Educational Links 3/25/18

‘Innovation Stations’ added to explore STEM

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/innovation-stations-added-to-explore-stem/article_e9417972-389d-59f5-a133-6c45dc810b8a.html

What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

https://childmind.org/article/what-is-odd-oppositional-defiant-disorder/

Advice For Student Activists: It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/03/23/590274332/advice-for-student-activists-its-a-marathon-not-a-sprint?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180324

'We need to admit that the job of the classroom teacher has simply become too big'

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/we-need-admit-job-classroom-teacher-has-simply-become-too-big

We must stop the criminalization of mental illness in schools

http://hechingerreport.org/opinion-we-must-stop-the-criminalization-of-mental-illness-in-schools/

Putting an End to Fake Reading

https://www.edutopia.org/article/putting-end-fake-reading?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

How Trauma-Informed Teaching Builds A Sense of Safety And Care

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/45322/how-trauma-informed-teaching-builds-a-sense-of-safety-and-care

The program works with schools to train teachers about the effects of trauma on the brain and behavior of children. Trainers ask teachers to examine their own triggers and reactions to students, equipping them to disprove beliefs children have about safety and the trustworthiness of adults. 

Gone Camping--will report beautiful natural phenomena

I will be mostly out of wifi range for about 5 days this week. We are going camping! Beautiful Zion National Park is our destination--of course I will report back!

Women's History Month: Mae Jemison

Brilliant, brave, beautiful--our hero, Dr. Mae Jemison. She's humble, too, acknowledging the helping hands and inspirations along the way to her completely mind-blowing success. She's the original STEM-to-STEAM woman, being a dancer and art collector as well as medical doctor, engineer and astronaut. Sounds the profile for a Marvel superhero, huh? She was the first African American woman astronaut. This was not too long after  the Challenger disaster. Gutsy, persistent, unstoppable.

Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) and Jemison

As a girl she was inspired by Star Trek TOS, and Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura. She even guest starred as Lt. Palmer, transporter operator, in the episode 'Second Chances' Season 6, Star Trek, TNG. (BTW, Whoopi Goldberg was as inspired by Uhura and had an ongoing role as Guinan on the same show.) 

Mae Jemison: 30 Seconds on When An Astronaut Visits Star Trek

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

Mae Jemison the dancer:

Mae attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Mae Jemison: The Cosmic Dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=67&v=dh3_nIuSJGM

Mae Jemison
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Jemison

Dr. Jemison shares her personal stories of what it was like

to go into space, and talks about the mentors who helped

make it possible. Dr. Jemison talks about Bayer's Making

Science Make Sense science literacy initiative, and how its

hands on learning approach is making an impact on science

education.

Unravel Travel TV on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/UnraveltravelTV

Mae Jemison: I Wanted To Go Into Space

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0vGDfuWhfI

Fun Facts about Dr Mae C Jemison (Celebrating Black History for Kids)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvUfEQV7XfI

Educational Links 3/24/18

Apple Tries to Win Back Students and Teachers With Low-Cost iPad

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-23/apple-will-return-to-its-roots-with-education-tools-and-new-ipad?utm_content=business&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_medium=social

Why Teachers Love Using Those Magical OK Go Videos in Class

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50829/why-teachers-love-using-those-magical-ok-go-videos-in-class?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Tips and Tricks to Hire the Best Teachers

http://blog.mimio.com/tips-and-tricks-to-hire-the-best-teachers

Technology in the Classroom: Using Instagram

http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-using-instagram

Five Assessment Myths and Misunderstandings

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2018/03/23/5-myths-and-misunderstandings/

Gretchen Rubin on how teachers can use the 4 tendencies to help students (and themselves) to meet goals & expectations

https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/gretchen-rubin/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCornerstone+%28The+Cornerstone+Blog%29

The Parkland Students’ Safety Manifesto

https://dianeravitch.net/2018/03/23/the-parkland-students-safety-manifesto/

8 Assumptions Teachers Make & Why You Should Avoid Them

https://www.stanfield.com/blog/2018/03/avoid-assumptions-teacher/

Teaching is not a static profession. Even with subject matter that you’ve taught several times, you may need a refresher or a new approach.

