Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day
New York City’s Problems With Parent Engagement Continue
I’ve documented the many problems New York City schools have had with parent engagement. They apparently are continuing… Read about it today’s article in The Wall Street Journal, Parents Seen Less Involved In Schools: Report Shows Decline in Calls, Meetings. Here’s how it begins: New city statistics are showing a steep decline in parent involvement [...]
Sept. Newsletter From The Family Involvement Network of Educators
The Family Involvement Network of Educators from Harvard has just published their September issue. It contains several articles, including this one: Creating Conditions for Effective and Ongoing Family Engagement In this Commentary, Harvard Family Research Project’s Senior Research Analyst, Heidi Rosenberg, looks at the ways in which schools, programs, and other community institutions can help [...]
Not My Criteria For “Parent Power” — What’s Yours?
A “school reform” group called the Center For Education Reform has come up with a misnamed “Parent Power Index” to rate states on how much they support “Parent Power.” Their criteria seems to include school choice, evaluating teachers by student test scores, and support for online learning, among other things. My criteria might include parent [...]
“”Won’t Back Down” Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal”
“Won’t Back Down” Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal is a very thorough article from The Center For Media and Democracy bout the film and the policy. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles On Parent Trigger Movie “Won’t Back Down.”
The PTA Responds To Questions On Their Support Of CA Proposition 38
I’ve been a critic of the California PTA’s involvement with billionaire Molly Munger in sponsoring Proposition 38 on the California ballot instead of throwing their full support to Governor Brown’s Prop 30. I still think it was and is a mistake, but it’s also clear to me that the wisest move now is for supporters [...]
“Keeping parents in the loop”
Keeping parents in the loop is an article in The California Educator, the magazine of the California Teachers Association, that gives some good advice to teachers about engaging parents. It’s worth a visit….
This Week’s #PTChat On Twitter
Guest Post by Joe Mazza http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs #YouMatter – These two words hold so much power and potential in supporting kids in today’s world. School students come to us with unlimited potential and oftentimes all it takes is for them to feel a little extra support, confidence and love from their parents and educators to help [...]
“4 Ways We Can Connect With Parents”
4 Ways We Can Connect With Parents is a very, very useful post from George Couros. It’s a definite “must read.” It’s so good, I’m adding it to The Best Sources Of Parent Engagement Advice For Teachers.
Business Week Story On Parent Trigger
In California, Public School Parents Stage a Coup is a fairly extensive article in Business Week giving an update on parent trigger efforts in California elsewhere. It’s worth a look….
This Week’s “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t”
I have a huge backlog of resources that I’ve been planning to post about in this blog but, just because of time constraints, have not gotten around to doing. Instead of letting that backlog grow bigger, I regularly grab a … Continue reading →
My Co-Author & I Will Be Doing A Free Online Chat About ELL’s On Oct. 11th
Katie Hull Sypnieski and I will be doing a free online chat over at Education Week on Thursday, October 11th, 4:00 PM Eastern Time. It will be focused on teaching English Language Learners, and we’ll be following up on the … Continue reading →
“Why Kids Should Grade Teachers” — Not!
There’s a big article in The Atlantic this week that has been getting a fair amount of attention. It’s titled Why Kids Should Grade Teachers (it includes a relatively lengthy description of the process in a kindergarten classroom). I’ve written … Continue reading →
“Snapshots of the Heavens: Amazing Astronomy Photos”
TIME Magazine has a nice slideshow titled Snapshots of the Heavens: Amazing Astronomy Photos. It contains 2012 winners of the annual contest run by The Royal Observatory. I’m adding it to The Best Images Taken In Space.
More Resources On Asking Good Questions
Here are the newest additions to The Best Posts & Articles About Asking Good Questions: Connect Extend Challenge is from Visible Thinking. Question Formulation Technique is from Facing History and Ourselves. Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions is from … Continue reading →
“Skeptical unions pose challenge to districts’ Race to the Top”
Skeptical unions pose challenge to districts’ Race to the Top is by John Fensterwald at Ed Source and highlights our local union’s leadership here in California rejecting participation in the District Race To The Top applications. John’s article also mentions … Continue reading →
“BlockAvenue” Could Be A Useful Site For Student Writing
BlockAvenue gives every neighborhood in the United States a “grade” and lets users review businesses in each area, too. It could be an excellent place for students to do some authentic writing, which is why I’m adding it to The … Continue reading →
“Writing Rules! Advice From The Times on Writing Well”
Writing Rules! Advice From The Times on Writing Well is from The New York Times Learning Network. It’s a great list! It isn’t an exact fit with The Best Writing Advice From Famous Authors, but it’s close enough that I’m … Continue reading →
I Can Think Of So Many People Who Should See “Nice White Lady” Parody
I am SO tired of seeing movies about white teachers “rescuing” inner-city youth, and have posted links to some excellent commentaries on the topic at The Best Places To Learn About (And View Video Clips Of) Teachers In The Movies. … Continue reading →
More Resources On The Presidential Election
Here are the newest additions to The Best Resources For Learning About The 2012 U.S. Presidential Election: The History Channel has a nice collection of related videos. Watching Debates With Kids is a good piece from Middleweb, and includes a … Continue reading →
Uploading Field Trip Photos To One Place
Having one place where multiple people can easily upload their photos from the same event (a field trip, wedding, family reunion) can come in handy. I’ve just updated The Best Web Applications That Lets Multiple People Upload Their Photos To … Continue reading →
“Teaching Science by ‘Thinking Big’ and ‘Being Audacious’”
Teaching Science by ‘Thinking Big’ and ‘Being Audacious’ is the title of my newest Education Week teacher advice column. It includes advice from the director of The Exploratarium’s Teacher Institute.
