MzTeachuh: Some Children See Him

MzTeachuh: Some Children See Him:   Mark 10:13-16 The Message (MSG) 13-16  The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed ...

MzTeachuh: Under The Influence

MzTeachuh's Meditations: Under The Influence: La Combe II Ellsworth Kelly   King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is th...

MzTeachuh: It's A Beautiful Morning

MzTeachuh: It's A Beautiful Morning: Beautiful Morning by Elizabeth Coats Thanks to Youtube, I'm having a renewed appreciation for the Young Rascals.  I especially l...

MzTeachuh: Mzteachuh's 'Teaching Is...' Collection of Tweets

MzTeachuh: Mzteachuh's 'Teaching Is...' Collection of Tweets: My favorite poster in this series. Here are 40 blogs with 7 links each on teacher top ics. H ave fun! Teaching Is Seeing...

Be Well, Be Strong

Be Well, Be Strong

Educational Links 11/28/15

Impact of Social-Emotional Learning on Academic Achievement 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2015/11/impact-of-social-emotional-learning-on.html 

Response: 'Schools Cannot Thrive' Without Teacher Leadership

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2015/11/response_schools_cannot_thrive_without_teacher_leadership.html 

7 Things Parents and Teachers Should Know About Teens

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-things-parents-and-teachers-should-know-about-teens-maurice-elias?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=7-things-know-about-teens&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link 

Stanford researchers show we’re sending many children to school way too early

http://qz.com/546832/stanford-researchers-show-were-sending-many-children-to-school-way-too-early/ 

Why grouping students doesn't work

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/why-grouping-students-doesnt-work 

The Third Teacher and the Literate Learner

http://bigideasineducation.ca/2015/11/28/the-third-teacher-and-the-literate-learner/

 Poverty Disturbs Children's Brain Development and Academic Performance 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/poverty-disturbs-children-s-brain-development-and-academic-performance/ 

51% of American Students Are Considered Poor -- and Most Are From These 10 States! 

http://blog.lowincome.org/2015/03/51-percent-american-students-poor-low-income.html#.Vlnc2-K8nIV 

 

Ten Books for the Holiday Season by Reading Rockets

Warm your hearts with these holiday stories, from old favorites to new delights. These recommended books for kids ages 0-9 are about generosity, love, and friendship, and are perfect for the season, no matter what traditions you celebrate!

 http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/books/c360/

Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish

By: Emily Sper

Age Level: 0-3

Reading Level: Pre-Reader

The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

By: Dr. Seuss

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

The classic tale of the Grinch is now more than 50 years old. But that's just why it's a classic: Seuss' grumpy stealer of Christmas is as fresh today as it was when first published in the mid 20th century.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

By: Robert Barry

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Mr. Willowby, the unwitting hero of this Christmas classic, looks quite a bit like the little mustachioed mascot from Monopoly. But as befits a Yuletide tale, this diminutive millionaire turns out to be a good bit more generous.

Seven Candles for Kwanzaa

By: Andrea Pinkney & Brian Pinkney

Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Although Kwanzaa commemorates an ancient African harvest ritual, it is a relatively new holiday in North America. Seven Candles for Kwanzaa comfortably explains the origins, language, and daily themes of this warm and festive seven-day holiday.

The Gifts of Kwanzaa

By: Synthia James

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

"Habari gani? What news?" Synthia Saint James presents the language and origins of Kwanzaa with enticing writing and bold pictures that honor the people and colors of Africa.

The Night Before Christmas

By: Clement Moore

Illustrated by: Tasha Tudor

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore wrote The Night before Christmas for his own children. Now, of course, his poem is read aloud to children around the world who are anticipating Santa's arrival.

The Polar Express

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This holiday classic earned a Caldecott Medal.

The Tomten

By: Astrid Lindgren

Illustrated by: Harald Wiberg

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

From Swedish folklore comes the story of the tomten, a little gnome who watches over us while we sleep. Read this heartwarming version, from the author of Pippi Longstocking, and celebrate a time-honored tradition for the Winter Solstice.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats

By: Patricia Polacco

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Polacco has a warm, colorful illustrative style she applies to what at first seems the simple story of a Jewish girl, Trisha, and her Christian neighbors, whose bout with scarlet fever at Christmas threatens to ruin Trisha's Hanukkah. Trisha and her family respond with a loving gesture that is rewarded in kind.

