A STEM-Style Snow Day, Part 1: The Precursor

We have had some snow here the last few days.  And when I say "some snow," that means multiple inches--up to 24 inches in part of the state of Maryland!   With the snow of course came 2 snow days from school, resulting in a 5 day weekend with both Valentine's Day & Presidents' Day.  Between the shoveling and the outdoor frolicking with the dogs, and even a little bit of pink & red valentines, it still seems like the biggest gravitational pull for my kids is still the electronics.

Being an EdTech and an Eco teacher, I often find myself a bit split. There's so much you can do to grow mentally, using technology.  Yet, I see the addictive side.  Even for me--how many times have I played "Words With Friends" or checked Facebook today?  What else could I have been doing with that time?

So, if I'm split, and I have some semblance of self-control, how are kids to navigate?  You need to be the type of parents who shut them down regularly so your kids can see (and learn) the beauty of balance.

Though, I must admit, it makes me the "Tech Police" far more than I want to be.

So, what does an EdTech teacher/mom do about--Start a Pinterest Page called "Unplug:  Tech Timeout."

One of my favorite parts of my new-found "pins" was the Sherry Turkle TED Talk "Connected, But Alone." With 15 years of Internet and interconnected tech studying, Sherry's come upon a lot of the same things I've been pondering in my house...though, of course, she's taken them to a master level.  Sherry's book "Alone Together:  Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other" sounds like an interesting read.  At the very least, her TED Talk falls in my version of "Must See TV" (which ironically invites us all to step away from the TV, texting, and other technology).

Watch the Sherry Turkle "Connected, But Alone" TED Talk here:



Other great ideas were listed at the Tech TimeOut website.  It's definitely a website I want to be visiting.  You'll find great "To Do" lists, challenges, articles, and infographics to get you thinking even more about how to shape your own level of unplugging.

It's definitely helped get my mind rolling on how to better shape these snow days and holidays of ours this weekend.


Beach photo from http://techtimeout.com/
Pinterest Page pic, screenshot from http://www.pinterest.com/dabrowka/unplug-tech-timeout/
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Xr3AsBEK4

"21 Swings"--Music Making While Playing

There's nothing more freeing than swinging--I remember my backyard swing set, trying to touch the trees with my feet, and letting the wind whoosh my hair.  This movie, 21 Swings, and the installation is showcases in Montreal is a creative way to bring that feeling back to mind--especially on these snowy wintery days.  I want to go and swing, and play, and make some music along the way!!

 
21 Balançoires (21 Swings) from Daily Tous Les Jours on Vimeo.

For a great article on the cooperative, musical, and playful "21 Swings" installation, check out the 2013 article at Huffington Post.


Video from http://vimeo.com/40980676

Climate -vs- Weather: Just Because There's Snow Doesn't Mean There Isn't "Global Warming"

This weekend I'm attemding my annual environmental conference that I have attended the last 5 of 6 years.  MAEOE (otherwise known as "The Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators") is a great conference, and I look forward to it every year.  Ironically, the one year I wasn't able to attend, a massive snow wiped out the conference, canceling & postponing it to another weekend where I already had out of town plans. Of course it was the year I was planning on doing a joint presentation--so my "partner in green" had to do it alone.

Well this weekend, that same eco-friend of mine showed me the following clip from Rachel Maddow on climate change.  The reason?  I was telling him about some Facebook people I know who are berating the existence of climate change based on the snow levels the Midwest is getting this year.  Their stance:  Clearly if we have snow (and a lot of it), we have no "global warming" (which, by the way, is more commonly known now as "climate change.")

He shared this video, dating back to February 2010, to serve as the perfect rebuttal.  Bill Nye helps make that point alongside Rachel Maddow.  Despite it being a 4 year old video clip, it's still "right as rain," serving indeed as the right comeback.  A beautiful comeback!