“Using Games in the ELL Classroom, Part I”
Using Games in the ELL Classroom, Part I is a new excerpt from the recent book that Katie Hull Sypnieski and I have written. It appears in Education Week Teacher. I’ll add it to the list of other free excerpts….
“Fire Tornado” Video
A rare “fire tornado” was filmed in Australia today. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Tornadoes:
TIME Magazine’s “50 Best Websites 2012″
TIME Magazine has just published their 50 Best Websites 2012 (the entire list is here). I have to say that, in general, I was less-than-impressed with this year’s list. However, through a link at one of the sites listed, I … Continue reading →
The Best Places To Find The Most Popular (& Useful) Resources For Educators – 2012 (So Far)
I periodically post “most popular” lists of websites (and books) that I think educators might find useful. Of course, there are a number of ways to gauge “popularity.” I just view these lists as opportunities to check-out some new sites, and … Continue reading →
“15 YouTube Videos That Changed The World”
15 YouTube Videos That Changed The World is the title (an exaggerated one, I might add) of this video that was posted on Read Write Web. Exaggeration or not, it’s pretty interesting, and their blog post includes videos they think … Continue reading →
Chicago Teachers’ Strike Is Suspended
Here are the newest additions to The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: Chicago Teachers’ Union Votes to End Strike is from The New York Times. Chicago Public Schools teachers’ strike over is from The Chicago Sun Times. A … Continue reading →
Immigrants & Health Care — An Obama Administration Misstep
The Obama Administration has announced that immigrants who qualify for the new Deferred Action program will not be eligible for benefits under the health care reform law. They’re doing this despite the fact that the health care law states that … Continue reading →
What A Treasure Trove Of Infographics!
Information Is Beautiful, creators of many infographics that I’ve shared in this blog, has announced that voting is open for the Beautiful Awards Community Award. It’s a treasure trove! I’m adding it to The Best Sources For Interactive Infographics.
The Best Websites For English Language Learner Students In 2012 — So Far
This list focuses on sites that ELL students would use directly. Of course, many other sites on my other lists can also be used effectively with ELL’s. You might also be interested in: The Best Websites For English Language Learner … Continue reading →
Today’s Update On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike
Here are the newest additions to The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: Hearing Set in Chicago’s Bid to End Teachers Strike is from The New York Times. Rahm is suing to end the Chicago teachers’ strike. Does he … Continue reading →
Arrogance, The Gates Foundation & The “Remembering Self”
I’ve certainly been critical of the Gates Foundation and Bill Gates on many occasions. However, recently, I had been developing some respect for both — Gates staff has been engaging in what appeared to me a productive online dialogue with … Continue reading →
Reelsurfer Lets You Clip Portions Of Videos
Reelsurfer lets you clip portions of videos. It doesn’t appear that different from the other tools on The Best Tools For Cutting-Out & Saving Portions Of Online Videos (Or Annotating Them) except in one important way — In addition to … Continue reading →
Every Minute Of Network News — & I Mean EVERY Minute — Since 2009 Available Online & Searchable
Starting tomorrow, every minute of network news video — including national broadcast networks, cable networks, and local news affiliates — recorded since 2009 will be available online at the Internet Archive and will be searchable by text. If that seems … Continue reading →
“Ribbet!” Looks Like A Good Photo-Editing Tool
Thanks to reader Anthony, I learned about a nice online photo-editing tool called Ribbet! It seems to have a lot of nice capabilities, and no registration is required. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Online Photo-Editing & Photo … Continue reading →
“This Is Your Brain On Reading”
In my upcoming sequel to Helping Students Motivate Themselves, I have an extensive lesson on the effect of reading on the brain. A study just came out of Stanford last week, though, and I quickly used it to put together … Continue reading →
The Best Resources For Learning About “Psychological Effects” Useful To Teachers
There are a bunch of recognized psychological “effects” and “laws” out there, and I’ve posted about several of them that might be useful to teachers. I thought it would be useful to put them all in one place. So I’ve … Continue reading →
“A Nobel Laureate Writes About Becoming A ‘Science Coach’”
A Nobel Laureate Writes About Becoming A “Science Coach” is the title of my newest Education Week Teacher column. Dr. Carl Wieman, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, shares his advice this week….
