The Curious Garden

Saw this at the Harvard Coop - very cute book.

Amazon description

Adora Svitak: What Adults Can Learn from Kids | Video on TED.com

Quoting Adora: "The goal is not to turn kids into your kind of adult, but rather better adults that you have been, . . ."

Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids | Video on TED.com

Please Get Us out of the Bedrooms!

Our children know how to make and post videos using webcams, phones, cameras etc. This is a good skill as many of them will have multi-media resumes. However, they may not make the best decisions all the time. To further complicate things, level of supervision and computer access vary from house to house. So, let's make a pact and keep our computers in public spaces in our homes to allow for appropriate guidance and supervision. Here is an article from Rosalind Wiseman that prompted this reminder . . .

Jessi Slaughter: A Cyberbullying Case None of Us are Taking Seriously

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

A class project by Mrs. Skaar's 2nd Grade Class via Lisa Thumann. I think I Care Cat is going to read this book to our students this year~

Building Community is the Key

It's common sense that building community is the key to preventing and combating bullying behaviors. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to be supported by research. Caring School Community - here we go!

There’s Only One Way to Stop a Bully
By SUSAN ENGEL and MARLENE SANDSTROM
Published: July 22, 2010

New Website Makes Education Data Easier to Find and Use | U.S. Department of Education

Since I did not have the morning paper, I played with this instead. We are warned that data element definitions vary across the states; it was still fun looking at the comparative chart for % students who took AP exams.

New Website Makes Education Data Easier to Find and Use | U.S. Department of Education

Getting the Gadget to Work

Parent: Mmmm I really like the way this website lists where to find her on Twitter, LinkedIn etc. Why can't I get the gadget to work on here?
15 Year Old: Let me see. [highlights info, right clicks on highlighted info] Oh she got it from here. [shows me the site where the gadget comes from] You know, I learned all this playing Neopets when I was little.

Yes she did, yes she did . . .

Shift in Our Teaching

This is a shift from what we have been teaching. It is true that we want to inoculate young hearts with respect, "the golden rule", and empathy. However, amidst the occurrence of a bullying situation, do consider Rosalind Wiseman's advise in "5 Ways to Prevent and Stop Cyberbullying".

Summer Camps Confront Bullying

Summer camps confront challenge of bullying - The Boston Globe

Stop the Presses

Mitch Resnick makes the comparison between literacy as education understands it and technological literacy. If we define literacy as having the skills to read and write, then our children cannot just consume media, they must also produce and collaborate through the use of technology. As parents, we cannot remain overwhelmed, fearful, or naive. After all, if we lived at the time when the printing press was invented, we would not be afraid to open a book . . . or would we?

Technology is not evil, just as cars are not evil - sign them (and us) up for some tech-ed! Here are some of the resources I collected at this year's Building Learning Conference hosted by November Learning. Check out Dean Shareski's bookmarks on internet safety. Using Delicious is a simple example of collaboration through technology!

Tip: don't forget to keep bookmarks of families and friends' links private; I know that if I shared photos of my children with you, I wouldn't want them shared without my permission.

Creating a Digital Footprint

Digital Footprints video by Steve Johnson