MzTeachuh's Classroom: The Excellent Effect of Music In All Classrooms

MzTeachuh's Classroom: The Excellent Effect of Music In All Classrooms: Can Music Education Enhance Brain Functioning and Academic Learning? http://brainconnection.brainhq.com/2000/05/15/can-music-education-re...

MzTeachuh's Classroom: Learning Ed Tech? Feel Lost At Sea?

MzTeachuh's Classroom: Learning Ed Tech? Feel Lost At Sea?: I won't say the 'average' teacher has issues with the rapidly changing ed tech classroom. I would say 'normal' teacher...

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 Quality)...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Making A Kid Feel Uniquely Important

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Making A Kid Feel Uniquely Important: 1. How Can Teachers Foster Self-Esteem in Children? Teachers play an important role in nurturing a student's sense of dignity an...

MzTeachuh: You're Still A Mean One Mr. Grinch

MzTeachuh: You're Still A Mean One Mr. Grinch: The little dog reminds me of my chihuahua. Dr. Seuss' poetry is renowned--but here his talent as lyricist also excels. I think Charl...

MzTeachuh: Vivaldi and Vincent: Winter

MzTeachuh: Vivaldi and Vincent: Winter: Winter Landscape (Memories of the North) Vincent Van Gogh Who knows how Vivaldi made music sound cold. Listen to this with a cup of hot...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Having With It Ness

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Having With It Ness: 1. Teacher Withitness http://rossieronline.usc.edu/teacher-withitness/ Teacher Withitness - Inside USC Rossier , the blog of USC Ro...

Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts About Christmas

    What has four legs, a red nose and flies?   Rudolf the Red-Nosed Roadkill.

What is Frosty's favorite dinner?

Spaghetti and snowballs.

                                          Where doe Santa keep his red suit?    In his Santa Clauset.

 Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Earl.

Earl who?

Earl I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.

                                                     Why does Santa use reindeer to pull his sleigh?

                                Because the elephants kept crashing through the roof.

What is the best Christmas carol in the Twilight movies?

I'm Dreaming of a Bite Christmas.

What has a red suit, a white beard and rows of razor sharp teeth? Santa Jaws.

What would you call your wedding anniversary if it was December 25th?

A Marry Christmas.

Who had a beard, webbed feet and wrote "A Christmas Carol?"

Charles Duckens.

What do you call being caught in a chimney with a fat man?

Santa Claustrophobia.

 What happened when the family cat swallowed some tinsel?

He needed a tinselectomy.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Anna. 

Anna who?

Anna partridge in a pear tree.

 

Question: Why was Santa's little helper depressed?
Because he had low elf esteem.

What is Santa's favorite American state?
Idaho-ho-ho.

Question: What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Answer: Frostbite.

Where does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
In the dictionary.

This is for English teachers.
Q: What do you call Santa's Helpers?
A: Subordinate Clauses

What is the snowman’s breakfast?
Answer: Frosted flakes!

How do snowmen greet each other?
Answer : Ice to meet you!

You just had to know eventually I would get to the funny cat pics.

Now for the serious talk. Christmas is a full on holiday--it smells good (catch that scent from the cinnamon pine cones?), looks sparkly and cute (lights up again), feels cozy  (snuggly blankets in front of the fire with hot cocoa or wassail), tastes yummy (yeah, bite the head off that gingerbread man!), sounds great (all types of music singing cheer and closeness and holiday, etc.) It is entertaining with endless gifts,  movies and music and fun.

Except for that annoying bell the Salvation Army persists in ringing at the front of stores. That is so annoying to be bugged to give to the less fortunate. The homeless, or impaired, or orphaned--is that my business? 

Shouldn't we have a right not to have them bug us? Isn't that the separation of church and state? I don't need all that Jesus stuff at this holiday, like giving to the poor, or kindness to strangers if I don't wish to. Peace and forgiveness. That's my business. Condemnation for behavior that's nobody's business but mine. And I shouldn't have to be reminded on a public street. At school Jesus and all that radical Christian stuff has been eradicated. When can I finally have a secular holiday?

