Saturday, March 25, 2023

Important Education Topics



Learning Disabilities and Differences

Types of Learning Disabilities


Learning disabilities are due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors that alter brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more cognitive processes related to learning. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math.  They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.  It is important to realize that learning disabilities can affect an individual’s life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

Student Mental Health and Social And Emotional Learning

Mental illness in children: Know the signs


Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave. A mental illness, or mental health disorder, is defined as patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that cause distress or disrupt a person's ability to function.

Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or regulation of emotions. These problems are distressing to children and disrupt their ability to function well at home, in school or in other social situations.

5 Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning


Studies show that sustained and well-integrated social and emotional learning (SEL) engages students and improves achievement. Explore classroom practices that make up the most effective SEL programs.

Equity in the Classroom

Seven effective ways to promote equity in the classroom



As a teacher, how do you address the diverse needs of all students? 

Equity in the classroom, or supporting the outcomes of students of all backgrounds and abilities, is essential to a productive learning environment. 

However, promoting equity is complex. When teachers prioritize the needs of white students, boys/men, or the non-disabled, they create barriers for students of color, girls/women, and studies with disabilities. This presents yet another challenge for educators trying to help their students succeed. 

Friday, March 24, 2023

MzTeachuh's Meditations: Telling the Storm

This is not a photo of the Sea of Galilee--this is an actual photo of Lake Erie.

Peace! Be still! In our world, our nation, our homes, our hearts. 
 
 Mark 4:35:41 KJV
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 Amplified Bible
 37 And a [a]fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” 39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?”

The Amplified Bible is like a thesaurus of translation, giving synonyms and further elaboration. Perfect peacefulness sounds good.

I Told The Storm - Greg O'Quin 'N Joyful Noize 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghvo32n7Tgc 

"I Told The Storm"
Kirk Franklin


Even though your winds blow I want you to know
You cause me no alarm cause I'm safe in His arms
Even though your rain falls I can still make this call
Let there be peace now I can say go away
I command you to move today
Because of faith I have a brand new day
The sun will shine and I will be okay
That's what I told the storm
(the storm, the storm)

[Chorus:]
I told the storm (oh yes i did)
to pass (ohhhhh..)
storm you cant last (go away)
go away (I command..)
I command you to move today
(oh storm)Storm (when God speaks) when God speaks
Storm (you don't have a choice in the matter, you have to cease)
You have to cease (yes that's....)
thats what I told the storm (what I told the storm)
[repeat once more]

[Hook:]
I told the storm
(No weapons formed against me shall prosper I don't have to worry about a thing)
I told the storm
(I'm more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, and he's gonna bring me out alright)
I told the storm
(It's amazing grace that's brought me safe thus far, and grace is gonna lead me home)
I told the storm
(I stood on solid ground and told my storm and you need to tell your storm today)

(Oh wind) Wind stop blowing
(Flood stop flowing) Flood stop flowing
(Lightening stop flashing) Lightening stop flashing
(Breakers stop dashing) Breakers stop dashing
(Darkness go away) Darkness go away
(Clouds move away) Clouds move away
(That's what I told...) That's what I told the storm

(Oh death) Death can't take me
(Job can't make me) Job can't make me
(No matter how the fares of this world...) Bills can't break me ( may seem to way me down)
Disease can't shake me
You won't drown me
My God surrounds me
That's what I told the storm

That's what I told the storm [repeat until end and fade]

Education Links 3/25/23

The first community app for parents of kids with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia


Spring Into Fluency and Rate Builders! Reading Success Secrets!



In a new Arabic program, a Denver teacher is connecting students with family and new cultures



Improving Teacher and Student Engagement Through Creativity



Practical AI Ideas for the Classroom



CANVA ANNOUNCES A TON OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE UPDATES


 

Monday, March 20, 2023

Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts About Easter

Confession is good for the soul, it is said. And I confess I do love the 'chocolate' holiday season from Halloween to Christmas to Valentine's Day to Easter. Cadbury has the queen of treats, the Creme Egg, appearing only at Easter. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I'm not alone. It is just too much fun decorating baskets with that eternal Easter grass (it never goes away, it's like glitter), and coloring the eggs the old fashioned way with vinegar, etc. The images of bunnies and chicks and ducklings are cute, even better than Santa who has a list and checks it twice. No unconditional love from him! And this is an outside sport, temps in the 70s, with light breezes, egg hunting, spring clothes and bonnets, blooming Easter Lilies. Well, at least here in SoCal.





