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NBC Splits From Microsoft

The partnership between Microsoft and NBC is over. The news agency bought out the tech giant’s stake in MSNBC.com, putting to bed an online relationship that spanned 16 years.

The original arrangement paired NBC News' exclusive news and video content with Microsoft's technological expertise in a 50-50 joint venture between Microsoft and NBCUniversal. Because the two companies have over a decade-and-a-half of digital history together, insiders speculate it will take roughly two years for all the ties to be severed. In the meantime, the newly re-branded NBCNews.com will continue to provide news for MSN.com, Microsoft's Web portal, which will contribute traffic back to the network.

Moving forward, NBCNews.com will feature some slight design changes to bring all of its sister sites in line stylistically. The digital homes for Today, MSNBC, NBC Sports and others will all feature the same design template, creating a unity among the brands.

 

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Creating a Peaceful Transition:...

I begin each class with a brief meditation. Using a Tibetan Singing Bowl, I invite students to listen to the sound of the bowl as it drops off then to drop in on their breathing. Just listen to how the breath flows in and out.

The “micro” meditation lasts a few minutes at the most but seems to make all the difference. Instead of rushing into the learning process, we ease into, flow into it more gently, we slow down to go faster.

Starting class with meditation allows them...

The End of School is Almost Here

The end of the year is quickly approaching!  This is such an exciting time for everyone.  The thought of sleeping in, hanging out by the pool, taking a late night walk or a long fun family vacation is weighing on everyone’s mind.  Here are some things to do to finish out the year strong!

1. Have everyone bring in a pillowcase.  With a paint marker in the middle of the pillow you will write:

            Now I lay me down to sleep,

            I count these hands...

5 Ways to Get Students Excited About...

After a school year ended, I always reflected on what I could have done better.  Even though I thought I knew my students well, I could have always known them better. From the moment they enter the classroom a teacher is trying to get to know the family, the student academically, the background they bring with them, issues, problems, struggles, likes, dislikes and ultimately what will help a student succeed. A teacher sets up the classroom environment and differentiates activities that will...

5 Tips and Tricks to Becoming a Better...

Through my years of teaching I encountered 3 principals and 3-4 administrators.  They were each so different and inspired me in many ways.  There were rules, expectations “buy-ins,” situations and opportunities for me to learn.  I had always aspired to be an administrator so my first principal position was one of my favorites.  I want to share with you some of the things I did, that I learned from my supportive administrators.  The goal for me was to always support, engage, encourage and let...

Having HIgh Expectations for All...

Each month as an educator, it is important for teachers to reflect on his or her classroom practices and the how and whys of what we do.  April is Autism Awareness month and this is such a special time, because as teachers and leaders we should self-reflect on things we can do better or differently to help all children-including children with autism-succeed.  High expectations for all students are vital.  In classrooms today, teachers must differentiate for all students and include each...

What Can Teachers Do to Get Ready For...

Every summer I tried to prioritize what I was going to do to get ready for the next school year.  I wanted my classroom to be engaging, fun, inviting and a place that I wanted to be each day.  This will give you ideas on things you can do this summer to refresh for the fall And Prepare for a fantastic first week of school!

  1. Pick a theme:  Each year I liked to have a new...

Geography Awareness Week (NOVEMBER 15-...

Geographic Activities to Foster Geographic Awareness.
 
1. A fun way to show our  Globally Interdependent World: Assign a partner and have the students check the labels on their tops to see where they are made.  Do the same for their shoes. Have the students do a safari search with their partner looking for where things in the room were made(ex: crayons, textbook, colored pencils, ruler, etc...

Turkey Factoids to Use with Students

November is Thanksgiving time and most of us will be celebrating with a turkey dinner....

Gifted Students And Stress During the...

During my time as an elementary teacher, I’ve seen gifted kids stress out.

I remember the time a student began crying and screaming, saying his “parents were going to kill him” because he didn’t get all As on his report card. One child would crawl under the desk and shake whenever he got less than a 90 percent on a test. Others would just break down, telling me they were tired of everyone expecting too much from them, or complain how the students outside of the gifted program would...

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