Saturday, July 28, 2018

Educational Links 7/29/18

Why Service Is A Powerful Classroom Management Strategy

Record-Breaking Grant May Fuel Autism Drug Development



New Plagiarism Check Is Now Integrated With Google Classroom



“Best” Lists Of The Week: Reference Sites


A 10-Point Success Roadmap for Literacy Instruction




Best practices for developing proficient writers




Too often when teachers say they are teaching writing, they mean that they are assigning writing work to their students, but they aren’t actually helping students master the fundamentals. From grammar and spelling basics to writing thesis statements and revising drafts, every step of the process is essential for developing confident writers who can effectively communicate their ideas. 

Fun Ideas This Summer--for Teens


100+ Things for Teens to Do This Summer



SEVEN FUN KARAOKE GAMES FOR THE SUMMER


65+ Tasty Picnic Recipes to Enjoy All Summer Long




10 Great Volunteer Ideas for Teens




Garden Activities For Teens: How To Garden With Teenagers



Cool Arts and Crafts Ideas for Teens



Common Sense and Classroom Management from Michael Linsin

I really love the clarity and intelligence of Michael Linsin's books and suggestions. You can read The Happy Teacher on Kindle for free if you are a Prime member. A Classroom Management System for High School Teachers is also great. Give it a download!

14 Questions To Ask Yourself Before The First Day Of School


Episode 48: Classroom Management with Michael Linsin


Should Your First Consequence Be A Warning?


How To Give A Warning That Curbs Misbehavior


How To Give Your Students Unforgettable Directions


Supercharge Your Classroom Management Plan With Detailed Modeling


11 Things Not To Do This Coming School Year


Via negativa is a method of improvement whereby one focuses not on what to do to become more proficient.
But on what not to do—which, for many, is an easier proposition.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Educational Links 7/28/18


5 Books for Understanding Reading Difficulties


Ed Tech Digest

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/07/26/ed-tech-digest-85/

Best way to improve student math scores? Change teachers’ attitudes, study says



How Can We Successfully Land a Rover on Mars?


Why Teachers Must Fight Their Own Implicit Biases


Social Creativity and ASD – Challenging the Assumption that Autistic People are Not Social



Private schools aren’t better at educating kids than public schools, study concludes


Despite evidence showing otherwise, it remains conventional wisdom in many parts of the education world that private schools do a better job of educating students, with superior standardized test scores. It is one of the claims that some school-choice supporters make in arguing that the public should pay for private school education.

Mom, I'm Bored--What Can I Do?


1. Reading Quest  

http://www.education.com/slideshow/reading-quest/rock-alphabet/?cid=80.

2. Summer Science Projects

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/summer-science-projects/a/1406/ 

3. Summer Games

http://spoonful.com/summer/summer-games 

4. Summer Stargazing

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/science-nature-activities/summer-stargazing 

5. International Space Station Spot The Station


http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/#.UcMpZ5yXJWo 

6. 5 Ways to Prevent Idle Kids This Summer

7. Summer Reading Recommendations 

http://www.hbook.com/2013/05/choosing-books/recommended-books/summer-reading-2013/?utm_source=ReadingRockets.org&utm_medium=Twitter 



 

Learn About Learning Disabilities

a condition giving rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the level expected of those of the same age, especially when not associated with a physical handicap.

What are Inclusive Special Education Programs?


Helping Children with Learning Disabilities


Inclusion is a term used to describe one option for the placement of special education students in public schools. These inclusive programs are sometimes referred to as mainstreaming, which is the selective placement of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms.

What Are Classrooms Like for Students with Learning Disabilities?




Successful Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities

It is thought that learning disabilities may be caused by hereditary, teratogenic factors (for instance, alcohol or cocaine use during pregnancy), medical factors (premature birth, diabetes, meningitis of mother or offspring), and/or environmental factors (malnutrition, poor prenatal healthcare).

National Center for Learning Disabilities

https://www.ncld.org/

Types of Learning Disabilities

What are the treatments for learning disabilities?

