Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for Halloween

Pumpkin carving as fine art: The Headless Horseman

This holiday is very controversial; not only does it offend many family's religious convictions (they may believe it is glorifying the 'dark side') but the images and stories are really scarey and icky, even for adults. 

You don't have to believe in the supernatural to be offended or freaked out by Halloween. The concentration on aberrant behavior is enough to be unsettling. What might we do to take the edge off of the disturbing aspects of Halloween?

All children go through various developmental levels (Piaget's theory of cognitive development http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piaget%27s_theory_of_cognitive_development) and it is possible to create an experience appropriate for the child's development. It is not easy, particularly if you live in the modern world, but with effort, a classroom and a family experience can be healthy for a child. For example, even though I enjoy the television show, 'Grimm," it isreally not for young children. The episode, La Llorona, will freak out millions of folks, Hispanic or not. Another urban legend I have learned to never mention in class is Bloody Mary; the kids are truly scared. And what's the point of that? ELA classes can study folklore and Edgar Alan Poe without being traumatized.

How about the Simpson's version? I think Edgar would have enjoyed it.

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poehttp://www.schooltube.com/video/e850bdb733e729c582a9/The-Raven-by-Edgar-Allan-Poe

Bart always cracks me up as the raven.

Many families, school, and community groups concentrate on Harvest Festivals. That is a fine contrast to the ghastly. But even if you choose a study of nature, for example, spiders are freaky. Most are just helpful little garden buddies, but there are some dangerous ones. Kids need to know. Same with bats, and various birds. Around here we have huge ravens; I see them with their beady eyes focused on my chihuahua.

So we temper the fun, the imaginative, the quaint qualities of this season with supervision and wisdom. If you feel your child's school is offending your family's sensibilities--tell the principal. Tell the superintendent. You and your child have rights, especially when it comes to the quality of the school community activities. Offer an alternative. Autumn and harvest time (in the northern hemisphere) offers very lovely opportunities for art and activities. You could skip the dark side and go straight to Thanksgiving. 

Yeah, Linus, I agree with you.

And don't forget, 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_the_Great_Pumpkin,_Charlie_Brown 

Here's a download:http://www.fanpop.com/spots/halloween/videos/67218/title/peanuts-cartoon-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown

So, where are the jokes? These are just riddle-diculous.

You can actually buy this in NYC.

Did you hear about the new ice cream for monsters? 

Its called cookies and scream.

This is a pic of an actual CookiesNScream Sundae.

Knock, knock, who's there?

Ivan.

Ivan who?

Ivan to bite your neck.

Where did Mzteachuh take the ghost for lunch?

Pizza Haunt.

Why isn't he purple?

Where do werewolves stay on vacation?

The Howliday Inn.

Where does the Wolfman live?

In a werehouse.

Also, my classes used to play 'Name that Tune' with 'Elvira Presents Haunted Hits'just to be very silly. Once we won a decorating contest with our classroom door covered with original panels and comic style story of the Purple People Eater. (Was the People Eater Purple, or did he eat purple people? Inquiring minds want to know.) 

And Drac finally got with it.

bobby 'boris' pickett & the cryptkickers - monster mash 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI 

The mashed potatoes was really a dance?

How do zombies celebrate Halloween?

They paint the town dead.

What oinks and drinks blood?

A hampire.

Sheb Wooley - Purple People Eater (1958) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9H_cI_WCnE 

 

 Dad: Your older brother sure looks weird and scarey tonight. 

Younger brother: Yeah, just wait til he puts on his mask.

 What did the poultergeist serve at his Halloween party?

Halloweiners.

Routine frequently seen at Middle School dances.

 We can't forget Michael Jackson's 'Thriller." 

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

 What do birds say on Halloween?

Trick or Tweet.

What do fishermen say on Halloween?

Trick or Trout.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THEME SONG http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rn1bzECgHY&feature=relate

What did the little ghost have in his lunch box?

A boo-loney sandwich.

What did he have to drink?

A little box of Ghoul-Aid.

 What do you call the eyeglasses for a ghost?

Spooktackles.

Scaredryer.

How did the bootician dry the Wolfman's hair?

With a scaredryer.

Is it good to drink the three weird sister's brew from the Scottish Play?

Yes, its very newt-tricious.

What do baby ghosts like to play?

Shriek-a-boo.

What happened when the phantom disappeared into the fog?

He was mist.

Don't get me started on comic books!Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Did you hear about the hippie werewolf?

He was fur-out, man.

What does an Aussie witch ride on?

A broomerang.

(Well, I'm not.)

And the greatest favorite of all--I even created a tee shirt for myself at Zazzle that read on the back:

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts! 

Who ya gonna call?

 Ghostbuster theme song 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytAYsn__ZZI&feature=related 

Silly Music For Halloween #1 uh wella...saw the thing acomin' outta da sky...

He's not purple!

Need a little fun break filled with art, music, performance art and laughter? Here you go.

