in class with the resources and materials provided.
Have the class decide how the posters will be judged and by whom. (Teachers? Peers from another class? Someone in the community?)
Have the class design the display for all the posters.

Of course, teacher is the guiding force behind the process.

#2. Play 'Name That Tune' with Classical Music.

Beethoven

Mozart

Let the class know the name of the composer of the day, and play that music low in the background during classtime, taking turns with the 'Big Three' Composers during the course of the week. That would be Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. In the last five minutes of the class (or of the day) highlight ten seconds of the three most famous pieces of the composer listened to that day. For example, Bach: Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Brandenburg Concerto #2, and Toccata and Fugue in D minor; Mozart: Alla Turca, Symphony No. 40, 1st Movement Allegro, Eine Kleine Nochtmusik; Beethoven: Ninth Symphony Ode To Joy, Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata. Post a play list where the students can see it all week
At the end of the week of the inital listening (maybe a Fun Friday or somesuch), have a 15 minute exercise when the class is divided into teams; each team hears an initial ten seconds of one of the composer's pieces of music that has been in the background all week and occasionally the teacher may chose one of the other selections, and the selected spokesperson of the team calls out the name of the piece. If right, a point. If wrong, the next team can steal the point and have a new selection. The musical selections may or may not always be the preeminent ones, but don't make it too hard. If another team interrupts or yells out the answer, the point is given to the designated team. The teams should go through two or three cycles before the Lightning Round. This is when the team has only 5 seconds to listen to one of the top three selections and 5 seconds to answer and if they cannot, immediately the next team has a chance, and the next team, etc., until the correct answer. Every team should have a chance to compete in the Lightning Round.

After three weeks of playing Name That Tune: Classical Music, the class can have a Grand Championship, combining all three composers in the pattern leading up to the Lightning Round, computing points.

J. S. Bach

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Love Song For Valentine's Day # 18

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Love Song For Valentine's Day # 18: LOVE LETTER II Luiza Vizoli Carpenters Close To You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOyoVS-IAI "(The...

Aww Garsh--Love Song For Valentine's Day # 18

LOVE LETTER II

Luiza Vizoli

Carpenters Close To You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOyoVS-IAI

"(They Long To Be) Close To You"

Why do birds suddenly appear, ev'ry time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Why do stars fall down from the sky, ev'ry time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
On the day that you were born the angels got together.
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold,
And star-light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be close to you...
On the day that you were born the angels got together.
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold,
And star-light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be close to you...
Just like me, they long to be close to you...

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: George Washington Carver

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: George Washington Carver: George Washington Carver (front row, center) poses with fellow staff members at the Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee ...

Black History Month: George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver (front row, center) poses with fellow staff members at the Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University) located in the U.S. state of Alabama. 1902

George Washington Carver's rise from poverty to a celebrated scientist is just one of the remarkable qualities of his life.

He was born into slavery in 1865, kidnapped at one week old by the KKK, returned to the white family that would later raise him as a son, and refused college admission because he was black. But, in my opinion, these details aren't the most unusual facts about him

He was fascinated by the natural world, and began the study of botany even as a child. With persistence, he graduated from an agricultural college and later became the first black faculty member. He had been the first black student. That's remarkable, but not the most remarkable thing about him.

The eminent educator, Booker T. Washington, invited Carver to the Tuskegee Institute when it first opened in 1896. Carver accepted, and continued there for over forty years until his death. He was internationally recognized. Henry Ford invited him to Dearborn to speak many times (he accepted) and Thomas Edison offered him a fortune to work at Edison Laboratories (he refused.) That's not common.

George Washington Carver chose to remain at Tuskegee because he felt he had a vocation to help the black poor in the South. He is viewed as a 'folk' saint due to his choice to live humbly, with impeccable morality, and frugally when he could have been very wealthy (he left $60,000 to the school when he passed away.) He lived his personal faith for service of his students.

What is the most unusual fact about him? He promoted good relations among the races despite the treatment he received, and he consistently, diligently used his genius to benefit others. Always. That's extremely unique.

His first teacher, after his adopted mother, gave him the following instruction. It appears he really nailed it.