Not to mention, here's a really great infographic, originally found here:


Image from http://www.livescience.com/42526-weather-influences-climate-change-belief.html (where there's another great article on this subject)
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R9UfIUJB1Y
Infographic from http://tcktcktck.org/2013/02/climate-change-adds-strength-to-snow-storm-nemo/48192

Digital Learning Day

Hip Hip Hooray! Let’s Hear it for…
Digital Learning Day

When? Wed., Feb. 5, 2014

What is it?
Quoted from the Digital Learning Day website:

"A nationwide celebration of innovator teachers and common sense, effective applications of digital leaning America's schools that support teachers, improve learning, and provide options for students to achieve at their highest potential.... We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a robust digital environment EVERY DAY with the goal of success in college and a career. Common sense and effective applications of digital learning should be fully integrated into all of American's schools, libraries, and homes to promote life-long learning and good citizenship."

Where to find out more?
The Digital Learning Day Website includes tools, tool kits, lesson plans & activity ideas. Listed on site by content areas and by tool, the "Tools for Everyone" link has a wealth of websites.   Also be sure to check out the Tip of the Day page:

The Goal?
To have every student and every teacher take part in Digital Learning Day in AT LEAST ONE WAY that day!! This can be whole class, small group, or individually!

Ideas to serve as a springboard of things you can do for Digital Learning Day:

1. Invite a "bring your own device" day for learning activities.

2. Tie in with other curricular activities and thematic units. 100's Day for many schools is getting near.

3. Go to the Computer Lab for some online research or learning games. There are some excellent choices here on my 3rd Grade ECS Homeroom Page.

4. Check out my EdTech or iPad Landia Pinterest pages for some great ideas.

5. Visit some of your favorite or thematic BrainPops.

6. Do one of the Hour of Code activities to give kids an intro to coding:

7. Make a graph with the Create a Graph website:


OR Plan an IPad activity and have kids.....(App names are in color)

8. Take part in a QR code quest or activity you create or find online.

9. Notate a picture or make an acrostic using Skitch.

10. Make a Popplet word web (& add pics!).

11. Make an iMovie infomercial about a book or topic .

12. Use Educreations or Screen Chomp to define a math or social studies concept.

13. Play a math, geography, or language skill game.

14. Locate famous landmarks and locations on Google Earth.

15. Use the Spanish translator apps to look up spelling or vocabulary words.

16. Use the Dictionary app to find definitions or synonyms.

17. Use the Convert Unit app to find measurement conversions.

18. Use Motivation to define a term, concept, Valentine word, character trait, or even a story character.

19. Use Scribble Press or Toontastic to write a story.

20. Use Story Wheel as a whole class to “spin and pass” to tell an oral story.

21. Use Venn Diagram to highlight comparisons & contractions on a subject.

22. Use Sock Puppet to create a 30-second animated video on a concept or character trait.

23. Write a "magnetic word poem" with Word Mover.

24. Create a Trading Card (with that app) of a real or fictional person or place.

25. Use a musical apps to create the soundtrack for a reading book, novel, or read-aloud.

26. Use the stopwatch or alarm feature to time relays or create "beat the clock" challenges.

27. Use one of the Scrap It apps, or anything else in the Art or Creativity/Writing department to make a Valentine's card.

28. Investigate animal sights, sounds, & data on the Pocket Zoo app.

29. Check out websites like Free Technology for Teachers or iPad Apps for School. These both are written by an EdTech teacher named Richard Byrne. Both sites have a boatload of information, apps, ideas, website links, and brilliance!!

30. Learn a new app to teach yourself and your kids something new! The only limits? The sky and your own imagination!!! Use this opportunity to have fun with your students and fun with teaching!!

Happy Digital Learning!


Image from http://www.digitallearningday.org/events/national-event/

E-STEM = Adding the Environment to STEM Education

STEM is definitely becoming one of the major buzzwords in the educational field these days.  For those of you who might have missed that memo, STEM stands for:

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

A great addition that I have seen is STEAM, where the A is the addition of Art.  In fact, I just ran across a fabulous resource over at the We Are Teachers' blog entitled:  "60 apps for Teaching STEAM."  (I bet you can figure out what it's all about.)

