Hibernation

Crawling into my cave for a while.

Don't worry, I'll be back.  I'll keep adding to the featured links and the blogroll always includes some wonderful stuff.  And I'll still be reading and commenting on your blogs.

Thanks.

(image cc mixed.media)

Books For Schools

This wonderful essay in The Guardian says it all.  

"WITHOUT THE SUNLIGHT of literature children cannot grow as they should. We know that from books come knowledge and understanding, that they are a source of infinite joy and fun, that they stimulate imagination and creativity, that they open eyes and minds and hearts. It is through the power and music and magic of stories and poems that children can expand their own intellectual curiosity, deve-lop the empathy and awareness that they will need to tackle the complexities of their own emotions, of the human condition in which they find themselves. And it's through books that we can learn the mastery of words, the essential skill that will enable us to express ourselves well enough to achieve our potential in the classroom and beyond."

There's more.  Check it out.

(via onegoodmove)

Independence Takes Students Long Way

The Baltimore Sun had an article by Arin Gencer last week, "A little independence takes pupils a long way" which was good.  It shows what the research has been telling us, that self-selected reading works.

Stephen Krashen, from his e-newsletter:

"I was pleased to read that a member of the Maryland State Department

of Education believes that independent, self-selected reading done in
school is linked to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) ("A little
independence takes pupils a long way," Jan 21).

The NCLB approach to reading is based on the Report of the National
Reading Panel, which insisted that there is "no clear evidence that
encouraging children to read more in school improves reading
achievement." Because of this, independent reading programs have been
much less popular than they once were. Until now, NCLB has not been
enthusiastic about independent reading and it is not even mentioned in
their report on adolescent literacy.

Since the Reading Panel's report appeared, however, massive
scientific evidence has been made available showing that independent
reading works, that it improves reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling
and grammar, and the results of these studies have been confirmed by
the schools mentioned in the Sun's article.

I hope the Sun's report will encourage other schools to support their
school libraries and give students some time to read what they want to
read.

Stephen Krashen"

"Children bring so much motivation...when they are allowed to select their reading materials," said the assistant superintendent.

There was even a "significant increase in family and community involvement."

They even quote reading research great Richard L. Allington: Self-motivated, voluntary reading "is the most powerful reading we have."

Whether you call it SSR (Self-Selected Reading) or FVR (Free Voluntary Reading), this is what we need more of in our school.  Now to get everyone else on board...

This little lamb is...

Oh, the funny things you can find while surfing flickr.

(image CC adamfarnsworth)

I Love English

Because English is funny.  The photo is from this hilarious article about naughtily named places in England.  Then check out the French getting their knickers all in a twist over the dominance of English world wide.

Cracks me up.

Ninja Cats!

And the Winner Is...

Well, here we come to the end.  The book awards will be announced soon.  Many have weighed in on the possible picks. Back in November I threw out the idea of giving up on awards altogether.  I was mostly playing devil's advocate to see what kind of defense would be put up.  Kiri8 over at Elbows, Knees, Dreams had a god one: "I like teaching a room full of four-year-olds to recognize Caldecott medals, and to hear them exclaim, "Cow-di-cot!" when they see one on a book I'm holding.

No argument with that!

But Roger Stutton reminded me that the best thing about any awards is the arguments they start. Ok, sir!  I bow to your expertise!  And I quoted him on this before, but it's good to keep in mind:

"...just because a book has won an award does not mean it is the right book for any one particular child. Maurice Sendak tells a funny story about encountering a mother who proudly told him that she read his Where the Wild Things Are every night to her child despite the fact that the girl screamed in fear every time. When Sendak asked her why she didn’t choose a different book, she replied, 'But this one won the Caldecott Medal.' Members of award committees read widely and well but, in the case of the Newbery and Caldecott awards, are charged with rewarding aesthetic achievement rather than predicting popular appeal. They also lack ESP and thus don’t know about your child’s interests, abilities, or idiosyncrasies... Prizes are designed to call attention to good books, but as the wise Nora Ephron once wrote, 'Even if it is good you do not have to like it.' That’s a maxim to remember both for your own and your child’s reading."

(top image CC Vimages)

Readicide

Great title, no?  Subtitle goes like this: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It.  Sounds right up my ally!

First heard about it from the fine ladies at A Year of Reading.  They say that it will start a national conversation.  The author even dropped by on the 20th for an interview.

