Educational Links 2/19/17

HOW CODING SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO KIDS

http://www.theedadvocate.org/how-coding-should-be-taught-to-kids/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

7 Essential Principles of Innovative Learning

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/02/01/7-essential-principles-of-innovative-learning/

DISENGAGED STUDENTS, PART 7: TOO MUCH INFORMATION ACCESS?

http://www.theedadvocate.org/disengaged-students-part-7-too-much-information-access/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

What's Happening With Virtual Charter Schools This Year?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/charterschoice/2017/02/online_charter_school_legislation_2017.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

If School Isn’t For Collaborating, Why Does Anyone Come?

http://www.thinkinclusive.us/if-school-isnt-for-collaborating-why-does-anyone-come/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

What is Asperger's?

https://www.aspergerexperts.com/go/whatisaspergers-klt/?WickedSource=facebook&WickedID=klt-what-is-aspergers

Social Challenges of Kids With Learning Problems

https://childmind.org/article/social-challenges-kids-learning-problems/

When we think of children with learning challenges, we think of difficulty with reading or math, with being organized, with paying attention and staying focused in school. But many students with learning and attention disorders also have social and communication problems.

Man, this art is messing with my mind! Original Op Art

Victor Vasely Vonal Stri 1975

Victor Vasarely

The art seems to move--before animation.

Though Victor doesn't seem like a rave kind of guy in this pic--I felt his art needed some background music. BTW, they consider him to be the grandfather of op art.


Top 10 Electronic Music u should hear (only music - no lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnwoM4NfQXk

Victor Vasarely Website

http://www.vasarely.com/

Pecs

Vega-Nor 

Outside art, too. Tribute to Malevitch (1954), Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

Education Links 2/18/17

A CHILD’S BRAIN DEVELOPS FASTER WITH EXPOSURE TO MUSIC EDUCATION

https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2016/06/19/a-childs-brain-develops-faster-with-exposure-to-music/

Are Teachers Becoming Obsolete?

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/02/becoming-obsolete/516732/?utm_source=twb

WHY WE SHOULD TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT RACE

http://www.theedadvocate.org/talk-children-race/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

Video: Why Executive Function Is So Important for Your Child

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/executive-functioning-issues/video-why-executive-function-is-so-important-for-your-child?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

The way we teach most children to read sets them up to fail

http://theconversation.com/the-way-we-teach-most-children-to-read-sets-them-up-to-fail-36946 

Study: Teacher Satisfaction, Collaboration Are Keys to Student Achievement

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2017/02/study_teacher_satisfaction_professional_learning_communities_keys_to_student_achievement.html?cmp=eml-enl-eu-news3

Librarians: Information literacy is a must-have skill

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/02/07/librarians-information-literacy/

Nearly half of librarians in a recent survey said their libraries do not advocate for information literacy as much as they should.

Educational Links 2/18/17

26 Research-Based Tips You Can Use in the Classroom Tomorrow

https://www.edutopia.org/article/26-research-based-tips-you-can-use-in-classroom-tomorrow-todd-finley

Podcasts and the Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/podcasts-classroom/

5 Math Apps That Are Great for Differentiation

http://blog.mimio.com/5-math-apps-that-are-great-for-differentiation

Media Literacy: Five Ways Teachers Are Fighting Fake News

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/02/16/media-literacy-five-ways-teachers-are-fighting-fake-news/

Can Virtual Reality “teach” empathy?

http://hechingerreport.org/can-virtual-reality-teach-empathy/

In her first public speech, DeVos praises a choice many endorse: magnet schools

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-essential-education-updates-southern-in-her-first-formal-address-devos-1487192722-htmlstory.html

Education Department Records Uptick In Special Ed Enrollment

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/02/16/education-uptick-special-ed/23334/

The uptick appears to stem from an increase in the number of children identified with autism, developmental delay and a catch-all category known as “other health impairments.”

At the same time, national totals for kids with intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, the largest category — specific learning disabilities — and several other categories were largely flat.

Educational Links 2/16/17

http://digitalpromise.org/initiative/educator-micro-credentials/micro-credential-resources-hub/

Can Micro-credentials Create More Meaningful Professional Development For Teachers?

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/02/15/can-micro-credentials-create-meaningful-professional-development-for-teachers/

Uncertainties as Congress Takes Aim at ESSA Regulations

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/02/15/uncertainties-as-congress-takes-aim-at-essa.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

18 Incredible Digital Citizenship Web Resources for Teachers

https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/18-incredible-digital-citizenship-web-resources?utm_content=42430456&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Pupils with alcoholic parents are 'Britain's biggest secret scandal', MPs warn

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/pupils-alcoholic-parents-are-britains-biggest-secret-scandal-mps-warn

My Child’s 504 Plan Doesn’t Seem to Be Working. Now What?

