Finland's Formula for School Success

Okay ---- I know everyone has heard lots about Finland's Formula for School Success, so what more can we say, well......check out the link from Edutopia on Education Everywhere:  Finland's Formula for School Success video.   Follow this link http://www.edutopia.org/education-everywhere-international-finland-video to view the video and check out the additional links for more information.  In the coming months, Edutopia will be providing links about Canada, Singapore, China, and Germany in their series looking at high-achieving education systems and model schools around the world.  You might wish to link to their RSS feed to get the information first hand ------ you might get it sooner than waiting for me to get it up on the blog!

21st Century Learning

We have heard the term 21st century skills but what does it mean for the classroom? Technology is moving along at a rapid pace! Using technology is one method of engaging students as they learn. These titles were written to help teachers incorporate a variety of technology which can help keep students excited about learning.

21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in our Times, By Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel (370.73 TRI)
This 206 page book and companion DVD examine the 21st century skills needed as students become citizens of a global world. Topics include skills needed in the areas of learning, innovation, digital literacy, career and life skills and global education. Digital literacy is required!


The World is Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education, By Curtis J. Bonk (331.334467 BON)
This 470 page book explores the exciting and ever-changing world of educational technology and how it has helped open the education world up to anyone with internet access. As more technologies have become available, people in even the most remote reaches of the world can access a wealth of online resources from a vast variety of educators. Communication and learning are now possible between a scientist on a ship in Antarctic waters, a child in a Philippine village and a student studying the environment in a U.S. middle school? Explore!

Teaching Vocabulary with Hypermedia, 6-12, By Susan O' Hara and Robert Pritchard (428.10712 OHA)
This 106 page book focuses on ways to engage students by teaching content area vocabulary using hypermedia and ways to teach studnets create their own hypermedia and virtual learning experiences. A hypermedia environment is one like the World Wide Web that links video, sound, graphics and text with learning. Now that's exciting!

Best Evidence Encyclopedia

In your explorations of our blog you may have noticed a link in the sidebar to the Best Evidence Encyclopedia, which may have prompted you to wonder what kind of resource could be worthy of being so prominently featured to the illustrious readers of the SERC Library Blog? Well, let us assure you, dear patrons, the Best Evidence Encyclopedia is truly our cuppa' tea! This informative site rates and summarizes reviews for a variety of programs for use in K-12 education. The website is a product of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education's Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE), and is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences and the U.S. Department of Education. This is an excellent resource for principles, school administrators and teachers. Truly a no-nonsense source of information (unlike our blog, which contains just a teensy bit of nonsense!).

World Folk Art and Fables Week, March 22-28

The end of March ushers in not only the first peek of springtime, but also an international celebration of cultural history with World Folk Art and Fables Week. From ancient Rome to the dynasties of China to the native tribes of the Americas, folk stories are a fundamental part of our human history, and indeed they are one of the few commonalities shared by all cultures. The most wonderful thing about fables is the way that they seamlessly weave together entertainment and education, sweeping you up into a web of human tradition and spirit while also leaving you with valuable lessons. We're all familiar with Aesop's Fables, but there are thousands of lesser known tales of equal value, including some that can be found right here in the SERC Library!

Native American Animal Stories, Told by Joseph Bruchac (YP F BRU)
Though this 136-page book is located in our Young People's collection, the stories and illustrations within will entertain those of all ages. With 24 legends from tribes such as the Hopi, Mohawk, Tlingit and Dakota Sioux, as well as maps, tribal nation descriptions, and a glossary, this book will enrich your understanding of Native American history and legend.



The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, told by Virginia Hamilton (YP F HAM)
This award-winning 178-page anthology presents a wealth of stories. Divided into categories like animal tales, fantasy, supernatural, and slave tales of freedom, the literature presented here will excite you, inspire you, amuse you...and maybe even scare you!



Golden Tales: Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Latin America, by Lulu Delacre (YP F DEL)
This 80-page book is filled with exciting tales from countries such as Bolivia, Mexico, and Cuba. But it is the gorgeous full color oil painting illustrations that really bring this book to life, along with all of its heroes, monsters, and fantastical creatures.