Well....it just keeps getting better.  Kudos to Rick Reynolds & his Prezi presentation for introducing me to E-STEM.  Here, the initial E stands for Environment.  It marries two of my favorite subjects, and two ideas that go well together "naturally."   Check it out by watching the Prezi found here.  (Click Rick's name above to check out his handful of other great environmental education presentations.)

As the Prezi shared, you can download the Oregon Environmental plan at eeao.org



STEM icons from http://www.craftystitches.com/categories/stem-sew-genius-classes-loudoun.html
Rick Reynolds' Prezi from: http://prezi.com/w4tuo0ctebe_/environmental-stem-education-a-natural-connection/

A Middle Schooler's Eco-Perspective

As a parent, you can't help but feel the swell of pride when one of your children does good.  You feel their accomplishments and successes in a special way, and your heart sings.

It's kind of like that with your former students too.

Mackenzie Boughey was in my 3rd grade class at Eagle Cove School several years ago.  I've seen her grow up, as a classmate of my daughter's in kindergarten to the middle schooler she is today.  As an alum of Eagle Cove School (my school that just recently announced that it is closing at the end of the school year), Mackenzie has some interesting perspectives on both ECS and its closing this June.  She shared those in an article she wrote for Bay Weekly.  It posted January 23, 2014, and you can find it and other fabulous stories in the Bay Weekly by clicking here.

My School Is Closing:  But Not Without Changing Our World   

by Mackenzie Boughey, 1/23/2014

(reprinted from this week's Bay Weekly)

"In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.  –Abraham Lincoln

The life in my years is what I was thinking about as I walked forward last June for my fifth grade graduation from Eagle Cove School in Pasadena. Lots of life was packed into my seven years there — from meeting influential people, such as Jane Goodall and Dr. Ben Carson, to fun and educational field trips and a great environmental education.

We raised and released terrapins in Chesapeake Bay and went canoeing and seining in science class. We learned to respect our environment by recycling, composting, saving electricity, and growing vegetables and herbs in our geodesic-dome greenhouse. We learned to take care of others by making Easter baskets for needy kids and making sandwiches for the homeless.

Add in beautiful landscape and creative and caring teachers, and you start to understand why I love my school.

Eagle Cove School (earlier Gibson Island Country School) has been a place full of special memories for my family and me. I have spent seven out of my 12 years of life learning and growing at the school. My grandfather, famous outdoors writer Bill Burton, was so inspired by my school’s environmental awareness and programs that he donated much of his personal library there. My mother and grandmother came to school to give my second grade class rods and teach us all how to fish, as my grandfather had taught them and me. The nature trail along the water is the Burton Boughey Trail.

Last week, we learned that our 58-year-old school will close at the end of this term. “After the recession in 2008, enrollment dropped at independent private schools across the country, and unfortunately, we were a victim,” said Headmistress Laura Kang.

It is sad how great things have to come to an end. I learned that when my grandfather died, so I know how much will be lost to Eagle Cove School’s closing. It will be such a loss for the teachers who have spent many years at the school, their home away from home. It will be hard for the fourth graders, who would have graduated in 2015, to miss their special ceremony. Pre-kindergartners who got a small taste of all the school offers will miss out on much more. Generations of kids won’t get any of the great experiences Eagle Cove Schoolers have had for over half a century.

At Eagle Cove School, we have been given the desire to always learn more and do better.

The hundreds of students who learned that lesson through the years will continue to change the world. As did a current third-grader who convinced his summer camp to start its first recycling program. Now imagine all 76 current students, 20 staff members and so many graduates all going out into the world and spreading the lessons like these.

That’s the silver lining in this cloud."

Article reprinted, logo, and photograph image from http://bayweekly.com/articles/news/article/my-school-closing 

Shivering & Sleeping In With the Polar Vortex

Brrr....It's been cold out there last week...and now again another burst this week too.

Unless you've been under a rock, you've noticed that most of the continent has been sucked this January into the place called the "Polar Vortex." In case you missed it, the polar vortex was a Santa Clausian burst of frigid air, bigger than Santa's pack, coming down from the North Pole, attacking those of us who least expected it (and probably hadn't adapted to the right winter coat yet!)

