Saturday, July 21, 2018

Educational Links 7/22/18

Multicultural Children’s Literature in the Elementary Classroom

https://www.leeandlow.com/educators/race/multicultural-children-s-literature-in-the-elementary-classroom

Starting a Heritage Language Book Club

https://www.edutopia.org/article/starting-heritage-language-book-club

Study Links Frequent Gadget Use to Increased ADHD Symptoms in Teens

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2018/07/study-links-frequent-gadget-use-to.html

What Makes a Good Edtech Tool Great?
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-07-21-what-makes-a-good-edtech-tool-great

14 Questions To Ask Yourself Before The First Day Of School

https://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2018/07/21/questions-to-ask-before-the-first-day-of-school/

Study: “Repeated exposure to false statements can lead people to believe those falsehoods”

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/07/19/study-repeated-exposure-to-false-statements-can-lead-people-to-believe-those-falsehoods/

Mental health education to be made compulsory in English schools

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/mental-health-education-england-compulsory-schools-sex-relationships-children-a8453596.html

How to Meet Autistic People Halfway

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/opinion/autism-social-life-new-research.html

There is no question that autistic people can seem as though they are not interested in others. They may not make eye contact or they may repeat lines from movies that don’t seem relevant in the moment. They may flap their hands or rock their bodies in ways that other people find off-putting. But just because someone appears socially uninterested does not mean that he or she is.

Back To School Survey? Yeah, Do It!

That first day of school, get the kids settled in a desk and have them write answers to some questions. Of course, you'll get to know them better (learning styles and such), but you also can tell if their writing is legible! Just being practical.

First Day of School Introduction Activities

https://web.archive.org/web/20120630161303/http://suite101.com/article/first-day-of-school-introduction-activities-a138625

Student First-Day of School Questionnaires

http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/management/student-questionnaire/student-questionnaires.html

First-Day-of-School Surveys: Get to Know Students

https://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/back-to-school-student-survey-questionnaire.shtml

Student Surveys: Using Student Voice to Improve Teaching and Learning

https://www.edutopia.org/video/student-surveys-using-student-voice-improve-teaching-and-learning

The First 6 Weeks: Strategies For Getting To Know Your Students

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/the-first-6-weeks-strategies-for-getting-to-know-your-students/

Self-reflection is a wonderful way to help students dig deeper and reveal more about themselves to their classmates. These questions will stimulate class conversation.

Or, I will let you use my favorite get-to-know-you essay prompt.

A Writing Prompt to Really Get To Know Your Students

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2012/09/a-writing-prompt-to-really-get-to-know.html

Hmmm, what do I like least about school?

Wherefore, Oh Summer's Day?


Kindergartener's portrait of Emily Dickinson after reading this poem. The bee is not afraid of me. I know the butterfly - The pretty people in the Woods Receive me cordially - The Brooks laugh louder When I come - The Breezes madder play; Wherefore mine eye thy silver mists, Wherefore, Oh Summer’s Day?

Marine Blue Butterfly in my Butterfly Garden

Bee watering station.

Next Semester...we'll celebrate diversity

Music! Dancing! And don't forget the great Mexican food!

If you teach in a school that is ethnically isolated, by geography or by choice, I suggest finding commonality in sports, for example. Especially in baseball, you can find just about all ethnicities coming together to celebrate a fun time through sports. If you have a favorite team in the MLB, NFL, or NBA--you are celebrating diversity. The same is true of most entertainment and lists of famous inventors, performers of heroics, and remarkable accomplishments. You can also spotlight through calendar events (St. Patrick's Day, or MLK Day, for example.) Discretion is important if your community is sensitive to discussions of diversity. But it is clear that not only tolerance is mandatory but appreciation of diversity, also. We are America, afterall.

Here are links from Edutopia, TeachThought and Edudemic to get you started on your appreciation of diversity.