Research and Knowledge


There was a time when society didn’t have a word for “dyslexia.” People didn’t know what “learning disabilities” (LD) were or the best ways to teach kids to read or do math. But thanks to the work of pioneering researchers, there have been enormous advances in understanding learning and attention issues. Teaching has improved. More and more kids have educational programs that work. Advances in research and knowledge have helped countless students learn and succeed in life.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Educational Links 7/27/18



Why Restorative Justice Is About More Than Reducing Suspensions


Advocating for Children Can Be an Uphill Battle


It's never too early to start teaching digital citizenship skills


Take Advantage of Opportunities to Sustain Your Instructional Vitality


11 Methods for Teaching Reading That Help Struggling Readers



Building a Makerspace From the Ground Up



Educators struggle to find solid research on edtech


The vast majority of educators rely on general web searches for edtech information, but they are skeptical about how reliable that information is.


MzT's Ed Tech Cafe: Digital Citizenship


Remember everything you post online 

is permanent

The Pros and Cons of Technology


The Teacher’s Guide To Keeping Students Safe Online




Give proper credit to sources

Beat the Cheat: Teaching Students (and Parents) It's Not OK to Copy


A Citation Guide for Digital Resources


Report cyberbullies to teachers and parents

15 Tips To Help Stop Cyberbullying


What Is Cyberbullying?


Get permission before sharing information about others

What's The Big Deal About Internet Privacy? 


Useful Resources On Using Tech With Students


Netiquette and online ethics


Welcome to the Digital Citizenship Website 


Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use.

Kids In Nature--Naturally

Connecting Young Children With Nature


http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/connecting-young-children-with-nature


Connecting Your Child With Nature


http://www.bamradionetwork.com/parents-channel/127-connecting-your-child-with-nature 


Kids Urged to Take it Outside: Nature’s Calling Aims to Help Plugged-in Families Connect with Nature


http://www.childrenandnature.org/2015/05/13/kids-urged-to-take-it-outside-natures-calling-aims-to-help-plugged-in-families-connect-with-nature/ 


Children and Nature Movement


http://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/children-nature-movement/ 


Connecting Kids and Nature: Working Towards 10 Million Kids Outdoors 


http://www.nwf.org/what-we-do/kids-and-nature.aspx 


Children and Nature Initiative


http://www.neefusa.org/health/children_nature.htm 


Rx for Outdoor Activityhttp://www.neefusa.org/health/children_nature/resources.htm

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Educational Links 7/26/18

Autism: 19 Great Resources for Teachers and Parents

https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2018/07/autism-10-great-resources-for-teachers.html

Five reasons to treasure teaching assistants



You’re Already Harnessing the Science of Learning (You Just Don’t Know It)



Teachers, We Don't Have to Be Martyrs


       5 things you can do to bring computer science to all your students



The Relentless School Nurse: Solving Wicked Problems



Student Discipline & Co-Regulation


Tennessee Boy’s Inclusion Case Goes to U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals


The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to hear oral arguments in a case involving a student with Down syndrome, and the school district that refused to provide him a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Like many special education court decisions, the results of this case could either give families courage to fight or could be huge potential setback in the battle for inclusion.

Listen...





Nature Sounds Birds Singing Sound of Water 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eWyJ3YWffk

Light Rain & Thunder - Relaxing Ambient Nature Sounds


Lullaby of the Ocean: 8 HOURS of Relaxing Music with the Sound of Wave


The Wind in the Trees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KzFe50RQkQ&t=21s

Relaxing sounds of crickets/katydids on a summer night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wua2tULh84


Yes, Claude, A Trip To The Beach Would Be Nice

The Path at La Cavee, Pourville Monet
Here's some Impressionist music to go with--

Claude Debussy - La Mer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOCucJw7iT8 

Summer Bump Not Slump: Everyday Science at Home

Flowers, like these verbena in my yard, will cross-pollinate creating blended colors. How cool is that?

Kids can also identify insects and their habitats, which is important for safety reasons. The critters become like family, and kids learn to respect their lives in the garden, rather then hunt and squish them.
Mojave lizard, eater of Black Widow Spiders. Bon appetit, dude.