New York Times Editorial Writers Show Some Thoughtfulness On Teacher Evaluations
Days after two of their columnists and at least one of their editorial writers left their thoughtfulness at the door when writing about education issues, The New York Times today seems to have realized that they went too far and … Continue reading →
Some Intriguing Info On The “Next Generation” Of Testing
Here are two new additions to The Best Resources For Learning About The “Next Generation” Of State Testing: ELL and Spec. Ed. Advisors Named for Common Assessment Group is from Education Week. What to test instead is from The Boston … Continue reading →
Mayor Emanuel To Seek Injunction To Force Strike’s End
Now this is really going to build needed trust: the Chicago mayor is asking the courts to force an end to the Chicago teachers’ strike. See: Rahm Emanuel Is Over This Teacher’s Strike from The Atlantic.
“Teachers Union in Chicago to Extend Strike Into 2nd Week”
Teachers Union in Chicago to Extend Strike Into 2nd Week is the headline of a New York Times article. No school until at least Wednesday, CTU President Karen Lewis says is the headline of an article at The Chicago Sun-Times. … Continue reading →
This Week In Web 2.0
In yet another attempt to get at the enormous backlog I have of sites worth sharing, I’ve recently begin a regular feature called “The Week In Web 2.0.” It’ll be a short compilation of new decent sites that are worth … Continue reading →
Interview With Co-Author Of “ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide”
Middleweb, one of my favorite blogs and email newsletters, has just published an interview with my friend, colleague, and co-author of The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, Katie Hull Sypnieski. Check it out, and you can read other resources related to … Continue reading →
“Go Social Studies Go”
Go Social Studies Go has been around awhile, but has recently redesigned its site. It has resources for U.S. History, World History, Geography and World Religions, and is probably accessible to high-Intermediate English Language Learners and above. The site is … Continue reading →
Video: Eruption On The Sun
NASA has released this video of an eruption on the sun. I’m adding it to The Best Images Taken In Space:
This Week’s “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t”
I have a huge backlog of resources that I’ve been planning to post about in this blog but, just because of time constraints, have not gotten around to doing. Instead of letting that backlog grow bigger, I regularly grab a … Continue reading →
More On #SaidNoTeacherEver
I’ve made a few new additions to “A Sampling Of The Best Tweets With The #SaidNoTeacherEver Hashtag.” You might want to check them out…..
New Geography Sites
I just made a number of new additions to The Best Geography Sites For Beginning & Intermediate English Language Learners. And I’ll be continuing to add more…..
For Theory Of Knowledge Teachers
IB TOK Tutor always tweets out supporting resources for all essay prompts. I’ve collected them for the May, 2013 essays (and will continue to add more) over at my Theory Of Knowledge Class Blog. Your students might find them helpful….
Everyone Should Hear This Speech From Karen Lewis
Thousands of teachers rallied in Chicago on Saturday. One of the speeches was from Karen Lewis, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, and it is not-to-be-missed. Fortunately, Mike Klonsky has a video of it posted on his blog, and I … Continue reading →
“Parent Engagement Advice For Teachers”
I’ve made some recent additions to The Best Sources Of Parent Engagement Advice For Teachers over at my other blog, Engaging Parents In School. Readers might find them useful….
Infographics On How Congress Works
I’ve previously posted about Votetocracy, which shared concerned I have about the site. I continue to have those same concerns, but they did just publish a series of somewhat useful infographics on how the U.S. Congress works. If I was … Continue reading →
“It’s Constitution Day! Time to Teach Obedience or History?”
With Constitution Day coming up on Monday in the United States, I can’t think of anything that would prepare a teacher better than to read Bill Bigelow’s piece, It’s Constitution Day! Time to Teach Obedience or History? Here are the … Continue reading →
“When there’s a contract, then call us maybe”
Here are the newest additions to The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: This video came via Mike Klonsky: Here are the lyrics: We miss the sound of the bell. Our schools aren’t something to sell. We got a … Continue reading →
USA Today “Beta” Site Looks Good For ELL’s
USA Today has just unveiled its new “beta” website (they plan on making it their permanent home soon, I think), and it looks good. I especially like the fact that they show a headline with an image underneath, and if … Continue reading →
“Beyond The Bubble” May Have A Lot Of Potential — Or Not
Beyond The Bubble is a project of Stanford and the Library of Congress that I just learned about from Gail Desler. It has a small collection of very good assessments that can be used in teaching history that you can … Continue reading →