Well, first of all the very word holiday is rooted from holyday.  A day to meditate on the spiritual side of life. Christmas means Christ worship in the old days. He is still memorialized as the greatest teacher who ever lived, the proclaimer of brotherhood, kindness and conscience. All the major religions admire him. Why is he considered so irritating to some Americans?

He was an all or nothing sort of person. You were with him or not. He was who he said he was or not. No in between. Forgiveness, purity, mercy. Very, very hard precepts. It is hard to hang with Jesus. Its all or nothing with Christ.

Students in public schools who profess Christianity are in danger of having their civil rights violated by some administrators and staff who find the message of Christ to be very irritating--not only those horrendous ten commandments, but that part about not lusting or lying  and giving to the poor and such. These leaders will nail kids for even saying, 'Merry Christmas.' 

Not much holiday spirit there. Or tolerance. I've observed it first hand towards kids and staff. I was told even playing Handel's Messiah was against the separation of church and state. So, I chose to play it anyway, thinking you have to take a stand sometimes. Might as well be Handel. No problems arose. No lawsuits.

It is our obligation as a democracy to extend tolerance to all. Even the annoying, I-Am-The-Only-Way Jesus, and his followers.

Educational Links 12/5/15

House Passes Every Student Succeeds Act to Overhaul NCLB - See more at: http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/house-passes-every-student-succeeds-act-to-overhaul-nclb/#sthash.TRsRFqPE.dpuf

 

House Passes Every Student Succeeds Act

http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/house-passes-every-student-succeeds-act-to-overhaul-nclb/ 

House Passes Every Student Succeeds Act to Overhaul NCLB - See more at: http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/house-passes-every-student-succeeds-act-to-overhaul-nclb/#sthash.TRsRFqPE.dpuf

High Possibility Classrooms: Student Agency Through Technology-Enhanced Learning

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/high-possibility-classrooms-tech-enhanced-learning-jane-hunter 

What Teacher Training for New Science Standards Could Look Like

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/12/03/what-teacher-training-for-new-science-standards-could-look-like/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Channeling innovation in the anti-testing fervor

http://edscoop.com/channeling-innovation-in-the-anti-testing-fervor 

Therapeutic Riding Proves More Than Horse Play

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/12/04/therapeutic-riding-play/21640/ 

Parent Power Surges! Understood.org's First Year Successes, Toy Guides for Learning, Attention

http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/aiming-access/parent-power-surges-understoodorgs-first-year-successes-toy-guides-learning?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29 

The Teacher’s Guide To Flipped Classrooms

http://www.edudemic.com/guides/flipped-classrooms-guide/ 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Helpful Hints for When Teacher Is Overwhelmed

MzTeachuh: Helpful Hints for When Teacher Is Overwhelmed: Time Saving Tips for Teachers    http://www.educationoasis.com/resources/Articles/time_saving_tips.htm   Replacing Classroom Chaos...

MzTeachuh: The Snow Is Dancing

MzTeachuh: The Snow Is Dancing: Snow near Honfleur Monet Hope not too much. Claude Debussy - The Snow is Dancing  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dobF8wJ...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is...Soothing the Soul (SEL)

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is...Soothing the Soul (SEL): 1. Resources and Lesson Plans for Social and Emotional Learning  http://www.edutopia.org/stw-louisville-sel-resources-downloads#gr...

MzTeachuh: Read! Classic Adventure, Romance, Mystery

MzTeachuh: Read! Classic Adventure, Romance, Mystery: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Illustration by N.C. Wyeth Classics! These are still around because they're compell...

MzTeachuh: Mary, Did You Know?

