Monthly Archives: April 2011

Royal! Wedding! OMG!!

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

I don’t care about the Royals. I get kinda excited, though, when I see potential good Role Models. Continue reading →

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Knit Wit

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

It was an unconscious side effect that they were able to self-evaluate their level of engagement; I believe it came from me being honest and open with them about my own inabilities to pay attention sometimes. Continue reading →

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We Remember Our Teachers

Posted on April 26, 2011 by

To all of the teachers who stay, to all of the teachers who go, to the teachers who read to us, challenge us, and show up each day. To the teachers who staple magazine covers to the ceiling, who listen to us, encourage us, and help us to believe in ourselves. To the teachers who drive Harleys, button our coats, tie our shoes, wipe our noses, and patiently show us. To the teachers who help make us brave, empathize, show us the way, and steer our paths. Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting With Students, Edge-ifying, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Facebook Fast

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

n a previous post entitled TV Turnoff Week, I suggested that maybe we should look at giving up Facebook or even our laptops. Continue reading →

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Challenging the Traditional Read

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

The way I can hold and turn pages of a book shouldn’t be enough reason for me NOT to get an e-reader, right? Continue reading →

Posted in Reading and Literacy, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Earth Day Turns 40!

Posted on April 20, 2011 by

Kids are lucky – they have grown up in a world that is very conscious of the environment, and they already do things in their routines that help in the effort. To them, we have always recycled. Regardless, it’s important that we continue that awareness, and show children that their actions do make an impact. Continue reading →

Posted in Global Education, Interesting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TV Turnoff Week

Posted on April 18, 2011 by

Although the website’s not really fancy, the folks behind TV Turnoff Week have a simple, but great idea going. Turn off your TV for a full week. Do something else with that time. What’s the downside? You learn new activities? You spend face-to-face time? You play a non-electronic (gasp!) board game? YES. DO IT. If you don’t like it, you can always turn the TV back on again after 7 days of trying. Continue reading →

Posted in Interesting, Technology, Tools We Love | Tagged , , | 147 Comments

Be Like the Eagle

Posted on April 14, 2011 by

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could teach less, better? Wouldn’t it be great if we could pause and celebrate the epiphanies and conflicts and understand that education should not simply be a conveyor belt, but an incubator of sorts? Wouldn’t it be amazing and nurturing to be in the nest for as long as we needed to be to thrive and discover each person’s potential? Continue reading →

Posted in Interesting | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Bullying Online

Posted on April 14, 2011 by

There’s debate about whose fault this particular altercation was, and for me it doesn’t matter. They are both sad examples of what it feels like to be kids. They are representative of bullies and victims everywhere. Perhaps some folks who are bullied wish they could have retaliated like Casey did. I would bet many victims wish they could have their instances recorded. Continue reading →

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So DISTRACTING.

Posted on April 12, 2011 by

I’ll be looking for a video showing student writing conferences, and suddenly I’m watching some video of a goat falling down. I can’t specifically recall how I got from A to G (for goat), but I got there. That’s time neither the company or I can get back. It’s fighting a HUGE urge…one that I can’t even identify…to keep my searches on target. It counters what my eyes and brain want to do. I almost have to say it out loud: “NO GOATS. STUDENT WRITERS.” Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting With Students, General Education, Interesting, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments