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Tag: teaching strategies

  • Civil War Research

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    Digital Learning: Civil War Interactives

    Civil War Jokes

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    As an American History teacher who has always been a sort of “Civil War buff”, when I got a call from the Education Coordinator at Gettysburg National Military Park asking me if I wanted to be a Teacher Ranger for the summer, I knew there was only one answer – Yes!
    My time as a Teacher Ranger at Gettysburg has allowed me to present several of programs to visitors about aspects of the battle and the Civil War. Going into it, I felt like I had a strong knowledge of the events of the battle and that it would just be a matter of organizing an outline of my thoughts for the programs I might present. Boy was I wrong.
    Prior to presenting my own program, I went along to observe ranger led tours of the battle. I quickly realized as I looked at the visitors carrying maps of the action and heard the questions that were being asked that this was going to take a lot more research then what I originally thought! After one program, the ranger leading the tour, who had presented to my 8th graders in the spring, turned to me and said “ A little different then presenting to 8th graders huh Rob?”
    I realized very quickly that I would be doing more detailed research for these interpretive programs than I had done in a while. Fortunately, I was going into the process with a strong background knowledge , experience researching, and a reading ability on my “grade level”.  It occurred to me when I ask my 8th grade students to research about the Civil War, they may not have the advantages I had when I began my research. I want my students to research not only to learn the process, but also to learn more about the Civil War and maybe make that personal connection. What things can we as teachers do to assist all our students?

    Civil War Research Project Ideas
    To me , becoming a good teacher is often about trial and error. In my earlier years teaching, I did not give my students much guidance when starting a research project on the Civil War beyond a few web sites and a topic. After several years of struggles, I sat down my school’s teacher librarian and brainstormed what might help students in the research process who don’t have the background knowledge or skills when researching. We attempted to center the project on something the kids can relate to, while asking them to  synthesize and analyze information. We have tweaked the ideas and focus over the past years, but we have seen success.

    My Space or Fakebook
    Together, we realized that for students with a limited background knowledge about the Civil War, a good starting point is researching about one person. In our first year , students were all using the site “My Space”. With that in mind, we created a template of a My Space page that the students could download and type on. It related to the students right away at their level. Students created a profile for a Civil War Era person with personal information, status updates, friend list, and comments from friends. It looked just like a My Space page on line.
    Click below to view my example about General John Buford
    Buford_my_space page
    Click here to access the templates and Civil War Research Web Site created by Hershey Middle School Teacher Librarian Penny Arnold.
    Students were required to synthesize and analyze information to create their final product. Maybe they made a more permanent connection with the material?
    This year, as My Space seems to not be “trending” as much a few years ago, I found a site called “Fakebook” where students can create a Facebook profile for a historical figure.  The site has many automatic features that find related pictures and “friends” of famous people. My students created Fakebook pages for Freedom Riders of the early 1960s Anti Segregation Movement for our Active Citizenship Unit.
    Click here to view one created by a student.

    Think about it
    How can you help your students learn the research process and learn about the Civil War at the same time? Try starting with research on individuals and expanding from there. Connect the project with something that the students, whatever the grade level, can relate to, and it will allow them to feel more confident in the process!
    Download Generic My Space Document : MySpace Doc
    Fakebook page link
    Link to Civil War Research web links from Hershey Middle School
    Links are divided into categories, along with project ideas and a custom Google Search.
    email:  rfinkill@hershey.k12.pa.us
    Comment here with questions or other ideas!

  • Kindergarten Summer Math Journal: 35 Great Summer Activities

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    Pi Day Jokes
    A “Summer Math Journal” is a great way to reinforce kindergarten math concepts in a fun, enjoyable, and stress-free way. One Massachusetts kindergarten teacher created a booklet for her class by cutting an 8 x 11.5 sheet of blank paper in half. At the bottom of each half sheet, she listed a set of directions. The teacher created a cover sheet and stapled the pages together.
    Each student had a personal math journal and completed the activities during class time. At the end of the school year, the teacher left several assignments for the students to complete over the summer.
    How it works:
    1. The child reads the directions at the bottom of the page.
    2. The child draws a picture that includes the numbers, objects, and math concepts listed in the directions.
    Parents can use the directions below or create activities on your own. As you can see, the directions are not rocket science. You and your child can take turns thinking up guidelines for the next activity. Most children love to be creative, so I am sure there will be some very imaginative guidelines.
    If you have several youngsters, this can be a great group activity to pass away the summer hours.
    Below are the directions. I hope you enjoy!
    #1 I see ONE red apple and TWO green apples.
    #2 There are TWO dogs and TWO cats.
    #3 I have THREE toys on ONE table.
    #4 The brown cat played with THREE friends.
    #5 I ate 3 apples and 2 bananas.
    #6 FOUR fish swam in the ocean.
    #7 FIVE kites flew in the sky.
    #8 I have TWO eyes, ONE nose, and ONE mouth.
    #9 The big man carried the little mouse.
    #10 THREE books were on the table.
    #11 I see the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 in a book.
    #12 Here I am. Look at all my body parts!
    #13 I can make a pattern with circles and triangles.
    #14 Wow, there is a big square in my picture.
    #15 I can make a pattern with links. Look!
    #16 My favorite numeral is .         . Look!
    #17 Here are 3 apple trees, 4 worms, and 5 apples.
    #18 I can draw an ABCABCABC pattern!.
    #19 I can show the line of symmetry on a butterfly.
    #20 I can draw 3 apples – small, medium, and large.
    #21 I can draw something that is very heavy.
    #22 I can draw something that is very light.
    #23 I can draw three apples and four bananas.
    #24 Draw a fruit bowl. Count all the fruit and write the numeral.
    #25 Write the numbers you know. Draw a picture to go with it.
    #26 My favorite type of pattern is.                                 . I’ll draw it.
    #27 I can draw a picture that shows symmetry with fruit.
    #28 I can draw something large. I can draw something small.
    #29 Look! There is a dog in the house!
    #30 I can draw a tree with 4 red leaves, 6 orange leaves, and 10 yellow leaves.
    #31 I went for a walk and saw 5 pumpkins and 3 cats.
    #32 I have two glasses. One is empty, one is full.
    #33 Here is a picture using squares!
    #34 Here is a picture using triangles!
    #35 Here is a picture using circles!
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  • March Madness: Chris Herren has Great Message

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    Chris Herren is a great motivational speaker who delivers a message of hope and inspiration to students across the country. A recent ESPN documentary Unguarded detailed Herren’s troubled past.
    Chris played at Durfee High School under legendary coach Skip Karam. His junior and senior seasons were chronicled is the book Fall River Dreams by Bill Reynolds.
    He later played at Boston College and Fresno State before playing in the NBA. Chris recounts his spiral downward with drugs and addiction, pointing back to his first line of cocaine in a BC dorm room at the age of 18.
    Chris has been sober since August of 2009 and is now sharing his story in the hopes that others do not follow his same path. Herren’s message connects with students on so many levels. He shares stories of other students fighting and overcoming their own demons.
    He also told of a student group that is standing up to drug use, sharing his commitment to the Go Project Purple. This is an organization that encourages students to stand up to substance abuse. This article explain how Herren has created awareness in Boston about this great cause. (The NBA is supporting this cause during the 2012-2013 season.)
    In his closing, he shared some great thoughts an ideas.
    “You are perfect just the way you are.”
    “Decisions you make at your age (high school) will stay with your your entire life.”
    “Marijuana is definitely a gateway drug. If marijuana were to be legalized, it would be chaos.”
    It was one of the most moving presentations I have seen delivered to a high school audience. He really delivers a message that too many of our students fail to hear.
    Chris Herren has 3 websites that you could visit to learn more about him and his current offerings:
    www.ahoopdream.com
    “Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren Inc.” was launched in 2009 with the goal of providing customized, superior basketball training to male and female athletes of every ability level. Specializing in all areas of basketball skill development, Chris works with each player to maximize their ability, breaking down the game of basketball to achieve the optimal level of play and conditioning.”
    @HoopswHerren
    www.basketballjunkie.net
    “Basketball Junkie: A Memoir by Chris Herren and Bill Reynolds
    Fall River Dreams meets The Basketball Diaries in this gripping, provocative account of one athlete’s journey from high school glory to hell and back.”
    @HerrenProject
    www.theherrenproject.org
    “The Herren Project” is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to families affected by addiction. If you or a loved one are in need of help for an addiction, please take the first step and contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need immediate medical attention please contact your doctor or call 911.”
    My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 250 teachers in Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor.
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  • Teaching the Last Lecture: 25 High School Lessons & Activities

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    The Last Lecture is a great book.

     

    (The speech also can be watched.) It teaches so many life lessons. I have been using this book for the last few years in a senior elective course. My students read independently in class for 20 – 30 minutes. I find this method to be most effective for my classes, you may choose to use the book as an outside reading.
    For the silent sustained reading, the students fill out a journal entry at the end of the reading session. (If any teacher would like a copy of my Silent Sustained Reading Chart, please email me, mark@mytowntutors.com.)
    For a more detailed Click on the link to see a more detailed account of the lesson. (I will be adding future posts for many of the activities.)

    Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture

    25 Activities


    1. Life list – 25 – 50 items that you hope to accomplish in your life. (Make it an IMPORTANT part of your life. Look at it regularly!)
    2. Family Stories – “All parents want to teach their children right from wrong, what we think is important, and how to deal with the challenges life will bring. We also want them to know some stories from our lives.” (page ix)
    3. “If I were a painter, I would have painted for them. If I were a musician, I would have composed music. But I am a lecturer. So I lectured.” – use your talents.
    A. Explain & Describe 1 – 3 talents you have.
    B. Explain how you developed these or are developing these talents.
    C. Explain how you use them or can use them to help others.
    4. “What makes me unique?” (page 9) –  Essay question 500 words
    5. ROLES – “I thought about how I defined myself: as a teacher, a computer scientist, a husband, a father, a son, a friend, a brother, a mentor to my students. Those are all the roles I value.” (page 10) Explain THREE of “the roles (you) value.” Explain why you value each of these roles. Why are these roles important to you?
    6. “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” (page 17) Explain a “tough hand” in life you have been dealt and how you “played the hand.” This hand could be something out of your control – a birth defect, divorce, accident, moving – or something you controlled – an arrest, a bad grade, a bad decision. In your answer
    A. Explain the “hand”
    B. Explain “how you played it”
    C. Describe how you feel about how you played it
    7. Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams – Select a CURRENT dream of yours. Something you are very passionate and enthusiastic about. Write about what it is. Why it is important? How will you progress toward that dream?
    8. Parent Lottery – All humans have flaws and our parents are no exceptions. We all have different relationships with our parents, however, as young adults you can understand some of the good qualities in others. You will present this to you parent(s). Some ideas for this activity include:
    A. “I had a father and a mother who got so many things right.”(page 22) Make a list of the things your parents got right.
    B. “My dad gave me advice on how to negotiate my way through life.
    “Never make a decision until you have to.”
    “Just because you’re in the driver’s seat does not mean you have to fun people over.” (page 23)
    Explain the valuable advice you have received from your parents.
    C. “Kids more than anything else – need to know their parents love them.” (page 26) So do parents – Let your parents know that you love them.  In this letter / activity be sure that your parents completely understand how important they are in your life
    9. “I want to paint things on my wall. Things that matter to me. Things I think will be cool.” (page 27)
    A. POSTER – Create a poster of your dream wall. It should include things that matter to you. You will be graded on effort and creativity. Some of us are artistically challenged. You will not be marked down for lack of artistic talent.
    B. Explanation of the objects on the wall and their significance to you. Pages 28 – 30  are an explanation of Randy’s choices – please follow this model.
    10. “It [football] helped make me who I am today.” (page 35) – What is the “it” in your life. Describe your “IT.”
    A. What is the history of “it’? How long has “it” been in your life? How was “it” introduced?
    B. Describe your commitment to “it”? How does “it” impact your life?
    C. What are the sacrifices you have made for “it”? What rewards have you received form “it”?
     
    11.“Giving kids self-esteem. It’s not something you can give. It’s something they have to build. .. He knew there was only one way to teach kids how to develop it: You give them something they can’t do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process… He made me realize that if I work hard enough, there will be things I can do tomorrow that I can’t do today.” (page 37) Describe something in your life that raised your self-esteem because you could not do it, but with hard work you accomplished it.
    12. “So that was my setback. But I kept my mantra in mind: The brick walls are there for a reason. They’re not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” (page 51-52) Describe a brick wall you encountered and the steps you took to show how badly you wanted something.
    13. “Wow, this is the epitome of a person appreciating this day and this moment.” (page 64) Identify a person who you know who “appreciates” life the most.
    14. “Like many people, I had strengths that were also flaws.” (page 67) Do a little self-reflection and evaluate yourself analyzing a strength that also might be considered a weakness. This is a great question to answer well. A common interview question is what is your greatest weakness?
    15. “The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn. I always saw value in that, sure. But in my mind, a better number one goal was this: I wanted to help students learn how to judge themselves… educators best serve students by helping them be more self-reflective.” (page 112) Reflect on yourself.
    16. “I’m a scientist who sees inspiration as that ultimate tool for doing good…. When you’re putting people on the moon, you’re inspiring all of us to achieve the maximum human potential, which is how the greatest problems will be solved.” (page 132-133) What inspires you? What is your inspiration?
    17. “Too many people go through life complaining about there problems…Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.” (page 138-139) Evaluate your level of complaining. Do you complain often or do you look on the bright side? What do you complain about? Do you think if you complain less you would be happier?
    18. “If nobody ever worried about what was in other people’s heads, we’d all be 33 percent more effective in our lives and our jobs.” (page 141) Are you overly concerned with what others think?
    19. “Being able to work well in a group is a vital and necessary skill in both the work world and in families. As a way to teach this, I’d always put my students into teams to work on projects.” (page 142) How well do you work with others? Do you enjoy group work? Why or why not?
    20. “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.” (page 149) Describe an experience where you gained experience. Be detailed in your narrative. What was the event and the lesson that was learned?
    21. “Because hand-written notes have gotten so rare, they will remember you… My advice was more about helping them recognize that there are respectful, considerate things that can be done in life that will be appreciated by the recipient, and that only good things can result.” (page 152) We have completed many of these types of activities so far. Describe the process and reaction.
    22. There is No Job Beneath You – “There is a growing sense of entitlement among young people today.”  (page 168) He is calling you out? Is he right?
    23. “There are a few key moments in anyone’s life.” (page 173) Select a few and describe the moment and the significance in your life.
    24. “All of us have a responsibility to the community…When we’re connected to others, we become better people.” (page 175 – 176) Comment on this quote and apply it to your personal experiences with community service.
    25. Create a Last Lecture to present to the class. A variation could be a slide show or a video production.
    I would love feedback from teachers if you try any of these activities. If you have any additional questions, please email mark@mytowntutors.com.


  • 3 Great Books Every Teacher Should Own!

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    School Jokes: Jokes for all grades
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    Caldecott Award Books are great for early readers. Check out the winners dating back to 1939 & 365 Great Books for Kids! The goal of every teacher is to keep students engaged and learning from bell to bell. These three books have been very useful to me over the years helping to fill some moments during the year when teaching the curriculum is not the most beneficial use of time. I have found these three books to be very helpful during the following situations that happen a few times a school year: Special Occasions - Every teacher knows there are times when members of the class are not present for various reasons. In some cases, those missing might make up the majority of the class. Students might not be present because of a play or performance, field trip, special activity, AP exam, pep rally, etc. Early Completion of a Test / Lesson -  There are times when a lesson or assessment is completed with time still remaining in a period. There are many reasons this may happen; guest speaker, unexpected disruptions, or completing a lesson for the first time. Whatever the reason, the questions in the book are very engaging. I have used this books for several years. I highlight the questions and write comments in my copy of the book. I also have created worksheets that allow the students to respond to the questions in writing. As always, preview the questions before sharing them with the class because there are some that are not school appropriate. 1. The Book of Questions by Dr. Gregory Stock <br /> There are 217 questions in this book. I have selected the ones I like to use. Some of the questions are extremely thought-provoking. A class could spend an entire period discussing the various opinions relating to that one question. #2 Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted? (p. 12) #3 If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet? (page 12) #7 Do you that the world would be a better or worse place 100 years from now (page 16)? #10 Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were of the opposite sex? (page 18) #15 Whom do you admire most? In what way does the person inspire you? (page 22) #18 If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be? (page 24) #19 What is your most treasured memory? (page 33) #33 What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? Is there anything you hope to do that is even better? (page 37) #41 Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire; after saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save one item. What would it be? (page 43) #43 When was your last fight? What caused it and who won? (page 44) #51 Do you have any specific long-term goals? What is one and how do you plan on reaching it? (page 51) #52 For what in your life do you feel most grateful? (page 52) #55 Would you like your spouse to be both smarter and more attractive than you? (page 54) #70 When did you last yell at someone? Why? Did you later regret it? (page 65) 2. If (Questions for the Game of Life) by Evelyn McFarane & James Saywell <br /> For the memory and thought unit in my Psychology class, I have created a list of 55 selected questions from this book's 500 provocative questions. (If any teacher would like a copy of this worksheet, please send me an email mark@mytowntutors.com). You can adapt the questions to serve as writing prompts at the start of a class or adapt the questions to fit your curriculum. I have also simply read the questions orally to start class discussion. I often include some of my answers in the class discussion. These questions can serve as writing prompts in English classes too. Below are a few selected questions from the book. 1. If you were to be granted one wish, what would it be?  (it can’t be more wishes) (page 5) 2. If you had to identically repeat any single year of your life to date, without changing a thing,  which year would you relive? (page 10) 3. If you were to be stranded on a desert island and could only have one book to read, what would it be? (page 11) One CD? 4. If you had to choose the color that most accurately describes you, which color would it be? (page 16) 5. If you had to name the most terrifying moment of your life so far, what would it be? (page 17) 6. If you had to choose the most valuable thing you ever learned, what would it be? (page 26) 7. If you could ensure that your child has one experience that you have had yourself, what would it be? (page 56) 8. If you were to be reincarnated as an animal, what kind would you want to be? (page 80) 9. If you had to choose the best television show (AND reality TV show) ever made, which one would you pick? (page 85) 10. If you had to choose the best song ever composed, which one would it be? (page 97) 3. Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life by H. Jackson Brown Jr. <br /> The book contains many great pieces of advice. It was written from a father to his son. I would like to share some that I feel are especially useful. There are 511 pieces of advice. 1          Compliment 3 people each day. 7          Look people in the eye. 21        Learn 3 clean jokes. 25        Ask for a raise when you feel you’ve earned it. 43        Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day. 56        Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life. 63        Admit your mistakes. 64        Use your wit to amuse, not abuse. 92        Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision comes 90 % of all your       happiness or misery. 96         Attend class reunions. 156       Strive for excellence, not perfection. 171       Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts. 172       Be kinder than necessary. 186       Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 190       Don’t worry you can’t give your kids the best of everything. Give them your very best. 197       Don’t forget a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated. 202       Show respect for all living things. 204       Choose work that is in harmony with your values. 207       Commit yourself to constant self-improvement. 212       Don’t waste time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on. 232       Keep your promises 239       Watch the movie It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas. I hope this are helpful and I would love feedback! Have a great day! My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We are completing a 50 States in 50 Days Teacher Challenge to recruit teachers who tutor. If you are a teacher who tutors, we are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.

  • The MTA Summer Conference is AWESOME for New Massachusetts Teachers

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    Top Joke Pages

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    Top Careers & College Advice

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    Teachers- Is the MTA Summer Conference on your calendar yet?
    If part-time jobs and lesson planning for the upcoming school year are starting wear you down, the Massachusetts Teachers Association Summer Conference is just what you need to recharge for the new school year. MTA teachers and members are invited to join New Member Program as part of the Summer Conference in Williamstown, MA from August 5-9, 2012. The New Member Program is specially designed for educators in their first five years of practice.
    This is your opportunity to learn about education policy, the people who make the rules in national, state and local education policy, the role of public education unions, and how you can be an active participant in your school community. The New Member Program includes five days of events, networking, housing, and meals for the week at no cost to MTA members. Graduate credit is available, too!
    Past New Member Program participants have returned to join us as presenters, have taken on leadership roles in their local districts and share their experiences with fellow new teachers.
    Here is what past New Member Program participants have said about their experience:
    “I learned so much.  I met teachers from across the state and now appreciate how common the challenges teachers face are.” – 2009 participant.
    “Terrific opportunity to develop leadership skills I did not know I had. Excited to take on leadership roles in my district next year!” -2002 participant
    “I thought my union was just about money and time. I did not know how much the MTA has contributed to shaping the profession for the 21st century.” – 2011 participant
    “Conversations with new teachers like me, veteran teachers and MTA leaders made me feel I am part of a powerful profession.” -2005 participant
    “Enjoyed learning about local, state and national issues and how teachers’ voices can be heard.” -2010 participant
     
    For additional information and online registration, visit http://massteacher.org/teaching/conferences/summer%20new%20members.aspx
    Space is very limited, contact Beth Shevlin at eshevlin@massteacher.org or Diane Gately at dgately@massteacher.org today with questions or to reserve your seat.

  • Top 5 Twitter Accounts for Teachers

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    Top Joke Pages

    1. 180 School Jokes
    2. Clean Jokes
    3. 365 Family Friendly Jokes

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    I am a teacher, parent, and founder of My Town Tutors. I have been using twitter for several months, and have discovered how incredibly useful it can be for educators. Whether you are new to twitter or extremely experienced, here are five great twitter accounts for teachers and educators to follow. For each account we have included the twitter name, the twitter profile, twitter followers, twitter grade, and a few comments from us. We hope you find them helpful and would love your feedback. 1. @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 " (54,900+ followers, 100/100 twitter grader) As an NEA member, I can tell you this publication is AWESOME! It provides so many great resources for teachers, updates on current issues, and inspirational stories of NEA members. The NEA works so hard for education and teachers. (We numbered our list based on followers, but as an NEA member I am proud it is at the top!) 2. @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" (53,200+ followers 100/100 twitter grader) Angela is an incredible educator who is always willing to reach out to others. Simply visit her website and you can see the kind of impact she is having on American education. Her blog is extremely popular and worth adding to your reading list. 3. @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" (36,600+ followers 100/100 twitter grader) Vicki Davis is a great resource for teachers. Upon visiting her blog, her commitment to education is obvious when you encounter the following quote: "Teaching students with new tools, enthusiasm, and a belief that teaching is a noble calling." She also co-authored a book that would be a great summer read Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds: More to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time. 4. @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" (24,200+ followers, 100/100 twitter grader) Shelly Sanchez Terrell is AMAZING. She has so many great resources, I do not know where to begin. She has FREE Webinars for TESOL every Friday at 4PM EST. She has so much to offer, take a few minutes to visit her website. 5. @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" (16,200+ followers 100/100 twitter grader) Jerry Blumengarten's Cybrary Man's Educational Web Sites is an incredible resource for educators, parents, students, and general interest. The website lists "over 20,000 relevant links personally selected by an educator/author with over 30 years of experience." (16,200+ followers 100/100 twitter grader) What a simple list to create all 5 accounts are amazingly useful for educators everywhere. Each also receive a perfect score from HubSpot's Twitter Grader. How do we stack up with the Top 5? @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" (2,700+ followers 97.3/100 twitter grader) My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 250 teachers from Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor. Some tutors can make $5,000 during a school year. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.

  • 5 Twitter Accounts Every Parent Should Follow

    My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Find qualified tutors in your area today!




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    Summer Blogs for Parents & Teachers

    My Town Tutors loves parents!
    We make it easy for parents to connect with local teachers who tutor. We are always looking to connect with other great resources for parents.
    Over the past year we have connected with some great parents. There are so many incredible accounts for parents to follow it was difficult to only select five. In time, we will be adding to our list, but for now please enjoy this accounts that provide some amazing information for parents.
    For each account, we have included the twitter profile along with the number of followers.
    1. @pragmaticmom – “I blog excessively about children’s and YA books. When I cover education and parenting, KidLit somehow slips in. Boston, MA · http://pragmaticmom.com” (39,000+ followers)
    My Town Tutors shared a guest blog with @pragmaticmom called Avoid Summer Learning Loss: Use a Summer Journal.
    @pragmaticmom returned the favor with a guest post of her own called Summer Reading List for Kids of Fun Books with Science and Math Concepts
    2. @familyfocusblog “Nashville Mom Blogger. Social Media Maven. Parenting, family travel, going green tips, family fun, and giveaways. http://familyfocusblog.com Nashville, Tennessee · http://familyfocusblog.com” (37,300+ followers)
    @familyfocusblog shared a unique and great guest post with us entitled The Benefits of Raising Chickens for Your Family

    3. @PARENTandCHILD – “Tweets from Scholastic Parent & Child magazine’s Digital Editor Megan Hess (@mhess4); Senior Editor Samantha Brody; and Digital Manager Tom Booth. New York City · http://www.scholastic.com/parentandchild” (11,600+ followers)
    4. @NationalPTA – “As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA). contact us, info@pta.org. RT does not = Endorsement Nationwide · http://www.pta.org” (4,800+ followers)
    5. @CO_MtnMom – “Pixie Dusted Application Developer, mama, wilderness nut, blogger, bookworm, sweets baker, NDM #430 – love travel, playing outside, & all things Disney! Colorado · http://coloradomountainmom.com” (3,550+ followers)
    Tami wrote one of our most popular guest blogs: Should Kids Miss School for a Disney Trip?
    Please check back in a few weeks as we add to our list of great parent twitter accounts.

    My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 260 teachers from Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor.
    It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.
     

  • Chris Herren Delivers a Great Message to High School Students

    My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Find qualified tutors in your area today!




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    Chris Herren is a great motivational speaker who delivers a message of hope and inspiration to students across the country. A recent ESPN documentary Unguarded detailed Herren's troubled past. Chris played at Durfee High School under legendary coach Skip Karam. His junior and senior seasons were chronicled is the book Fall River Dreams by Bill Reynolds. He later played at Boston College and Fresno State before playing in the NBA. Chris recounts his spiral downward with drugs and addiction, pointing back to his first line of cocaine in a BC dorm room at the age of 18. Chris has been sober since August of 2009 and is now sharing his story in the hopes that others do not follow his same path. Herren's message connects with students on so many levels. He shares stories of other students fighting and overcoming their own demons. He also told of a student group that is standing up to drug use, sharing his commitment to the Go Project Purple. This is an organization that encourages students to stand up to substance abuse. This article explain how Herren has created awareness in Boston about this great cause. (The NBA will be supporting this cause during the 2012-2013 season.) In his closing, he shared some great thoughts an ideas. "You are perfect just the way you are." "Decisions you make at your age (high school) will stay with your your entire life." "Marijuana is definitely a gateway drug. If marijuana were to be legalized, it would be chaos." It was one of the most moving presentations I have seen delivered to a high school audience. He really delivers a message that too many of our students fail to hear. Chris Herren has 3 websites that you could visit to learn more about him and his current offerings:

    www.ahoopdream.com

    "Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren Inc." was launched in 2009 with the goal of providing customized, superior basketball training to male and female athletes of every ability level. Specializing in all areas of basketball skill development, Chris works with each player to maximize their ability, breaking down the game of basketball to achieve the optimal level of play and conditioning."

    http://twitter.com/HoopswHerren

    www.basketballjunkie.net

    "Basketball Junkie: A Memoir by Chris Herren and Bill Reynolds Fall River Dreams meets The Basketball Diaries in this gripping, provocative account of one athlete’s journey from high school glory to hell and back." http://twitter.com/HoopswHerren

    www.theherrenproject.org

    "The Herren Project" is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to families affected by addiction. If you or a loved one are in need of help for an addiction, please take the first step and contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need immediate medical attention please contact your doctor or call 911." http://twitter.com/#!/HerrenProject/ My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 250 teachers in Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.

  • Summer Reading List for Kids of Fun Books with Science and Math Concepts

    My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Find qualified tutors in your area today!




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    Guest Post by the Pragmatic Mom.
    Please Share!