According to CNN:

"The polar vortex, as it sounds, is circulation of strong, upper-level winds that normally surround the northern pole in a counterclockwise direction -- a polar low-pressure system. These winds tend to keep the bitter cold air locked in the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is not a single storm. On occasion, this vortex can become distorted and dip much farther south than you would normally find it, allowing cold air to spill southward."

Brrrr, I say, brrrr, I say brrrr!


So even though it was snow day #2 today here, the sub-human temps were such that we kept us staying largely indoors since the "brrr factor" was high.  Yes, I did kick my kids out to go have multiple shorter snow fun times, but given the cold that has overrun my body, my couch and I agreed with the earlier ruling, and just chillaxed!

3 things today have fallen in the "things that make you go 'hmmm' category:

• Today's Mother Jones' Article "NASA: 2013 Tied for the 7th Hottest Year on Record." The graph sort of says it all. (Or, in other words: winter can be cold, but it's the sum total of the average there, peeps!)                                
• January 20th's King5 report about the health benefits of getting kids outside (even in these chilly temps!).  In the video clip, they sing the high praise of Richard Louv's writing to get kids outdoors to ward off "nature deficit disorder."

• And for comic relief.....From the January 6th Andy Borowitz's article "Polar Vortex Causes Hundreds of Injuries as People Making Snide Remarks About Climate Change are Punched in the Face."

Snow pics from my camera.
Global Average temp graph from http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2014/01/nasa-2013-7th-hottest-year
Video from http://www.king5.com/news/education/Parent-to-Parent-Getting-your-kids-outside-241174571.html

Taking Action to Save the Crab Cake

My husband and I went out to dinner at a really nice Annapolis last Saturday night.  After a hard week, it was quite a delightful escape.  Here's an image I am certainly glad I did NOT see on my decorative dinner plate:


No matter what, there's no wine on the list that goes with "crap cake."

Chesapeake Bay Foundation has made a pretty pointed advertisement about what is wrong with our waterways.  Their main target:  water runoff--especially that which picks up the junk like floating trash (which is primarily plastic that never biodegrades), sediment, puppy "poo," the oil you dump down the drain, and the fertilizer & pesticides of farming/lawn grooming.  The "crap," if you will.

The lack of storm water management slides all this pollution and muck into the rivers and streams, and gives waterways like the Chesapeake Bay the poor health scores they've been getting.

By clicking here, you can go directly to Chesapeake Bay Foundation's site to make a little extra noise with the Maryland legislature.  You can insert your zip code and a letter will come up (which you can modify), readily addressed to alert your Maryland legislative representatives that you'd prefer more crab (and less crap) in your crab cakes.  It's a great way to take action and help make an environmental difference.

Disturbing image and logo both  from http://takeaction.cbf.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12640

Loving Bill Nye

Ah, I love Bill Nye the Science Guy.  This was a nice find today on Upworthy, showing you just how much Bill Nye knew 20 some-odd years ago, and how much he still knows today!



As found from Upworthy's "If you Didn't Love Bill Nye Before You See This, You'll Love Him After (Or You're A Cold Robot)" article

Video from http://www.upworthy.com/if-you-didnt-love-bill-nye-before-you-hear-this-youll-love-him-after-or-youre-a-cold-robot?c=cd1

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

As I near 18,000 pedometer steps today, and 14,000 steps yesterday (approx 13 miles so far), I feel I may indeed be wearing a circle path thin in my carpet at my home as I walk circles and pace: bleary-eyed, teary-eyed, and heavy-sighed.  The last 2 days have been overwhelming to say the least, emotionally exhausting indeed.

Yesterday we learned (both as teachers and as parents) that unfortunately due to $$ constraints and repeated low enrollment that the Board unanimously decided to close down my home away from home, Eagle Cove School, at the end of this school year.