The class can read the lyrics, analyze the story. Discovering the true nature of the purple people eater, then draw a cartoon action version, sing along with motions, learn 50s' dance moves (no, not theTwist, that was the 60s, more like the Bop.)  Silly. We need silly sometimes.

 

One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx47qrH1GRs 

The Purple People Eater

Well, I saw the thing
A comin' out of the sky
It had a one long horn
And a one big eye
I commenced to shakin'
And I said "oohwee
It looks like a Purple
People Eater to me"

It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Sure looked strange to me
One eye

Well, he came down to earth
And he lit in a tree
I said, "Mister Purple People Eater,
Don't eat me"
I heard him say
In a voice so gruff,
I wouldn't eat you
Cause you're so tough

It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' purple people Eater
Sure looked strange to me
One horn

I said, "Mister Purple People Eater,
What's your line?"
He said,
Eatin' purple people,
And it sure is fine.
What is the reason
That you came to land
I wanna get a job
In a rock 'n roll band

Well, bless my soul, rock 'n roll
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Pigeon-toed, under-growed
Flyin' Purple People Eater
He wears short shorts
A friendly little People Eater
What a sight to see
Oooohhh
And then he swung from the tree
And he lit on the ground
And he started to rock,
A-really rockin' around
It was a crazy ditty
With a swingin' tune, singin'
Bop bapa loop a lap
A loom bam boom
Well, bless my soul rock 'n roll
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Pigeon-toed, under-growed
Flyin' Purple People Eater
I like short shorts
A Flyin' Purple People Eater
What a sight to see
Purple people

Well, he went on his way
And then what-a you know
I saw him last night
On a TV show
He was blowin' it out,
Really knockin' 'em dead
Playin' rock 'n roll music
Through the horn on his head
Boogie woogie

Educational Links 10/1/17

Personalized Learning Using the Types of Student Inquiry

http://www.learningpersonalized.com/personalized-learning-using-types-student-inquiry/

How Reading Rewires Your Brain for More Intelligence and Empathy

https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/reading-rewires-your-brain-for-more-intelligence-and-empathy

9 Ways to Differentiate Your Whole Group Instruction

http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/2017/01/9-ways-to-differentiate-your-whole.html

Social-Emotional Learning Helps Students Succeed, but by How Much? New Report Looks for Answers

https://www.the74million.org/article/social-emotional-learning-helps-students-succeed-but-by-how-much-new-report-looks-for-answers/?utm_source=The+74+Million+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8e16764956-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_077b986842-8e16764956-176116537

Here's What a 'Kindness Curriculum' Looks Like

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2017/09/kindness_curriculum_shown_to_i.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

10 types of ‘difficult’: the problems you can’t ignore

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/10-types-difficult-problems-you-cant-ignore

ADHD: Breaking the Bully Loop 

http://www.hitchedmag.com/article.php?id=2775

"The bully loop is a learned behavior modeled around roles and experience.”

Educational Links 9/30/17

The Dos and Don'ts of Social Media for Teachers

https://www.weareteachers.com/dos-donts-social-media-for-teachers/

The Difference Between ADHD and Autism

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/the-difference-between-adhd-and-autism?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Using A Jigsaw Activity To Help Every Student Engage With Literature

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/09/28/using-a-jigsaw-activity-to-help-every-student-engage-with-literature/

Reimagining failure: ‘Last-chance’ schools are the future of American high schools

http://hechingerreport.org/reimagining-failure-last-chance-schools-future-american-high-schools/?utm_content=buffera7a07&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Stop Teaching Students What to Think. Teach Them How to Think

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/09/27/stop-teaching-students-what-to-think.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

My Latest BAM! Radio Show Is On Mistakes In Reading Instruction

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2017/09/29/my-latest-bam-radio-show-is-on-mistakes-in-reading-instruction/

Assigning More Writing—With Less Grading

https://www.edutopia.org/article/assigning-more-writing-less-grading

Check out four best practices for teaching writing that can help you improve student learning without creating a mountain of grading work.

...I'll put a trinket on

Autumn Poplars along the River Epte - Claude Monet

Autumn
by Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.

Educational Links 9/29/17

Establishing A Growth Mindset As A Teacher: 9 Statements Of Affirmation

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/establishing-growth-mindset-teacher-9-statements-affirmation/?utm_content=bufferb58cb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Graphic Organizer Engages and Inspires Emerging Writers

http://www.techlearning.com/app-of-the-day/0011/kidspiration-maps/70770

Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Apps and Websites

https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/mind-mapping-and-brainstorming-apps-and-websites

Teaching Financial Literacy in the Classroom

http://blog.mimio.com/teaching-financial-literacy-in-the-classroom

Teaching Email Etiquette

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-email-etiquette

Selecting Apps for Young Children

https://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2017-08-31/selecting-apps-young-children?utm_campaign=weta&utm_source=readingrockets&utm_medium=facebook

“Are You Listening?” What Inattentive ADHD Looks Like — and Responds To

https://www.additudemag.com/inattentive-adhd-in-kids/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=parent

As an “invisible” disorder, ADHD in children is often misperceived as bad behavior. The inattentive child may be misread as willfully disregarding commands or dragging her feet.