"You must learn all you can, then go back out into the world and give your learning back to the people."

What Happens When You Help A Little Kid?

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-happens-when-you-help-little-kid.html

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/6/15

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/6/15: Education Links 2/3/15 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-post.html Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 2/2/15 http://mzteac...

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 2/6/15

Education Links 2/3/15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-post.html

Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 2/2/15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-2215.html

Take a Walk With Ludwig

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/01/take-walk-with-ludwig.html

Clair de Lune

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/clair-de-lune.html

Education Links 2/5/15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/education-links-2515.html

Indoor Classroom Activities for Winter

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/indoor-classroom-activities-for-january.html

Teaching Is Giving Kids The Confidence To Try

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/teaching-is-giving-kids-confidence-to.html

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/3/15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/mzteachuh-education-links-2315.html

Excellent Input, Edutopia! Education Links 2/2/15

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/excellent-input-edutopia-education.html

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance...with me, wandering lonely as a cloud

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2015/02/tossing-their-heads-in-sprightly.html?spref=bl

Planting It Forward http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/11/planting-it-forward.html?spref=bl

Thursday, February 5, 2015

MzTeachuh: Tossing their heads in sprightly dance...with me, ...

MzTeachuh: Tossing their heads in sprightly dance...with me, ...: Yippee! Out here in SoCal here are the first daffodils of the season, in my very own backyard! The Poetry Foundation also has a tab to...

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance...with me, wandering lonely as a cloud

Yippee! Out here in SoCal here are the first daffodils of the season, in my very own backyard!

The Poetry Foundation also has a tab to discussion of this famous poem.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174790

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

By William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: Film Review: Selma

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: Film Review: Selma: I went to see this movie twice, so I could process the intense experience. It is a nuclear explosion of truth, now more than ever....

Black History Month: Film Review: Selma

I went to see this movie twice, so I could process the intense experience. It is a nuclear explosion of truth, now more than ever. Why is this film so powerful? Why won't this film receive the kudos it deserves? I considered these questions.

The performances by the actors were superior. David Oyelowo captured the thoughtfulness, intelligence, and the cross MLK had to bear. The female characters demonstrated such grace under pressure. The costumes of all actors reflected careful dignity (similar to the custom of dressing for church many black churches still uphold.) The sets are careful and accurate, the dialog just enough. All the actors portraying these well known figures, as well as the families and just folks, reveal in their eyes the noble determination of choice each had to make to remain resilent and be willing to die for their cause in the name of respecting who you are. And the actors' eyes also reflect the sadness, and the fear. The 'less said' style of dialog brings power to the film, for example. in the scene when MLK comforts a grieving family member.

The movie is filmed in such a way keeps us inescapably in the action, emotional turmoil, when you desperately want to hide, find a safe place. But there isn't one. Then you must think higher level thoughts at the top of Bloom's Taxonomy until you are almost dizzy. It is 1965, all right, and it is also 2015 at the same time.

So, why so little recognition?

Many of us lived through this time period.

The violent American experience of the Civil Rights Movement was, at the very least, brought to us by CBS News and Walter Cronkite. But being aware of the fire hosing of demonstrating kids and grandparents along with police dog attacks, and the bombing of the church with little girls in it, and the lynchings, and the murders--it is a different non-intellectual experience on the news or in the history lesson than the emotionally engaging drama on the screen, especially in this film. They say our brains can't delineate personal experience from drama or reading fiction. In 'Selma' we are in that bomb blast with those little Sunday School girls. We're beaten with grandpa and the pastor from Boston. We debate the finer intellectual points of voting rights with Dr. King and colleagues. We go to church and choose nonviolence. We acknowledge the threat, are beaten and arrested. We choose to march anyway. We are strong, intelligent, determined, powerful without violence. We are black. We are family. We are Selma.

But in all honesty, in heart of hearts, some Americans admired the baseball bat with barbed wire...and still do.

The truth doesn't just hurt, it points an accusing finger.

