Educational Links 12/24/17

How to implement cooperative grouping in the inclusive middle school classroom

https://www.classcraft.com/blog/research/implement-cooperative-grouping-inclusive-middle-school-classroom/

How to measure edtech impact in the ESSA era

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/12/11/ew-edtech-impact-essa-era/

Your Child’s 7 Executive Functions — and How to Boost Them

https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/boost-executive-function/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=parent

Why Are Schools So Bad At Preparing Students For Modern Jobs?

https://wegrowteachers.com/schools-bad-preparing-students-modern-jobs/?utm_content=bufferc0bcd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Irony of Specialized High Schools

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/12/why-arts-high-schools-produce-science-and-math-majors/549062/

The Propaganda behind Personalised Learning

http://www.longviewoneducation.org/propaganda-behind-personalised-learning/

A More Complete Picture of Student Learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/more-complete-picture-student-learning?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

I’m really excited to see that educators are clear about the use of formative and summative assessment. We’re using formative assessment to gauge the effectiveness of our teaching and to know what our students know and have yet to learn. We’re using summative assessment to evaluate student progress toward course goals and report grades.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: the Music

This is such a timeless story for kids and adults. The choice of music by the creators of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' captures the precious elements of melancholy, winter beauty and childhood insight involved with Christmas. I appreciate that Schulz chose to include the Gospel of Luke in the midst of burgeoning secularism. Happy to hear it year after year. Vince Guaraldi's original compositions capture the joy of childhood with such poignancy. My students always express delight when I play this album the weeks before the winter break--even the big, tough highschoolers.

 Being an incurable teacher, here is background for the traditional carols. Just for fun.

Good ole Charlie Brown chooses a scrawny little tree--he always did have a big, empathetic heart. 

This is a traditional, German song which means O Christmas Tree. The custom of Christmas trees started in Germany, and became popular in Great Britain and the US when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married. Albert, being German, brought the tree custom with him.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - O Tannenbaum 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8kOaKpYfI 

'What Child Is This' is a traditional English carol set to the older tune of 'Greensleeves.'

A Charlie Brown Christmas - What Child Is This 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPur6qFCB0g 

'The Little Drummer Boy' is an American carol written in 1941, made famous by the Von Trapp Family Singers.

A Charlie Brown Christmas "My Little Drum" 

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

'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing' is another English song written by Charles Wesley and perked up by George Whitefield in 1739, which was during the time of the Great Awakening in the US.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTu00FCLgPs 

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) was actually written on a hot July day by singer Mel Torme. 

a charlie brown christmas-the christmas song 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHed8v1RJ6A 

 Schroeder, Charlie Brown's friend, loves to play Beethoven, but is badgered by Lucy, who has a crush on him, to play 'Jingle Bells.' The irony is that Beethoven composed 'Fur Elise' for a girl that didn't return the attention, but in this story Schroeder does not return Lucy's attention. And that 'Jingle Bells' was written in 1857 for the holiday of Thanksgiving by an American.

a charlie brown christmas-fur elise 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHKBXDp4JpI 

 

Schroeder - Jingle Bells 

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

 

Educational Links 12/23/17

Strategies for English Language Learners

http://blog.mimio.com/strategies-for-english-language-learners

At a Glance: Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Processing Issues

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-sensory-processing-issues?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Has Technology Changed the Way We Look Into Assessments?

http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/3034-technology-supported-assessment?utm_content=buffer85d53&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

3 apps that lead to improved executive functioning skills

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/12/06/apps-executive-functioning-skills/

Critical Thinking Skills to Help Students Better Evaluate Scientific Claims

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/12/21/critical-thinking-skills-to-help-students-better-evaluate-scientific-claims/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Symptoms That Suggest ADHD

https://www.additudemag.com/symptoms-that-suggest-adhd/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=diagnosis

Civil Rights Commission Takes on Issue of Minorities in Special Education

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2017/12/us_civil_rights_commission_disproportionality.html?utm_content=buffer5e8c2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights—an agency with no policymaking power but with a potent megaphone—took on the complex issue of minority students and special education at a day-long session Friday. 

The name of the session, "The School-to-Prison Pipeline: The Intersections of Students of Color with Disabilities," offered a clue to the stance of some panelists who spoke before the bipartisan commission: That too many students with disabilities are being placed in special education, and once there, they face punitive discipline that puts many of them on a rocky path to incarceration.

Run, Run Rudolph!

 Tell Santa he can take the freeway down.

 " Run, Run Rudolph" Chuck Berry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1n3XGViOM 

  Sing along! 

