"Xylophones? We get to play xylophones this year?"
"Hey! She said we get to lounge on the floor while we listen..."
"I really wanted to play the drum with the ropes, because I'm really really good at it. I hid my head because I wanted to keep my crying inside so that I wouldn't be embarrassed in front of the class."
"My pockets make jingling noises."
"I'm the best whistler in my family. Listen."
"I don't know where my classroom is, and I'm only 5..."
"My daughter just got a fulltime job today."
"We're working on that."
"Just clarifying what was actually said."
"What?! We're going to learn how to play ukuleles?"
"I don't like to sing in front of other people. No, I don't want to even just stand with the group, because I don't like to stand with other people. OK, I would rather just be the audience. That's probably going to be OK."
"I told you my name once already. You already forgot?!"
"Electric Bass? and Banjos? AND Ukes?? ...That's coooool."
9/7/10
9/6/10
Last day of summer for 2010
It's official: the new school year begins for us tomorrow.
Does anything more really need to be said?
Does anything more really need to be said?
9/5/10
Learning Link, 18
Looking to buy a new computer sometime this year?
According to Gizmodo, it's cheapest to buy computers in the Autumn & in April.
Interested? Read the article here.
According to Gizmodo, it's cheapest to buy computers in the Autumn & in April.
Interested? Read the article here.
9/4/10
Learning Link, 17
How to Learn and HAVE FUN!!
If you like Cajun music, dance and food, the Blackpot Festival & CookOff would feel like three days of sheer heaven, based in Lafayette, Louisiana.
It's put on by the Red Stick Ramblers, and features many local bands and a day-long cookoff. Some of the best music and dance around....
Want more info? Check it out here.
See you on the dance floor!
If you like Cajun music, dance and food, the Blackpot Festival & CookOff would feel like three days of sheer heaven, based in Lafayette, Louisiana.
It's put on by the Red Stick Ramblers, and features many local bands and a day-long cookoff. Some of the best music and dance around....
Want more info? Check it out here.
See you on the dance floor!
9/3/10
Learning Link, 15
What Great Teachers Do Differently, by Todd Whitaker
Yes. You're right: many books and materials intended for teachers' professional development are written poorly and contain nothing of real value.
Not this one. It's evident that the author has spent time in the classroom: pertinent examples drawn from real life, truthful clarity in discussing issues, and a collection of the things we'd all like to remember to think about, and to do.
Check it out:
In a discussion about standardized testing--or, as Whitaker put it, the "shark-infested pool of standarized testing" :
"Effective teachers don't let hot-button issues shift their focus from what really matters.
....Effective teachers focus on the behaviors that lead to success, not the beliefs that stand in the way of it.
....Effective teachers keep testing in perspective.
....fully aware that success on standardized tests brought them greater autonomy to do what they believed was best for students....
....center on the real issue of student learning." (pp. 109--111)
"Great teachers have high expectations for students but even higher expectations for themselves."
"Great teachers consistently filter out the negatives that don't matter and share a positive attitude."
"Great teachers never forget that it is people, not programs, that determine the quality of a school."
(all quotes above, pp 127-128)
Intrigued? More depth and more great quotes await....well worth the time, I'm thinking.
Yes. You're right: many books and materials intended for teachers' professional development are written poorly and contain nothing of real value.
Not this one. It's evident that the author has spent time in the classroom: pertinent examples drawn from real life, truthful clarity in discussing issues, and a collection of the things we'd all like to remember to think about, and to do.
Check it out:
In a discussion about standardized testing--or, as Whitaker put it, the "shark-infested pool of standarized testing" :
"Effective teachers don't let hot-button issues shift their focus from what really matters.
....Effective teachers focus on the behaviors that lead to success, not the beliefs that stand in the way of it.
....Effective teachers keep testing in perspective.
....fully aware that success on standardized tests brought them greater autonomy to do what they believed was best for students....
....center on the real issue of student learning." (pp. 109--111)
"Great teachers have high expectations for students but even higher expectations for themselves."
"Great teachers consistently filter out the negatives that don't matter and share a positive attitude."
"Great teachers never forget that it is people, not programs, that determine the quality of a school."
(all quotes above, pp 127-128)
Intrigued? More depth and more great quotes await....well worth the time, I'm thinking.
Learning Link, 14
How you can learn to play the Ukulele....really.
First of all, it's a forgiving little instrument.
Sounds great, from the first time your fingers brush its four sweet strings.
But, you say, how to get started?
The answer? (Cue orchestral swell here): Ukulele Underground.
Great site, free lessons, tons of information.
Happy strumming!
9/2/10
Learning Link, 13
How to make your dreams come true
One way is to simply get started.
Good advice from the folks at 37Signals.com (who also wrote the helpful book ReWork--see Learning Link 4 for a review) can be found in a short article
here
One way is to simply get started.
Good advice from the folks at 37Signals.com (who also wrote the helpful book ReWork--see Learning Link 4 for a review) can be found in a short article
here
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