App for children with autism helps facilitate communication

SPEAKall is an iPad application created by Purdue University students to help children with autism communicate.  Children choose pictures and symbols to construct sentences.  Sine the app debuted on iTunes in November, it has been downloaded nearly 3,300 times according to Oliver Wendt, a speech professor involved in the app's development.  Follow this link for more information http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/03/28/App-may-help-autisic-children-speak/UPI-76671332989409/

Quick ----- Nominate your favorite Math or Science Teacher!

Hurry, yes I said hurry!!!!  Nominations for Elementary Teachers (K-6) are due by APRIL 1, 2012 and the application deadline is MAY 1, 2012.  Yes, I know I am a little late in getting this out and I have to thank my rep from Sunburst who told me about this terrific opportunity, thanks Michael!

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), established in 1983 by Congress, is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.  To date more than 4,100 teachers have been recognized and the PAEMST program authorized the President of United States to bestow up to 108 awards each year.

For more information, go to https://www.paemst.org/home/view for more information on how to nominate and for the application process.

The nomination deadline for Secondary Teachers (7-12) opens in Fall 2012 the nomination deadline is 4-1-2013 and the application deadline is 5-1-13.  Now you are going to have to remember this because I will probably forget to re-post this information this fall!!!! 

Free Webinar ---- Common core: Assessment Shifts ---- ASCD

This free ASCD webinar (you do have to register for "to get a seat") will provide you with some crucial information about assessments that are compatible with the Common Core State Standards.  The webinar will be conducted by assessment expert and ASCD author Sue Brookhart who will give an overview of SBAC and PARCC assessments and help you develop classroom assessments that align with the new standards.  To register, http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/common-core-webinars.aspx. 

Educational apps for the classroom

Okay, first we talk about the free ones ------ come on you know us ----- we like FREE!!!!!  Educreations is a free app that turns iPad devices into interactive whiteboards and Evernote allows users to write lesson plans and upload them to mobile devices.  Okay so now the not free ones but these sound ---- cool too! ---- Star Walk which costs $2.99 and allows students to see the location of stars on their iPads (like the two stars in the western sky that have been soooooo close are what planets?) and MathBoard which costs $4.99 and offers tools to improve math teaching and learning.  Check them out!

Free ThinkForward Webinar: Engineering an effective STEM integration with Michael DiSpezio

Okay here is another FREEBIE -----  An interactive ThinkForward Webinar exploring STEM education is going to take place on April 3rd at 3 pm EST.  You can join author and educator Michael DiSpezio in a lively examination of successful strategies for integrating STEM into established curricula.  Follow this link http://my.hmheducation.com/content/ThinkForward/#  and scroll down to Webinars to register for this session. 

Operation: Awareness - Thursday, March 22, 2012 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Did you know that there are over 10,000 military children under the age of 18 living in every town throughout Connecticut?  Since 2005, Connecticut Operation:  Military Kids (OMK) has formed a strong coalition with various organizations throughout the state to support military-affiliated children, youth, and families before, during, and after deployment.  Their mission is to bring civilian and military communities together in a unified effort to support military children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically statewide.

Please join us at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at 375 Smith Street, Middletown, CT 06457 on Thursday, March 22nd from 11 am to 2 pm to see what resources are available in your local area.

Partners in the coalition include:
Connecticut Operation:  Military Kids (OMK), University of Connecticut 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences program Military OneSource Joint Families Support Assistance Program (JFSAP), Connecticut National Guard Child and Youth Program, Navy Child and Youth Programs Center, National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agency:  2-1-1 Child Care (NACCRRA), The American Legion, Department of Connecticut The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Connecticut, Connecticut State Department of Education, Boys and Girls Clubs of American, Army Reserve Child and Youth Services, Safe Kids, Connecticut American Red Cross, CYB Military Family Life Consultants.

Spread the Word to End the Word!

Today is the day to pledge!  According to the R-Word.org site, "It is time we Spread the Word to End the Word (tm) and build awareness for society to stop and think about its' use of the R-word.  That R-word is something hurtful and painful -- "retard" or "retarded."  Most people don't think of this word as hate speech, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and friends.The R-word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.  Visit www.r-word.org to make your pledge today."

While it only takes a few minutes to pledge, it takes a lifetime to truly practice your pledge, I hope you choose to do both!

Look what I found ------ What works in science education?

I got excited to see that they have revamped and updated the U.S. Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse which is now conducting review of research on interventions designed to improve the science achievement of K-12 students.  The new area will identify research-based interventions that have been shown to be effective in teaching content, practices, and skills of life science, Earth and space science, and physical science.  The first intervention report in this area looks at the research on Chemistry that Applies and the second report examines the research on ThinkerTools.  This is a direct link to the science section http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/topic.aspx?sid=14 and the link associated with the What Works Clearinghouse links directly to the main site.

In addition check out the other information available through the site!  This is exciting to see this site improved and up and updated and ------ you know there for us!!!!!!

Black in Latin American 4th Movie in our Equity and Social Justice Film Discussion Series

Our 4th movie in our series is Black in Latin America to be shown on Monday, March 5th in the SERC Library Community Room.  This film examines how Africa and Europe came together to create the rich cultures of Latin American and the Caribbean.  Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the legacy of colonialism and slavery through the vivid stories shared and lived by the people he encounters on these continents, and celebrates the massive influence of millions of people of African descent in the history and culture of Latin America and the Caribbean.  Discussion following the film will include examination of the role, presence, and influence of white dominance and supremacy of the United States on these areas.

Space is limited to 30 participants.  Please make a reservation to attend by contacting Lauren D. Jones at ljones@ctserc.org.  For content questions, please contact Kc Nelson-Oliveria at nelson-oliveria@ctserc.org.