Here is the place that I watched my Kindergarten daughter graduate from 5th grade last year, giving a speech and all (and even in a dress!!). It was here she took on 5th grade boys on the soccer field when she was in 1st and 2nd (which is a proud moment for a mom on recess duty!) Here is where my li'l PreK boy could go from holding hands with a class gal pal to screaming "Don't look at me" (hard to do when one is screaming)... in a nanosecond!  It is here that my PreK'er has become an amazing 2nd grade reader & a class leader--one who I was soo looking forward to having in my 3rd grade class with me next year, just as I had Delaney in my class 3 years ago.  Better than homeschooling by 100-fold!   And the thing that makes me tear up every time.

It is here I found my footing in my 5th school "I have ever taught at" in the 3 states in "I have ever lived."  It is here where in my 3rd grade classroom has become my "room with a view" of the Magothy River & the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  I found my niche as an environmental educator in this amazing "Maryland Green" school. I became a self-taught whiz as an EdTech iPadLandia teacher--what fun can be had in the classroom & teaching teachers, and what autonomy I have enjoyed!!  It was here I saw Jane Goodall speak, and it was because of here, I met Dr. Ben Carson with my class.

It is here at Eagle Cove School that I have found 2 dozen amazing colleagues, all of whom I love and adore for their creativity and their wisdom, their willing to jump in and do all the hard work, and then jump back and celebrate together.  Such comradery, laughter, and common vision.  A group of educators, and a family of friends.  I have had them for 6 1/2 years, and I will have them for another 5 months.   I can't imagine not seeing them daily for the next dozen years.  Eagle Cove School was the kind of place I felt I could have retired from....at the very least, I was eager to see Ian graduate from 5th grade from there.

I have come to a place in my life where I still don't like "change" (and doubt, given my personality, I ever will).  I like to believe in the illusion of "control."   But I also have seen evidence that "everything happens for a reason."  I have seen one job does indeed serendipitously lead to the next. Almost like it was predestined or meant to be.  I have seen it occur almost as magic.  It's just hard now, changing the expectation that Ian won't graduate from the school that I know and love and thought he would see all the way through.   Yet, on an early level (and a core level), I know that the serendipitous path will lead us to a great place...all I need to do now is remember that in the stressful times!!

I have begun thinking that we have these 2 dozen of us "Eagle Covians" who are versed in green and eco-living.  If we go out to 24 new schools, think of the message we can begin to send.  Think of the vision we all can begin to share.  Perhaps it is time to spread us to the wind so that we can go forth and work toward a great place.  Some may call that hopeful, or idealistic, or perhaps even "Pollyanna-ish," but maybe that's the purpose of where we are now.

I am still bleary-eyed and teary-eyed, and hating the whole idea of this "job hunting" thing, but maybe there is method in this madness.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
When given lemons, make a li'l lemonade and vodka!
Cheers to my friends, colleagues, comrades, and ECS pals!!

Photo:  "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" pic from http://www.45cat.com/record/71485

ECS boat pic from http://mazastudio.blogspot.com/2011/05/view-from-eagle-cove.html

Jane Goodall pic from http://www.eaglecoveschool.org/jane-goodall-visit-april-2008

The Waders March pic from http://greenteamgazette.blogspot.com/2010/09/oysters-away.html

Oyser kiss http://cbf.typepad.com/bay_daily/2013/05/saving-the-bay-kids-style.html

Ringing in the New Year with UpWorthy & Gratitutde

I think UpWorthy is one of my new favorite websites and FaceBook pages.  I love how "good" the "meatiness" is. You walk away feeling vindicated...that comfy feeling you get when you are with like-minded individuals.  From their About & FAQ page, this part details their mission beautifully:

"We're a mission-driven media company. We're not a newspaper — we'd rather speak truth than appear unbiased. And we're not a political campaign — we're more interested in the powerless versus the powerful than in Democrats versus Republicans. 

But we do have a point of view. We're pro-gay-marriage, and we're anti-child-poverty. We think the media is horrible to women, we think climate change is real, and we think the government has a lot to learn from the Internet about efficiency, disruption, and effectiveness."