Knowing native plants and birds, how to use water wisely. Kids are easily recruited from an early age to be assistant gardeners and landscapers. 

Checking out the weather by looking at the sky, feeling the humidity, temperature, and the wind patterns are also safety points. Plus, chatting about the weather is just a necessary social skill globally.

And realistically, the sky is cheap entertainment.

  1. Go on a Backyard Botany Hunt



2. What’s Up in the Sky this Month 
 http://liebacklookup.com/whats-up-in-the-sky-this-month/ 

3. Weather Wiz Kids

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/ 

4. Summer Science Projects

 http://www.hometrainingtools.com/summer-science-projects/a/1406/

5. Summer Birding Tips

http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/summerbirdingtips.htm

Next Schoolyear...Classroom Art Gallery

Don't get too carried away--but just so you know, I have a power stapler, too. Prepping for an art show.
Prepping for School Art Show
Prepping for School Art Show
 http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2012/03/23/prepping-for-school-art-show/

Students may tell you, "I can't draw a straight line!" Tell them back, "Good, we have rulers for that."

Bringing out the artist at all grades levels and in every subject takes some organization and motivation, particularly if you intend to include all students at some point in your classroom gallery.

First, let's start with the actual location and methods of getting a space going.

5 Ways to Create a Classroom Art Gallery 

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/5-options-your-classroom-art-gallery

Really Good Bulletin Boards

http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/images/art/ReallyGoodStuff_BulletinBoard.pdf

7 Tips for Successful Student Art Displays 

http://www.teachkidsart.net/7-tips-for-successful-student-art-displays/

Student-Centered Bulletin Boards for a Secondary Classroom: 5 Ideas to Make Your Walls Work for You and Your Students  

http://faulknersfastfive.blogspot.com/2014/08/student-centered-bulletin-boards-for.html

Second, decide the frequency of new material. You mean I'm not leaving this bulletin board up all year? No. Even the Louvre moves things around from time to time.  The students can help, and would enjoy the task. Plus, this means they can break the monotony of a sedentary classroom on a regular basis. Have a cycle so every student has work on display an equal amount of time, The students can implement this. The environment of the class will be refreshed. Will this mean designating time for organization of the art gallery during class? Yes. 

Third, decide the content of your classroom art gallery. This could be content-driven, seasonal or student choice. How cool for the quiet artist to know they need to create something in three weeks to be displayed in the classroom gallery. Teacher has the final say on content, of course.

Pegasus, Escher

Here are some ideas for  class activities that might end up in your classroom gallery.

Exploring Tessalations

http://www.exploratorium.edu/geometryplayground/Activities/GP_Activities_6-8/ExploringTessellations_%206-8_v4.pdf  

Composition II, Mondrian

Here's a great artist for inspiration: 

Escher: Tessellations by Recognizable Figures

http://euler.slu.edu/escher/index.php/Tessellations_by_Recognizable_Figures 

Geometry, Color, and Piet Mondrian

https://www.teachervision.com/geometry/lesson-plan/352.html 

Don't for the artist who created the STEAM craze: Leonardo.
Hydraulics, da Vinci

Design Like da Vinci: Sketching Lessons from the Original Renaissance Man

http://uxpamagazine.org/design_like_da_vinci/ 

Even pages from well-drawn science notebooks could go up.

Third, you can use classroom content as sources of inspiration through illustrating historical or literary scenes, or make posters for current events.  And, of course, well known artists and seasonal topics make great sources for classroom art.

Exploring Impressionism, Grades K-5

https://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/exploring-impressionism-k-5.html 

Exploring Impressionism, Grades 6-8

https://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/exploring-impressionism-6-8.html 

Exploring Impressionism, Grades 9-12

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/exploring-impressionism-9-12.html 



Don't get too carried away--but just so you know, I have a power stapler, too. Prepping for an art show.
Prepping for School Art Show
Prepping for School Art Show
 http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2012/03/23/prepping-for-school-art-show/