Zigazak: A Magical Hanukkah Night

By: Eric Kimmel

Illustrated by: Jon Goodell

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Is Hanukkah really all about dancing dreidels and high-flying latkes? Maybe not, but Eric Kimmel and Jon Goodell have put these devilish phenomena to good use in a lighthearted story that teaches Hanukkah traditions--from kazatzkas to gelt--along with a wise, timeless moral.

Winter Nature Activities Outside

Outside nature activities involve many STEM related uses--what an opportunity!

Holiday ice art

http://www.activekidsclub.com/blogs/christmas/ice-art.html

Learning from nature: Winter Activities for Kids

http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/learning-nature-winter-activities-kids/#.VInBWsm87Iw 

Middle School Nature Activities Activities

http://www.education.com/activity/middle-school/nature-activities/ 

Nature Deficit Disorder

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

Winter-Themed Classroom Resources, Grades 9-12

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/winter-theme-grades9-12.html 

Games to Play in Snow

http://www.kidactivities.net/category/games-winter-outside.aspx 

Build a Pine Cone Bird Feeder! 

http://www.education.com/activity/article/pinecone_bird_feeder_kindergarten/

 

 

 

How Does Your Classroom Grow?

Eggshell Seed Starting Pots

http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=1052 

Growing plants in your class brings health and learning benefits. Whether it is seedlings for a school garden or a ficus that will remain in you class for years like a friendly face, the daily involvment in tending, measuring, and appreciating the beauty of the process of growth for your students is greatly more than the slight cost of time and organization. Don't have a green thumb? I bet some of your students or parents do. You can involve STEM activities, art lessons, and even run a class science project to see if plants grow better with Mozart (they do. Kids do, too.) Maybe a teaching colleague would like to collaborate in a joint project for Earth Day.

15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality

http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/photos/15-houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality/a-breath-of-fresh-air

Here is a mind-boggling number of classroom plants to sort through! Teacher, you can surely find something suitable for your class here.

 classroom plants

https://www.pinterest.com/llogan2276/classroom-plants/ 

Let's Get Growing: Seed Starting Q & A

 http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/96821

Terrariums for Teachers and students 

http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/teaching-terrarium.htm 

School Gardens

http://growing-minds.org/school-gardens/ 

How to Build a Straw Bale Garden

http://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/ 

REAL School Garden

http://www.realschoolgardens.org/ 

School Garden Checklist

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

Keyhole Gardening Tips

Keyhole Gardening Tips

Keyhole Gardening

http://www.hgtvgardens.com/raised-garden/keyhole-gardening-tips 

 

Welcome to School Garden Wizard

http://www.schoolgardenwizard.org/

Collective School Garden Network 

http://www.csgn.org/

School Garden Resource Center

https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/resources/school-garden-resources/ 

Do You Hear What I Hear? Whitney Singing

Whitney Houston - Do You Hear What I Hear (Christmas Music Video) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv7Cp9zllrU

Music for the Soundtrack of Your Classroom: the Winter Holidays

Music in the background of your classroom can increase productivity and attentiveness, plus, the students may have familiarity with the music of the holidays and this recognition can add to class contentment and placidity.

1. The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk5Uturacx8

2. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas (Full Album) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jpGOb-gB-o

3. PROKOFIEV ♫ Peter and the Wolf ♫ COMPLETE Orchestral Suite 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OQvH90hKEw 

All three of the above links also have dramatic productions that can serve as rewards for working up to the vacation time.

 Here is some weather-related music you might want to include for fun--have the students listen and comment if the music reminds them of  weather conditions.