MzTeachuh: Mary, Did You Know?: Madonna and Child (Madonna Litta) Leonardo da Vinci ...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Being Organized (Within Reason)

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Being Organized (Within Reason): 1. CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION  http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/p/classroom-organization-giveaway.html   2. 100 Classroom Organiz...

Educational Links 12/4/15

What Educators Need to Understand About Poverty

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/educators-need-understand-about-poverty-william-parrett-kathleen-budge 

Do IEPs Have to be Honored until the Expiration Date? - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/?p=13310&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWrightslawWay+%28The+Wrightslaw+Way%29#sthash.dHskvGJE.dpuf

‘Not a Math Person’: How to Remove Obstacles to Learning Math

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/30/not-a-math-person-how-to-remove-obstacles-to-learning-math/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

The Responsive Classroom: "Why Is Everyone So Nice Here?" 

http://www.nesca-news.com/2015/12/the-responsive-classroom-why-is.html 

How Schools Can Respond To The Age Of Information

http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/disruption-innovation/how-schools-can-respond-to-the-age-of-information/ 

Decades of Progress, Challenges Under Federal Special Education Law

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/11/11/decades-of-progress-challenges-under-federal-special.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EducationWeekSpecialEducation+%28Education+Week%3A+Special+Education%29 

Mass Shooting At Developmental Disabilities Center

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/12/03/mass-shooting-disabilities/21626/ 

5 Mid-Year Teaching Strategies to Re-Energize Your Class

http://www.teachhub.com/5-mid-year-teaching-strategies-re-energize-your-class 

The blended learning model every district can try

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/12/03/blended-learning-model-950/ 

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Have You Talked To Your Kid Today?

MzTeachuh: Have You Talked To Your Kid Today?: 1. Find out how they're feeling? Bored, tummy ache, excited, melancholy. Do you know how they're feeling? Do they know you care...

MzTeachuh: Do I Have to Go to the IEP meeting? I'm Not Specia...

MzTeachuh: Do I Have to Go to the IEP meeting? I'm Not Specia...: That confusing enough for you? Am I required to attend IEP meetings if I am not a Special Education teacher?   I've been ask...

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Ca...

MzTeachuh: Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Ca...: Charles Dickens is remembered as the greatest creator of literary characters after Shakespeare. He is also a hero of the Victorian Er...

MzTeachuh: Do Behavior Support Plans Work?

MzTeachuh: Do Behavior Support Plans Work?: I don't know how many BSPs I have written, probably an average of five a year for fifteen years. The This is a pretty way to pictur...

MzTeachuh: ...To Face Unafraid The Plans That We Made...

MzTeachuh: ...To Face Unafraid The Plans That We Made...: Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett with the Count Basie Big Band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv0mmwn-UyA     "Winter Wonderla...

MzTeachuh: Activities for Winter--Grab Your Mittens!

MzTeachuh: Activities for Winter--Grab Your Mittens!:   One of my backyard visitors last January. How To Make Pine Cone Bird Feeders http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/topiarybonsai/ht...

MzTeachuh: Twelve Days of Nonsense

MzTeachuh: Twelve Days of Nonsense: Please forgive me, Christmas purists. Relient K - 12 Days of Christmas  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA6QsHdXwdI   "12 Day...

MzTeachuh: Everyone Helps Kids Read

MzTeachuh: Everyone Helps Kids Read: Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle Reading Rockets is an extremely valuable resource for reading education, but mo...

MzTeachuh: Paul McCartney Rewrites the Christmas Song

MzTeachuh: Paul McCartney Rewrites the Christmas Song: Never tried these, but I bet they taste good. As a vegetarian, Paul feels he should 'set the turkey free in the forest' and cha...

Principal's Suggestion Box #17

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 wish to apologize to you, the school, and the parents (and the District, if necessary). I didn't mean to be controversial or inconsiderate. I just didn't know that saying, "Some families believe in Santa, and some do not," would cause so much trouble to Fifth Graders.

