Pennsylvania

Scanning through Marsha Ratzel’s blog (Reflections of a Techie), I came across a really cool site focused on exploring Math principles in Art as well as the Art in Math.  What’s the Problem? Geometry and Art Through the Ages is an interactive site sponsored by the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  One of the coolest (or should I say most educational) parts of the experience is where you can look at a piece of art (like Fra Angelico’s Nativity) and then roll over the image to see different applications of artistic principles/techniques superimposed. 

I came across a post on misterteacher.com (a great blog with tons of ideas for elementary and middle school teachers) that I wanted to share with you.

James Tubbs (blogger behind misterteacher.com), shared a cool resource called Writely.  Writely is a web-based word processor that allows you to edit your documents anytime, anywhere without having to transport them via flash drive, etc. (and it is FREE).  It is also a great tool for collaboration as you can select who is allowed to receive/access your documents.  I see this having tremendous value to Language Arts teachers, as well as any class where group projects are the norm. 

If you check it out and decide to use it with your students, I would love to hear about it. 

I don’t know if any of you caught the Hallmark tv movie of The Water is Wide tonight, but I did.  I was actually waiting all weekend for it (and these type of movies are usually a little too Lifetime-ish for me).  But, Pat Conroy’s book was given to me as a graduation gift eight years ago, and I have since considered it one of my favorite books.  So two things stuck out to me…

1. The book is always better than the movie.  If you have never read the book, I strongly recommend it.  Check out The Water is Wide on Amazon ($7.99 new).

2. I sure wish those students on Yamacraw had access to unitedstreaming.  They could have visited all those places (like D.C.) everyday with the click of the mouse and potentially saved Mr. Conroy’s job. 

So, just for fun (and to see how many folks really read those weekly updates) I am curious to know what you think is going to happen in Super Bowl XL.  Post a comment with your prediction (e.g., Steelers 73 Seahawks -2). 

In exchange for doing so, I will do two things.  First, if more than 30 people post a comment by this time next week, I will share (via the blog) a photo of a very young me dressed in Steelers garb holding what my mother refers to as a Barbie Doll (I insist that it is a manly sports action figure).

Second, if you post your prediction I will put your name in a drawing to win an invitation to dinner with Kathy Schrock on Sunday at PETE&C (if you win and are not attending PETE&C, I will send you another prize and you can give your invitation to any other DEN member you want).

Just for fun…enjoy!  And…GO STEELERS!!!

Three more weeks until the big event…I can hardly wait.  I’m working out all the details of our pyrotechnics show, but everything else is in good shape.  Here’s the registration list.  Make sure your name appears if you plan to show up.  If you don’t plan to show up and are on the list, let me know.

Download petec_den_registration127.xls

Brad Fountain (NC/SC Manager of DEN) posted a couple great resources on his blog this week.  If you are looking for free video editing software or are looking for a simple way to have your students create a digital story without relying on PowerPoint, check out his post.  You’ll be happy you did.

I had the opportunity to visit Salisbury Middle School not too long ago and I was amazed at what Sean Recke and Mike Cichocki have done with their in-house tv studio.  On a very limited budget they have created a studio where everyday their students broadcast the morning announcements, news, sports and weather LIVE!

Recently, they added a new component to their morning program - unitedstreaming Calendar events. 

Check out SMS Live for yourself.

Tonight was the official launch party for the new book, The Emergency Teacher by Christina Asquith.  Christina is a friend and former colleague of mine.  Since I could not make it to D.C. in time for her book party, I wanted to let everyone know a little bit about the book here.  The Emergency Teacher is Christina’s take on her year teaching at Julia de Burgos Bilingual Middle School in the School District of Philadelphia.  She talks candidly about her struggles (and eventual successes) as a brand new, emergency-certified teacher in one of the toughest middle schools in the city.  She explores the variables that make an inner-city school fail or succeed.  Teachers.  Environment.  Parents.  Leadership.  The students.

I personally like the chapter titled "The Friday Night Pedagogical Society."  It was really interesting to read Christina’s take on all the characters (including myself) who frequented a local bar on Fridays to unwind from the week and discuss all the ins and outs of our crazy, yet strangely beloved school.  The research behind the book is also very strong.  It is amazing to read about the history (and controversy) of the building that I know as de Burgos, but was once the best high school in Philadelphia.

So, check out The Emergency Teacher.  It is a book that all teachers should read.  For teachers who go above and beyond because that is just what they do, it is a tribute.  For new teachers or students preparing to become teachers, it will be an awakening.

You can get the book through www.theemergencyteacher.com or you can find it on Amazon. 

We had a few Discovery Educators cancel this week, so a couple of spots opened up.  If you want to attend, please let me know asap. 

Download petec_den_registration120.xls

Only five weeks away from our PETE&C pre-conference event.  Below is the updated registration list.  We are at 97% of our capacity.  A few spots opened up in the past two days.  If you are not on the list and want to be, let me know asap.  If you are on the list and cannot make it, please let me know. 

Download petec_den_registration113.xls