Educational Links 1/14/18

Teaching Students How to Work Together

http://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/01/teaching-students-how-to-work-together/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Getting%20Smart&utm_content=Teaching%20Students%20How%20to%20Work%20Together

Five New Videos For Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/01/13/five-new-videos-for-martin-luther-king-jr-day/

There is a growing clamour to take politics out of teaching…

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/there-a-growing-clamour-take-politics-out-teaching

8 Ways to Deal with Hurtful Cliques

http://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/making-friends/8-ways-deal-hurtful-cliques/

Acknowledging Ungraded Skills

https://www.edutopia.org/article/acknowledging-ungraded-skills

Getting Better Through Authentic Feedback

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/feedback-from-students

4 critical issues for competency-based education programs

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/01/12/4-critical-issues-competency-based-education-programs/

As K-12 competency-based education programs become more widespread, educators and policymakers would do well to focus on four key issues that can make or break high-quality programs, according to a new report.

The CompetencyWorks report, Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education, calls for creating competency-based systems in which the culture, structure, policies, and instructional practices fully support each and every student in their journey toward preparation for college, career, and life.

Educational Links 1/13/18

How can we fix the learning crisis?

https://www.ted.com/playlists/587/how_can_we_fix_the_learning_crisis?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=playlist&utm_term=education

My Latest BAM! Radio Show Is On Good “Underused” Instructional Strategies

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/01/12/my-latest-bam-radio-show-is-on-good-underused-instructional-strategies/

How to Solve the Parent-Engagement Problem

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/01/10/how-to-solve-the-parent-engagement-problem.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

    5 ways students benefit from global collaboration

https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=2129&category=Personalized-learning&article

Is the effort to curb strict discipline going too far, too fast?

http://hechingerreport.org/effort-curb-strict-discipline-going-far-fast/?utm_content=buffer28701&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Bringing Wonder Into Mathematics

https://www.edutopia.org/article/bringing-wonder-mathematics?fb_action_ids=10154916222501739&fb_action_types=og.comments

10 Good Resources for Math Teachers and Students

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2018/01/10-good-resources-for-math-teachers-and.html#.WlmABtWnHGI

Surrounded by Kids, But Still Alone

https://www.weareteachers.com/loneliness-of-teaching/

While on the job, teachers may not see other adults for a large percentage of their day. Even outside their classrooms, they sometimes have duties like recess or lunch in which they are further separated from other adults, who might be in the faculty room on a lunch or coffee break while enjoying the camaraderie of other grown-ups. The teacher who is isolated from the others at this time is missing out on conversations that often bring colleagues together physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It can be even worse for cyber school teachers.

Educational Links 1/12/18

America's Schools Are 'Profoundly Unequal,' Says U.S. Civil Rights Commission

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/01/11/577000301/americas-schools-are-profoundly-unequal-says-u-s-civil-rights-commission

5 Free Classroom Resources from the Library of Congress

https://www.weareteachers.com/library-of-congress-classroom-resources/

12 Apps & Websites for World Read Aloud Day (or any day!)

http://classtechtips.com/2017/02/08/websites-for-world-read-aloud-day/

The Modern Teacher Toolkit: Courage, Skill, and Will

http://www.bamradionetwork.com/tweeted/4593-the-modern-teacher-tool-kit-courage-skill-and-will

Encoding Literacy in Computer Science

https://www.edutopia.org/article/encoding-literacy-computer-science?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Attention: How It’s Different From Working Memory

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/distractibility-inattention/attention-how-its-different-from-working-memory?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

How Creative Teaching Improves Students’ Executive Function Skills

http://www.creativitypost.com/education/how_creative_teaching_improves_students_executive_function_skills

Teaching creatively, no matter the age group, grade level, or subject matter, not only improves the students’ creativity skills but also enhances their executive function networks.

Educational Links 1/11/18

5 tips to take your large school district into the digital age

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/01/03/187731/

How Should Teachers use Videos in the Classroom?