Teaching Is Taking Time For Art In All Subjects

Math instructor teaching tesselations.

1. Teaching Math With Art Helps Children Remember Key Concepts

http://www.teacher-support-force.com/teaching-math-with-art.html 

2. Art & Science: A Curriculum for K-12 Teachers

http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resources/curricula/art_science/index.html 

3. Teaching Science Through Art: Longitudinal Nature Observations/ 1st grade 

http://everyarteverychild.blogspot.com/2012/01/teaching-science-through-art.html 

Leonardo--the original STEM to STEAM guy

4. Using the Arts to Support English Language Learners

Why and how to engage English language learners through the arts

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/how-to/supporting-individual-needs/supporting-ell-with-the-arts.aspx 

5.  Teaching Strategies for Writing through Art

http://schools.walkerart.org/arttoday/index.wac?id=2338 

6.  Of Paint and Poetry: Strengthening Literacy Through Art

http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/958 

7. How to Use Art to Teach Social Studies

http://www.ehow.com/how_6605995_use-art-teach-social-studies.html

8.  The Arts Give You Smarts: STEM to STEAM
 http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2015/04/the-arts-give-you-smarts-stem-and-steam.html

The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher http://platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/

Educational Links 3/23/18

Why dance is just as important as math in school

Dance — and physical activity — should have the same status in schools as math, science and language. Psst: it may even help raise test scores, says Sir Ken Robinson.

https://ideas.ted.com/why-dance-is-just-as-important-as-math-in-school/?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=ideas-blog&utm_term=education

4 STEM Tools That Turn Students’ Curiosity Into Real Learning

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50486/4-stem-tools-that-turn-students-curiosity-into-real-learning?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Mindfulness in Schools

http://www.nesca-news.com/2018/03/mindfulness-in-schools.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FiMfkT+%28NESCA+News+%26+Notes%29

12 Ways to Upgrade Your Classroom Design

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/upgrade-classroom-design/

Congress rejects much of Betsy DeVos’s agenda in spending bill

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/03/21/congress-rejects-much-of-betsy-devoss-agenda-in-spending-bill/?utm_term=.9be21e6e1ee9

Teacher Think Alouds Work in Every Subject

https://www.middleweb.com/37253/teacher-think-alouds-work-in-every-subject/

Frameworks for Reflection

https://www.edutopia.org/article/frameworks-reflection

Reflection is an analysis of our performance. It aids in deeper learning and helps us to perform better in the future because it boosts our sense of self-efficacy—the feeling that we’re capable of achieving our goals. As we reflect on our performance, we gain control over that performance, understanding exactly how certain outcomes came to be.

Teaching Is Trying New Activities

1. Greta's Game Station
http://games.pppst.com/languagearts.html 

2.  MATH LAND
http://www.schooltimegames.com/Mathematics.html

3.   10 simple activities to encourage physical
activity in the classroom
http://www.yourtherapysource.com/files/10_simple_activities_classroom.pdf 

4. Classroom Activities

http://pbskids.org/lab/classroom/ 

5.  Activity Ideas for Middle School Students 

http://www.austinpartners.org/sites/default/files/images/Activity%20Ideas%20for%20Middle%20School%20Students.pdf 

6. Games We Can Play in Middle School

http://gatornet.chapin.edu/~msgames/ 

 7. Kagan Professional Development

http://www.youtube.com/user/kaganvideo 

8.  Fun Review Activities, Classroom Games to Do Now

http://www.teachhub.com/fun-review-activities-classroom-games-do-now

Pass that Rubber Chicken!

Women's History Month: Marie Curie

Pierre and Marie
married 47 years.

Nobel Prize portrait 1903

Madame Curie--won two Nobel Prizes in science. That is what most folks think of when her name comes up. Born in Poland, studying in France, she married a fellow scientist, Pierre Curie.