It was also featured in The Book Whisperer who will also be chatting with Mr. Gallagher on the 28th.  She says you can post your questions and add your voice to this upcoming national conversation.

Of course, one Mr. Johnson at The Blue Skunk Blog has a nice personal take on this.  He recommends it and pairs it with a favorite of mine, Krashen's The Power of Reading and says you should read it and share it with, well,  everyone.  "But only if you care if the next generation reads more than chat boxes."

I'm there!

President

Don't Let the Door Slap You On the Way Out

"I'm not very analytical.  You know, I don't think a lot about why I do things."

  --George W. Bush, 6/1/03

Obama, the Reader

Read the article, here.

Update: and join in the reading here!

Autofocus Update

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple,

 awesomely simple, that's creativity. 

- Charles Mingus

I remember when I was trying to keep my GTD stuff to the absolute minimum, I came across this post and loved it.  Now here was a guy who knew how to keep things simple.  But check out all of his "contexts":

• Work-computer
• Work-errands
• Work-projects
• Home-computer
• Home-errands
• Home-projects
• Someday/Maybe

With Autofocus there are only two: work and home.  Keep a notebook on your desk at work and one you carry or keep at home and you're good.  You could even do it with clipped-together notecards like this fellow.  Whatever, it doesn't really matter.  Something as easy and simple as your favorite coffe mug.  And "someday/maybe" stuff will either be embraced and broken down or filtered out of the system easily in a matter of time.

So, like the recommended GTD "list manager" he discusses, this is easily sortable by context, because it's always being looked at.  It's easy to note a due date (if needed, but since you are always working off the list and doing everything "little and often" this won't be much of an issue).

It can be as portable as you want it to be (whether paper/pen or a simple online document) and as easily accessible as needed (I keep a single blank index card and a small pen on the go to capture anything while I'm out).

There is no issue with it forcing priorities on you and it is certainly robust enough to handle all of your stuff and there really isn't any reason to have it be searched or sorted in various ways. Your subconsious handles that for you.  In fact, as simple as I thought this guy's system was, there's not even a need for all those colors or codes.  Maybe two colors if you want to keep both your work and home lists on you at all times, but that's not for me.

Mind like water, indeed.

Happy Religious Freedom Day

Happy Religious Freedom Day!

Man, I love this country.

Autofocus

Last month I posted about a time management book I'd read, Do It Tomorrow by Mark Forster and announced my intention of switching to that from David Allen's Getting Things Done method. Well, I tried it and it was going ok, but was still causing me a few problems.  It was refreshing to finish off a list and not feel overwhelmed by things coming in at you, knowing that you'd handle it soon.  I was still using my GTD tickler file and was turning all the "Someday/Maybes" into what Forster called "Current Initiatives."  It was ok, but some new habits to learn.  His "Little and Often" strategy (usually in conjunction with a kitchen timer!) is a great way to tackle my procrastination.  And since I was handling everything with my closed lists, I was free at last from that burdensome "Weekly Review."  I was just not always completing every single thing on the "I will do this or else" list and that was causing me guilt.  Or I'd avoid putting things on the list.  Weird stuff like that.  I thought I just needed a couple more weeks to get into the groove.

Then Forster started blogging about a new method he was developing and wanted Beta testers.  I think I've made it clear I'm not an early adopter.  I figured I'd keep up with his blog and wait until his next book came out or something.  I mean here I was just starting off with DIT, teaching full time and in graduate school with a family.  I don't have time to do any serious reading or fiddling around with this stuff.

But he made it sound like the best thing since like TiVo or Google or something.  I knew he was blogging about it and that it was causing all kinds of discussion on his forum, but like I said, I don't even have time to read that stuff right now.  I commented on his blog that I was dying to know a thumbnail sketch just out of curiosity, but I don't have time to adopt anything yet.

He convinced me to register for the beta and just read through the directions.  It was a free painless email and then I could do with it what I wanted.  When I got the beta testing directions a day or so later I printed them out, read them through twice and laughed.  It couldn't be this easy.

It's that easy.  You can start the new system before you finish reading the whole of the directions.  All you need is a notepad, pen and highlighter (or a blank word processing document).  My tickler file still works.  You still need your own calendar for things that must be done at a certain time.  You don't need "contexts," or "weekly reviews" or anything.   You don't need to "get into the groove." It's the DIT method on crack.    It's basically an organic reshuffling of closed lists that feels open--but there's no way you'll get that unless you try it out.