I did see a puddy tat!
Not one of Woodstock's, I'm guessing.











The secularization of this holiday makes it acceptable to everyone. Afterall, anthropologists say that all peoples celebrated the return of spring after the difficulties of winter.

Coaxing a smile from Eeyore.
Familiar pop-culture figures dominate all 
holidays now, and this is a word that used to mean 'holy-day.' Have we lost anything by this transformation?  Is the concept of the sacred now forbidden? Teachers carefully appreciate the separation of church and state in a public school. But everywhere?

Easter is the most secularized of the holidays in the USA, and ironically, the most important for Christians acknowledging the death and resurrection of Jesus. Question: how can we honor the rights of all and permit our students to express their beliefs in public and private?

This is not a student of mine. He is a model.
Here in SoCal this year it has become a fashion statement for middle school boys to wear rosaries as necklaces.

 And not only the latino kids. I've asked some of them what it means to them; sometimes they say it means they are Mexican, sometimes they tell me it is about their faith. Some say they just think it looks cool. So far, this practice has not been considered a dress code violation. In other places, it is dress code.

Amarillo ISD Student Wears Rosary Beads, Violates Dress Code, Arrested

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/d/story/-/2y_mYNc72ESSBDmVsYGvgA 

Can I wear clothing that communicates a political or religious message?
http://www.riaclu.org/know-your-rights/pamphlets/know-your-rights-school-dress-codes 


So why so serious, MzTeachuh, and where are the silly Garfield jokes? OK, here we go.

What do you need if your Cadbury Creme Eggs suddenly disappear?

You need an eggsplanation.

Where does the Easter Bunny get his eggs? From Eggplants.



How is the Easter Bunny like Kobe Bryant?

They're both famous for stuffing baskets.

Q: What does the Easter Bunny get for making a basket?
A: Two points, just like anyone else.

Q: How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been?
A: Eggs mark the spot! 

Did you hear the one about the fifty-pound jelly bean?

It was pretty hard to swallow

Why do we paint Easter eggs?

Because it is too hard to wallpaper them.


What does the White House do when there are too many undiscovered Easter eggs on the South Lawn?

Call an eggstermi-nator.

What is the title of the rabbit in charge of the distribution of Easter eggs?

Chief of Hoperations.




I am a huge fan of the Cadbury Creme Egg Bunny, and was charmed when I found one I could buy as an Easter Bunny. A stuffed one that cackles like a chicken, not a real one.

So, enjoy these animal actors. Why is there no Emmy or Oscar for animal actors?

Cadbury Bunny Ad - Chocolate 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2eOXtDN6g

Matisse and Spring--What's Outside Your Window?


The Dessert: Harmony in Red, Henri Matisse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dessert:_Harmony_in_Red_%28The_Red_Room%29

Looks like Henri had trees in bloom outside his window.
Maybe he was listening to this music while he painted, which premiered the same year, 1908.

Maurice Ravel - Rhapsodie Espagnole, I-II 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ZyAf1udmU 

Education Links 3/21/23

Why You Shouldn’t “Build Community”



ED TECH DIGEST

25 Slam Poetry Examples To Inspire Students of All Ages


Increasing the Value of Graphic Organizers

How to Stop Procrastinating If You Live with ADHD

 


Solving the Dyslexia Paradox



Best Virtual Field Trips

MzTeachuh's Meditations: When God's Will Looks Like a Rube Goldberg Machine

 

Behind the scenes, God is working. Circumstances, when there are so many, may seems like a Rube Goldberg contraption of extensive, extraneous steps.  It is difficult to wait for a result-or maybe several results-of obedience to God and prayer. But the Holy Spirit is very thorough, methodically ordering the best opportunities, the most profound insights and guidance, and healing that effects our whole lives. We keep up with the obedience and prayer as we wait with anticipation. That's what hope is defined as-expectant anticipation. God is working.


God is working in you

Philippians 2:12-15, NLT Dear friends…. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights…

God is working behind the scenes
Job 34:20, MSG … we know God is working behind the scenes.


God is always working his purpose out – God is working right now!
John 5:17, NIV Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

God is working on me and you
1 Corinthians 12:6, NLT God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.