Diversity

http://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/diversity

http://www.edutopia.org/search-results?search=diversity

Vibrant art! Parades! Learn to use chipsticks!

Culturally Responsive Teaching Starts With Students

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/culturally-respo--nsive-teaching-starts-with-students/

15 Resources: Prepare for Cultural Diversity in Class

http://www.edudemic.com/cultural-diversity-in-the-classroom/

Ballpark saurkraut hotdog!

Here are links for the major self-reported ethnicities in the USA according to census reports. I'm just following the order of the self-reporting. Sounds like fun--music, dance, food, art. Serious thoughts and inspiration. Check out American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States http://www.americanrhetoric.com/ for speeches.

German-American Corner: History and Heritage

http://www.germanheritage.com/

Speeches of JFK .

Irish Contributions to the American Culture

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/irish8.html

Cesar Chaves Si Se Puede

National Hispanic Heritage Month and Cinco de Mayo Lesson Plans

http://lessonplanspage.com/hispanicheritagemonth-htm/

The Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock.

English Americans

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

Little Italy, New York City

Italian Americans

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Italian-Americans.html

The Italian Americans PBS

http://video.pbs.org/program/italian-americans/

Steven Spielberg--and don't forget Jurassic World!

The Jewish Americans PBS

http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericans/

Native American Resources

500 is one of my favorite resources, I have taught the info on the Aztecs to my Mexican-American students. They are also fascinated with the Mayans.

Sequoyah--created Cherokee written language

500 NATIONS a video series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZztTMhRzqlQ&list=PLCD21D8E645A7BCE0

We Shall Remain--PBS

http://ec2-184-73-194-121.compute-1.amazonaws.com/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/

Celebrate African-American History

http://teacher.scholastic.com/africanamericanheritage/

Please don't neglect the arts when enjoying these lessons. And the food, if possible. Mmm, soul food.

MLK--we never needed your influence more than now!

Friday, July 20, 2018

Educational Links 7/21/18

Four Qualities of The Most Useful Apps For The Classroom

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51702/four-qualities-of-the-most-useful-apps-for-the-classroom?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

PUTTING MASLOW BEFORE BLOOM’S: THE CATHARTIC MIND SEt

http://flr.flglobal.org/first-things-first-putting-maslow-before-blooms/

50th Anniversay of Inclusion--Special Olympics

https://www.specialolympics.org/50th/Global-Day-of-Inclusion.aspx

Classroom Management to Discover Student Strengths

http://www.teachhub.com/classroom-management-discover-student-strengths

How to Use Blended Play for Classroom Review Games

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2018/07/how-to-use-blended-play-for-classroclassroom management,om.html

6 teacher recommendations to help students with math

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/06/08/6-teacher-recommendations-to-help-students-with-math-concepts/

Are You Doing Recess Right? A New Tool Can Help

https://www.edutopia.org/article/are-you-doing-recess-right-new-tool-can-help

An analysis of nearly 500 playgrounds finds that recess can be optimized to build social skills and relationships.

Next Semester: ...we'll have plants in the classroom

Just a little bit more planning and maintenance and your class has fresh oxygen, color, STEM motivation, and a little bit of elegance. Plants in the class!

15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality

http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/photos/15-houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality/a-breath-of-fresh-air

The Best Air-Purifying Plants

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/air-purifying-plants

The 15 easiest indoor house plants that won't die on you

http://www.today.com/home/easiest-indoor-plants-wont-die-you-I258925

Easy Classroom Houseplants

http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/11442

Best Plants for the Classroom

http://funflowerfacts.com/2013/09/06/best-plants-for-the-classroom/

Do You Keep Plants In Your Classroom?

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2010/08/19/do-you-keep-plants-in-your-classroom/

The Psychology of Nature

http://www.wired.com/2010/08/the-psychology-of-nature/

Summer Bump Not Slump: MzTeachuh's Top 20 Movies To Watch

Maybe watching 'Rudy'?