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2018/01/how_should_teachers_use_videos_in_the_classroom.html

Does VR Have a Place in EdTech?

https://edtechdigest.com/2018/01/09/does-vr-have-a-place-in-edtech/

Religion in Schools: A Delicate Balance

https://theeducatorsroom.com/religion-schools-delicate-balance/

Preparing Students For Future Success with PBL and SEL

http://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/01/preparing-students-for-future-success-with-pbl-and-sel-2/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Getting%20Smart&utm_content=Preparing%20Students%20For%20Future%20Success%20with%20PBL%20and%20SEL

       4 ways to help students get workforce-ready

https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=2128&category=Personalized-learning&article

Nurturing Intrinsic Motivation in Students

https://www.edutopia.org/article/nurturing-intrinsic-motivation-students

As children come to feel effective in accomplishing something, they are more likely to try to replicate that feeling by trying to accomplish more challenging tasks. Feeling competent can be addictive. Those accomplishments are more meaningful when they are authentic, and feeling competent is itself a meaningful reward—better than a collection of stickers or small trinkets or much too scarcely distributed recognitions like “student of the month,” which can lead the majority of students to become resigned to failure despite effort.

Educational Links 1/10/18

Types of Learning Disabilities

https://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

7 Simple Ways You Can Help Students Pay Attention In A Traditional Classroom

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/simple-ways-help-students-pay-attention/?utm_content=buffercf926&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Tch Tips: Teaching Collaboration Skills

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2018/01/09/teaching-collaboration-skills/

Most Americans say U.S. STEM education is middling, new poll finds

http://hechingerreport.org/americans-say-u-s-stem-education-middling-new-poll-finds/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HechingerReport+%28Hechinger+Report%29

#CelebrateWithDE – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2018/01/09/celebratewithde-martin-luther-kings-jr-day/

Spotlight on ESSA 2018

https://www.edweek.org/ew/marketplace/products/spotlight-on-essa-2018.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EducationWeekSpecialEducation+%28Education+Week%3A+Special+Education%29

PASS OR FAIL: REDESIGNED TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR REDESIGNED SCHOOLS

http://www.theedadvocate.org/pass-fail-redesigned-teaching-strategies-redesigned-schools/

Finding the Beauty of Math Outside of Class

https://www.edutopia.org/article/finding-beauty-math-outside-class?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

A math trail is an activity that gets students out of the classroom so they can (re)discover the math all around us. Whether out on a field trip or on school grounds, students on a math trail are asked to solve or create problems about objects and landmarks they see; name shapes and composite solids; calculate areas and volumes; recognize properties, similarity, congruence, and symmetry; use number sense and estimation to evaluate large quantities and assess assumptions; and so on.

Educational Links 1/9/18

Artificial Intelligence: Implications for the Future of Education

http://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/01/artificial-intelligence-implications-for-the-future-of-education/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Getting%20Smart&utm_content=Artificial%20Intelligence:%20Implications%20for%20the%20Future%20of%20Education

Classroom Management to Keep Students Healthy

http://www.teachhub.com/classroom-management-keep-students-healthy

Mid-Year Check-in: Assessing Your Year So Far

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2018/01/05/mid-year-check-in/

Resolutions from the KidLit Community

http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/resolutions-kidlit-community?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReadingRockets_TeachingReading+%28Reading+Rockets%3A+Teaching+Reading+Resources%29

Thinking About Autism and Neurodiversity

http://www.nesca-news.com/2018/01/thinking-about-autism-and-neurodiversity.html

`Helping Students Fail: A Framework

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/the-role-of-failure-in-learning-helping-students-fail/?utm_content=buffer101b0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Is 2018 the Year for You to Teach at a New School?

https://theeducatorsroom.com/2018-year-teach-new-school/

The hardest part is deciding you are going to leave and then taking action to leave.  One day, two colleagues and I were talking and one of my colleagues brought up once again that she was going to leave like she did every year and the next year, there her name was again on the staff roster.  Stop talking about it; take action!  In her article, “An Awful Moment:  Choosing to Say Goodbye to a School” Sherlene Merritt reminds educators, “Free agency season is now open.  Go out and get your well-earned peace of mind in a teaching environment where your skills are appreciated and rewarded.”  Make this year the year you take care of yourself.  Educators are notorious for neglecting their needs and desires.  Update your resume and start applying and hopefully you will find your right fit school.

