Check out these great interactive quizzes.
A Year Without A Santa Claus (15 Multiple Choice Questions)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (10 Multiple Choice Questions. Score based out of 1,000 points. Points awarded for how quickly the questions are answered correctly.)
Frosty the Snowman (15 Multiple Choice Questions)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Movie (10 Multiple Choice Questions)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Dr Suess (15 Multiple Choice Questions)
It’s a Wonderful Life: The Movie (10 Multiple Choice Questions)
Elf: The Movie (15 Multiple Choice Questions)
A Christmas Story: the Movie (10 Multiple Choice Questions)
Home Alone 1 and 2: the Movies (10 Multiple Choice Questions)
The Night Before Christmas: the Poem (10 Multiple Choice Questions)
Month: December 2012
-
Christmas Trivia: 10 Great Quizzes
-
Christmas Cheer: Larry Bird Understands the Meaning of X-Mas
My Town Tutors is making a huge commitment for the 2014 – 2015 school year to be the #1 tutoring resource for parents and teachers in America. Our motto is “Teachers are great tutors!” Parents love the fact that every teacher in our directory is a teacher!
Please Share!
The following article was written in the Boston Herald By Joe Fitzgerald on December 21, 1997. I share it with my students on the last day before Christmas Vacation.
Larry Bird, out of a Celtics uniform since 1992, left a ton of memories at this address, but none more poignant than a Christmas memory he shared with several hundred Boston schoolkids, repeated here this morning because, quite frankly, sports could use a dose of reality.
“What kills me about Christmas,” he said, “is that while it’s a time of excitement for some people, it’s a time that makes other people sad, like kids who just can’t have the things they see their friends getting. A lot of people – and I know people like this – can’t wait for Christmas to be gone.
“You know how they say it was the Grinch who stole Christmas? It wasn’t the Grinch at all. It was the rich people. They’re the ones who’ve stolen it, buying everything they can for their kids and not worrying about other kids who are going to end up feeling left out. They’ve taken Christmas the wrong way. I mean, it’s supposed to be a time for letting people know how you feel about them, isn’t it?
“That’s why, next to family, the most important thing in my life today are the old friends I have back home, the guys I went to school with, the guys who look at me and don’t see money, or the cars, or even the Celtics. They couldn’t care less about all of that. They live in a different world, the world I came from, where old buddies are still buddies ‘cuz they know what’s important, and it sure ain’t money.
“I look at my little brother today, and when I see him wanting Reeboks, or Champion shirts, it bothers me because kids don’t realize fads and fashions aren’t what determine how good you are, or how important you are.
“Whenever I’m out speaking to a bunch of kids, maybe doing a playground clinic, I always look for that one who stands off by himself, whose clothes don’t look too good. I’ll go out of my way to make a big deal over him because I used to be that kid.
“We got mostly clothes at our house every Christmas, ‘cuz that’s what we needed. I can remember my friends getting bicycles, and thinking how I’d buy the best bike in town if only I had the money. But that just wasn’t possible. Still, my Mom did a good job. Christmas was a big thing around our house. There was always a pile of five or six gifts for all of us; as soon as you opened one, you went right to the next one. It was chaos, and even though we knew it wasn’t going to be a lot, we appreciated how tough it was for our folks to get us what they did.
“So I’ll tell you what we did one year. We knew there’d be no toys that year because the funds just weren’t there. My older brother got the rest of us together and said, ‘Let’s do something special for Mom and Dad before we open our presents. Let’s just tell ’em we love ’em and see how they react, OK? I’ll do the speaking.’
“You’ve got to understand, ‘love’ wasn’t a word we threw around much in our family, so just hearing it said that way was new to me.
“Anyway, we’re all sitting around the tree and my brother stands up. He says, ‘Mom, dad, we want to say something to you tonight. We want to tell you we appreciate all you do for us, giving us things we know you had to work overtime to get. And, we just want to tell you we love you.
“Well, I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Gee, that’s a pretty strong statement,’ when I saw tears coming from my mother’s eyes – and my Dad, he just sat there so proud. You could tell it really hit a chord.
“So look, if you guys want to do something really special this Christmas, tell your parents you love ’em, OK? Tell ’em thanks for all their hard work.
“That’s all I really came here to tell you. Thanks for listening. Good luck to every one of you, and Merry Christmas.”
– Larry Bird
If time allows, perhaps you could give the students some time to write a letter to someone important in their life.
My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. If you are a teacher who tutors, for a limited time, you can register for using promo code: usteachers. Teachers set the hourly and keep 100% of the fees! One of our teachers made $5,000 last year tutoring.
It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area. Please help us find ONE MORE teacher who tutors! -
The Trustees Reservations: Great Massachusetts Holiday Hikes
By The Trustees of Reservations
There’s nothing better than a delicious, home-cooked holiday feast. But why not build up your appetite a bit by heading out on a hike or walk before you sit down at the table? Or maybe work it all off once you’re done eating? We’ve got ideas, from an easy walk in the park to a challenging trek to a thought-provoking jaunt. No matter what you’re up for, you’ll be feeling fantastic when you return!
Take the whole family for a leisurely stroll at Francis William Bird Park in Walpole. Follow three miles of flat pathways, past grassy meadows and tranquil duck ponds, and over stone arch bridges spanning quiet streams. This park includes a recreational area and children’s playground, ideal for walking families! Find more easy hikes in Massachusetts.
