Hard Lesson

In the Special Ed blog I am following, a teacher named Lisa wrote about an extremely difficult situation she had to handle. She was told one of her students brought a knife to school and when confronted by her, completely lied about it. In the end he did actually have a knife, received a ten day suspension and was returning this week. In the current school climate where there is so much violence, this type of situation needs to be handled so carefully. I felt she handled it extremely well. She is having a harder time dealing with the fact that he could calmly lie to her more then the actual act of bringing a knife to school. I completely agree that the lie is worse than the act. I always tell my own children that I can forgive any situation as long as they are honest.

US History blog about Google Drive!

I could not believe what I found when I went to the US History blog I am following.  I teacher named Ken posted a short YouTube video tutorial on how to search inside a Google Drive document.  Since we are currently learning how to use Google Drive and must incorporate it into this weeks assignment, I thought it was good timing. Check it out...history teachers blogging about technology!

Visual Literacy

"Life on the Screen: Visual Literacy in Education" was a great article.  I just assumed George Lucas would have been a standout student and to find out he struggled was interesting.  I wonder how many students would excel if the arts were included in English class.  His "circle of communication" made sense to me.  My kindergartner is very musically talented and already dislikes traditional learning in school.  He is very sensitive and including image and sound in his traditional education would definitely benefit him and I do believe it is just as important as reading and writing.  

http://www.edutopia.org/lucas-visual-literacy


While watching "Reading Film: The History of Movies" there was one thing that really stood out to me.  The children seemed to believe anything they saw because they saw it on a screen.  I never realized how important it is to formally educate children that film is not reality.  My own children who are very young understand this concept, so I just assumed that children in middle school would know.  Martin Scorsese's free program is awesome and something that kids would probably never forget!

http://www.edutopia.org/reading-film-story-movies-visual-literacy-video

President's Day Facts

This week I decided to blog about the US History Teachers Blog in spirit of President's Day.  I love historical facts that I can share with my children and this short video was very cool and perfect for my 10 year old.  I don't understand why people think history is boring, maybe they had boring teachers.  I am thankful that I had great teachers and that my parents made learning history fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t588B3vqq8A&feature=player_embedded

iPads in the Classroom podcast

I really enjoyed listening to the podcast about iPads in the classroom because it changed my perspective.  I am not a "tech lover" so my initial reaction was that iPads in the classroom were not going to benefit the students.  I felt that it would keep the kids so "plugged in" that their social skills would suffer.  I wondered what would stop the kids from "playing" rather than "working".  However, Shayne Evans from the University of Chicago Charter Schools was able to address most of my concerns and I now think that the positives of iPads in the classroom far outweigh the negatives.  As a parent that is not on top of technology, I felt that the suggestion of parent technology sessions to help the parents learn and get on board was a fantastic idea. 

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/10/24/ipads-in-the-classroom

Adrien teaches the disabled to be self-advocates

This week a teacher named Adrien blogged about how she tries to teach her special needs students to be self-advocates by educating them on what special needs are on a level that they can understand.  She shows videos with someone with a disability doing something interesting and then discusses the content with her disabled students.  They discuss the person's strengths, weaknesses and supports and she hopes that this will empower them.  I thought this was a really cool way to teach all children about disabilities.

http://cecblog.typepad.com/cec/

German Bomb Golf Rules

A teacher named George just posted a really interesting photo in the US History blog I am following.  It was a photo of the temporary rules that were posted in Britain's Richmond Golf club in 1940 after German bombs hit the golf course.  Apparently you were allowed a penalty shot if your stroke was affected by a bomb.  I thought it was actually funny that rules were made.  I am very happy I found this blog...it is a keeper!

This weekend

A teacher named Rob wrote an interesting post this weekend about why he is a teacher on one of the blogs I am following. It was a good reminder about how important it is to find something you are passionate about when choosing a career. I needed to see it because I am in the beginning of my journey as a teacher. Things are new and difficult for me right now and I have to keep reminding myself why I am going back to school while raising four children. This adjustment period is part of the process of learning and growing as a person. Just like Rob, I feel that I will be more prepared to help a child learn and grow as a person if I have a deeper understanding of self, my own children included.