There's No Time To Explain Like the Future

Khan Academy Does Angry Birds from Dan Meyer on Vimeo.

I Have a Dream

On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famed "I have a dream" speech.  What better way to start the school year by watching and reflecting on the powerful words and ideas from the speech?  What dreams do you and your students have for this year?  For the future?

Did you know that YOUR SMARTboard Notebook software includes the speech for viewing in the classroom?  Just search the gallery for "dream" and you will see it there in three parts.

Other great resources are the books My Brother Martin and Martin's Big Words.  These can be used at almost any grade level to get the message and ideas of this great man across.

Don't forget, both BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. have videos related to Martin Luther King Jr. All Six Nations schools have a subscription to BrainPOP, so be sure to use it this year!  Why not start today with the Martin Luther King Jr. video and resources?

Sign Up for FREE Reflex Valued at $1500 +

ExploreLearning REFLEX grants are available for teachers to use this amazing online resource.
This is a research tested and supported resource proven to help students develop mastery of the four operations.  I know my own child loves it and has benefitted from the unique gaming environment.

For more information, go to the ExploreLearning page:
http://news.reflexmath.com/educatorgrant/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Reflex%20Grant%20Program%20(1)&

To apply on-line, please go to this link:
http://www.reflexmath.com/grantsignup

Global Education with Lucy Gray webinar

Wednesday, August 29th at 4:00 PM ET

Inspired Global Education and Mobility with EdTech Guru Lucy Gray

Also as part of the Connected Educators Month thread on teacher collaboration, we welcome Lucy Gray, educational consultant, for a webinar full of new ideas about technology-based methods for connecting teachers and students globally. Lucy is also the founder of the Global Education Collaborative, a social network for educators, and most recently served as co-chair for the Global Education Conference, an innovative online conference with 400+ sessions attended by over 15,000 participants. Additionally, Lucy is an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher with great energy and enthusiasm for global education.

 

 

Click this link for more information on the webinar and to register:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4022250660/eanrecb?ref=eanrec&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=attnews&utm_term=attbtn

 

The Nerdy Teacher: Classroom Mismanagement

A blog post about Classroom Management/Mismanagement.  A good reminder to start the year off right.

The Nerdy Teacher: Classroom Mismanagement: "Never let them see you smile the first week of school. After that, you can ease up. It's easier to be tough and lighten up than be ni...

First Nations Assemble to Focus on Education

Cornwall Standard Freeholder: First Nations assembly will focus on education

First Nations assembly will focus on education ; AKWESASNE

The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Fri Aug 24 2012
Page: 5
Section: News
Byline: KATHRYN BURNHAM

AKWESASNE -- The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne will be joining other chiefs from across the country this October to discuss an issue that has been on their radar for years, and high on the national agenda recently -- First Nations education.

The chiefs will gather Oct. 2-4 in Ottawa for the Chiefs Assembly on Education.

"At the Assembly of First Nations meeting last month in Toronto, a resolution was presented by the chiefs to call for an emergency session on First Nations education," said Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Mitchell.

"This was voted on and passed as a priority by the chiefs in assembly as a priority for First Nations across the country to meet with high-level government authorities to discuss the purpose and objective of a new First Nations Education Act."

Increased funding for education received support from a private member's bill this winter, just three weeks after a report from the national panel on First Nations education called for a First Nations Education Act, national commission to support reform, creation of regional First Nations education organizations, and an accountability framework.

MCA leadership and members of the Ahkwesahsne Moh aw k Board of Education (AMBE) will be attending "to offer insight and look for direction on how to support a call for new legislation," Mitchell said.

"The Act would entail repealing sections of the Indian Act and replacing them with measures that will address the immediate need for quality education for First Nations in Canada."

AMBE, meanwhi le, is focused on improving student achievement outcomes, while managing funding concerns. They are concerned "about the uncertainty with funding over the long term due to the 2% cap and the failure of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to address the gap between provincial funding and community-operated funding formula.

It is hard to develop short and long-term planning with such uncertaint ies," said Mitchell.

Each First Nation board of education is given funding based on the number of students in their community, to the tune of about $4,700 per student. Funding has been capped since 1996.

"Our direction forward must address the Treaty right to education, First Nation jurisdiction over education, fairness and equity in funding and resources to support language and cultural instruction. First Nations are the youngest and fastest growing segment of the population," said National Chief Shawn Atleo.

The Chiefs of Ontario released their own report on education this year, calling for full First Nation jurisdiction over education, an adjustment to the funding formula, and funding to develop language and culture curricula.

An Assembly of First Nations survey in 2011 found that of 450 First Nations communities, 47% need a new school, and of them 70% have ben waiting more than five years.

"First Nation schools and infrastructures require predictable, adequate and stable funding, supported by strong First Nations systems, delivering a curriculum that respects our rights, our languages and identities and strengthens the fabric of our families and communities," Atleo said.

Math CAMPPP Day 5 - Mythbusters

Today the plenary session was about busting or confirming myths about math.  There was also a look at  Three Part Lessons.  These can be viewed on the Math CAMPPP wiki (link is on the right sidebar).  I've also added them here for you as six different files.

Investigation with One Class

Investigation with More Than One Class

Teacher Guided Lesson

Practice Lesson

Review Lesson

Overall Resources

Plus, a new website to help with Parental Communication and connecting... www.mathies.ca : Coming soon to a web near you!!  (The link currently takes you to CLIPS, but will be loaded with great resources in the future---"Draft of a draft of a draft" right now.)

Math CAMPPP Day 4

Some more interesting work with Fractions today at Math CAMPPP.  Dr. Cathy Bruce shared the research they are doing at Trent University.  Find her and Dr. Ruth Beatty's work here.

Math CAMPPP Day 3

Today's handouts are on Questioning and Student Interactions.  Dr. Suurtamm also shared an example of a student portfolio from before the new report card.  Many of the ideas are still valid, but the learning skills may have changed.

Second Day, at Math CAMPPP

Here are the handouts from Day 2 of Math CAMPPP.  An anticipation guide for the morning plenary and a Video Organizer.

Adobe Math CAMPPP 2012

Day 1 of Adobe Connecting to Math CAMPPP 2012.  Here's a link to a handout on Math for teaching Fractions and another document from Ball & Hoover shared by the CAMPPP hosts.  More links and exciting info can be found at the Math CAMPPP wiki located here.