Out of all the reindeers you know you're the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph ain't too far behind
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reeling like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for? "All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar? And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town, come on
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a girl child "What would please you most to get?"A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, and wet And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reeling like a merry-go-round

[little tree]

By E. E. Cummings

little tree

little silent Christmas tree

you are so little

you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest

and were you very sorry to come away?

see          i will comfort you

because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark

and hug you safe and tight

just as your mother would,

only don't be afraid

look          the spangles

that sleep all the year in a dark box

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,

the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms

and i'll give them all to you to hold

every finger shall have its ring

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy

then when you're quite dressed

you'll stand in the window for everyone to see

and how they'll stare!

oh but you'll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands

and looking up at our beautiful tree

we'll dance and sing

"Noel Noel"

What Child Is This?

Madonna and Child, Anton Raphael Mengs

Liking the smiles on Mary and Jesus.

What Child Is This?

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Child_Is_This%3F

What Child is This? Bocelli & Mary J. Blige 

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

Educational Links 12/22/17

Artificial Intelligence Is Around the Corner. Educators Should Take Note

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/12/13/artificial-intelligence-is-around-the-corner-educators.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

Why Understanding These Four Types of Mistakes Can Help Us Learn

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/23/why-understanding-these-four-types-of-mistakes-can-help-us-learn/

Majority of Teachers Say Reforms Have Been 'Too Much'

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/12/19/majority-of-teachers-say-reforms-have-been.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

'In every class, there will be a child who secretly looks forward to seeing you'

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/every-class-there-will-be-a-child-who-secretly-looks-forward-seeing

10 Multisensory Techniques for Teaching Math

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/10-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-math?view=slideview&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Teachers are forming job-specific collaboration networks. Here’s why and how

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/12/04/teachers-job-collaboration/

Trump Administration Weighs in on FAPE, IEPs

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2017/12/trump-administration-weighs-in-on-fape.html

Individualized education programs “must be appropriately ambitious in light of (a child’s) circumstances, just as advancement from grade to grade is appropriately ambitious for most children in the regular classroom,” the court determined. “The goals may differ, but every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives.”

Educational Links 12/21/17

Acknowledging Ungraded Skills

https://www.edutopia.org/article/acknowledging-ungraded-skills?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

Schools should have dedicated ‘reading time’ that encourages eclectic choices

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/schools-should-have-dedicated-reading-time-encourages-eclectic 

Nurture an attitude of gratitude. Your students will thank you!

https://inspired.fb.com/school-climate-lessons-nurture-attitude-gratitude/

Seven Ways to Create Screencasts on Chromebooks

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/12/seven-ways-to-create-screencasts-on.html#.Wjw9YtWnHGI

What Does Listening Capacity Tell 

http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/what-does-listening-capacity-tell-us-about-reading?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29

What I’ve Learned From Special Ed Teachers

https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-ive-learned-special-ed-teachers?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

Special education teachers are expected to do quite a lot: Assess students’ skills to determine their needs and then develop teaching plans; organize and assign activities that are specific to each student’s abilities; teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one; and write individualized education plans in parent-friendly language.

Feliz Navidad!

1970!

 

Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad (lyrics) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dww89PBB4NM

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart. 

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart. 

My Heart Be Made Anew

Kirk Franklin - The Night That Christ Was Born

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfBM9WNiO9s&list=RDEMfZP8FtCRHDzPqTi9LKkmXg&index=50

Listen to the angels
Rejoicing e'er so sweetly
Receiving heaven's glory
The night that Christ was born
[repeat]

[Chorus II]
Can't you see the people
Coming from every nation
Pleading for salvation
The night that Christ was born

[Repeat Chorus I & II]

[Chorus III]
Oh such a wonderful savior
To be born in a manger
So that I can share His favor
And my heart be made anew

[Chorus IV]
Listen to the trumpets 
Shouting through the darkness
Crying 'holy, holy' 
The night that Christ was born

[Repeat Chorus III and IV]

[Repeat Chorus III] 

Listen to the trumpets 
Shouting through the darkness
Crying 'holy, holy' (Now Behold the Savior)
The night that Christ was born
[repeat Chorus]

Educational Links 12/20/17

Music Therapy: Sound Medicine for ADHD

https://www.additudemag.com/music-therapy-for-adhd-how-rhythm-builds-focus/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=treatment

Can analytics help schools hire the best teachers?