Marie Curie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie


They were collaborators in the laboratory, and the parents of two daughters,  Eve and Irene.

Madame Curie and her girls.

Irene also won the Nobel Prize, in 1935.  Kudos to Pierre and Marie not only for their careers, but for their family. Eve wrote a biography of her mother in 1937. You can buy it on Amazon. 

Marie Curie: A Biography by E. Curie
https://www.amazon.com/Madame-Curie-Biography-BIOGRAPHY-Apr-02-2001/dp/B00JHWJKP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521747156&sr=1-1&keywords=madame+curie+e+curie+author


But did you know Marie Curie was fearless, brave and dared the horrors of WWI to bring her scientific inventions to the notorious Western Front?

During World War I, the scientist invented a mobile x-ray unit, called a “Little Curie,” and trained 150 women to operate it.

How Marie Curie Brought X-Ray Machines To the Battlefield
 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-marie-curie-brought-x-ray-machines-to-battlefield-180965240/#6oRDpXoGgo7qC1wr.99 Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv 



The recent episode of the television series 'Timeless' references the Petit Curie, Season 2, Episode 1 'The War to End All Wars.'


Quotes from Marie Curie

Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it.

Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.

One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.

I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.

I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, of how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career. Well, it has not been easy.

Educational Links 3/22/18

31 Surprising Facts About Learning

https://www.teachthought.com/learning/31-facts-about-learning/

Some Teachers Who Are Assaulted by Students Don't Tell Anyone, Study Finds

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/03/teachers_assaulted_by_students.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

Meet 4 Women Revolutionizing STEM in the Classroom

https://www.eschoolnews.com/whitepapers/meet-4-women-revolutionizing-stem-classroom/

Why an 'interleaving' curriculum could improve knowledge retention

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/why-interleaving-curriculum-could-improve-knowledge-retention

What are the keys to Effective Student Collaborative Learning?

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2018/03/what_are_the_keys_to_effective_student_collaborative_learning.html

The changing role of literacy today, part 2

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/03/08/changing-role-literacy-today-part-2/

Ed Department Set to Abandon IDEA Site That Crashed

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2018/03/ed-department-set-to-abandon-idea-site.html

“How Smart Do You Make Others Around You?” Has Been A Useful Question For Me To Ask In Class

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/03/21/how-smart-do-you-make-others-around-you-has-been-a-useful-question-for-me-to-ask-in-class

Several days ago, I saw a tweet from Amy Fast sharing a quote from author/researcher Shawn Achor:

Before, we could only ask questions like “How smart are you?” or “How creative are you?” or “How hard do you work?” But now, we can ask the bigger questions: “How smart do you make others around you?” “How much creativity do you inspire?” “How much does your drive become contagious to a team or family?”

In other words, according to his research,  a person’s future individual success depends on one’s effectiveness with those last three “bigger questions.”

Films About Jesus

Jesus is honored among all major religions as a teacher, ethicist, prophet, or mystic. This is Holy Week for those who believe in the orthodox principles of Christianity, in the deity of Jesus and remembering His passion and resurrection. There are also many groups of Christians who may not agree on all the details of this faith, and their kids might be in your classes. It takes a delicate touch to provide respect for all kids' beliefs during discussions of major religions.

We respect the rights of all people to have beliefs. I am not recommending showing films about Jesus or not showing them in your class; that is a decision for your school.

But beginning in Middle School, at least in the State of California, there are many passages from the Bible, and the New Testament in particular, that are considered worthy of literary consideration. The Book of Job, the Psalms, the Sermon on the Mount, parables. The King James version, which last year celebrated its 500th birthday, is considered a masterpiece itself. It is said Shakespeare made a contribution to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_King_James_Version 

And this is a pretty good time of year to show portions of the Jesus story if you're going to. Even the History Channel, liberal bastion of cable TV, frequently shows the television film of "Jesus of Nazareth" in entirety, Jesus being a central person of historical interest. That's why this is the year 2012.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon_on_the_Mount
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parables_of_Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms

Mary, the mother of Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ."