Afterwards: Folk and Fairy Tales with Mathematical Ever Afters, by Peggy Kaye (IM 372.7044 KAY)
This two-part series intersperses math lessons with classic stories to enhance children's understanding of the material, with one book designated for grades 1-2 and the other for grades 3-4. From measuring the growth of Rapunzel's hair to arranging Baba Yaga's dinner table to outwitting the trickster Anansi himself, these books are a unique way for teachers to combine math and literature.



Working Together: Building Children's Social Skills Through Folk Literature, by Gwendolyn Cartledge & James Kleefeld (IM 303.32 CAR)
This unique multimedia kit uses folktales from around the world to teach social skills to children in grades 3-6. It includes dozens of activities designed to enhance vital skills, including time management, respecting others, negotiation conflict and speaking positively. The kit comes with 5 audiotapes and 31 posters to aid with the lessons.


The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories, edited by William J. Bennett (FAM 808.8038 BEN)
We placed this book into our Family collection because there are few things that can bind a family together like shared stories and memories. In this colossal 832-page volume the author uses well-known tales to illustrate 10 key tenets of the human condition, such as demonstrating compassion with "The Little Match Girl" and courage with "Chicken Little", along with scores of others ranging from Greek myths to the Gettysburg Address. Why not take a cue from the simpler times these stories convey and turn off the television in favor of sharing a story or two with your own family?

Edutopia: The George Lucas Educational Foundation

For a comprehensive and innovative look at the world of education, check out Edutopia, a leading online resource for educators and parents. Founded by George Lucas, the Edutopia Foundation strives to connect learning with the rapid advancements in technology and society. Their website, www.edutopia.org, is infused with the idea of crafting our children into lifelong learners. Some of the many resources you'll find there include videos, blogs, archives of their bimonthly magazine, and special reports on topics such as autism, financial literacy, and green education. One of their most popular features is what they call Edutopia Groups. These are online communities one can join to network and collaborate with peers all over the globe, ranging from broad subject matter ("Middle School") to groups on specific curriculum programs and best practices. There is even a group called "Stuff my Students Say", for teachers (or anyone!) who wants a little laugh. We think Edutopia is such a great resource here at the SERC Library that we've even added a news feed of their latest headlines to the sidebar of our blog! So be sure to take a look and add them to your own bookmarks. And remember, we must endeavor to make education relevant, ground-breaking and yes, even fun, as we move into this new decade and beyond. Or in the words of George Lucas' beloved character Yoda, "Always in motion is the future".

National Day of Action to Defend Education

With the state of the economy today, it should hardly come as a surprise that tuition and fees are skyrocketing at colleges and universities across the country. Here in Connecticut, the foundation of our higher education system, the Connecticut Community Colleges, are increasing tuition and fees by 6.4 percent as of the Fall 2010 semester. The four smaller public universities, Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central, will see a 6.3 percent increase, while UCONN students are facing a 5.9 percent hike (though an increase as high as 7.5 percent was initially proposed). However just because this news is, unfortunately, expected, does not mean it is willingly accepted. Today, March 4th, has been designated as a National Day of Action. At schools around the nation there are protests scheduled, with both students and school employees exercising their voice in this important matter, which is too often kept buried.

It is not too late to get involved! Local Connecticut events include a panel discussion and march at Yale, a rally by UCONN students at the state capitol, and a referendum at Southern's student center this evening. Also, notable for being one of the only efforts at a non-college level in the country, Hartford Public High School is holding a petition drive today. For contact information and event details, as well as national news about the day, visit www.defendeducation.org and click on Events & Contacts. And keep in mind that even if you can't participate today, there are plenty of other ways to get involved in ensuring that our basic right to education in this country does not become a privilege only the wealthy can obtain. The Defend Education website, as well as their Google group and Facebook group, are a great place to find resources on how to help. To read the articles in which the statistics from this post were pulled, visit:

UCONN Trustees Increase Tuition, Room, Board, Fees (Courant.com)

Connecticut Community College Tuition, Fees to Increase 6.4 Percent (Courant.com)

Students, Professors to Protest Education Cutbacks (CNN.com)

Only YOU Can Prevent Cyber Danger!

With the rapid pace at which technology is becoming embedded into our daily routines, it is not surprising that children are being introduced to it at younger ages than ever before. Gone are the days when seeing a teenager with a cell phone was an anomaly limited to only the wealthy and status-seeking. Today we all have cell phones and computers and a whole host of other gadgets designed to keep us connected. These tools are indeed wonderful, and are undeniably helpful when it comes to education. However, it is important to teach our children about proper safety, as well as to familiarize ourselves with the various ways in which we can help them to enjoy technology appropriately.

