Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 02/28/2020

Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels:  E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Trading Card Creator – “The Trading Card tool gives students an alternative way to demonstrate their literacy knowledge and skill when writing about popular culture texts or real world examples. This interactive allows students to create their own trading card about a real or fictional person, place, object, event, or abstract concept. These cards are can be used with any type of book students are reading or subjects that they are studying, and make for an excellent prewriting exercise for students who are writing narrative stories and need to consider characters, setting, and plot. Specific prompts guide student through the various types of cards, expanding students' thinking from the basic information and description of the topic to making personal connections to the subject.” (L:G;SA:A)

Quizizz – “Motivate students and reclaim your time. Free self-paced quizzes to review, assess, and engage—in class and at home. (L:G;SA:A)

DigCCMixter – “Thousands of hours of free music - all you have to do is give credit to the musicians.” (L:G;SA:A)

The Secret Annex – “In the digital lesson The Secret Annex, students explore the main house and the annex as they were during the hiding period. Film clips show what happened during that time and what daily life in the Secret Annex was like for the Frank family, the other people in hiding, and the helpers.” (L:E;SA:SS)

Interactive Constitution – “Since its launch in 2015, this nonpartisan tool has allowed learners of all ages to engage with the text of the Constitution, discover how experts agree and disagree about its history and meaning, and explore arguments on all sides of the constitutional debates at the center of American life.” (L:G;SA:SS)

Original photo by Pat Hensley

Happy Birthday to My Husband

Tomorrow will be my husband’s birthday! I will be at a conference most of the day and he’ll be on his own so I wanted to take the time today to wish him a happy birthday!  

Happy birthday Don and I love you very much!

Creative Strategies for the Classroom Teacher

This Friday, I am presenting at the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children. Here is the slide show that I’m presenting. I’m hoping that the attendees enjoy it! Contact me if you have any questions.

Creative Strategies for Teachers from Successful Teaching

Original slideshow by Pat Hensley

2 cent Vermont Sesquicentennial Stamp

This was the first stamp to honor a state.

The Battle of Bennington was a battle in the Revolutionary War that took place on August 16, 1777. A rebel force of 2000 men defeated a detachment of General John Burgoyne’s army led by Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Baum. Baum was sent by Burgoyne to raid Bennington for horses, animals, provisions, and supplies. They thought the town was only lightly defended and were surprised by all the men stationed there. The battle was a major success for the Americans and is considered to be part of the turning point in the War. It reduced Burgoyne’s army and led his Native-American support to abandon him. It also deprived Burgoyne of the much-needed supplies and animals. All of these factors helped contribute to Burgoyne’s defeat at Saratoga. The battle’s anniversary is celebrated in Vermont as Bennington Battle Day.

When the Postmaster-General agreed to have a Vermont commemorative stamp, he got a lot of requests from New York. He insisted that Vermont and New York get together and agree on a design for a joint stamp, but they couldn’t come to an agreement on this, so two distinct stamps were authorized.

The Vermont Sesquicentennial stamp was designed by C. A. Huston and issued on August 3, 1927, in Bennington, VA. It shows a Green Mountain Boy representing the thousands of militiamen who fought bravely for the colonies in the Revolutionary War. This stamp celebrated the 150^th anniversary of the Independence of Vermont and the Battle of Bennington.                                                                                                                         

Class Activities:

1.     In the Battle of Bennington, how many men were injured or killed on each side? Draw a map showing the battle of Bennington and where it took place.

2.     Find other battles in the Revolutionary War that were notable. When did it happen? Where did it take place? Which side won? How many men on each side were injured or killed? What made this battle notable?

3.     Research the state of Vermont. Draw a picture of the state flag? What is the state motto? What is the state bird? What is the state tree? What is unique about Vermont that would interest a tourist?

4.     Who were the Green Mountain Boys? Who led them?

Original photo by Pat Hensley

The South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Conference

Please visit our website for Conference information

http://community.cec.sped.org/sc/home .

2020 Annual SCCEC Conference Registration-Vision is Everything

Mark your calendars for February 28-29 for our annual conference. 

Conference Registration: Registration form is attached.

Paper registrations must be postmarked by February 13, 2020

Eventbrite registrations (see SCCEC Website) taken through 2/27/20. Only ONSITE registrations accepted after 2/27/20.  NO DINNERfor onsite registrants This year we are hosting an Awards DINNER on Saturday so please plan to stay. 

EventBrite Electronic Registration Information:

Conference attendees may register by mailing in the registration form with a check, emailing a purchase order, or by accessing the EventBrite page:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-annual-sccec-conference-tickets-66041825879

Pre-Conference

Pre-conference sessions, sponsored by the subdivisions, will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020.  More details will be provided in the coming weeks.  Keep in mind that registration (as well as payment) for the pre-conference is SEPARATE from the registration/payment for the conference. 

We are hoping directors, teachers and para-professionals would join CEC this year (this will also allow them to get a reduced rate on registration as well) Basic Membership is $65.00 visit https://www.cec.sped.org/Membership  or call 703-264-9453 to join.

Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 02/21/20

Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels:  E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Flippity – “Easily turn a Google™ Spreadsheet into a Set of Online Flashcards
and Other Cool Stuff!”  (L:T;SA:A)

Chronicle Cloud – “is a platform for conferring, observational, and/or any other anecdotal notes.” (L:T;SA:A)

Checkology – “The Checkology virtual classroom is a browser-based platform where middle school and high school students learn how to navigate today’s challenging information landscape by developing news literacy skills. Through its lessons, educators equip their students with tools to evaluate and interpret information and to determine what they can trust, share and act on.” (L:M,H;SA:A)

Explore – live vide0cams in nature (L:G;SA:A)

PicCollage – free app; makes a collage of the pictures you select. (L:G;SA:A)

Original photo by Pat Hensley

Knee Jerk Reactions

Last week I read about another example of schools not using common sense and good judgment.

A school called police after a kindergartner with Down syndrome pointed a finger gun at her teacher.

We need to stop having these knee jerk reactions and getting back to using good judgment.

A six-year-old child does not understand the impact of making this gesture and needs to be taught it is inappropriate. She should not be arrested.

How many young children hit their parents? Do we have them arrested for assault and battery? No, we teach them that this behavior is inappropriate.

If a student takes a pencil or candy from another student’s desk without their permission, do we have them arrested for stealing? No, we teach them that this behavior is inappropriate.

Years ago, I had a high school student with Down Syndrome who pulled the fire alarm. He was encouraged to do it by older students in the general education classes. The administration wanted my student arrested and after a lengthy discussion, he was not arrested. I explained that my student was aware that he had done something wrong. When a person does something wrong, he usually hides the fact and won’t admit it. My student admitted it, laughed and thought it would help him be liked by his peers. The parents, the administration, and I sat down with the student and calmly explained why this was wrong. We also explained that there would be consequences if it happened again. Then it was important to bring in the boys who had encouraged him to do this and explain the consequences for them also. They were guilty of taking advantage of my student and encouraging him to break the law, which made them accessories to the “crime.” This was a learning experience for my students, his parents, and also the other boys who thought they were being funny and playing a joke on my student.

We need to stop looking at children mimicking adult behavior (from watching TV, the news, the movies, etc.) as criminals and take the time to teach them appropriate behavior!

Do you agree or disagree? Please share.

Picture from https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/12/us/girl-down-syndrome-police-gun-trnd/index.html