Jesus, although He was Jewish,  is usually portrayed looking like a European, generally with a British accent, except for "The Passion of the Christ," which was in Aramaic (the Hebrew spoken at the time of Jesus) with subtitles. That's a pretty amazing idea and accomplishment, if you can find it in you heart to forgive Mel Gibson for being a flawed human and all after he produced that remarkable movie. The production has accuracy in costuming, music, and portrays basic Catholic theology, except possibly about Pontius Pilate, the Roman who deserved no sympathy for his decision.

"The Passion of the Christ" 2004

"The Passion of the Christ," is bone crushing in the accuracy of suffering. The perspective of Mary the mother of Jesus is unique in this movie version, and serves to present why many Christians have a special devotion to her. What age of child should see this? I can't say, but it is very intense, particularly when Mary flashes back to Jesus falling as a little boy as He carries the cross. Use your own judgement.

"The Kings of Kings" 1961

"The Greatest Story Ever Told" 1965

Several Bible-themed movies came out in the sixties with blue-eyed Jesus actors quoting the King James Bible. Jeffrey Hunter was in the "Kings of Kings," a remake from the Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 version.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Kings_%281961_film%29 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Story_Ever_Told 
Max von Sydow played Jesus in 1965 in "The Greatest Story Ever Told." The films are sympathetically presented, especially toward poor little misunderstood Judas, who is frequently the most interesting character. These films have a respectful mood if not accuracy, and for the viewer who is looking to connect with the words of Jesus quoted in the Bible, these films are very effective. Children who are familiar with the story should be okay with the crucifixion scenes which are not too graphic, but kids have to be prepared.

As children watch a film about Jesus, it is very intense. Jesus is a lovable and sympathetic character whether He is considered in a religious sense or not. Kids really have to be prepared for the story to transpire. I was invited by a friend to a theatre full of viewers from her Baptist church to see "The Passion of the Christ." All adults, all in tears (both men and women) by the end. It is just a really tough and sad story for both believer and non-believer.

"Jesus of Nazareth" miniseries 1977

My preferred film about Jesus to view with children is the television miniseries, "Jesus of Nazareth." (1977). It is frequently on television at the Christmas and Easter seasons. Visually, there are lots of references to famous works of art, and the music is sort of mysterioso in a supernatural sense that a good something, maybe a miracle, is going to happen; that something supernatural isn't always sinister. Jesus is compassionate, powerful and somehow one-of-the-guys while being divine. Peter is great with his bumbling, yet strong and sincere personality. Mary was a little young being portrayed by Olivia Hussey. Judas was indecisive until he was creepy and betrayed his best friend. I personally don't think Judas was sorry after he did that. Laurence Olivier portrayed Nicodemus.

Nicodemus quoting Isaiah 53 as Jesus is on the cross.

 Being a miniseries, the important parts of the story are portrayed because there is time for them. The Sermon on the Mount is well worth sharing with kids, particularly since important modern leaders such as Ghandi and Martin Luther Kingreference this, and other portions of Jesus' statements. One of my very favorite scenes from any film is this portrayal of Jesus giving a parable (which are also part of the standards for literature.) Peter and Matthew the tax collector also have a moment.

Jesus hangin' with His homies, for which He was criticized severely.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53&version=NKJV





Here is the Prodigal Son, put up on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgODzUMscZ8

 The person who put up this video also included a little music, not from the film.

I would like to share a song that I still find marvelous. This was written during the Jesus Movement of the early 1970s and presents the case for Christianity at its most basic and radical. Which pretty much describes the Jesus Movement, and how Jesus happened in my life then, too.  Enjoy.

"Jesus Is All That We Need."
 Gary Arthur
The Way http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_%28band%29



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDsH29I8vOQ

Good ole fashioned Jesus music from good ole fashioned Jesus People @1972