If you want to know about it, go to his website and on the right put in your email for "Subscribe to Newsletter" but on the next page instead of subscribing to the newsletter you'll click on the box for Beta Tester.

It will seem too easy to believe, but it works.  You have to follow the directions exactly.  You might not believe it will work or that you'll miss a deadline or something but I promise you won't.

Just trust the system, grasshopper.

(Oh, and if you go for it, let me know what you think.) 

No Child Left...

From Stephen Krashen's newsletter:

"Sent to the New York Times, January 14

In his remarks to the Senate, Arne Duncan repeated the familiar calls
for 'rigor' and high standards. How about first making sure all
children have food, proper medical attention, and shelter?

Before Duncan and Obama try to salvage No Child Left Behind, how
about first working on No Child Left Unfed, No Child Left Without
Health Care, and No Child Left Homeless.

PS: Hungry children and sick children have a hard time learning.

Susan Ohanian

Stephen Krashen"

Elijah of Buxton

Ok, I actually read the hardcover which has a much goofier cover.  Of course, this one looks a little too serious.  Not that I have any suggestions.  The book hits both notes and many more.  It's a Huckleberry Finn-like scattered romp for the first half or so, but has it's harsher moments in the second half.  Yet as Betsy Bird says,  in one of her two reviews, "You can't sugar coat slavery."  You just can't and you probably wouldn't want to.

It's an amazing achievement and I'm not kidding when I say it's right up there with Huck Finn and The Hatchet and anything else you want to try to match it up with.  This one will stick around.

Quote of the Day

(photo cc dylanindustries)

"My parents told me to keep coming to school even if I am killed. The people who did this to me don’t want women to be educated. They want us to be stupid things."

SHAMSIA HUSSEINI, 17, 

who has returned to school in Afghanistan despite being injured in an acid attack.

Jenny McCarthy's Body Count

I mean I knew she was nuts with the whole anti-vaccination thing, but had you heard of this loopy "Indigo Moms" stuff.  It's way way out there.  Here's a link, if you're not afraid to lose some brain cells.  Crystal healing?  Anti-vaccination?  Sounds like a good way to end up with some dead children.

Of course there have been more measles outbreaks because of these people.  They really are starting to get a body count.  For an interesting listen, check out the This America Life podcast called "Ruining It for the Rest of Us" in which they discuss the effect these anti-vaxxer's have on all of us.  It's crazy, but it's deadly crazy.

Andrew Lost

Never read one before and they looked fun so I picked this up off the cart in our media center.  It's funny but tries too hard to squeeze in the science facts.  At least The Magic School Bus doesn't even pretend.  The kid has a robot dog who never shuts up about science trivia during the whole thing.  At least they told C-3PO to put a cork in it every once in a while.

Worst part--it doesn't end!  I know it's a part of a series but it's really more of a chapter.  Most series books have their own beginnings and endings with the main characters and certain themes linking the books, a la Magic Treehouse.

It was funny, though, and the kids were definitely more interesting than those Magic Schoolbus or Magic Treehouse goody-goodies, so it's got that going for it.  I'll have to see if my student's dig them.

Projection

Our school is being "retrofitted" over the next few weeks and all the classrooms will now have ceiling-mounted LCD projectors that we can use with our laptops. Problem is, the only professional development involved is how to work the things. I think it'd be a good idea to give the teachers a bunch of cool ideas of stuff they can do with them other than just as a stand-in for an overhead or to show boring slide shows.

Any great ideas?

I was thinking of weather tracking, google maps, etc. What other great projection friendly and interactive sites or resources can you point me to?

I love the Internet.

(image cc danie;)

Ninja Text!

Thanks to ms-teacher for the link! (oh, the link is fodey.com, for this and other fun image generators.)

Hack Attack

See?  I'm not just down with Twitter yet.  Here's a story about them getting hacked (and it wasn't that hard). "Happiness" as a password?  Gimme a break.

People look, you need to think about this stuff.  I don't know where I got this from, and I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but here's a simple algorithm for password security:

First, make up a short password.  Preferably a random string of numbers and letters and maybe even with a funky character in there.  Nothing memorable.  Have a mix of lowercase and caps.  How about Br@1nS?  Ok, so you just commit that bad boy to memory.  Now, when you set up a password you use that AND the first and last letter or two from the site you're signing into.  So for Amazon.com your password would be amBr@1nSon.  For Paypal it would be paBr@1nSal.  Got it?  So it's easy to remember, hard to crack, and different for every site.