This film will make many folks very uncomfortable. Not just the true racists, but the subtle racists who stereotype kids in hoodies, hate rap music and even R & B, share biased cartoons on FB, and have a quiet dislike of black people--even when they are in the White House (or maybe because they are in the White House.)
'Selma' highlights the educated intelligence and eloquence of the Civil Rights leaders and community activists, the strength of the black church, the families willing to demonstrate and maybe be injured and die. For their dream. For their America.
Recent demonstrations have posters that state 'Black Lives Matter.' In 2015, why do we have to be reminded? Why is the image of racism still on American faces like the pictures of hatred when the Little Rock Nine integrated Little Rock Central High School? Why are we still concerned about police profiling?
This is why 'Selma' is so potent--many of the lines written about events fifty years ago could be written for events last year.

Is this movie unfair to LBJ?
Let's forget for a moment the Founding Fathers did not eradicate slavery in the Constitution when John Adams lead the debate to do so, and many of the first presidents were slave owners. And out of respect for the Presidency, I won't go into Thomas Jefferson's relationship with slaves. Let's not even be surprised with LBJ's documented use of the 'n' word. He was from the South, negotiating with Wallace. Again, as a courtesty I will state that I don't believe the last six presidents (Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama) were or are persons who used racial slurs. But let's recall that LBJ was a proponent of Civil Rights from his early days in Texas politics; Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy were Civil Rights supporters, so LBJ was part of the pattern. That's part of why JFK chose him as a running mate. The 1964 Civil Rights Law, which he signed into law, was a culmination of years of work from the Civil Rights Advocates, as well as politicians. But was LBJ somehow denigrated in this film, which is concerned with only one segment of the Civil Rights Movement? It seems LBJ fans wish to elevate him to Dr. King's status in this affair. But he doesn't rate that. Did LBJ get the Nobel Peace Prize? It is true LBJ had his hands seriously full after JFK's assasination and the Vietnam War. However, he did lead the Congress to the voting legislation using his political skills. Personally, I think closing with LBJ's speech for Voter's Right was monumental, and a fair kudo to him. It is a privilege to post a link of LBJ's Speech in entirety here:

Lyndon Baines Johnson

Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Voting Legislation

"We Shall Overcome"

delivered 15 March 1965, Washington, D.C.

Will 'Selma' Make Racial Polarization Worse in America?
This film will shine light on where we are now, and where we need to go. It is uncomfortable, no two ways about it, whether you are a fan of MLK or not. I expect this film will help solve racial problems by acknowledging those who marched with MLK were from every demographic, and those who carry on are, too.

BTW, President Obama has stated he will dedicate himself after the Presidency to helping disadvataged youth with the 'My Brother's Keeper' program.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper

“That’s what ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is all about. Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works – when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.”

- President Barack Obama, February 27, 2014

Go to the website to see how you can participate.

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/5/15

MzTeachuh: Education Links 2/5/15: All Children Are Not the Same: Common Core Standards Fail to Keep Child Development in Mind http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rae-pica/all-...

Education Links 2/5/15

All Children Are Not the Same: Common Core Standards Fail to Keep Child Development in Mind

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rae-pica/all-children-are-not-the-same_b_6615796.html

Sunlight and ADHD

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2015/02/sunlight-and-adhd.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29

4 Tips to Transform Your Learning Space

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-to-transform-learning-space-beth-holland

Survey: Help MindShift By Telling Us What You Need

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/help-mindshift-by-telling-us-what-you-need/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Helping Students Fail: A Framework

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/the-role-of-failure-in-learning-helping-students-fail/

Children’s Books Honored For Disability Storylines

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/05/childrens-books-honored/20029/

Favorite Chrome Extension for Writing: Grammarly

http://catlintucker.com/2015/02/favorite-chrome-extension-for-writing-grammarly/

Differentiation Isn’t Perfect — But It Can Work

http://www.edudemic.com/differentiation-can-work/

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Loves Songs for Valentine's Day # 17

MzTeachuh: Aww Garsh--Loves Songs for Valentine's Day # 17: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing the feeling of romance . Written by Cole Porter, arranged by Nelson Riddle, sung by Fr...

Aww Garsh--Loves Songs for Valentine's Day # 17

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing the feeling of romance.

