FREE WEBINAR!

ASCD is offering a free webinar with ASCD author and expert Howard Pitler on August 7th at 3 pm ET.  Based on ASCD's Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, you will get ideas on how technology can invigorate your lessons and increase student motivation and interaction.  To register for the webinar follow this link:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/490596952.  We have the first edition of the the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2007 - 371.33 PIT.  The 2nd edition of the book is coming out on August 6th and while we do not have it --- we will be ordering it!  Sooooo, in the meantime, register for the webinar!

Nutrition, Gardening, Marketing and Sales Lessons at Youth Farmers Market

Eco Possum gardeners and a customer at the
Youth Farmers Market outside the Habitat
for Humanity Restore in Loveland.

Radishes and greens sold by Eco Possum
members at Youth Farmers Market.

Hmmm, do you see a "growing" trend lately with the blog?  Why, yes ---  check out this article from Colorado were elementary and middle school students (love the name of the group "Eco Possum") are participating in a summer internship program where they grow vegetables and sell the produce at a local farmers market.  In addition to learning about gardening, marketing and sales, the interns also research the nutritional benefits and uses of the vegetables!  Salad anyone?

Sixth Graders Create Food Walls!

Okay, continuing with our theme here --- FOOD --- check out the article and video by New York City sixth grade science teacher Steve Ritz who has created food walls with his students.  According to the article they grew enough fruits and vegetables to feed 450 people.  Food walls are an emerging trend in urban agriculture and are being used where residents have limited-to-no access to fresh produce.  Check out the article and video at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/painting-over-a-food-desert/2012/07/12/gJQAV3kPfW_blog.html

Outdoor classroom in South Berwick Maine

Kate Smith, a music teacher at Central School in Berwick,

shows blueberry bushes to school district business

manager Randy Stewart and Principal Nina D'Akan,

during a brainstorming session July 9 about uses for the

 school's Outdoor Classroom.

Check out the article that describes the efforts of Central School and their Outdoor Classroom!  Wow, the whole community is getting involved ---- landscape architect, chefs, students, a family practice, families, local businesses ---- you get the idea.  They are even harvesting the week's produce and then selling it at the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series on the front lawn of the school!

Check out the article in the Seacoast Online http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120712/NEWS/207120385/-1/NEWSMAP

A litte human interest - Tony's Firehouse

Okay, a little human interest story to end the week ----- we are just going to forget this is Friday the 13th!

This story appeals to me as my father was both a paid and volunteer fireman and both of my sons have spent time on the volunteer department in our town and their station happens to have a special needs man who hangs out at their firehouse and, yes, they watch out for him, not quite to the extent as the firemen in the story, but, it goes to show what kind of guys firemen are no matter where they are.

This is a story about Tony Tumminello who at the age of 13, in 1953, became friends with the firemen at Fire Station One in Lansing Mich.  I am not surprised about this story, it just reinforces everything good about those "pas tout la" fireman I know and grew up around. 

And yes, the Cajun translation of the quoted words apply (and it is better than what Dad's Mom, Gram to me, use to say in French about Dad on the fire department especially after he took the quick way to basement --- the floor collapsed under him and another firemen), after all those guys run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out ---- and we love them for it ---- Thanks to firemen everywhere!

Check out the story and video at http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/07/10/for-fire-station-home/15982/

Assistive Technologies Born from Science Fiction

? Original tablet

I admit it, I am a Trekkie fan ---- and yes, in the article Joel Watson writes about the original Star Trek (my absolute favorite Star Trek - even if some say it is "campy") along with 6 other popular films  that have technology that we are currently using or close to using and yes, the article is being written because Comic-Con is about to open on July 12th, however, it is amazing what he writes about in the article.  So this brings me to a conversation I had this morning with another Library staff member, where is fiction in the standards ---- no that is a topic for another blog entry ---- right now I want you to check out the article at Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/seven-assistive-technologies-born-from-science-fiction  

I have to admit that I have to agree with the paragraph:  "This is not an exhaustive list of how science fiction brought about assistive technology in ways that could only be dreamed of even a few decades ago. What it does show, however, is a good foundation for how today's imagination can prove to be very beneficial to the disabled of tomorrow."   Uh oh - back to that conversation about fiction...

U3-X from Honda

 Are you intrigued by the picture --- well go read the article see what this is!

48 Summer Sites for Children and Teachers!

Okay, no I did not put this list together, I saw the posting on Edutopia and then again on SmartBrief on EdTech---- and now I am passing it along to you!

Sounds like some interesting sites that Keith Ferrell has found, to drop a few site names, Magic Tree House, Toporopa, ReadWriteThink Printing Press, Spell with Flickr, Freeology, Tagxedo, Learn Your Tables, Cool Math, Science Bob, Animal Diversity Web, NeoK12, CELLSAlive!, Catch the Science Bug, and the list goes on and on ...... and no ---   I did not link these sites because, I WANT YOU TO CHECK OUT THE POST at http://www.edutopia.org/blog/48-summer-websites-kids-teachers-keith-ferrell

If it is hot and the kids have to stay indoors, at least give them some good sites to check out!

Reading with a fluffy friend!

Okay, so England allows dogs or "listening canines" in their classrooms ----- check out Wynona the beautiful Alaskan malamute in the picture with two Devon, England eight year-olds, however, they cite research from Tufts University and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.  Have I caught your attention?  According to the article in the Telegraph (UK), the dogs are trained to have the children read to them and help with behavior issues.  The article is very interesting, check it out --http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/9372554/Dogs-in-the-classroom-reading-with-a-fluffy-friend.html .  The "listening canines" are trained to focus on a book a child is reading, and children are told they are teaching the dog to read.  According to the trainer, Tracey Berridge, "Teachers find reluctant readers start begging to read to the dogs." 

The dogs also participate in programs at libraries and Sharon Dixon, the supervisor at Barnstaple Library, who is introducting book groups with Tracey's dogs says,  "Children's concentration improves when a dog is there, the fact it won't laugh or criticise if they 're struggling is really important."  I would have liked to have a dog to read too when I had to read aloud ---- the butterflies and sweaty palms would have been not existent!

In addition, check out information on the organization training the dogs at http://dogshelpingkids.co.uk/.  I love their logo!

Happy 4th of July!

Okay ---- enjoy this mid-week holiday.  Be safe, have fun, enjoy the heat! 

We would also like you to remember why you are having this day off ---- The Fourth of July or Independence day is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.

Check out the USA.gov website that lists the Declaration of Independence, fun facts about July 4, Today in History - July 4th, U.S. Flag History and Facts, Help Your Country, Patriotic Melodies, Historical Documents, American Recipes, Travel and Recreation in the U.S., Fireworks and Safety Tips! 

Have a wonderful, safe 4th of July ----- don't eat too much at the barbecue, enjoy the fireworks (my favorite, well, besides the food!)! 

Better Teacher Questions = Improved Student Learning

Quick and easy, the three steps are: One - you need to get students talking rather than the teacher talking, Two, prepare the questions when you plan the lessons, and the Three, scaffold the questions.   Check out the entire blog post from former administrator Ben Johnson at http://www.edutopia.org/blog/improving-teacher-questions-ben-johnson. He answers the how better than I.   Sorry, I had to add that just to see if you were still reading!!!!  Check out the post!