My latest UpWorthy find is about the 365 Grateful project.  Here on New Year's Day, it seems like another good way to refocus your perspective.  Watch the video below to watch creator Hailey Bartholomew describe her vision for how to "shift her vision" through a photo a day paired with gratitude.  She succinctly discusses how gratitude changed her, her marriage, her clarity for life, and her ability to truly see the wealth that surrounds her (both in life and in nature).

[Click here or here if there becomes an issue with the playback for the video.]


365grateful.com from hailey bartholomew on Vimeo.

The wheels in my mind are turning after watching this--both personally and professionally.  Personally, I have seen the healing power in the past that gratitude can bring.  During a really difficult time in my history (roughly 15-20 years ago), I compiled a list of 100 things I was thankful for.  It took 2 months. Being visual, I think the photo element of this could capture a true historical snapshot!  Professionally, I am finding myself contemplating ways I could craft this idea into an iMovie, Smilebox, or iPad lesson activity.  The beauty of gratitude is that it works for any age.

Before I close, I think there's a question that needs to be asked--one that only you can answer for you:

What photo would you take today?  What are you grateful for du jour?

Quote & logo from http://www.upworthy.com/about
Video from http://365grateful.com/ as found at http://www.upworthy.com/you-take-zillions-of-photos-with-your-cellphone-why-not-try-something-new-with-them?c=ufb1
Gratitude image from http://www.brucesallan.com/2012/12/30/new-years-list-seven-attitudes-gratitude/

Embrace "The Beauty of Different" This New Year

Recently, over at UpWorthy, I ran across this 3 minute video from The Beauty of Different.  (There's also a book out there by Karen Walrond with the same name.)

The message is largely for women (and girls!), yet I think it's applicable to just anyone.  The true message:  be you! Be true to you.  Love your life, and love the gifts & talents you have.  That's where confidence comes from.  We've all seen that person with "that glow."  They're all over this video... that glow of sublime happiness.  Of being happy and healthy and in love with your life.

My daughter debated with me that this video isn't "about being green." Technically, she's right.  But, it is about being amazing...and being amazing is about being healthy and happy and delighted by your own "effervescent charm."  And if that isn't environmentally-friendly, I don't know what is!

As we are sitting on the cusp of watching one year end, and another year begin, it seems like the perfect time to go forth and be amazing!!  Happy New Year!



Video from:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOz0DHoMsq8
Photo from https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1544566_629192650473165_987668339_n.jpg

Merry Christmas from GTG

From my house to yours, may your 

Christmas be rich with memories

and overflowing with love!

Go for a Hacker Mindset

How old are you...and how old is Logan LaPlante??  (13, by the way)

Spot on!

I love that his top 8 include:
-exercise                    -diet & nutrition
-time in nature           -contribution & service
-relationships             -recreation
-relation & stress management
-religious & spiritual

What do YOU want to be when you grow up?

\\

Video from http://youtu.be/h11u3vtcpaY

12 Days of Christmas

Every year on some radio station or another, I usually hear the run down on the total cost in today's world of "The 12 Days of Christmas."  'Tis the season indeed for that.  This 2012 infographic does a nice job of visually showcasing how pricy that kind of love is in today's $$.  Also fun on the Degree Search blog post is how the price has changed over time.  Inflation certainly takes hold!!



Speaking of "The 12 Days of Christmas"...here's what I consider to be the best version e-va!  From Straight No Chaser (an a capalla group that does a great mashup of Christmas tunes here):


Infographic from http://degreesearch.org/blog/the-cost-of-true-love/
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Offsetting Random Acts of Violence with Purposeful Acts of Kindness

This weekend commemorates the one-year anniversary of the tragic shooting attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 26 lives were taken senselessly.  Newtown & the nation were horribly shaken, especially during the holiday season.  It's an anniversary that should never be.  I'm still as heartbroken for the families as I was last year.  The Huffington Post article on the anniversary was a particularly thoughtful reflection.

Additionally now, this weekend will become another anniversary of another wretched shooting, this time due to the double murder and suicide on Friday at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado.

As the country faces unbelievably sad moments such as these (especially during the holiday season), and politicians wrestle with gun laws, the senslessness of it all shines out.  People will be without their people at Christmastime due to the violence of others.  That's just plain wrong and makes you want to do something, yet leaves you feeling powerless as to what to do.