Written by Cole Porter, arranged by Nelson Riddle, sung by Frank Sinatra. Can't swing much more than that.

Frank Sinatra - I've Got You Under My Skin (HQ)

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=i%27ve+got+you+under+my+skin+youtube&vid=f0ccbd0ce48075be72f143e0630e1fe4&l=3%3A31&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4518422841460970%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9dk7hO4UFF8&tit=Frank+Sinatra+-+I%26%2339%3Bve+Got+You+Under+My+Skin+%28HQ%29&c=22&sigr=11ah808mk&sigt=11j3bng2c&ct=p&pstcat=arts+culture+and+entertainment&age=0&&tt=b

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Presidents Day

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Presidents Day: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm So many speeches--you can choose so many presidents--what a great resource. I ...

Teachable Moment: Presidents Day

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm

So many speeches--you can choose so many presidents--what a great resource. I would chose this one.

John F. Kennedy

Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Program

The text of this speech is frequently included on state tests here in California. Plus, it is just so neat to hear him give it. A true orator.

1. Crafts, Activities, and Worksheets for Presidents Day
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/presidentsday/

2. Presidents' Day Activities

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/presidents-day-activities.html

3. Presidents Worksheets(K-12)

http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?keywords=Presidents&media=worksheets&gclid=CKTKtrGxr7UCFSHZQgodJTgAOA

4. Presidents' Day (lots of printables, very interesting)

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/holidays-months-and-seasons-holidays-presidents-day-3659-2-1

5. Presidents' Day Activities

http://pinterest.com/pediastaff/presidents-day-activities/

6. Presidents' Day

http://www.history.com/topics/presidents-day

7. Presidents' Day - What Does it Mean?

http://usparks.about.com/od/historicalparks/a/Presidents-Day.htm

I like that we now need more crayons to color the presidents. I also like TR's 'stache. Harding, no so much.

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: Levar Burton

MzTeachuh: Black History Month: Levar Burton: Levar Burton, actor, director, producer. Kunte Kinte Levar Burton is a serious and talented person. We remember K...

Black History Month: Levar Burton


Levar Burton, actor, director, producer.

Kunte Kinte

Levar Burton is a serious and talented person. We remember Kunte Kinte very well; what an impact. The point being, we remember Kunte Kinte--not that he was played by a young college student from USC. He was that good in the role.

Geordi La Forge--The Next Generation

The Star Trek blockbuster The Next Generation, both television and movies, had a deeply developed Geordi LaForge. Burton's character was a brilliant engineer yet vulnerable young man. I do believe the writing and performance of this sci fi series has always been greatly underestimated. Try the episode with fellow engineer Leah Brahms (Booby Trap.) There are so many more. Burton also directed many Star Trek episodes.

Then, of course there is Reading Rainbow and its regeneration in ed tech apps. At RRKIDZ, Burton serves as Co-Founder and Curator-in-Chief, ensuring that the projects produced under the banner meet the high expectations and trust of the Reading Rainbow brand.

Reading Rainbow and IPad.

Growing up in a military family, Levar almost chose to be a Catholic priest (I can identify with that since I came very close to being a Benedictine nun.) Maybe that has influenced his thoughtful and excellent way of living before the public. Not since Bill Cosby have we had such an excellent role model.

Last year at Comicon I had the chance for a conversation with Levar Burton at the Star Trek location while getting an autograph for myself and my daughter. He is such a nice gentleman. It was a privilege. At the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, my daughter got a picture with him, requesting a 'Community' type pose (she emulated Troy's freaked out expression.) He cooperated in good humor.

MzTeachuh: STEM Valentines

MzTeachuh: STEM Valentines: I judge not; I am a nerd, too, and I think Nikola Tesla is flirting with me.

STEM Valentines

I judge not; I am a nerd, too, and I think Nikola Tesla is flirting with me.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

MzTeachuh: Testing, 1,2,3, Testing

MzTeachuh: Testing, 1,2,3, Testing: Why Are American Schools Obsessed With Turning Kids Into Robots? http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/02/why-are-america...