For more of a challenge, trek to the craggy peak of Great Barrington’s Monument Mountain for a thrilling view. And be sure to look for the cave where a conversation between Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville inspired ideas for Moby Dick. Find more views that are worth the hike.
Stand under the same massive overhanging rock that used to provide shelter for Nipmuc hunting parties centuries ago. You can do it at Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield. The cultural impact of the indigenous peoples who dwelt on landscapes now shared by Trustees properties still resonates today. Find more connections to first peoples.
Pop your wee ones in the stroller and head over to Appleton Farms in Ipswich and Hamilton. Lots of grass and gravel make the trails pretty easy to negotiate with strollers. More than 90 percent of the terrain is flat or gently rolling and the Grass Rides on the southwest side beckon “off road” strollers. Don’t forget to say “howdy” to the cows! Find more stroller-friendly trails. -
100 Perfect Twitter Accounts for Teachers!
If you are a teacher who tutors, for a limited time, you can register for FREE using promo code: usteachers. “Teachers are great tutors!” Teachers keep 100% of the profits! If you are a teacher PLEASE join! We need great teachers who tutor to be the #1 resource in America for parents looking for tutors!
The feedback from teachers has been incredible to our top 10 twitter accounts for teachers. We would like to continue to provide great resources for teachers and educators, so we are continuing to add to our list.
The only requirement is that the account receive a perfect score of 100 / 100 from tweet grader. For each account we have included the twitter name and the twitter profile.
Since all these accounts are 100% perfect. We have listed them in reverse alphabetical order. We will be adding additional accounts in the future as we come across them.
1. @WorldLillie – Boston teacher & #travel blogger: http://AroundTheWorldL.com & http://TeachingTraveling.com. #EdBlogs founder: http://www.facebook.com/groups/EducationBloggers Boston (and the world) · http://www.AroundTheWorldL.com/about/
2. @willrich45 – Parent, author, speaker, instigator, blogger about social Web tools and their effects on schools, education and learning. Flemington, New Jersey · http://willrichardson.com
3. @wfryer – Husband, dad, educator, author, speaker, digital storyteller. I’m here for the learning revolution. Also tweeting as @eyesrightblog & @ipadwithwes Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA · http://www.wesfryer.com
4. @web20classroom – Educator, Speaker, Blogger, #Edchat Co-Creator, #140Conf Character, Edublogs Twitterer Of The Year, ASCD Emerging Leader. Do You Use Social Media In Education?Winston-Salem, NC · http://blog.web20classroom.org
5. @WeAreTeachers – Online community of teachers of all types. Teacher social network, Web 2.0, Education, Knowledge Marketplace, school 2.0. support@weareteachers.com Austin, TX http://www.weareteachers.com
6. @WEAC – Wisconsin Education Association Council ÜT: 43.035197,-89.427211 ·http://www.weac.org
7. @vmcmurray – Special education math teacher. Advocate for my students. Future queen of the world? Maybe… Chicago
8. @tyeducators – Educators play such an important role in our lives. We want to say thanks to those who teach and enrich our communities. Presented by California Casualty. · http://educators.calcas.com
9. @toddwhitaker – Focus on Leadership, Teaching & Motivation. Todd has written 30 books including What Great Teachers Do Differently and Shifting The Monkey. · http://www.toddwhitaker.com
10. @tomwhitby – Prof of Education. Founder: #Edchat, The EDU PLN Ning, Linkedin group Technology-Using Professors et al. BLOG: My Island View http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com Long Island, New York http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com/
11. @timbuckteeth – Web 2.0 researcher, author of The Digital Classroom, Associate Professor of learning technology, international speaker, disruptive activist. Plymouth, UK http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com
12. @ThisIsSethsBlog – Founder of Squidoo.com, author, blogger. This is a retweet of my blog.· http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
13. @theTeacherPage – Quality Resources for Teachers! Comments and Suggestions Welcome! @robertwhughes Halifax, MA · http://TheTeacherPage.com
14. @suewaters -Helping others with technology and blogs in the classroom! Writes support material for BuddyPress, WordPress Multi-site for Edublogs.org & WPMU DEV Perth, Australia · http://theedublogger.com/
15. @stumpteacher – Father, husband, 6th grade SS/LA teacher, tech enthusiast, 2012 IL teacher of the year and aspiring Jedi. suburban chicago · http://www.stumpteacher.blogspot.com
16. @stevekatz – Tech Integration Specialist, teacher, ADE, Apple Professional Development, author, international conference presenter, video projects, father, deadhead Seoul, Korea · http://www.teachwithvideo.com
17. @smithsonianedu Resources for teachers and their classrooms from the Smithsonian Institution. Terms of use: http://www.si.edu/Termsofuse Washington, DC · http://www.SmithsonianEducation.org
18. @sjunkins Instructional Technology Coach. Apple Distinguished Educator. Google Certified Teacher. Myrtle Beach, SC · http://www.hcsmobile.net
19. @shannoninottawa – “Mom, Wife, Elementary School Principal in Ottawa, Canada – playing around with learning out in the open every single day
Ottawa, Canada · http://shannoninottawa.com”
20. @shannonmmiller “Teacher Librarian & Tech Integrationist who loves connecting, creating, change, advocacy & NOISE. Presenter & Blogger. Connecting People Shorty Award Recipient. Van Meter, Iowa · http://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/”
21. @TheScienceGuy – Science Educator seeks to change the world…Los Angeles, CA, USA · http://billnye.com
22. @thenerdyteacher – Just a guy who likes to write and speak on education, technology and all things nerdy. The ‘Lady Gaga’ of teaching. #EduBro. Michigan · http://www.thenerdyteacher.com
23. @teachingwthsoul – Consultant/Speaker. ASCD/ISTE presenter.New Teacher Chat Founder #ntchat.Core Blogger @Edutopia @KIDS_DISCOVER. Rep.@iTooch. Former Principal. Passion2 #mentor! California · http://bit.ly/lisamdabbs
24. @TeacherSabrina – Teacher-turned-advocate for kids, teachers & communities. Pro-#edreform that works for real people, not corporate interests. Tweets = mine, RTs ≠ endorsements. Washington, DC · http://www.sabrinajoystevens.com
25. @teachermelanie – ★ An online teacher (ESL) who can help YOU improve your English! ★ I tweet about English, Canada, & anything I find interesting! Join the fun! ☺Toronto, Canada · http://www.englishteachermelanie.com
26. @TeacherCast – TeacherCast.net was set up to help teachers better use technology in their classrooms. We are your Educational Community for 21st Century Learning. Philadelphia · http://www.TeacherCast.net
27. @TeacherBeat – I cover teachers for Education Week newspaper and write our Teacher Beat blog. Washington, D.C. · http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/
28. @TeachaKidd – Blogger, EdTech, Geek… I will annoy you with questions. You’ve been warned. South Florida, USA · http://www.leekolbert.com/
29. @SNewco – Educator, Mobilist, Speaker, Blogger, 1:1 Mobile Learning Devices, ISTE & eLearning Guild member, SIGML http://www.themobilenative.org Ohio · http://www.smriders.net/Mobile_Learning
30. @ShellTerrell – Education thought-provoker, The 30 Goals Challenge author, International Speaker, #Edchat founder, Host for AM TESOL Free Fri Webinars, SC Mgr @TheConsultantsE worldwide · http://bit.ly/ShellTerrell
31. @ScholasticTeach – The official Scholastic Teachers account. We like to talk books, education trends and life as an educator. USA · http://www.scholastic.com/teachers
32. @rweingarten – American Federation of Teachers president, committed to improving schools, hospitals and public institutions for children, families and communities. Washington, DC · http://www.aft.org
33. @rmbyrne – Teacher. Speaker. Writer. Google Certified Teacher. My dog thinks I’m cool. http://android4schools.com Maine, USA · http://www.freetech4teachers.com
34. @principalspage – Superintendent, Blogger, Google Certified Administrator, Best friends with Buddy the Dog. Illinois · http://www.principalspage.com/theblog
35. @PrincipalJ – Elementary Principal, Twitter Evangelist, passionate about learning/daily5/cafe/instructional leadership, comoderator of #educoach chat, mom of 2 boys rural Wisconsin · http://principalj.blogspot.com/
36. @POWERofICU – Teachers have been left alone to fight the problem of student apathy for too long. Learn how the Power of ICU can work for you. Nashville, Tennessee · http://www.poweroficu.com
37. @plugusin – I’m a full time classroom teacher and the author of Building a PLC at Work (http://bit.ly/plcatwork)and Teaching the iGeneration (http://amzn.to/igeneration) Raleigh NC · http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical
38. @plnaugle – I teach 4th graders math and social studies using many Web 2.0 tools like Edmodo. Glogster, kidblog.org, Jing, Skype, Wikis and I have 35 years of experience. New Orleans, LA · http://pnaugle.blogspot.com
39. @pgsimoes – Portuguese Air Force #eLearning Evangelizer, #PLE Researcher & Informal Learner. @eden20_official Steering Committee NAP Advisor. http://about.me/pgsimoes Portugal · http://www.pgsimoes.net
40. @pbsteachers – Multimedia resources & professional development for America’s preK-12 educators. Arlington, VA · http://www.pbs.org/teachers
41. @paulawhite – grandma, teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), DEN STAR, Google Certified Teacher, camper, Gifted Resource Tchr, NETS*T certified, lover of learning. Charlottesville, Va · http://tzstchr.edublogs.org
42. @PatrickMLarkin – Artist formerly known as @bhsprincipal – BPS Asst. Supt. NASSP National Digital Principal Award Winner (2012), Evangelist for Web 2.0 and Digital Tools. Burlington, MA · http://www.patrickmlarkin.com/
43. @NSTA – The National Science Teachers Association: promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
44. @NMHS_Principal – Principal of New Milford HS (NJ): NASSP National Digital Principal Award Winner (2012), Google Certified Teacher, Adobe Education Leader, Author, Speaker. New Milford, NJ · http://ericsheninger.com
45. @NMEACS – “The National Minority Educators Association for Charter Schools was created to allow the diversity in education, talents and resources to be cultivated. Michigan http://www.nmeacs.org” (69,200+ followers, 100/100 twitter grader)
46. @NEAToday – The National Education Association’s official publication, committed to a great public education for all students. Get free resources, news & more!Washington DC · http://www.nea.org/neatoday
47. @NCTM – The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership and professional development. Reston, Virginia · http://www.nctm.org
48. @mytowntutors “Teachers are GREAT tutors! We connect parents with local teachers who tutor. Teachers keep 100% of fees. http://www.mytowntutors.com/blog/ Boston, Massachusetts and USA · http://www.mytowntutors.com”
Connected Educator Profile: My Town Tutors
49. @msjweir – I’m a high school English teacher who loves to geek out with technology! Also, a mommy to a beautiful little girl! ON, Canada · http://msjweir.wordpress.com”
50. @mcleod – Associate Professor. CASTLE Director. Blogger. Idea generator. Solution builder. Agitator. Catalyst. “If the leaders don’t get it, it’s not going to happen.” Ames, Iowa · http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org
51. @mcarls – CABOCES Technology Staff Specialist after teaching HS Math in a block schedule for 11 years. Learning and sharing Tech ideas. Western New York · http://mcarls.blogspot.com
52. @mbteach – K-8 Technology Teacher and Technology Integration Specialist in Philadelphia. Edcamp Foundation Board member & organizer. http://mbteach.com
53. @massteacher – The Massachusetts Teachers Association Boston, Mass. ·http://massteacher.org
Massachusetts Teachers Association – THANK YOU
54. @marynabadenhors – Lifelong learner. Interested in creating collaborative online forums and virtual classrooms. I have been called an ‘ungeeky ICT goddess’. I believe in karma. Global citizen (online) · http://marynabadenhorst.global2.vic.edu.au
55. @maggiecary – Teacher, writer, and mom to 2 great kids & 1 big dog. I write about, education, parenting & kidlit. Author of Secrets of the Crystal Cavern (1/2012 release). http://classroomtalk.com
56. @l_hilt – Elementary Principal, K-6 Tech Integrator/Coach, Reader, Writer, Connected learner! PA · http://lynhilt.com/
57. @learningfy – Curator of EdTech Weekly http://goo.gl/YWvVf, a free weekly newsletter on #edtech Vancouver, Canada · http://goo.gl/Bx8EG
58. @Larryferlazzo – Inner-city High School teacher — ESL & Mainstream Sacramento, CA · http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
59. @langwitches – Educational Consultant GloballyConnectedLearning.com 21st Century Learning Specialist- Technology Integration- World Language Teacher USA-Argentina-Germany · http://www.langwitches.org/blog
60. @KylePace – District Instructional Technology Specialist and Google Certified Teacher. Presenter. Love to learn. Love to share. #EdcampKC organizer. Proud Dad. Kansas City, MO. · http://www.kylepace.com
61. @kjarrett – Father, husband, Google Certified K-4 technology teacher leveraging social media in education. Blogger, workshop leader, lifelong learner, relentless optimist! Northfield, NJ USA · http://about.me/kjarrett
62. @kellyhines – Keeping Kids First – Wife, Mom, Learner, Leader, Teacher – NBCT, DEN Star, NC DEN LC Blog Chair, SMART Exemplary Educator & Certified Trainer Greensboro,NC · http://kellyhines.wordpress.com
63. @kathyschrock – Educational Technologist, DEN Star & Guru, Adobe Ed Leader, Google Certified Teacher (kathy@kathyschrock.net) Twitter RSS feed: http://linkyy.com/twitterfeed Cape Cod, MA · http://kathyschrock.net
64. @joycevalenza – teacher-librarian, learner, blogger Abington, PA · http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/
65. @jswiatek – District Technology Specialist for the Citrus County School District, #edchat archivist. EdCamp Citrus organizer. Always looking for ways to engage students! Inverness, Florida, USA · http://www.jerryswiatek.com
66. @justintarte – Director of Curriculum & Support Services in a district of 3,000; learning & growing through group collaboration & sharing of ideas. I love technology & PD! St. Louis, Missouri · http://www.justintarte.com
67. @Joe_Mazza – Lead Learner @KnappElementary ~ @Penn_State alum & current @PennGSE doct student researching home-school partnerships 2.0 ~ Speaker ~ Writer ~ #PTchat Wed., 9PM Philadelphia, PA · http://joemazza.us
68. @janwebb21 – teacher and learner with passion for trying new ideas and using technology to enhance learning and teaching http://about.me/janwebb21/ iPhone: 0.000000,0.000000 · http://janwebb21.primaryblogger.co.uk
69. @intrepidteacher Teacher, learner, dad, bleeding heart, music and film addict. I want to share as much as I can with as many people as I can as often as I can. Singapore · http://www.jabizraisdana.com/
70. @gcouros – Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning for PSD70. Passionate about learning, ed. tech, and helping others find their passion! I like dogs 🙂 Edmonton · http://georgecouros.ca
71. @feedtheteacher – EFL Teacher, E-tutor and social media and technology enthusiast! I believe in the power of sharing and collaborating! · http://feedtheteacher.blogspot.com
Great Guest Post for My Town Tutors: Digital Parenting: The Digital Parent in You
72. @Edudemic – A dedicated community of educators and technologists looking to enhance learning. Cambridge, MA · http://edudemic.com
73. @EducationMN – The union of 70,000 educators. Our members work in pre-K-12 schools and higher education institutions statewide. Saint Paul, Minnesota ·http://www.educationminnesota.org
74. @edmodo -The official twitter account for Edmodo. Make your classroom a community. http://bit.ly/pCk24J San Mateo, CA · http://www.edmodo.com
75. @dougpete – Educator, Presenter & always on the look for something new to learn. http://www.dougpeterson.ca I tweet about education, technology, Minnesota Vikings, Formula1 Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada · http://dougpete.wordpress.com
76. @dkuropatwa – Curriculum Coordinator for Digital Learning at St. James-Assiniboia School Division Always in beta ∞ß (My tweets express only my own opinions.) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada · http://adifference.blogspot.com
77. @DianeRavitch – I write about education. I blog at dianeravitch.net Brooklyn · http://dianeravitch.com
78. @DebChitwood – I’m a Montessori educator/writer, former homeschooler, and mother of two adult children. I love sharing ideas and activities and encouraging others! Colorado Springs, Colorado · http://livingmontessorinow.com
79. @Darcy1968 – Learner, educator, deputy principal, English teacher, university lecturer, speaker, photographer, blogger, music-lover & traveller.Playing with new Lytro camera Kiama, NSW · http://darcymoore.net
80. @dancallahan – Instructional Technology Specialist K-5 @PineGlenLTC by day, #edcamp Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-founder by night. Burlington, MA · http://remixteaching.com”
81. @cybraryman1 – Educator & Writer trying to catalog the internet for students, educators and parents. http://cybraryman.com ÜT: 27.179819,-80.236438 · http://www.cybraryman.com
82. @cristama – K-12 Instructional Coach with Missoula County Public Schools. I’m currently seeking my Ed Leadership credentials. Always learning, always sharing… Missoula, Montana · https://sites.google.com/site/mcpsinstructionalcoaches/home
83. @courosa – Professor of #edtech & #media, #education researcher, #connected educator, keynote #speaker & #open scholar – Faculty of Education, University of Regina. Regina, Canada · http://www.couros.ca
84. @coolcatteacher – Best teacher blog award winner, co-founder- Flat Classroom Projects, Conference, Digiteen, NetGenEd, known as the Wikinator by my students, author Camilla, Georgia · http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com
85. @CNNSchools – “CNN’s Schools of Thought blog covers education from a variety of perspectives that include policies, practices and people. CNN, Atlanta, GA, USA · http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/”
86. @cnansen – District technology coordinator for 25 years. Apple Distinguished Educator. Google Certified Teacher. STAR Discovery Educator. Husband,father, grandfather Minot, North Dakota · http://pages.minot.k12.nd.us/blog/craig
87. @thecleversheep – I am a teacher-learner-collaborator, eager to engage in conversations with other learners. Project-based learning and Creative Commons are always on my radar. Komoka, Ontario, Canada · http://www.thecleversheep.com
88. @ChrisWejr – K-6 principal, teacher, learner, sports fan. Passionate about assessment, motivation, leadership, parent engagement. Proud father of toddler twin girls. ÜT: 49.2048791,-121.7464466 · http://chriswejr.com
89. @chrislehmann – Principal of the Science Leadership Academy Co-Chair – EduConPhiladelphia, PA · http://www.practicaltheory.org/serendipity
90. @chickensaltash – Headteacher at ISS, a bold scavenger who explores all sorts of different technologies and discovers new approaches to learning around the world. Seychelles · http://www.whydidthechickencrosstheroad.org.uk
91. @CATeachersAssoc – CTA represents more than 325,000 teachers, counselors, librarians, psychologists, nurses, community college and CSU faculty, and education support professionals California · http://www.cta.org
92. @blairteach – School Improvement Consultant (middle grades, ELA, SS, DI, literacy); former MS teacher/administrator; life-long learner; Mac user; USAF vet originally from MI. Atlanta, Georgia
93. @bjnichols – Executive Director of School Leadership, Google Certified Teacher, Doctoral Student exploring 21st century learning initiatives and transforming education. Newport News, Virginia · http://flavors.me/bjnichols
94. @baldy7 – Father. Husband. Educator. Blogger. iPhone: 42.363468,-71.057022 · http://transleadership.net
95. @avivaloca – Formerly @grade1. Went from 11 years of teaching K-2 to moving to Gr.6. Looking forward to this exciting new adventure! Ancaster · http://adunsiger.com
96. @arneduncan – The official Twitter page of the US Secretary of Education Washington, DC · http://www.ed.gov/
97. @anniemurphypaul – I write about how we learn and how we can do it better. Email me at annie@anniemurphypaul.com, or connect on FB at www.facebook.com/anniemurphypaul New Haven, Connecticut · http://www.anniemurphypaul.com
98. @AngelaMaiers – I believe these 2 words can change the world – #YouMatter – I’m an Educator, Author, Speaker passionate about literacy, learning, and power of social media. Iowa · http://www.AngelaMaiers.com
99. @alfiekohn – author and lecturer on topics in education, parenting, and human behaviorBoston area · http://www.alfiekohn.org
100. @AFTunion – “We’re 1.5 million teachers, paraprofessionals/school-related personnel, higher ed faculty, gov’t employees, & healthcare workers making a difference every day. Washington, DC · http://www.aft.org”
We hope you have found this list helpful. We hope to add more to help teachers expand and improve the quality of their PLN. As we find more 100% twitter accounts for educators, we will add them to our list.
My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. If you are a teacher who tutors, for a limited time, you can register for using promo code: usteachers. Teachers set the hourly and keep 100% of the fees! One of our teachers made $5,000 last year tutoring. -
Oprah’s 20th Anniversary DVD: A Great Psychology Resource
My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Find qualified tutors in your area today!
Please Share!
Top 3 Joke PagesTop Psychology Jokes & Psychology Jokes
Oprah’s 20th Anniversary Special DVD is a great resource for teaching psychology. Many of the clips can be used to illustrate some of the themes and topics in psychology. Most of the clips allow students to make personal connections to the topics.
Many of the clips are extremely emotional and cover topics that may be sensitive to some students in your class. I highly recommend previewing each segment before sharing with your class.
I have included links to the video clips that are available on YouTube, however, it is worth the investment to purchase a copy of the DVD to have access to all the video clips. Students have a worksheet to respond to clips. (If you are interested, please email mark [at] mytowntutors [dot] com. I will be glad to email you a copy of the worksheet.) For each clip I have included some notes that might be useful.
Kathy Bray (6:19) (emotion & memory) – Gun violence, mother having to hold her dead son in her arms, alcoholism, divorce, and recovery.
Personal loss – All of us have experienced personal loss on some level, be it a loved one (two-legged or four legged). Describe your emotions going through your experiences of personal loss. What were your thoughts and emotions? How does it impact you today?
Mrs. Duncan (4:24) (emotion, memory, education, write it forward) – Oprah’s favorite teacher – tears of happiness. An inspirational person who made a difference in her life – Mary was a “person” – a reality check / paradigm shift. People can inspire and motivate us.
Inspiration: There are individuals in our lives who, like Mrs Duncan, have created a spark in us. They have motivated us to be better people. It may be a simple act the person committed, a conversation, or an example of living. Describe the person and his or her impact on you.
Rudine (10:05) (addiction, body image, anorexia nervosa) – anorexia nervosa – is a terrible disease that is so challenging to overcome. Feels fat at 60 pounds. Following her as a “news story” instead of a person. Visits a Psychologist. “We are in control of our life and our destiny.” Tracy Gold. Paradigm shift – Central question is “HOW.”
Addiction: Anorexia nervosa is a disorder of the mind. A person cannot see that they are severely malnourished, and many eventually die. Describe your experience with others (or yourself) dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. How challenging of a process was it for the person to acknowledge the addiction? Also describe the process the person used to change the behavior. Explain the impact this person has had on the people in his / her immediate circle.
Trudy Chase (6:48) (memory, abuse, repression, therapy, recovery, multiple personalities) – Multiple personalities 92 distinct people living within one mind. Brutally raped from a young age by a step father. At age 2 being fondled. Underwent years of therapy. She “shattered” her personality. Sexual abuse.
Events that impact our lives: Sexual abuse is a traumatizing event, even if occurs only once. Unfortunately for many people in Trudy’s situation, it is not a one-time event. These series of abuses are the foundation of her multiple personalities.
Perhaps we can shift the focus to positive events that have shaped who we are. Describe an event or events that have helped shape your personality. Give a detailed account of the event and how it impacted you and still impacts you today.
Joni Jacques (2:38) (motivation, heroes, role models, inspiration, making a difference) – stand in a Oprah’s Shoes Success is taking what you have to offer and move some else to a next level. (not completely accurate)
Using your gifts to help others: What are the gifts you possess that can help improve the lives of others.
Mr. Dawson (motivation, dreams, passion, bucket list, education, learning) – age 100. Learned to read at the age of 98. Teacher “Watching him learn to read is one of the greatest experiences of my life.” Literacy is taken for granted! It is never too late. “Education, no matter how old you are, is still the open door to freedom.”
Your Education: Evaluate your thoughts on reading. Do you enjoy reading? Do you value reading? Do you read often? Why or why not? Do you agree with Oprah’s words – “Education, no matter how old you are, is still the open door to freedom.”? Explain.
Evaluate your attitude to your high school education. How hard do you work? Do you strive to do the best you can in all your classes? Do you consider yourself a “life-long” learner?
Here is another link related to Mr. Dawson: http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Greatest-Lessons-on-The-Oprah-Show_1/8
Erin Krupps (9:44) (motivation, dreams, love, write it forward, vision, playing the cards you are dealt, simple things, gratitude, circle of control, personal loss) – Video tapes and letters to her children. Nice guy with a Backbone. Living for the moment, Living in the moment. Coping better because of the videos. Buy presents each year and wrote letters.
Kate and Zach (4:15) (the “moment,” valuable memories, playing the cards you are dealt, simple things, gratitude, circle of control, personal loss) – Faced the trauma with Optimism and Hope. I can face death with a sense of peace”
What was the most memorable moment? bowl of Cherrios at 2:00 AM. Value the little things in life: a bowl of cereal. The simple intimate moments.
Jacqui Saburito (14:06) (trauma, adversity, paradigm shift, decisions, emotion, perseverance) – endured 50 surgeries and faces years of surgery ahead. A woman who defines “survival.” Killed by a high school student. Every day is a fight. Are you glad you lived? Yes! The mother of the driver speaks with her. “Life changes in an instant.” On fire for over a minute, skin melted away, parts of her still stuck to the seat. 3rd degree burns covering 60% of her body. “I went from a football hero on Friday night to a jail cell.” Unconscious for 10 months. I miss my body, independence, opportunities, my future. Sometimes I want to be in another body. She is forgiving of the driver.
Life can change in a second: This story illustrates how fragile life. One accident, ended 2 lives, sent a high school senior to prison, and drastically altered one survivor’s life, Jaqui. She still maintains a positive outlook on life. If you know of people who have had a “life changing second,” describe that person, event, and the impact on the loved ones.
Every day is a fight – Feel sorry for herself 5 minutes a day. Do not feel bad about a situation in your life for a long time. Deal with the cards you are dealt and make the most of it. “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Tish Hooker (2004) (6:17) (pay it forward, random acts of kindness, self-esteem, ripple effect) – You never know how what you say can lift a person up. “You are as cute as a speckled pup.”
Mattie (2001) (10:51) (EMOTION, vision, dreams, goals, circle of influence, goals) – No words are necessary, it is perhaps one of the most moving stories you will ever see. There will be many watery eyes in your class.
Here is another linked related to this clip: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/In-Memory-of-Mattie-Stepanek
My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. If you are a teacher who tutors, for a limited time, you can register for using promo code: usteachers. Teachers set the hourly and keep 100% of the fees! One of our teachers made $5,000 last year tutoring.
It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area. Please help us find ONE MORE teacher who tutors!
-
Catch the Power of Wordless Books
If a picture can get a child to talk, why not use it?
Wordless picture books can reveal a great deal of information about a child’s oral language development. We can hear how they use words to convey meaning when describing something. We can observe how they retrieve words and connect them into phrases and/or sentences. We can note their diction, phrasing, and intonation. Much can be learned from asking a child to ‘read’ the pictures in a wordless book. I highly recommend using wordless books with falling readers in a variety of ways.
Wordless picture books can easily be divided into three main levels. Book levels are based on a combination of picture complexity, implications for meaning, sequence of events, objects and/or actions on each page, ‘story-line,’ picture support, and oral language requirements for clear understanding. By understanding the characteristics of each level, you can select appropriate and effective wordless books for use with kids at school and at home.
A description of each level is as follows:
Level A: ‘Small Talk’ WORDLESS Books
Common characteristics:
• One or two pictures on each page
• Limited story plots (if any)
• Interaction involves mainly ‘point and say’
• Familiar objects, animals, colors, and shapes
• Large pictures; sometimes using both left and right pages for one scene
• Details within pictures tend to be large and simple
• Book titles and cover pictures are simple and ‘to the point’
• Limited inference and prediction needed to gain meaning.
• Early concepts about print can be reinforced easily
Level B: ‘More Talk’ WORDLESS Books
Common Characteristics:
• Fairly detailed pictures on EACH page
• Greater opportunities for predicting plots in sequential order
• Several objects and/or scenes on each page
• Include concepts such as shapes, colors, school, curiosity, mischief, eating out
• Story titles require more inference about the main idea
• Detailed cover pictures, requiring greater prediction and more complex vocabulary
• Picture layout includes pictures on left and right pages with NEW events and/or objects on each
• Requires that students make predictions, draw conclusions, search for details within scenes, analyze cause and effect relationships, and interact more with the book in order to draw meaning
Level C: ‘Big Talk’ WORDLESS Books
Common Characteristics:
• Requires greater attention to details, event sequences, complex predictions, and more descriptive vocabulary
• Pictures are filled with details and clues that call upon critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Pictures include artistic details that reveal facial expressions and body language; more complicated and detailed then easier levels
• Multi-snapshot scenes that resemble hand-drawn filmstrips, offering opportunities for reinforcing directional movements, return sweep, voice/print match, and sequencing of events
• Offer more opportunities for fluent oral phrasing, vocal expression, oral sentence structure, and diction
• Serve as a writing prompts for stories that can be written to accompany these books
Here are a few suggestions for engaging kids with wordless picture books:Discuss the title and cover picture. As, “What is this story about? How do you know? What do you notice in the cover picture? Tell me more!”
Begin ‘reading’ the story by modeling complete oral sentences. For example, “One day, a bird was sitting on a tree and he saw a big, red apple fall off of a branch.”
Let the child tell the story, using the pictures for support and meaning. Encourage him/her to speak in complete sentences. Take turns doing this if it is difficult for the child. Encourage descriptive talk such as, “What color is it? Where is it? What else can we say about this dog? Is he happy, sad, small, or big?”
As the child open-ended, ‘prediction’ questions in between pages: “What do you think might happen next? What makes you think so? Can you guess what they might do on the next page? Do you think they are happy? How do you know?”
As the child to reread the whole story, this time without questions or interruptions.
Encourage the child to dictate a sentence to you about the story and/or write their own sentence to go with a picture in the story. You can write the dictated sentence on paper and then ask him/or to draw a picture to go with it.
The use of wordless picture books as an assessment tool can help us learn more about the ways in which children use oral language to convey meaning. We are able to learn a great deal about what the child brings to early literacy development. Wordless books not only serve as great oral language tools, but they also provide wonderful writing prompts for students who just often say, “I can’t think of anything to write!”
Remember, a picture speaks a thousand words . . . got wordless books? Catch some soon!
Guest Blogger: Dr. Connie Hebert, National Literacy Consultant & Author
Dr. Connie Hebert is dedicated to catching falling readers by motivating, teaching, and inspiring educators around the world. She has presented literacy seminars, district trainings, and keynote addresses in 47 states and at national, state, European IRA, NAESP, and RRCNA reading conferences. She is the mother of 3 amazing children, a nationally acclaimed teacher of teachers, reading specialist, and motivational speaker. Published works include her books, Catch a Falling Reader, Catch a Falling Writer, and Catch a Falling Teacher, along with 4 sets of Sight Word Phrases. For more information and her Catch a Blog, please visit: www.conniehebert.com
Dr. Connie is also an expert at helping parents engage with their kids at home. Her upcoming book, The Teachable Minute: The Secret to Raising Smart & Appreciative Kids, offer lots of suggestions for what to SHOW, ASK, & TEACH kids in 77 common places. Watch for it…coming this February, 2013.
Facebook: Connie Hebert
Twitter: DrConnieHebert
-
Connect, Engage and Succeed in Math: HOTmaths & Tutoring
Connect, Engage and Succeed in Math – Why tutoring with HOTmaths can improve your chances of success.
For any parent or student considering or already engaging a tutor for math there are 4 keys to success to consider. HOTmaths (www.hotmaths.com.au) has been designed and built by math teachers to meet the needs of students who learn different things at different times at a different pace and for different reasons. Math is universal, whereas HOTmaths was born Australian – the birthplace of many inventions that we cannot do without today, such as the notepad (yes, the paper one!), the electric drill, plastic spectacle lenses and WiFi . Here are the 4 keys to success and how HOTmaths can help:
1. Build the foundations before the wallsEverything you learn in math is built on what comes before. Any concept that is being taught at any level beyond learning to count requires prior knowledge, understanding and application of prior concepts. This is why any teacher, tutor or student subscribing to HOTmaths has access to all topics, all lessons and all year levels of the site. In every lesson there are links to previous concepts that are needed in order to ensure the best learning outcomes, so students jump immediately to something they need to review or re-study. These links can also be discovered through the HOTmaths dictionary. Student topic and lesson reports show the teacher/tutor where individual students have struggled and allow them to direct remedial work where necessary through the Task Manager application that enables the teacher/tutor to set specific class or homework tasks that target specific student needs.
Fig 1 – links to prior content
Fig 2 – Dictionary showing explanation and links to prior content
Fig 3 – Setting homework tasks
2. Engage, don’t lecture
Technology in education has radically changed how we teach and learn – the new learning environment is flexible, expansive, interconnected and individualized. HOTmaths takes advantage of these new possibilities by providing students with multiple entry points into math content, then allowing them to choose to learn in the way that suits them best. Learning is personalized, varied and vitally, fun.
There are ‘widgets’ (interactive activities and games) that engage visual learners who may struggle with text-based or traditional teacher-led lessons. For kinesthetic learners, those that learn by doing, there is a range of open-ended investigations and problem-solving tasks linking math to the real world and turning theory into tangible, comprehensible ideas. Students who prefer to work logically and methodically, often text-based learners, are supported with walkthrough problems that guide students step by step through the skills needed to complete multi-step tasks. These activities break questions down into single, logical steps that the student can work through at their own pace and level, receiving individualized feedback as they go to reinforce their understanding of the processes.
Regardless of the way students learn or choose to study, their work is instantly marked and their level of understanding diagnosed. In this reflexive and highly individualized learning environment, teachers/tutors can customize a learning path for each individual student to give them the best chance of successful learning.
*
*
Fig 4 – Widgets and games engage students’ imagination
Fig 5 – HOTsheet investigations encourage problem solving
Fig 6 – Walkthoughs lead students on a step by step journey of discovery
3. Teach, don’t test
Regardless of how we might feel about standardized testing, we live in a results oriented world, and parents want their children to succeed. Teachers and tutors are expected to prepare students for examinations, testing what they have learned and practicing test-taking conditions and techniques. HOTmaths offers test-generating facilities that teachers/tutors can use to create practice tests and timed conditions. Tests can be customized with ease to focus on specific areas needing practice for whole classes, groups and even individuals. This allows for valuable class time to be spent teaching, not testing. Timed and time-limited tests can be assigned as homework with results immediately available to teachers/tutors in a format that is fully exportable for keeping parents up-to-date with their child’s progress.
Fig 7 – Test generator for creating bespoke, self-marking tests
4. Learn, don’t memorize
Benjamin Franklin once said ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.’ The reason most parents employ a tutor for their child is because a good tutor identifies the individual needs of the student and adapts to her capabilities. As we have seen, HOTmaths provides the tools good teachers and tutors need to personalize lessons, engage student attention and create enthusiasm and interest that involves each student in math so that they learn, not just remember.
Learning and remembering are not the same. Anything remembered can be forgotten. Anything learned is for life. Is it possible to ‘un-learn’ how to ride a bicycle for example? Real learning comes when we take risks. We have to fall off a bicycle before we learn to ride.
The opposite of ‘remember’ is ‘forget’. There is no opposite for learning, nor is there a substitute.
To try HOTmaths free click here. For more information about trialing HOTmaths with a group of students with full access to reporting and assessment tools or for group pricing quotes, click here.
Mark O’Neil is CEO of HOTmaths and passionate about education. He believes that imagination and creativity need to be given a higher priority in schooling and that only a transformation of how children are educated will lead to more children succeeding. Follow him on twitter @moneil365 and @hotmathshq
