Wonder why you do what you do? Checked your cognitive dexterity lately? For some interesting insight on revving it up – check out how seeing things differently and changing routine can add some spice to your life!
How Brewing Coffee Can Up Cognitive Dexterity.
He sat at the edge of the sofa, glazed eyes fixed on the TV screen, tears streaming down his face. My brother and I watched silently with our father as the body of Martin Luther King was pulled by two mules on a mule cart. Thousands of people marched in tandem. My father wept, not ashamed to cry in front of us. “Why did they kill him?” we asked.
“Come close,” Dad said. “Never judge anyone by the color of their skin. There are good and bad people in every group,” he said. “Look to the person, and not the group they belong to. Consider everyone as an individual – an equal – remember that.”
This would be one of the many life lessons I learned from my Italian father. Like King, Dad sought fairness for all in a time when it was not a popular thing to do. Similar to Dr. King’s life cut short at the hand of an assassin, Dad’s life was cut short in a car accident. I would only realize the meaningful extent of both of their legacy’s through their deaths.
Today, I can see my father on the sofa and the images of King’s funeral procession as if it was yesterday. I take comfort knowing the lessons I learned from both that year are handed down to each new group of students that enter my classroom.
The significance of today – the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the historical second inauguration of President Obama will be meaningful to some though not all. We have come a long way but the road is long and we still have a way to go.
For the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech illustrated…
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=8961639&pid=8961633
I admit that over the years I have become increasingly enamored of politics and the guiding and misguiding effect it has on us all. It is no secret then that I woke early today to turn on the news so I wouldn’t miss anything. Watching a reminiscent clip of past inaugurations – my first kindergarten classroom and one particular student came to mind. The year was 1993 and I was thrilled to accept a cardboard replica of President Clinton for my classroom. Of course, I had to take a picture of my students with the president’s replica and share some of the presidential stories I heard. My favorite story to share with my students that day was the fact that several of President Clinton’s kindergarten friends were serving on his White House staff.
“Look around at your friends,” I enthusiastically said. “One of you could be president one day and call on some of your kindergarten friends to work with you!”
“I can’t be president,” said Kendrick.
“Why would you say that?” I naively asked.
He shrugged his shoulders, looked up at me and said, “Black people can’t be president.”
My heart sank and with it the idealistic joy I had for teaching was shadowed by the stark social reality of the time. I hugged him and said, “You can be anything you want to be if you work hard for it.”
I have thought of Kendrick often over the years, but never as much as I did on the day watching President Obama’s first inauguration with a new generation of students. I am thinking of Kendrick today – wondering if he remembers that day in 1993 and remaining hopeful that he finds as much joy in this week’s inaugural events as I do.
Posted in Grades 6-12, Grades K-5, Higher Education, Motivation, Students, teachers
Tagged Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, myths, President, self-esteem, White House
A must read for anyone interested in preserving the integrity and vitality of the teaching profession.
How to keep talented teachers from leaving.
There are times in all of our lives when we might benefit from the gift of renewal and a reminder of what is truly meaningful to our happiness and well-being. My favorite “go to” renewal/reminder place is:
“A Good Day” video – Brother David Steindl-Rast.
Enjoy!
With flu season in full swing now is
a great time to search for those books on “germs” taking residency on your classroom bookshelves. Presenting tips to avoid catching the flu to your students through literature is a valuable lesson this time of year. Follow-up your readings with posting pictured tips on a classroom wall.
Preventing the spread? What teachers can do:
1. Inform your students – knowledge is power.
2. Teach students the importance of proper hand washing – lather top and bottom of hands with soap and rinse thoroughly.
3. Teach students to cough inside of the arm or elbow. Encourage use of tissues by having several boxes available at different classroom locations.
4. Provide hand sanitizer and encourage students to use it when entering or leaving the classroom.
5. Clean desks and doorknobs daily as well as any classroom items often touched by others.
6. Inform classroom parents of the steps you are taking in the classroom. These tips can help them at home as well.
|
Is it a cold or the flu? |
||
|
Characteristic |
Flu |
Cold |
| Chest infection/cough | Common. Can become severe. | Common. Mild to moderate. |
| Fever | Usually high (102°-104°) May last 3-4 days. | Rare except in young children. |
| General aches and pains | Usual. Can be severe. | Mild. |
| Headache | Common. | Rare. |
| Sneezing/red, watery, itchy eyes | Rare. | Usual. |
| Sore throat | Occasional. | Usual. |
| Stuffy nose | Occasional. | Usual. |
| Tiredness | Severe. | Mild. |
| Primary season | Winter. | Late August – April. |
| Duration | Up to a month. | 7 – 10 days. |
| Adapted/modified from:Balch, P. A., & Balch, J. F. (2000). Prescription for nutritional healing (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Avery. | ||
Remember – a healthy classroom is a happy and productive classroom!
For other ideas see http://www.teachervision.fen.com/disease-prevention/resource/62164.html
For more information see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2013-2014.htm
This is a beautifully written letter – one I’m sure many of us would have loved to have written but just haven’t gotten around to. Thank you for sharing lisamyers.org!
Posted in classroom safety, Grades 6-12, Grades K-5, Higher Education, Schools, Students, teachers
Posted in Employment, Grades 6-12, Grades K-5, Higher Education, Schools, Students, teachers
Tagged Education, Teaching Resources, Tech
Posted in Classroom Management, Grades 6-12, Grades K-5, Higher Education, Motivation, Students
Tagged ascd, Education, neuroscience, research, science
As the new year begins may we take time to reflect on the past, present, and future – confident in wisdom to guide us through a year of…
Hope for healing
Acceptance without fear
Peaceful days
Patience for positive outcomes
Youthful exuberance
New beginnings
Energy to sustain
Worthy personal experiences
Yearnings that motivate
Enthusiasm and zeal
Amazing grace and
Resplendent conviction for meaningful change
Sincere best wishes for peace and happiness in 2013 and always!
Nancy
Posted in Back to school, Grades 6-12, Grades K-5, Higher Education, Motivation, Nuture Self
Tagged God, guidance, Health, New Year, New Year's Prayer, prayer, Religion and Spirituality, teacher's prayer, wisdom
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