I respect the right of every person to believe what they choose. I promise not to mention Santa ever again.

If there is any other form of apology I have to make to keep my job, please let me know.

Yours Truly,
Chagrined Teacher  

The Santa controversy
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=168687

Expelling Santa from school? Holiday observance in a politically correct age 

http://national.deseretnews.com/article/708/expelling-santa-from-school-holiday-observance-in-a-politically-correct-age.html

My Jewish child was asked to wear a Santa hat at school. Should I care?

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-should-my-jewish-child-have-to-wear-a-santa-hat-at-school/2014/12/19/262f0b9e-8234-11e4-81fd-8c4814dfa9d7_story.html

My two bits worth: I generally talk like a lawyer when teaching in a public school. Just to be politically correct, plus to not hurt the kids' feelings. Some people believe (fill in the blank), some people don't. Teacher may not know (nor does she need to) the religious or non-religious background of the students or staff. Do I have a right to say, "Merry Christmas?" I believe so, because I intend the positive. Is believing in Santa a religious right? I don't think so, any more than the Tooth Fairy. Do I feel obligated to tell kids 'the truth' about Santa or the Tooth Fairy? No, the Tooth Fairy is especially sacred. Some schools create inclusive winter holidays, with Hannukah, Kwanza, Christmas, etc., but draw the line at Islam. And definitely won't allow Satanism. How to choose? It's up to the principal and District, but there must be a fair, just way to acknowledge the kids' customs in your school.  Some schools have a Peace Program.

And, by the way, Santa--like love and generosity-- comes in all races, colors, customs, and diversity.

 

Jahleel Logan, 3, poses with Santa, a.k.a. Langston Patterson, 78, of Rudolph Holiday Photo, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

MzTeachuh: Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story

MzTeachuh: Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story: A Mournful Christmas Eve 1863--Thomas Nast The lyrics to the Christmas Carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' were wr...

MzTeachuh's Christmas Music Playlist

 

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

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/cheer-up-its-ella-singing-sleigh-ride.html

...and the soul felt its worth... 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/and-soul-felt-its-worth.html?spref=bl

...To Face Unafraid The Plans That We Made... 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/to-face-unafraid-plans-that-we-made.html

 

 Paul McCartney Rewrites the Christmas Song 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/paul-mccartney-rewrites-christmas-song.html?spref=bl

 Laughing All The Way 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/laughing-all-way.html?spref=bl

What Child Is This?

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/what-child-is-this.html?spref=bl

 Feliz Navidad! 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/feliz-navidad.html

Silent Night in Irish 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/silent-night-in-irish.html

You're Still A Mean One, Mr. Grinch 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/youre-still-mean-one-mr-grinch.html

 Run, Run Rudolph! 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/run-run-rudolph.html

Civil War Era Christmas Carol--True Story 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/civil-war-era-christmas-carol-true-story.html 

Victorian poor.

Some Children See Him 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/some-children-see-him.html

A Soalin' 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/a-soalin.html?spref=bl

Christmas Music For Feeling Sorry For Yourself

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/christmas-music-for-feeling-sorry-for.html

A Charlie Brown Christmas: the Music 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/a-charlie-brown-christmas-music.html

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Hot Button Teacher Topics

MzTeachuh: Hot Button Teacher Topics:   Feds: Inequalities in Ed Tech Resources 'Potentially Unlawful Discrimination'   http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/10/02/f...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Character

MzTeachuh: Teaching Character: Maybe It’s Time To Stop Talking About Bullying, And Talk Kindness Instead http://www.teachthought.com/culture/maybe-time-stop-tal...

MzTeachuh: Interesting Arts and Crafts for Diverse Winter Hol...

MzTeachuh: Interesting Arts and Crafts for Diverse Winter Hol...:   Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=5&bookID=00000542 Adven...

MzTeachuh: ADHD Epidemic?

MzTeachuh: ADHD Epidemic?

