The invasion of the Giant Snails sounds like a science fiction movie title but in Florida~ it's very real. The giant African land snail has invaded the state and since they have no natural enemies~ the snails are causing quite a problem. As their name suggests~ the snail is very large...think the size of a rat. And~ the giant African land snail multiplies quickly. Just one female can produce 12~000 eggs in one year! The giant African...
Ali Razeghi, a scientist from Tehran, claims to have successfully created a time machine. According to The Telegraph, Razeghi's machine is not a time traveling device in the classic sense. That it, it does NOT...
Id like to dedicate my next few posts to the topic of problem-based learning.
It is certainly a method that motivates students~ helps them develop valuable how-to learn skills~ and makes learning relevant. Before I get into the particulars~ Id like to use this blog to share a true story illustrating the power of teaching through problems.
(Please feel free to share your stories of problem-based learning or post comments by visiting the Gifted/Enrichment group at...
Arturo Avina is a fan of pop music. Bjork~ Blondie and Madonna are a few of his favorites. Avina is also a kindergarten teacher at LAUSD's Olympic Primary Center in Los Angeles and the driving force behind one of the most adorable and creative educational resources on the Internet. Avina and his class of kindergarteners adapted the classic children's book "Miss Nelson is Missing" using songs by Garbage~ Bjork~ Blondie and Madonna to help illustrate their unique take on the story. The result...
I wasn't much of an athlete growing up. I hung around other kids who played sports, but I was never really good at any of them. Baseball, football, and soccer just didn't make sense to my body.
Take baseball for example. To me, the idea of failing to hit the ball was more anxiety than I could take. So I'd stand there...
Have you heard of Teachers Domain? I stumbled upon it during my search for time elapse videos for the life cycle of a plant. Teachers Domain is media library collection of 1~000 plus videos of public television~ as well as lesson plans~ and resources. The videos are from PBS~ NOVA~ Frontline and a variety of others. Each lines up with national standards.
To use the media library~ you will need to register for a free teacher...
I have to share this fantastic strategy with you.
It involves pre-testing your entire class~ allowing students to earn time to work on enrichment/extension activities.
Its an effective way to motivate students and provide them the opportunity to demonstrate what they know and work on perhaps more interesting activities. This method is also a way to offer enrichment opportunities to all higher performing students~ not only those labeled gifted. This way~ you eliminate any...
Although I love winter(I am a skier)~ I am SO VERY MUCH looking forward to the return of my beautiful and colorful flowers to return to my gardens. Daffodils are starting to sprout through the surface as are some of my tulips. Color is slowly starting to take hold in the lawn and I eagerly watch for budding on the trees. To me~ flowers always make me smile!When I retired from teaching I created a teacher garden. Teaching themed chimes hang from shepherd poles and I have a wonderful lilac...
Since Arne Duncan took over as Secretary of Education~ his YouTube channelhas uploaded more than 450 videos and counting (currently 462)~ which follow many of his television spots~ speeches and school appearances and address some of the tough questions he regularly receives. Lately~ he's been bouncing around the country talking to educators and the public at both K-12 schools and institutions of higher education~ all in an attempt to better...
Ask practitioners and administrations on the ground in the education system about state education agencies (SEAs), and you may encounter skepticism. SEAs need not be considered antiquated bodies, as they are the heart of leadership in a states education system. SEAs monitor compliance and accountability, but they also provide support for policy design and implementation. These entities are well positioned to use high quality research in policy and practice, but there is variation in efficacy...