The government recently issued a report entitled "Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online". This 54-page document is immensely informative, with sections addressing how to talk to children and teenagers of all ages about internet safety, how to take advantage of parental controls, how to handle social networking sites, comprehensive explanations of "Net speak" for those who may not be familiar with it, and more. This report is a great way for teachers and parents to feel empowered when it comes to talking to their kids about Net safety, which is especially important considering this subject is often overlooked in schools. According to a new study released by the National Cyber Security Alliance, only 35 percent of the school districts studied require any sort of cyber safety education, despite over 90 percent of teachers and administrators being in favor of including it in the curriculum. The study also highlights the growing debate over who is ultimately responsible for discussing the subject with children, with the majority of teachers saying it should be parents and the majority of school administrators saying it should be teachers. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it needs to be made a priority. Even the government thinks so, as evidenced by President Obama's Cyberspace Policy Review, which proposes putting a K-12 cyber education program in place on a national level. Luckily, with the help of this report, you can take responsibility for teaching your kids about technology and security today, whether you're a parent, teacher, or friend.





Access the report here, and an article about the NCSA study here.

Mastermind behind Wikipedia launches education video website

Larry Sanger, who co-founded Wikipedia, has started a new online community aimed at educators and students. The website, www.watchknow.org, features an extensive library of education-related videos for children from ages 3 to 18. It also offers indispensable advice to teachers through the video format. For example, a simple search on geometry, filtered for ages 17-18+, returns such results as: "Helpful Ways to Teach Geometry", "Quadrilateral Song" and "How to Solve Geometry Proofs". Users can create accounts that allow them to add videos and edit descriptions. Because of this reliance on users to both expand and organize the collection, Sanger himself has described WatchKnow as "YouTube meets Wikipedia". Though still in in its infancy, WatchKnow already has 11,762 videos (and counting!). Considering the scope of material available on sites like YouTube and Wikipedia, it is not unlikely to think that one day WatchKnow's collection could be truly powerful in its ability to harness the power of the internet by bringing together people and ideas on a global level. So bookmark WatchKnow, spread the word to your fellow educators, direct your children there, and most importantly, contribute your own unique talent and voice. And for now, check out these videos found by browsing the poetry section....

Shel Silverstein narrating his poem "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too":



T.S. Eliot narrating his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock":



Langston Hughes narrating his poem "I, Too":

International Literacy Day!

Since 1967, September 8th of each year has been designated as International Literacy Day. Sponsored by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Reading Association, the day is meant to draw attention to the importance of literacy with a special emphasis on developing countries. There is no doubt that literacy is an issue that needs to be addressed on an international level, especially when considering the following statistics:

• There are over 860 million illiterate adults worldwide (two-thirds of whom are women) and nearly 115 million children who lack access to education.
• When mothers are taught to read the infant mortality rate can decrease by up to 50%.
• Countries whose literacy rate is below 55% have an annual per capita income of less than $600.
• 98% of all non-literates live in developing countries, with 52% in India and China alone.
• The continent of Africa's literacy rate is less than 60%.

Domestically there are also urgent literacy needs to be met, especially when it comes to the undeniable connection between low literacy and poverty:

• Only 15% of low-income 8th graders read at a proficient level, with only 3% of all 8th graders reading at an advanced level.
  
• In the U.S. children of professional families hear an average of 2,153 words per hour, children of working class families hear 1,251 words per hour, and children of welfare families hear a mere 616 words per hour.
• The average literacy proficiency levels of African American and Hispanic 12th graders is equal to that of white 8th graders.
• 50% of all incarcerated adults are illiterate and 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems.
• Lower education and literacy levels coincide with the likelihood of women ending up in abusive relationships.

For more facts, idea starters, local events, posters, certificates of participation and more, visit the websites of UNESCO and the International Reading Association. Whether you participate on a local or an international level, your contribution to the greater community is both necessary and welcome. The only hope we have of conquering this overwhelming issue is to come together and make sure that no citizens of the world are left behind when it comes to possessing the crucial and self-empowering tools of reading and writing.

Facts taken from www.reading.org/downloads/meetings/ILD2007_literacy_facts.pdf and www.reading.org/downloads/meetings/ILD2007_facts.pdf