Last year, in the aftermath of Sandy Hook, a movement sprang up to take back power by attacking the fear and injustice--a movement based on spreading the joy and love of the season by "paying it forward."  #26Acts was begun, and it was through the sharing of human kindnesses that hearts began to heal.



Tonight as I was playing the "Santa Elf" role (wrapping presents for teachers, friends & family, & care packages for far-away friends), I was thinking a lot about all of this.  The unexpected surprises that will appear in mailboxes, on front porches, and on teacher desks that will be from me.  We all do this.  It's all a part of sharing the Christmas spirit.  It all helps to awaken the human spirit--theirs, but even more--mine.  

If you are looking for some ways to offset the random acts of violence with some random (or purposeful) acts of kindness, here is a list of some great resources.  May it help your heart grow 3 sizes larger, filled with holiday spirit, much like Dr. Seuss' Grinch's heart did!  May it help remind you of the true reason of the season.

❤ Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar--a clickable calendar with different ideas each day on how you can do something this season to make someone's day.  25 ways to grow your heart, each day of this month!

❤ Lesson Plans on Random Acts of Kindness--A whole Kindness Notebook, tabbed out by grade level, filled with activities to use in your classroom.  They were compiled by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, and are all free--a great kindness, indeed!

❤ Kindness Videos--Again, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation outdoes itself.  Many of the videos are not only information, but inspirational and thought provoking!  They also have some great monthly calendar & poster resources at their website which may inspire you to do a little something every day.


Images from:
--Sandy Hook Elementary Heart picture from http://northendwaterfront.com/2013/01/north-end-community-holds-candlelight-vigil-to-remember-newtown-shooting-victims-photos/
--Kindness red tag from http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/calendars-and-graphics
--Dr. Seuss Quote heart from http://www.spoolandspoonblog.com/2012_11_01_archive.html

It's Not Too Late for Hour of Code Week

It's GTG hat-turning time, switching from "eco" to "edtech."  Sometimes, they can be two sides of the same coin. This week, however (given it's Computer Science Education Week), it's heavy-handed on that edtech side. And kids nation wide are loving it!

Take the kids at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, for example. Computer teacher Barbara Hawkins has been cross-age pairing students to work on many of the Hour of Code activities this week.  In her classroom, learning comes alive.  (This is right about where teaching comes alive for us teachers!!)

Thousands of teachers nation-wide are doing the same.

If you haven't taken advantage of Hour of Code/Computer Science Education Week--it's not too late.  Here are a number of resources that will assist you on this quest.

What is it?
The Hour of Code is a challenge to teachers/students to try computer science/programming for one hour.

Resources:

• Computer Science Education Week: Dec 9--15, 2013 

• On the CS Ed Week site, they have great Tutorials for Beginners

• “What Most Schools Don’t Teach” (aka Coding w/Coding Big Wigs like Mark Zuckerberg & Bill Gates 5:33 min film)

• “Code Stars--Short Film” (9:33 min film--some of the clips from the above video

• Common Sense Media’s “Hour of Code” Offers a Quick Easy Introduction to Computer Coding” --A multitude of resources here. 

• 8 Tips to Teach Coding & Programming 

• Edutopia’s 7 apps for Teaching Children Coding Skills 

• Hour of Code Week Websites, Apps, Tutorials, Videos, & More “Smore” Collection 

• Code.org:  Creators of the 2 above videos. Many of the same resources that are in http://csedweek.org/.  

• So many good resources.  So much coding that needs to happen.  Jump on it!! Code away....today!

Images from
1. http://www.carrollwooddayschool.org/page.cfm?p=323&newsid=510#.UqpWhwXvZME.facebook
2. Video from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1xS07N-FA

Shop 'Til You Drop

I'm sitting here, a week-and-change after Black Friday and all the ads, incentives, free shipping, & more, looking at my Christmas list (making check marks as I shop -- as any good Santa would do), and I find it all fascinating.