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/my-childs-504-plan-doesnt-seem-to-be-workingnow-what?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

27 Unexpected But Totally Awesome #TeacherPerks

https://www.weareteachers.com/teacher-perks/

Betsy DeVos: I'll Look for Unnecessary Programs to Cut at the Education Dept.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2017/02/betsy_devos_programs_to_cut_education_department.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-F

26 Research-Based Tips You Can Use in the Classroom Tomorrow

https://www.edutopia.org/article/26-research-based-tips-you-can-use-in-classroom-tomorrow-todd-finley

26 Research-Based Tips You Can Use in the Classroom Tomorrow

https://www.edutopia.org/article/26-research-based-tips-you-can-use-in-classroom-tomorrow-todd-finley

With so many classroom research studies published daily, you can be forgiven for missing some. The techniques below are super-tactical and, for the most part, unsung strategies that you’ll be excited to try tomorrow.

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 and self-worth.

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/773-teachers-foster-self-esteem-in-children.gs 

 2. Incorporating Cultural Diversity in the Classroom

http://www.teachersofcolor.com/2009/04/incorporating-cultural-diversity-in-the-classroom/ 

3. Social Emotional Learning

In the classroom, social skills come first. Keep kids on track with these ideas.

http://pinterest.com/weareteachers/social-emotional-learning/ 

4. Social and Emotional Learning: What is it? How can we use it to help our children?

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/social_emotional_learning_what_it_how_can_we_use_it_help_our_children 

5. Core Strategy: Social and
Emotional Learning

6. Why Champion Social and Emotional Learning?

It's not enough to simply fill students' brains with facts. Educators must also help children develop the skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts nonviolently, and make responsible decisions. 
http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning 

7.  Build Self-Esteem in Children

Some Thoughts on Helping Children Build Self-Esteem
 http://www.stressfreekids.com/resources-2/self-esteem-in-children/build-self-esteem-children

8. Self-Esteem

• Subject: Social/Emotional Health  
• http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/self-esteem.cfm 

Black History Month: Augusta Savage

Augusta Savage

Sculptor, Artist, Educator, Civil Rights Activist (1892–1962)

http://www.biography.com/people/augusta-savage-40495 

 

 

Educational Links 2/15/17

Fall Back in Love With Teaching

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2015/02/03/fall-back-in-love-with-teaching.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-FB

For teachers, it's not just what you say, it's how you say it

https://edsource.org/2017/for-teachers-its-not-just-what-you-say-its-how-you-say-it/574363

Do we all have some grading bias?

http://smartbrief.com/original/2017/02/do-we-all-have-some-grading-bias?utm_source=brief

8 tips to help create and sustain a makerspace

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/02/13/tips-sustain-makerspace/

'We have a government that has forgotten that schools need a basic level of funding. The future is bleak'

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/we-have-a-government-has-forgotten-schools-need-a-basic-level

Three-Year Reevaluation Strategies

http://www.makespecialeducationwork.com/three-year-reevaluation-strategies-2/#sthash.6YFYQcK5.wLC2tFU1.dpbs

Why paired writing works and five ways to make a success of it

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/why-paired-writing-works-and-five-ways-make-a-success-it

How to Talk to Your Child About Slow Processing Speed

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/understanding-childs-challenges/talking-with-your-child/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-slow-processing-speed?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

They’re having fun… but are they learning?

https://medium.com/mit-media-lab/theyre-having-fun-but-are-they-learning-6746b25d48c4#.86v3hxaft

How can you measure the learning outcomes of play? This has frustrated professionals in the field of early childhood education for years.

Aww Garsh: Love Songs for Valentine's Day #28

 

Yep, Paul loved his Linda.

Wings/Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed (HQ) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm2YyVZBL8U 

 

"Maybe I'm Amazed"

Baby, I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time,
And maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time,
You hung me on the line.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.

Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.

Baby, I'm a man,
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh.

Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.

Baby, I'm a man,
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time,
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song,
Right me when I'm wrong-
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you. 

 

McCartney said he would like to be remembered for this song.

Teaching Is...Counseling and Supervision

What to change in a school? I have reflected upon what change would have the greatest impact based just upon my own observations.

Counseling and supervision. More and more effective supervision and counseling. Kids learn better when their minds are focused. Internal and external conditions affect their ability to be successful in school, therefore counseling and supervision.

Counseling usually indicates a counselor working in scheduling classes and sometimes personalintervention with parents and kids. Of course keep this, adding more opportunities for individual students and groups to interact with trained counselors. Have a variety of topics, a variety of groups. Maybe even a club. A qualified counselor at every school site.

Classes and class activities can  identify and/or aid in relief of tensions and stressors. Activities can give kids confidence and bolster their ability to learn.
One year when I was teaching a Special Day Class for the Severely Handicapped, a group of students from the student government class came once a week for a class period for peer interaction. My students and the gen. ed. student leaders interacted while I ran a very simple self-esteem class. The benefits? The gen ed. kids were exposed to new career choices (SPED teacher, counselor, etc.) and my students gained language and other academic skills, plus great self-confidence and new friends. It was like pouring Miracle-Gro on them.