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/16/data-help-hire-best-teachers/

Creating Social Change and Student Success

https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2017/12/18/applying-behavioral-science-techniques-

improve-student-graduation-rates-opinion?utm_content=buffer7a74d&utm_medium=

social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=IHEbuffer

       Weigh in on the ISTE Standards for Administrators

https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=2125&category=Computational-Thinking&article

Facilitating a Class Twitter Chat

https://www.edutopia.org/article/facilitating-class-twitter-chat?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

Dive into our classroom exercises to improve school climate

https://inspired.fb.com/school-climate-resources-help-students-feel-connected/

Teaching with the News? 15 Current Events Websites for Students

http://classtechtips.com/2017/12/19/teaching-news-current-events-websites/

Preparing students to be well-informed, curious readers is part of our role as educators both across grade levels and subject areas. As a former classroom teacher, I loved sharing current events articles with students. High-interest, relevant articles connected to the news, can promote discussion both inside and outside of the classroom. Although there might have been a time when you had newspapers delivered to your classroom, it’s now easier than ever to connect students with up-to-date articles thanks to these current events websites.

Silent Night in Irish

Silent Night by Yoshiko Mishino

 Enya Silent Night (in Irish) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTfL6_eiWo 

Oíche Chiún [Silent Night]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Cách 'na suan dís araon, [Soundly in slumber, the pair together]
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis [The pair and love, watching with affection]
Naoín beag gnaoigheal [The small bright beautiful child,]
ceananntais caomh [darling little one.]

Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Aoirí ar dtús chuala 'n scéal; [Shepherds first heard the tale]
Allelúia aingeal ag glaoch. [The angels crying out Alleluia.]
Cantain suairc i ngar is i gcéin [Lovely chanting near and far.]

Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin [Christ, the saviour himself.]
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin [Christ, the saviour himself.]

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé, [Silent night, night of God's son.]
Cách 'na suan dís araon, [Soundly in slumber, the pair together]
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis [The pair and love, watching with affection]
Naoín beag gnaoigheal [The small bright beautiful child,]
ceananntais caomh [darling little one.]

Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh. [Christ, calmly asleep.]

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 Charles Dickens, who created Scrooge one hundred and twenty years prior, would have howled with laughter at these lyrics.

You're a mean one Mr Grinch 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQgSvN7hYo 

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.

I wouldn't touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crockodile.

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you, are as follows, and I quote:
Stink, stank, stunk!

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
You're the king of sinful sots.
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grinch.

Your soul is an apalling dump heap overflowing
with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
rubbish imaginable,
Mangled up in tangled up knots.

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
With a nauseaus super-naus.
You're a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked hoss.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a three decker saurkraut and toadstool sandwich
With arsenic sauce!

Educational Links 12/19/17

Increasing Reading Success: Early Identification of Reading Challenges

http://www.nesca-news.com/2017/12/increasing-reading-success-early.html

Why You Must Shut Down This Winter Break

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coaching_teachers/2017/12/why_you_must_shut_down_this_wi.html

Signs of ADHD can be different in girls

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/27/health/girls-adhd-signs-partner/index.html

Who Knows Best, the Teacher or the Parent?

http://www.bamradionetwork.com/student-centric-strategies/4581-who-knows-best-the-teacher-or-the-parent

This Is The Future And Reading Is Different Than You Remember

https://www.teachthought.com/literacy/how-res-ding-different-future-literacy/

Treatment Options for Auditory Processing Disorder

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/treatment-options/treatment-options-for-auditory-processing-disorder?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

CDC Says Developmental Disabilities are on the Rise

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2017/12/cdc-says-developmental-disabilities-are.html

An increasing number of American children have developmental disabilities, the federal government says, even as autism and intellectual disability rates remain largely steady.

Educational Links 12/18/17

4 Characteristics Of A Learning Leader

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/4-characteristics-learning-leaders/

Hey educators: Are you trustworthy? Here are 4 vital signs for identifying and assessing trust in schools

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/20/hey-educators-trustworthy-take/

Teaching Strategies: Well-Being Through Art Therapy

http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-well-being-through-art-therapy

6 Ways to Take the Joy Out of Reading

https://www.middleweb.com/36523/6-ways-to-take-the-joy-out-of-reading/

Myths and Realities About Language Disorders

https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/myths-and-realities-about-language-disorders/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=diagnosis

A study has been following 'gifted' kids for 45 years. Here's what we've learned.

http://www.upworthy.com/a-study-has-been-following-gifted-kids-for-45-years-heres-what-weve-learned?c=ufb2

The ‘forgotten’ part of special education that could lead to better outcomes for students

http://hechingerreport.org/forgotten-part-special-education-lead-better-outcomes-students/

Schools are legally obligated to create meaningful post-schooling plans for students with disabilities as part of their Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs. Under federal law, special education students must have transition plans in place by age 16 that include work, school and independent living goals that a student would like to achieve. Several states require schools to start this process at age 14.