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Microsoft Enters Tablet Market

SurfaceNo, that image to the left is not an iPad surrounded by SmartCovers. That is the Microsoft Surface. Not to be confused with the giant table-sized computer the company released a while ago, the Surface is Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market.

Attempting to take a page out of Apple’s playbook on several levels, Microsoft revealed the Surface during a mystery press event in California. What those in attendance saw was an iPad knock-off that is heavier, boasts shorter batter life and an inferior chip. To be fair, the Surface does have an impressive cover that contains a fully functioning keyboard, but that is an accessory that must be purchased.

Microsoft has two versions of the Surface in the works, each for a very different audience. There’s a “consumer version” that will run Windows RT and a “business version” that will run Windows 8.

Microsoft isn’t saying exactly when the Surface will be available for purchase, or how much it will cost, but experts are predicting the “consumer version” to fall in the $500 price range with the “business version” to come in at over $1,000. The pricier version does have better overall tech specs than its cheaper brother, but that improved performance comes at the cost of weight and, of course, cost.

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French Shoes And Building A First-Rate...

Recently, during an open house, I met a students uncle, who had an accent. I became curious as to his nationality. I pointed to the mans pointed dress shoes and told the other teacher in the classroom, I bet he is French. Having spent some time in France this summer, I unimpressively explained to the teacher that I noticed pointed shoes were in fashion there.

Sure enough, the man was French.

I told him I really liked the shoes and explained how I unsuccessfully...

Little Rock~Arkansas-Teachers required...

Dusting off my soap box once again:
On the first day of every school year~ my husband would don what he called his teacher uniform. He wore a suit and tie and his dress shoes. He always felt it was important to start the school year dressing accordingly. From that day forward~ he'd always wear a pair of slacks~ dress shirt and tie and sport's jacket.

I also felt the need to dress what I felt was professionally for the my students~wearing one of my skirt sets or dresses. I never...

Talent: Advice to Teachers from Students

  1. Advice to teachers can come from many sources.
  2. When asking my students to give advice to increase the talents of first year teachers~ here is what they have to say:
  3. 1. Talent-we students know you are talented but we don't know if you...

Super Caught Plagiarizing Welcome Letter

A superintendent in Ohio stirred up controversy when he was caught having plagiarized a letter welcoming parents, students and staff.

Dr. Glenn Faircloth, superintendent of Lorain County JVS in Oberlin, Ohio, admitted to using large parts of another welcome letter, penned by a different superintendent in New York.

"I liked how it was worded. I thought it was...

Talent: The "4 H" Requirements

As a teaching Head of High School, I seek the wisdom of those around me to nurture my spirit and feed my soul. We need this "food" to sustain a service-centered heart in teaching and leading. My colleague, Jane, so nurtured and inspired me yesterday; and, as a kindergarten teach and a teaching Head of Elementary School, she asked all of us to consider developing our talent in four ways:

  1. 1. Honesty-As difficult as it can be, we must be honest with ourselves, our colleagues, and our...

Sometimes Teachers Wonder

Dear Mrs. Tuttingsgood~

Thanks for the extra time you spent with me on my spelling every Tuesday and Wednesday after school this year. The tootering really helped a lot.
Tommy

This poem is based on a letter that my wife received many years ago. It had us laughing for hours. I still laugh out loud every time I think of it. Fortunately~ she was his math tutor.

This poem is excerpted~ with publisher permission~...

Know Thy Student-Training in Social-...

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Lao Tzu~ Tao Te Ching

About five years ago~ when I first began teaching gifted children~ I had no idea what to expect.

Here are some of the social-emotional challenges I faced:

One girl~ whenever receiving anything less than a 90 percent on her tests~ would crawl up under her desk in a ball and cry for an hour until I could coax her out (boy~ I was happy to get a C in geometrynot the best student...

Teaching A-Z(Advice to New Teachers)

I Posted this last year but thought with lots of new teachers at the forums~ it might be of value. Feel free to add any additional suggestions to the Teaching A-Z list.
Have a wonderful school year.
Gail Hennessey

A-Always exhibit an interest in what you are teaching. If you think its important ~ your students will~ too. Have an assessment for how to grade your students.

B- Be prepared with your lesson. Have bell ringers to keep students on task when you are collecting...

Buzz about Bees- Fun Facts to Wow your...

Starting the school year and need an activity? I have just added another topic at my website for teachers/kids~ FACTS to Wow your Friends! This time~ the information is on bees. Did you know that bees can actually sense the location of land mines or that a honeybee can move its wings about 11~400 times a minute? Read these and about 20 other bee facts under the BUZZ about BEES at this link: http://www.gailhennessey...

Talent: Create New Year Resolves

As teachers~ we are charged with continuously growing our talents. Our colleagues need it from us; our students expect it of us; our leaders know it is in us; and~ parents/society assume it of us! What commitments are you making for your personal and professional cultivation this year? It is wonderful that we get to make new year's resolutions every September. Here are mine:
PERSONAL TALENT DEVELOPMENT
1. Provide myself the time each day to read inspirational thoughts to share with...

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