    During the summer, the learning should be easy and fun. I like books with concepts that make math and science both fun and relatable. Am I being sneaky? Nah! Everyone wins and learns without realizing it! What are your favorite math or science picture or chapter books? Please share. Math Curse by Jon Sciezska, illustrated by Lane Smith "As close to genius as one gets in a picture book."--USA Today * An ABBY Honor Book * ALA Notable Book * ALA Best Books for Young Adults * The Horn Book Fanfare * Texas Bluebonnet Award * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 1995 * School Library Journal Best Books of 1995 * Booklist: Editors' Choice Award If you get one book this summer, my pick would be Math Curse. Kids think it's fun but it has great math concepts that even stumped me. Fibonacci numbers anyone? [picture book with math fun for ages 5 and up] Science Verse by Jon Sciezska, illustrated by Lane Smith "Amoeba" Don't ever tease a wee amoeba By calling him a her amoeba. And don't call her a him amoeba. Or never he a she amoeba. 'Cause whether his or hers amoeba, They too feel like you and meba. What if a boring lesson about the food chain becomes a sing-aloud celebration about predators and prey? A twinkle-twinkle little star transforms into a twinkle-less, sunshine-eating-and rhyming Black Hole? What if amoebas, combustion, metamorphosis, viruses, the creation of the universe are all irresistible, laugh-out-loud poetry? Well, you're thinking in science verse, that's what. And if you can't stop the rhymes . . . the atomic joke is on you. Only the amazing talents of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, the team who created Math Curse, could make science so much fun. My son loved Math Curse so much, we bought Science Verse because who can resist any book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith? Jon takes nursery rhymes and poems and converts them to a science theme. This book is also lots of fun! [picture book with science silly poems for ages 6 and up] Sir Cumference series by Cindy Neuschwander A reader introduced me to these great math picture books. I don't love the illustrations but my son still likes them. The concept is clever: math names and concepts are presented as a mystery or riddle to be solved. I especially love the names Lady Di Ameter, Radius, and of course, Sir Cumference. This is especially great for geometry concepts and appropriate for elementary school kids. [picture book series with lots of geometry concepts for ages 7 and up] The Adventures of Munford beginning chapter book series by Jamie Aramini Although he's just two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, Munford is all adventure. He can be rain, snow, sleet, or steam. He has traveled the world in search of excitement. Throughout history, he has been present at some of the most important and world-changing events. Fun and educational, Munford will inspire your children to learn more about many of history's greatest moments. These readers make a great addition to your learning experience in areas such as history, geography, and science. This book series is written on an elementary reading level, but provides plenty of read-aloud entertainment for the entire family! In this adventure, Munford finds himself slap into the middle of the Klondike Gold Rush. He catches gold fever on this dangerous, yet thrilling, adventures. Meet some of the Gold Rush's most famous characters, like gold baron Alex McDonald or the tricky villain named Soapy Smith. Take a ride on the Whitehorse Rapids, and help Munford as he pans for gold. This is an adventure you won't soon forget! The Klondike Gold Rush features beautiful full color illustrations and will make a great addition to your home library. Munford is a water drop that can, of course, exist in 3 states (liquid, solid and gas) and it is in these 3 states that he moves backwards and forwards in time to meet miners during the gold rush, Lewis and Clark and Robert Fulton. It's science meets historical fiction wrapped in the packaging of a beginning chapter book. [easy chapter historical fiction book series with a little science thrown in for fun, ages 8 and up] I have a post on science-y books for kids here. Animal Math books Panda Math: Learning About Subtraction from Hua Mei and Mei Sheng by Ann Whitehead Nagda Learn about subtraction with the San Diego Zoo’s famous baby pandas Hua Mei was the first giant panda cub born in the United States that survived more than a few days. She was born at the San Diego Zoo, and four years later her mother had another baby, Mei Sheng. Hua Mei and her brother, Mei Sheng, spend their days climbing on logs, lounging in trees, and eating bamboo. A lot of things the pandas do can be thought of in terms of subtraction. Young readers follow the famous cubs as they grow from tiny infants to big, bouncing pandas and learn about subtraction along the way. My older kids were obsessed with this series for a while and if your kids like baby animals, it's a nice way to sneak in math. As a non-fiction book, this series also manages to engage older readers too! [non-fiction picture book series, ages 5 and up] Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst Last Sunday, Alexander's grandparents gave him a dollar -- and he was rich. There were so many things that he could do with all of that money! He could buy as much gum as he wanted, or even a walkie-talkie, if he saved enough. But somehow the money began to disappear... Readers of all ages will be delighted by this attractive new edition of Judith Viorst's beloved picture book. I love this book! It's just plain funny and I think everyone feels like they've had a day like Alexander's whether it's a very bad, horrible day or a day when one's fortune slips through one's fingers. Personal finance, subtraction, and money are the math concepts secretly snuck in. [picture book, ages 4 and up] A Second is a Hiccup by Hazel J. Hutchins There's never been a more charming explanation of time for young readers. "How long is a second?" "A second is a hiccup--the time it takes to kiss your mom, or jump a rope, or turn around." The newest book by acclaimed picture-book creators Hazel Hutchins and Kady McDonald Denton explains units of time in imaginative terms children can understand: A second lasts as long as a hiccup; a week is seven sleeps; and a year is the time it takes to grown into new shoes! Any parent who's been asked, "How long is a minute?" or any kid who's wondered, "What does 'an hour' mean?" will enjoy this smart, simple, and surprising book. My son received this for Christmas and, as a result, he never asks me how long is a minute or a second anyone. That's worth gold! [picture book, ages 4 and up] How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz Children are often intrigued by or confused about (sometimes both) very large numbers. Here Schwartz uses concepts that are simple to help readers conceptualize astronomical numbers like a million, billion, and trillion. My kids seem to think terms like gazillion and infinity are actual numbers. This book clears that right up. [picture book, ages 5 and up] Doyle and Fossy, Science Detectives series by Michele Torrey In this clever chapter book, the second in a new series, real science is seamlessly woven into four separate mysteries solved by Science Detectives Drake Doyle and Nell Fossey. No case is too big or too small for this dynamic duo, who never miss an opportunity to unravel evil plots surrounding the election for class president or expose the frauds behind the monster mysteriously rising from the depths of the local lake. The snappy, funny dialogue and wacky scenarios are perfect for middle-graders, who will enjoy discovering the four science experiments at the back of the book, which focus on such concepts as static electricity, oil spills, ultraviolet light, and buoyancy. Each experiment corresponds to a case that Doyle and Fossey have solved-and will have readers scrambling for their own magnifying glasses and fluorescent thief-detection powder in no time! Doyle and Fossy and two friends, girl and boy too!, who solve mysteries that hinge around science concepts. I like how each mystery and there are several in a book, are well paced and interesting. Mystery lovers will secretly learn science concepts without realizing it. [beginning chapter book series, ages 7 and up] The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

    Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.
    Debut author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.
    The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award.
    I have this book on my shelf but still need to read it but every kid I met who has read this book has loved it. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
    Pragmatic Mom blogs obsessively on children's and young adult books when she's not secretly trying to get her three children to learn math and science concepts through books and activities. To view any book at Amazon, please click on image of book.