Also, those stupid questions you answer so you can remember your password?  Come up with fake answers!  Look what happened to Palin.  Someone tried to break into her account and the question was something like Name of your High School? and they just Googled it and Bam, they were in.  Come up with some algorithm for that.  Maybe if the question is Name your High School? you could have "GoofyAnswer High School" and for Mother's maiden name? you could have "GoofyAnswer Maiden Name" so you would always know what to type but again, it would be different for each site.

The next step would be password creation/protection software.  I won't list any here because I haven't tried them, but if you poke around on the net there are a few different options.

Any other ideas?

Found and The Maze of Bones

Finished The Maze of Bones over the break but forgot to blog it and just finished up Found last night.  Both are fun middle-aged thrillers kicking off a series.  Bones is by Rick Riodan (of the Percy Jackson series fame) and he apparently has sketched out the arc for the upcoming novels to be written by other authors (including the awesome Gordan Korman).  I won't comment on all the add-ons (game cards, internet sweepstakes, etc.) but just say that the book is funny, thrilling and plain fun.  It is even loaded with great background on world travel, history and art.  There is a respectable stab at turning Benjamin Franklin into a Da Vinci Code-like genius and since Da Vinci never wrote essays on farts, which is remarked upon by one of the characters, and this book doesn't suck I declare it the winner.  Looks like more geniuses will appear, including Mozart.

My wife and I alternated reading aloud chapters of Found to each other.  We do that.  Is that weird?  She laughed because I kept mistakenly calling it Lost since it has a plane and mysterious happenings.  Seems to be about time travel but like Maze of Bones, there's only so much I can say without ruining it for you.  Great stuff--but Haddix has never let me down.

Both books feature brother-sister pairings to appeal to a wider audience and I personally think they would.  Neither has a definitive ending, but then they clearly state that they are Part Ones. So it looks like they have me on the hook for some sequels...

Diet and Exercise Roundup

Being a ninja, I have no issues with diet and exercise.  But being a teacher, especially at this time of year, I hear little else being discussed amongst my collegues.  I won't get into some of the wackier theories I've heard bandied about.  So in an effort to plug the scientific outlook, here is a roundup of recent content from Scientific American on "The Science of Weight Loss."  Have a great year.

(image CC Abdullah-AL-Naser)

Twitterpated

I'm not sure about this new-fangled Twitter business.  I signed up for an account sometime last year but found it about as interesting as following a chat room (not very) and rarely "tweeted." Then the other day I found an old friend there and pared down my "following" list and set up my cell phone in case I ever got the urge to tweet.  I sent out a few practice tweets and all seemed well. I go out Saturday and forget the whole thing.

I get weird direct messages from people.  They make no sense and the links are bad.  The I get a handful of direct responses that make no sense from people claiming I been sending them bad or weird links.

Smells like phishing to me.

So far: not impressed with the Twitter.

If you've gotten any direct contacts from "teacherninja" in the last 24 hours or so you can ignore them--wasn't me.  I'd apologize to folks on Twitter, but I'm at school now and it's blocked in our district (and my cell doesn't get service in our fortress-like building).

Someone convince me that this thing is worth it, because so far I'm not getting it.

Year Of...

It's the Year of Science. How cool is that?

One of the most amazing and awe-inspiring sciences is astronomy and it also just happens to be the International Year of Astronomy. This is a great site.


And since he had what has often been described as the best idea anybody has ever had ever in the history of ever, not only do we get a Darwin Day this year but we get a Year of Darwin, it being his 200th birthday and all.

Have fun!

Shakespeare Wrote for Money

Alas, this is the third and final collection from Nick Hornby's "Stuff I've Been Reading" column in The Believer magazine. The first two were The Polysyllabic Spree and Housekeeping vs. The Dirt. They are inspiring, hilarious and wonderful ruminations on life as a reader. He continues the "Books Bought" and "Books Read" list that open each section (and of course almost never match).

Best quote from this one:

"The annoying thing about reading is that you can never get the job done."

And when mentioning one of those "best books you must read" lists he says, "...but reading begets reading--that's the point of it, surely?--and anybody who never deviates from a set list of books is intellectually dead anyway."

It's even more distressing that he's ended this column because he recently wrote a good YA novel and found out there were more of these kind of books out the in the world and only just now started noticing and writing about the likes of Skellig, Weetzie Bat, and Holes. Sigh.

The column will be missed, but now I at least have time to catch up on my reading...