Educational Links 9/28/17

Science of Learning: Marijuana, Achievement and the Teen Brain

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/09/27/science-of-learning-marijuana-achievement-and-the-teen-brain/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Apps and Websites

https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/mind-mapping-and-brainstorming-apps-and-websites

There's a Disconnect Between Parent Expectations and Student Realities

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2017/09/parents_have_high_hopes_engage.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

How to Teach Fluency So That It Takes

http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/how-teach-fluency-so-it-takes?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29

Reshaping Space, Roles and Routines to Support Children With Trauma

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-09-27-reshaping-space-roles-and-routines-to-support-children-with-trauma

5 Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them When Implementing NGSS in the Classroom

https://www.knowatom.com/blog/5-common-pitfalls-and-how-to-avoid-them-when-implementing-ngss-in-the-classroom?utm_content=60744867&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Extending Classroom Management Online

https://www.edutopia.org/article/extending-classroom-management-online?utm_campaign=node_author_alert&utm_source=edutopia&utm_medium=email

Online learning can be an amazing experience for both the educator and the student. But the teacher must model awareness that there are humans at every keyboard. Set up a recognizable environment that is structured and engaging. Make sure it honors the learners in it, and you’ll have fewer issues to manage in your online class.

Educational Links 9/27/17

How Do You Teach a Child With Dyslexia to Read?

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/qa-how-do-you-teach-a-child-with-dyslexia-to-read?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Top Tech Tools for Kids Who Struggle to Read and Write

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e157/

Key Findings: What Teachers Feel About the Growth of EdTech?

http://edtechreview.in/data-statistics/300-what-teachers-feel-about-edtech?utm_content=buffer79491&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

First Person: What 100 ninth graders told me about why they don’t read

https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2016/09/20/first-person-what-100-ninth-graders-told-me-about-why-they-dont-read/

The Five Assumptions Every Educator Should Avoid and Resist

http://www.bamradionetwork.com/teachers-aid/4486-the-five-assumptions-every-educator-should-avoid-and-resist

Assigning More Writing—With Less Grading

https://www.edutopia.org/article/assigning-more-writing-less-grading

A Starter’s Guide to PBL Fieldwork

https://www.edutopia.org/article/starters-guide-pbl-fieldwork?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

These tips can be reimagined to fit the resources and budgets of your school or classroom. There are websites, like DonorsChoose.org, that help teachers raise funds for educational uses, and PBL fieldwork tools or a curation cart are great requests. And there are nonprofit transportation services in many communities to transport your student researchers to various sites. Your school’s backyard can be a great resource too. And if fieldwork is not an option, you can ask a community partner to bring samples to the school so students can take photographs, explore, and curate.

Educational Links 9/26/17

What Teaching Has Taught Me

http://blog.mimio.com/what-teaching-has-taught-me

Tool For Educators To Support Students’ Discovery

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/09/25/helping-teens-find-purpose-a-tool-for-educators-to-support-students-discovery/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

A Starter’s Guide to PBL Fieldwork

https://www.edutopia.org/article/starters-guide-pbl-fieldwork?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

Are Schools Driving ADHD Diagnoses?

https://childmind.org/article/schools-driving-adhd-diagnoses/

Strategies for Managing Disruptive Kids

https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-managing-disruptive-kids/

New Teachers: Fundamentals of Classroom Management

https://www.edutopia.org/article/new-teachers-classroom-management-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

Why Did That Student Fail? A Diagnostic Approach To Teaching

http://teachthought.com/pedagogy/diagnostic-teaching-why-students-struggle/

It is important to keep in mind the goal of this process–diagnosis. What’s wrong? What’s the hang-up? What’s getting in the way of learning, or of students proving what they in fact actually know?

Educational Links 9/25/17

Retrieval Practice: The Most Powerful Learning Strategy You’re Not Using

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/retrieval-practice/

3 Skills Children Learn When Exposed to Outdoor Play

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/play/2017/09/3-skills-children-learn-when-exposed-to-outdoor-play/

Falling Behind Your Teaching Schedule: Prevention and Cures

https://richardjamesrogers.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/falling-behind-your-teaching-schedule-prevention-and-cures/

Why teaching classic literature too early is a 'recipe for ruining great books' for children

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/why-teaching-classic-literature-too-early-a-recipe-ruining-great

Using Teacher Inquiry to Support ELLs

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/inquiry-sessions

Honoring the Innocence of Black Girls

https://www.edutopia.org/article/honoring-innocence-black-girls?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

“Mozart Helped Me Focus My ADHD Brain.”

https://www.additudemag.com/music-for-adhd-focus/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=adult

Focusing the ADHD brain can be tough, but music is a proven tool for engaging the brain and minimize distractions. But why? Learn more about the science behind certain melodies and how they work to keep your attention.