1. Debussy's "The Snow is Dancing" (Alfred Cortot) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GwswzJTtA4 

2.  Chopin's Raindrops (Op 28 No 15 ) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-T8inEqg1U 

 3. Antonio Vivaldi.Four seasons.Winter. 

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

MzTeachuh: Take a Walk With Ludwig

MzTeachuh: Take a Walk With Ludwig: Vienna Woods, lessing-photo,com A picnic would be lovely.   This is my favororite symphony ...

MzTeachuh: Reflecting on Reflection

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MzTeachuh: Check Out Ed Tech To Help Teachers

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MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Reflective

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Preparing Your Soup Stock for Turkey Soup | MzTeachuh's Cookbook and Gardening Tips

Preparing Your Soup Stock for Turkey Soup | MzTeachuh's Cookbook and Gardening Tips

MzTeachuh: Taking Care of Teacher

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MzTeachuh: The Up-Side of Teaching

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MzTeachuh: Taking Care of Teacher

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MzTeachuh: Websites for Special Education

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MzTeachuh: Higher Level Thinking--For Educators

MzTeachuh: Higher Level Thinking--For Educators: Top predictions for tomorrow’s classrooms http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/09/08/future-tomorrows-classrooms-934/   Start the Year by ...

MzTeachuh: ADHD? Info That's Interesting

MzTeachuh: ADHD? Info That's Interesting: Exercise Helps Children With ADHD in Study http://online.wsj.com/articles/exercise-helps-children-with-adhd-in-study-1410216881   H...

MzTeachuh: Power Up That Brain! Understanding Learning

MzTeachuh: Power Up That Brain! Understanding Learning: 4 Neurosystems Of Learning http://www.teachthought.com/learning/4-neurosystems-learning/   This Is Your Brain. This Is Your Brain On Mu...

MzTeachuh: Reading, And How To Love It

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MzTeachuh: Making Classroom Adjustments

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MzTeachuh: Teaching the Arts

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MzTeachuh: Clair de Lune

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MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Trying Everything To Get Through 11/20...

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MzTeachuh: Monet and Vivaldi: Autumn

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MzTeachuh: Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts About Thanksgivi...

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MzTeachuh: Cheesy Football Jokes And A Pep Talk From Bill Wal...

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MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Reflective

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Helpful Educational Websites

Educators have resources online both infinite, and interesting.

Here is a sampling. 
 

General Education

Edutopia | K-12 Education Tips & Strategies That Work

https://www.google.com/search?q=edutopia+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 

 

MindShift | How we will learn - KQED

 http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/

 

TeachThought - Learn better.

http://www.teachthought.com/ 

Ed Tech and STEM

 

Edudemic - Education Technology Tips For Students AndTeachers

 http://www.edudemic.com/

 

eSchool News | Technology News & Innovation in K-12Education

 http://www.eschoolnews.com/

Ed Tech Review

http://edtechreview.in/

  

Special Education 

 

Understood | For Learning and Attention Issues - Understood

https://www.understood.org/en

 

 

Special-Ism - Reach Your Child's Potential with Professional Insights

http://special-ism.com/

Disability Scoop - Developmental Disability News

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/

Indoor Classroom Activities for Winter

Lesson Plans for January

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/free-lesson-plans

January Units, Lesson Plans & Activities

http://www.theteacherscorner.net/monthly-resources/january.php 

Indoor Gardening Investigations

 http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/12140

Winter Activities for the Classroom
Coloring Pages, Games, Crafts, Poems, Worksheets, Printable Kid Stories for Teachers

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/winter/

Classroom Games and Activities for General Music

http://www.nafme.org/classroom-games-and-activities-for-general-music/ 

Activities for the Classroom from NASA

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/classroom-activities/en/

How to bring green into the classroom

http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-school-teachers.html

Bringing Order to
Indoor Recess Time

Bringing Order to Indoor Recess Time

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/how_i_handled/how_i_handled060.shtml 

MzTeachuh: Is Teaching Good For You? Yes and No.

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Happy Thanksgiving from Mzteachuh

Enjoying the autumn color from my maple tree.

Heartfelt Greetings! Hope you enjoy spending time with your families and friends. That's what I will be doing as I take a few days' break from fresh posts of this blog. See you again in several days.