Quotable Quotes: January 5, 2015
** "Our educational problems of today have little to do with schools. The problem today is the demise of the family. In my family, there was no watching TV unless you had completed your homework. Although I was a good athlete, I could not play high school sports...
A Tween Must-Read: Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle
Raab Associates, Inc. Tell your kids to buckle up: There’s a new fantasy adventure out there waiting for them called Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle. In it, author George Hagan explores such universal themes as honor, betrayal, greed, compassion, trust, and...
Common Core Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know
The Common Core Standards, first announced in 2009, were fully implemented in a number of schools last year; nevertheless a September Gallup poll of 532 parents found that 32% had no opinion or had never even heard of them. Other findings included: • 35% of the...
Civic Education, Politics, and an Uninformed Populace
Certain dates are standouts, like February 14, October 31, and December 25. But what about September 17? It should be a standout, too, but it’s not. In fact, most of us don’t give the date a second thought; we certainly should, though. That’s because it’s not just...
Education-Related Websites: October 23, 2014
** www.coursera.org ~ This site has partnered with top universities and organizations in the world to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free" and covers all subjects. ** http://home.edweb.net ~ This free social and profession network offers educators an...
Quotable Education Quptes: October 20, 2014
** "Just when things can't get any worse for kindergartners, they do. It used to be that kindergartners could play--which is how childhood development experts say young children learn and are socialized best. Today, 5- and 6-year-olds are forced to sit for hours at a...
Recommended Education-Related Websties: October 16, 2014
** www.edweb.com/amazon.html ~ Here students can "explore the geography of the Ecuadorian Amazon through online games and activities." ** www.sharemylesson.com ~ This site is "by teachers, for teachers," offering, to date, more than 294,000 resources, including those...
It’s an Education Fact: Obtober 15, 2014
1) Researchers studied nearly 200,000 children, ages birth through 17, from 2000 to 2011 and found that, overall, disabilities affected 8% of them by 2011--10% of low-income children and 6% of wealthy children. 2) According to the U.S. Government Accountability...
As the Heroin Tide Rises Throughout Pennsylvania, Remedies Are Sought
We’ve long held marijuana to be a “gateway drug,” but now lobby legislators to legalize its medicinal and recreational use, a la Washington and Colorado. And then, surprise, surprise, headlines such as: “Heroin a ‘growing epidemic’: Pennsylvania ‘cannot arrest its way...
Character-Building: Steps to Take
Lots of folks say that, while they can’t exactly define it, they know it when the see it. Character, that is. Few, though, would argue with author and talk show host Dennis Prager’s take on it: “Goodness is about character—integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity,...
Quotable Education Quotes: October 13, 2014
** "Sure, every aging generation thinks things were better in 'their' day, but this time it's not a case of rose-colored reminiscing. Somewhere along the line, things have changed. From the massive homage paid to political correctness to the insatiable desire to...
Recommended Education-Related Websites: October 9, 2014
*** www.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplans ~ Here you'll find timely lessons and units for all your teaching needs, by grade and by subject. *** http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci ~ This site "mixes hot science with your cool ideas" with loads of activities and...
It’s an Education Fact: October 8, 2014
1) Responding to an ASCD survey asking if this year's Common Core Standards assessments should be used for accountability, 25% of teachers said they want a 4-year-delay and 24% seek a 2-year-delay. 2) An August PDK/Gallup poll found that 81% of respondents had heard...
Making Education News: October 7, 2014
1. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has announced that states can delay using test results in teacher-performance ratings for another year. Over the past 4 years, 40 states adopted laws tying teacher evaluations in part on students' standardized test results. 2. Texas...
Quotable Education Quotes: October 6, 2014
** "Arne Duncan brought the most ambitious reform agenda in years to the Department of Education--and a determination to use every lever of power to accomplish it. The results were stunning: In barely a year, more than 100 state laws were passed to open public schools...
Education-Related Websites to Visit: October 2, 2014
*** www.scholastic.com/livestrong ~ The LiveStrong at School site offers "award-winning lessons, worksheets, and more to generate classroom discussions about cancer, cancer treatments, and how to support those living with cancer." *** www.edreport.org ~ This...
It’s an Education Fact: October 1, 2014
1) An EdTech survey found that 82% of readers feel their schools are doing at least somewhat well preparing students for needed college and career technical skills. 48% say teaching the rules of digital citizenship and responsible social networking is most important....
1. Georgia, Delaware, Minnesota, New York, and South Carolina are the latest to receive No Child Left Behind waiver extensions, along with Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. 2. Utah was considering voluntarily ditching its NCLB waiver...
Quotable Education Quotes: 9/29/2014
** "The formal structures that buttress the [Common Core] standards, and the related tests from two federally funded consortia, have eroded somewhat, as states reconsider their adoptions of the standards and reject the common tests. And common-core advocates have...
Education-Related Websites to Visit: September 18, 2014
*** http://educatorlabs.org ~ This site, made up of school librarians and media specialists, helps teachers "discover valuable classroom resources, including the lesson plans you need." *** www.bing.com/classroom ~ This site provides "an ad-free, kid-friendly search...