Educational Links 1/8/18

The Benefits of Helping Teens Identify Their Purpose in Life

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2018/01/03/the-benefits-of-helping-teens-identify-purpose-in-life/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180106

g(Math) Has Been Deleted - Try These Three Alternatives

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2018/01/gmath-has-been-deleted-try-these-three.html#.WlKzkdWnHGI

Autism Spectrum Disorder Basics

https://childmind.org/guide/guide-to-austism-spectrum-disorder/

How to Display Kids Artwork Like a Rockstar

https://www.earlybirdmom.com/kids-artwork-display-ideas/

Just Revised & Updated “Best Ways To Make Comic Strips Online”

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/01/07/just-revised-updated-best-ways-to-make-comic-strips-online/

Stop Sign: A Conflict Resolution Tool

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/confliction-resolution-pre-k

10 EXAMPLES OF GREAT CLASS BLOGS

https://www.theedublogger.com/2018/01/03/10-great-class-blogs/

Have you ever felt completely inspired and rejuvenated after visiting another school? Stepping out of the bubble of your own environment can be so powerful to get new ideas and perspectives.

The same can be said for taking a virtual peek into other classrooms by checking out class blogs!

Teachable Moment: Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. galvanized the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's due to his remarkable courage and unsurpassed eloquence.  He was right: those who were on the opposing  side of the argument were revealed as hideous, sadistic monsters. They still are. 

Unspeakable atrocities preceded and follow Dr. King's time of leadership. His actions and words still call forth men and women, boys and girls of all demographics to seek equality in America. And the price could be high.

When Dr. King gave his immortal, 'I Have A Dream' speech, he ignited dreams among all ethnicities, genders, religions, and students.  Hearing it is a profound experience. Please have your students listen. It is probably the most important speech given in the twentieth century, and given by a future winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here is a resource to hear the "I Have A Dream" Speech on American Rhetoric.

Teachable Moment: "I Have A Dream" Speech Anniversary Today 
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/08/american-rhetoric-great-resource-for.html 

Here is an excerpt from my blog "Books to Soothe Kids' Toxic Stress" http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/01/books-to-sooth-kids-toxic-stress.html

A third grader, small for his age, could really run fast during practice for his elementary school's Olympic Day. It was his way to shine. His tennies were worn out, so Teacher got him a new pair at  Wal-Mart. He made the school proud. This school district was low income, and located near a federal prison, therefore many families were in the area to be living nearby to visit relatives. The little boy also worked very hard at reading, writing, and math, including those impossible fractions. After the January 19th holiday, he asked Teacher, "Why don't they make Dr. Martin Luther King bedsheets? They make them for Superman." He had chosen the better hero.

This is a true story, and I hope the little guy is now a grown, happy, and functional adult, since I last had him at school in 1995.  He had the odds against him, but hopefully some encouragement from reading in school has remained with him.

http://www.amazon.com/Martins-Big-Words-Martin-Luther/dp/0786807148

This story of Dr. King and his profound words will be like miracle grow to the young soul, no matter what color his skin may be.

Teachable Moment: Book Review: Martin's Big Words 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-martins-big-words.html 

There are excellent resources to inform students about Dr. Martin Luther, King. 

March on Washington: Throngs mark 'I Have a Dream' anniversary

 http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/24/us/march-on-washington/?hpt=hp_inthenews

March on Washington's 50th anniversary commemoration draws tens of thousands

 http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57599979/march-on-washingtons-50th-anniversary-commemoration-draws-tens-of-thousands/

 And some posters and quotes.

 

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

 The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.

 I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

 We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.    

 Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

 Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' 

 I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

MLK aged seven. Do you have one in your first grade? Maybe your eighth grade class, or your American History class?