Propaganda, errr, I mean advertising... to the N'th degree!  Sigh.

The day after Thanksgiving I ran across this on Pinterest:



There's something more than a tad disturbing with this philosophy!!
Or rather...this REALITY.

For me, one who isn't a fan of shopping on a "good day," Christmas and all that comes with it hits me oddly. I love the lights, the music, the sights, the sounds, the magic & mystique (especially from they eyes of the cherubs)... but the shopping (and yes, admittedly, the spending of money), hits me poorly.  The meaning that's projected is "If you love me, you will spend a boatload of money on me."

Anyone who has been following along the last 4 years knows that materialism doesn't exactly float my boat. I am a big fan of "The Story of Stuff."  I know the value of the dollar.  I have the salary of an independent school teacher, and while we do okay, we're not rolling in the dough.  We don't overtly overly-indulge our 2 children, and yet, they want for not.

We are a middle class family, and my kids have a crew who loves them.
Therefore, we have "stuff."

I feel we are a society over-consumed by consumerism. There's wayyy too much "stuff" out there.  In the world, in the stores, in my own house.  Christmas comes around (for both my kids and I), and I'm hit with the loud thought:  how much more "stuff" do we really need?  I think back to the BIG chit'lin "wants" from last year (from my own home), and I assess & query: "how much were they truly used the last 365 days?" I'm saddened by the probable answer.

Insert "Toys 'R' Us" ad here.  When I saw this advertisement, I knew it was "blog fodder."  As an environmentalist & anti-materialist, I'm more-than-slightly appalled!  Yes, Toys 'R' Us is a mecca (which has overwhelmed me since it first came about in my hometown during my teen years). Yet, this video screams consumerism over environmentalism to the N'th degree.  There are soooo many things wrong here.  Watch and see. (Then read the LiveWell's article "Misguided Toys 'R' Us Ad Makes Nature the Bad Guy.")



So my challenge to you (and yes, to me, as well):  Step away from this ad.  Step away from the Christmas consumerism.  Step toward the light of sanity, and do what you need to do this holiday season that will keep you on the straight and narrow this season!

Delight in the fun, festivities, the humor, the hugs, the lights, the sights, and the sounds, and all the people around.


Images from:
SomeEcard from http://www.whatevo.com/post/Black-Friday-BD868F37CD935E16
"Story of Stuff" pic from http://dariobusch.com/2011/01/the-story-of-stuff/
Shop Till you drop from http://www.myniceprofile.com/girls-45787.html
Meet the Forest pic from http://livewellcolorado.org/livewells-commitment/newsroom/livewell-blog/misguided-toys-r-us-ad-makes-nature-the-bad-guy

Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5SXybm6bss

"How Amazon Stole Christmas"

I found this infographic interesting this week as I've been Amazon-ing through my Christmas list.  What's even more entertaining is the Seuss-esque rhyme associated with the original article over at Direct Marketing News.  Send in the drones and the Prime free shipping!



Infographic from http://www.dmnews.com/infographic-how-amazon-stole-christmas/article/320050/

Still Talking About CNN's 2013 Heroes

Sunday night I curled up on the couch to watch the 2013 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tributes .  The top 10 heroes were highlighted (and you can learn more about them and some of the other nominees here.)  Their stories were telling, heartwarming, and inspiring of hope.  TV you walk away feeling good from (which doesn't happen much any more, these days)!

I've stated before (after the news of the Hero of the Year came out, but before Sunday's show aired) how I was particularly proud of home state eco-man Chad Pregracke.  Well, that didn't stop at his acceptance speech.  He spoke more about it afterwards (and in this clip below) with Anderson Cooper.  Yep!  Illinois environmentalist done good--well done, Chad!



If you missed the tribute, you can watch it again this Saturday, December 7th at 9 pm ET/PT on CNN.

Pic from http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/19/chad-pregracke-of-east-moline-illinois-is-the-2013-cnn-hero-of-the-year/

Video from http://www.cnn.com/video/standard.html?/video/bestoftv/2013/11/29/cnnheroes-chad-pregracke-intv.cnn&video_referrer=