Here are a few activities I developed to help students relieve stress:

Writing Prompts to Sooth Kids' Toxic Stress
 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/04/writing-prompts-to-sooth-kids-toxic.html 

Books to Relieve Kids' Toxic Stress 
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/05/mzteachuh-books-to-soothe-kids-toxic_26.html

Here are curriculum sources for self-esteem:
Discovery Education 
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/self-esteem.cfm

Writing prompts have therapeutic effects for students, too. The counseling comes in with discussion, either through teacher's written response or carefully guided group discussion. Kids are eloquent when narrating their own feelings and experiences. Teachers are professionals who interact with students at least 35 hours a week--we need to know them and how they are doing. Reading their thoughts in writing will do that. Then it is up to us to interact personally with them. Identify a student's internal stressor a student leads to getting them the help she/he needs.

Here are sources for writing prompts for self-esteem: 

Self Esteem & Confidence 52 Journal Prompts for Kids 
http://journalbuddies.com/journaling/self-esteem-confidence-journal-prompts-for-kids/ 

Reflective Journal Writing Prompts

 http://www.self-esteem-health.com/reflective-journal-writing-prompts.html

Supervision-oh my!  By my observation, only one school I taught with in the about a dozen in the past two decades actually followed the principal's directives on supervision consistently. On the playground, at the classroom doors before and after school, during assemblies. It was amazing. It was as though that principal had somehow cornered the teacher market on efficiency and cooperation. As a result, the kids were more secure, cooperative and generally happier. School rules were consistently enforced. The teachers were dependable in their appearances to supervise. At this school, the principal was also present on the campus, even making surprise visits to the classrooms, where he was welcome.

No teachers at any other school I encountered, except for the one above, even consistently enforced supervising passing time between classes. Every year the principal of these schools would announce the importance of teachers being at the door during this time, and in about a week most of the teachers stopped doing it. Why? Because people do what you inspect, not was you expect. The principals had no system to verify if teachers were doing this, except the increase of horseplay, fights  and other misbehavior in the hallways based on referrals. Parents of my students would tell me their child was afraid to go down the fall, to lunch or even to the restroom. 

Supervision, or lack thereof, enhances the student's learning environment or detracts from it. Personally, I believe the leadership in the admin. building needs to step up on this matter.

Just to put a chill down our spines.

FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE STUDENTS

CAN LEAD TO EXPENSIVE LITIGATION 

 http://www.mymcharterlaw.com/pdf/Student_Safety_on_Campus_020808.pdf

 School Supervision Problem Areas

http://web3.esd112.org/docs/risk-management-matters/risk_winter_10_insert.pdf?sfvrsn=0 

Aww Garsh: Love Songs for Valentine's Day #27

'Somewhere in Time' starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves--the schmaltziest, most tear-jerking film ever?

And get ready for a new box of tissue for this song.

Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman - Time to Say Goodbye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L_yCwFD6Jo

Time To Say Goodbye

When I’m alone
I dream on the horizon
and words fail;
yes, I know there is no light
in a room where the sun is absent,
if you are not with me, with me.
At the windows
show everyone my heart
which you set alight;
enclose within me
the light you
encountered on the street.
Time to say goodbye
to countries I never
saw and shared with you,
now, yes, I shall experience them.
I’ll go with you
on ships across seas
which, I know,
no, no, exist no longer.
It’s time to say goodbye…
When you are far away
I dream on the horizon
And words fail,
and, Yes, I know
that you are with me;
you, my moon, are here with me,
my sun, you are here with me,
with me, with me, with me.
Time to say goodbye
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you,
now, yes, I shall experience them.
I’ll go with you
On ships across seas
which, I know,
no, no, exist no longer,
with you I shall experience them again.
I’ll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer;
with you I shall experience them again.
I’ll go with you,
I with you.

 

Love is Patient, Love is Kind

St. Paul wasn't so bad. He nailed it here.

Dedicated to my niece Antoinette and her new husband Brett. The audacity of hope.

The Wedding Song, Paul Stookey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR051uCNrAw

  

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love, there is love

A man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one
As it was in the beginning is now and 'til the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again
And there is Love, there is love

Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
And if loving is the answer then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there's love, there is love

Oh, the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love, there is love

Educational Links 2/14/17

10 Benefits Of Special Education Tutoring For Children With Learning Disabilities

http://specialedresource.com/resource-center/10-benefits-special-education-tutoring-children-learning-disabilities?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=ct&utm_campaign=blog-10benefits-a

Love Lessons

https://www.edutopia.org/article/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-christina-gil

How Reading Aloud to Therapy Dogs Can Help Struggling Kids

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/02/13/how-reading-aloud-to-therapy-dogs-can-help-struggling-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

African Americans in the Arts

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2017/02/13/celebratewithde-african-americans-in-the-arts-2/

Senators Want Answers On IDEA Website Outage

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/02/13/senators-answers-idea-website/23315/

How Much Reading Gain Should be Expected from Reading Interventions?

http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/how-much-reading-gain-should-be-expected-reading-interventions?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29

Mindfulness Is All the Rage—But Does It Work?

https://www.edutopia.org/article/mindfulness-all-the-rage-does-it-work-youki-terada?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

A 2016 study further explored the connection between mindfulness and cognitive benefits, looking at middle school students in a four-week mindfulness program. Compared with their peers, these students showed significant improvements in working memory capacity.