You've got the time, you've got the audience. So share some of your favorite movies with your kids. It's almost, almost, like an important reading list. But films that were central to our growing up, and our cultural experience are worth sharing. And making a special occasion creates a lasting bond as the older generation shares experiences and preferences from your own life with your kids. Some of these films may be famous, but that doesn't mean your 14 year old ever heard of it. Let them know why you chose this film, what it represented to your generation at the time, why you want to watch it with them. Be conscious of appropriate ratings for your audience.

Here are some of my favorites, that I also think are important to view for a cultural background. I watch a lot of television and movies (documentaries, too.)
Hurrah for Hulu and Netflix!
Set a time to watch when it is really too hot to go outside, or you are replacing Xbox time.

In no particular order, here is MzTeachuh's Top Twenty Movies to Watch:

The Sound of Music (1965) - IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/

The 55 Essential Movies Kids Must Experience (Before They Turn 13)

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13/

Top 100 Kids & Family Movies

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_kids__family_movies/?category=11

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Educational Links 7/20/19

Behind The Campaign To Get Teachers To Leave Their Unions

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/07/19/628130197/behind-the-campaign-to-get-teachers-to-leave-their-unions?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180719

Why Critical Hope May Be the Resource Kids Need Most From Their Teachers

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51206/why-critical-hope-may-be-the-resource-kids-need-most-from-their-teachers?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

7 Shifts To Create A Classroom Of The Future

https://www.teachthought.com/learning-models/shift-learning-the-7-most-powerful-ideas-shifts-in-learning-today/

Shocker – NOT: Study Finds Not Sweating The Small Stuff Is A Good Classroom Management Strategy

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/07/17/shocker-not-study-finds-not-sweating-the-small-stuff-is-a-good-classroom-management-strategy/

A Different Kind of Education

http://blog.mimio.com/a-different-kind-of-education

CHATBOTS IN CLASSROOMS: DO THEY HELP OR DISPLACE TEACHERS?

https://www.theedadvocate.org/chatbots-in-classrooms-do-they-help-or-displace-teachers/

What You Need to Know About Neurodiversityneurodiversity

http://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-neurodiversity/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWrightslawWay+%28The+Wrightslaw+Way%29

“Neurological differences like autism or ADHD are considered to be dysfunctional, disorders, and disabilities under the medical model of mental health,” she explained. “When most of us think of diversity, we think of things like race or sexual orientation. But there’s a different kind of diversity you might not know about: neurodiversity.”

'I Paint Flowers So They Won't Die.' So said Frida.

Folk Flowers, Frida Kahlo

Born in Coyoacán, Mexico, young Frida's life was punctuated by prominent events: polio, the Mexican Revolution, and a horrific bus accident among them. Recovery from the bus trauma left her isolated and in extreme pain; painting became her distraction and solace. Self-portraits were her frequent focus, as she explained, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best."

Long celebrated as a folk icon in her homeland, it was not until the 1980s, well after her 1954 death, that Kahlo became widely recognized for her artistic skill. Now, her brightly-colored, often surreal artwork is in high demand. She has also been memorialized in movies and songs, on currency, and in countless books. Her birthplace and adult residence, The Blue House, is maintained today as a museum in her honor.
From the marvelous website, A Mighty Girl http://www.amightygirl.com/

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940

Hey Teach--Get a PLN

How Teachers Are Learning: Professional Development Remix

https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/how-teachers-are-learning-professional-development-remix

10 Reasons Every Teacher Needs A Professional Learning Network

https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/10-reasons-every-teacher-needs-professional-learning-network/

Personalized Learning as Teacher Development?

http://www.learningpersonalized.com/personalized-learning-teacher-development/

Teacher To Teacher: My Journey To Personalized Learning

http://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/05/my-journey-personalized-learning/

What is a PLN? Why Do I Need One?

http://www.teachhub.com/what-pln-why-do-i-need-one

Personal Learning Network

https://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/personal-learning-network

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