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Hard Work That Pays Off For Generation...

MzTeachuh: Teaching Is Hard Work That Pays Off For Generation...: 1. The Impact of Education on Economic and Social Outcomes http://www.australianscience.com.au/education/the-impact-of-education-on-ec...

Reading Rockets Reading List: Snow

http://www.readingrockets.org/

 Let It Snow

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

When the winter settles on Saranac Lake in New York state, the community comes together to prepare for the winter carnival. A ten-year old girl narrates this fictionalized account of the annual two-week celebration that she and her father help plan and her uncle (as well as other prisoners from a nearby correctional facility) help build. Highly realistic, full color watercolors depict the excitement and activity, which is further explained in an endnote.

Snow

By: Uri Shulevitz

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

No one except a small boy thinks the few falling snowflakes will amount to much. As the snow continues to fall, however, the dull, gray town becomes transformed into a winter wonderland, and all of its residents come out to enjoy. The wonder of it all is captured through dynamic illustrations and understated text.

Snow Is Falling

By: Franklyn Branley, Holly Keller

Illustrated by: Holly Keller, Franklyn Branley

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Snow is magical and beautiful and sometimes even dangerous. Through both observation and experimentation, this book introduces the many aspects of snow through crisp text and appealing illustrations that are sure to engage, inform, and inspire younger children. 

Tracks in the Snow

By: Wong Yee

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A child follows animal tracks in the snow, wondering aloud "Who made the tracks?/Where do they go?" Gentle illustrations depict the child's walk across a snowy landscape while animals watch from afar. Only upon returning home is it revealed that the tracks were made yesterday when the child was "Out playing in the snow!"

You Can Do It, Sam

By: Amy Hest, Anita Jeram

Illustrated by: Anita Jeram

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

On a snowy winter morning, Sam and his mom bake cakes to surprise their friends in the neighborhood. Sam delivers them all by himself – with a little encouragement from Mrs. Bear as she waits in their pick-up truck. Their morning adventure ends back home with a cake and a cup of hot cocoa for both Mrs. Bear and Sam. This reassuring story is told in gentle, engaging language supported by appealing illustrations that evoke the frosty weather.

Snow Music

By: Lynne Rae Perkins

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

The whisper of snow and the jingle of dog tags set a wintery tone in this story of a boy and his friend in search of his lost dog on a snowy day. Music is everywhere in the rhythm of the language and patterns of the illustration in this unusual and memorable book.


Ice Palace

By: Deborah Blumenthal, Ted Rand

By: Jacqueline Martin, Mary Azarian

Illustrated by: Mary Azarian

Age Level: 6-9 

The Polar Express

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Illustrated 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.

Snowflake Bentley

By: Jacqueline Martin, Mary Azarian

Illustrated by: Mary Azarian

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Strong line and narrative combine in this picture book biography of the Vermonter who figured out how to photograph real snowflakes. Dramatic illustrations won a Caldecott Medal. 

The Polar Express

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Illustrated 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.

                               

Best Articles for Educators Week of 11/29/15

The Illusion of Inclusion: How We Are Failing Students with Learning Disabilities

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-r-toste/the-illusion-of-inclusion_1_b_8530372.html 

Arts Integration or Arts and Crafts?

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/arts-integration-or-arts-and-crafts-susan-barber 

Four Inventive Games That Show Us the Future of Learning

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/26/four-inventive-games-that-show-us-the-future-of-learning/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Virtual farming lessons to educate crops of students

http://edscoop.com/virtual-farming-lessons-to-educate-crops-of-students 

An Educator Speaks: Change the Approach; Not the Kid (with TedX Video) 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2015/11/an-educator-speaks-change-approach-not.html 

NatureMapping: What It Is and How It Can Be Used as a Learning Tool

http://www.edudemic.com/naturemapping-can-used-learning-tool/#comment-287270 

Image via Flickr by USFWS Pacific