Archive for June, 2009

Preparing students for the new media

The Shift June 17, 2009 at 3:19 pm 1 comment

Clay Shirky, a leading authority on the Internet’s effects, argues that emerging technologies enabling loose collaboration will change the way our society works. In this video, he notes that we are living through “the largest increase in expressive capability in human history.” If this is true, how do we prepare our students for this new, emerging and ever-changing media landscape?

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Dan Quayle

Quote of the Day June 16, 2009 at 1:15 pm Comments are Disabled

The future will be better tomorrow.

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Mark Twain

Quote of the Day June 12, 2009 at 4:03 pm Comments are Disabled

It used to take me all summer to grow a new hide to replace the one they flogged off me during school terms.

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Parker Palmer and “The Courage to Teach” renew teacher’s spirit

The Shift June 9, 2009 at 2:21 am Comments are Disabled

The pressures of teaching can often leave even the veterans among us feeling frazzled and confused. So it’s not surprising that newer teachers often begin to question their decision to enter the profession. Yael Grauer, a second year teacher in Tucson Arizona, recently overcame her own feelings of doubt during a recent Courage to Teach retreat, developed by educational activist Parker Palmer. The insights she gained through professional reflection left her refreshed, renewed, and ready for a new beginning.

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Flannery O’Connor

Quote of the Day June 7, 2009 at 8:28 pm Comments are Disabled

“There’s many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.”

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“Put Up a Parking Lot” – On Your Board!

“Put Up a Parking Lot” – On Your Board!

The Toolbox June 7, 2009 at 8:09 pm Comments are Disabled

It’s June, and your class is not asking questions about last night’s reading assignment. They read it, but they sit, cold stares hitting you from every direction, and there’s just a week of school left. Don’t just stand there! Put up a parking lot! Read more for an effective (and simple) way to engage your students in discussion – any time of the year!

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Mom! Dad! Look at me!

Uncategorized June 4, 2009 at 4:36 pm 1 comment

Every year in the spring, the day before the last day of school, we have an event we call, “Eighth Grade Recognition.” It’s like a mini-graduation ceremony. Kids dress up. All the parents come and sit in the bleachers. The band plays. The choir sings. Student’s speak and introduce each other. Our principal gives an inspiring message. This year, one of my eighth graders wrote and delivered a great message he titled, “Mom! Dad! Look at me!”

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J.R.R. Tolkien

Quote of the Day June 4, 2009 at 3:47 pm Comments are Disabled

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

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Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote of the Day June 3, 2009 at 2:26 pm Comments are Disabled

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

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