Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
LARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAY
YESTERDAY
Tension Is The Life Blood Of An Engaged Public Life
I hate tension. But I love what can come out of that tension. When I reflect on the most important growth experiences in my life — whether it was the first kiss on a date, being invited into a new city to organize a powerful multi-ethnic community organization, or learning how to become a teacher — just to name a few — they were all filled with tension. In the context of democratic public life,
Important Updates On NCLB District Waivers In California
Here are some important new posts from Education Week that I’m adding to The Best Posts & Articles On The NCLB Waiver Given To Eight California School Districts (Including Ours): NCLB Waiver in Hand, CORE Districts Move Ahead Six Questions About California’s CORE District Waiver
AUG 08
Quote Of The Day: “A Question That Can Change Your Life”
Peter Bregman wrote a good, short post for the Harvard Business Review today titled “A Question That Can Change Your Life.” Here’s an excerpt: In the article, he talks about the importance of taking risks (which is one of the key qualities of an effective language learner — and, in fact, any kind of learner) and uses this recent example of a student asking if he could accompany Billy Joel on the
Video: Carol Dweck on the power of “Yet”
I’m adding this video to The Best Resources On Helping Our Students Develop A “Growth Mindset”: Thanks to Alexander Russo for the tip.
Infographic: “Indigenous Women”
Tomorrow is the International Day Of The World’s Indigenous People. I’m adding this infographic to The Best Sites For International Day Of The World’s Indigenous People: by UNWomen.Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.
Do We Want A “Community Of Learners” Or A “Classroom Of Students”?
Giving Classrooms A Purpose is the title of an older column I wrote for The Washington Post that summarizes a lesson I do during the first week of the school year. The focus of the lesson is to help students decide if they want to create a community of learners or settle for a classroom of students (I also talk about it a bit in a radio interview I posted earlier today). The complete lesson plan
Radio Show: “Making a Good Impression on Your First Day of Class”
Making a Good Impression on Your First Day of Class is the title of a short new “BAM! Radio Network” episode where you can hear John Spencer, Joe Martin and me share what little wisdom we have… I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Planning The First Days Of School.
“Using Tech to Teach English”
Using Tech to Teach English is the title of a new guest post I’ve written over at the International Reading Association’s blog, Engage. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Schools Providing Home Computers & Internet Access To Students.
“Ways To Start Off The New Year On A Positive Note – Part One”
Ways To Start Off The New Year On A Positive Note – Part One is my newest post at Education Week Teacher. It features a guest response from Julia Thompson, a teacher, consultant, and best-selling author of several books for teachers including The First-Year Teacher’s Survival Guide.
AUG 07
This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Good Posts & Articles On Education Policy
Here’s this week’s “round-up” of useful articles on educational policy issues: Teach for America criticized for apparent stance on education policy is from The Los Angeles Times. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles Raising Concerns About Teach For America. The cost of child poverty: $500 billion a year is from The Washington Post. I’m adding it to The Best Places To Learn What Impact A
August’s (2013) Best Tweets — Part Two
Every month I make a few short lists highlighting my choices of the best resources I shared through (and learned from) Twitter, but didn’t necessarily include them in posts here on my blog. I’ve already shared in earlier posts several new resources I found on Twitter — and where I gave credit to those from whom I learned about them. Those are not included again in this post. If you don’t use Twit
This Is Interesting — A Choose Your Own Adventure Video For Exploring Careers
TED-Ed just unveiled a new continuing series of interactive “choose your own adventure” videos that students can use to explore different careers. And they’re inviting suggestions for jobs they feature in future videos, too. You can read more about it at their blog, and you can try it out their video that’s embedded below. I’m adding it to The Best Websites For Students Exploring Jobs & Caree
Google Chromecast Has Arrived & Here’s What I Think Of It
My Google Chromecast arrived yesterday and, boy, am I impressed! It took me — and Sue Waters and Alice Mercer know only full well of my technological incompetence — only two or three minutes to set it up, and it worked perfectly: Netflix on the big screen. After consulting with my wife, I immediately reduced our cable package by half and am saving $50 per month. There hasn’t been a television sho
Resources For International Day Of The World’s Indigenous People
The United Nations has declared August 9th to be The International Day Of The World’s Indigenous People. You might be interested in The Best Sites For International Day Of The World’s Indigenous People.
This Week’s “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t” — August
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 few and list them here with a minimal description. It forces me to look through these older links, and help me organize them for my own use. I hope others will find them helpful
The Best Posts & Articles On The NCLB Waiver Given To Eight California School Districts
I thought I’d bring together a quick list of the best posts and articles about yesterday’s ridiculous decision by Education Secretary Arne Duncan to give an NCLB waiver to eight California School Districts — even though teachers had no role in the waiver request: Two from Education Week: U.S. Department of Education Grants California Districts’ CORE Waiver California Districts Receive Special Wai
The Best Resources On Student & Teacher Reflection
I have several other “The Best…” lists that relate to reflection (on goal-setting, self-control, metacognition, asking good questions, critical thinking, etc.), but thought I’d put one together specifically on the topic. And I hope that readers will contribute more. Here are my choices for The Best Resources On Student & Teacher Reflection: I’m a big fan of Hannah Arendt and use her work to h
“How Can We Get the New Year Off to a Good Start?”
How Can We Get the New Year Off to a Good Start? is the new “question of the week” at my Education Week Teacher column. Please leave your responses there or here in the comments….
Video: “George Saunders Commencement Speech 2013″
I’ve previously posted about George Saunders’ recent commencement speech. Thanks to Alexander Russo, here’s a video of his address:
AUG 06
Statement By President of California Teachers Association On Today’s NCLB Waiver
I posted a few minutes ago about Arne Duncan’s awful decision to grant an NCLB waiver to California school districts. Dean Vogel, President of the California Teachers Association, just released this statement: “As educators, we are committed to improving the conditions of teaching and learning, advancing the cause of a quality public education system and ensuring that the dignity and civil rights
Create Your Own “Escape The Room” Game With “Room Escape Maker”
As regular readers know, I’m a big fan of having my English Language Learner students play online video games as a language development activity (see POINTING AND CLICKING FOR ESL: Using Video Games To Promote English Language Development). Escape The Room games are one of my favorite game “genres,” where players have to…escape from a room by clicking on objects and using them in a certain way an
Duncan Approves Waiver Request From California District — What Is He Thinking?
Once again, I am dumbfounded by an action taken by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan — he has approved an NCLB waiver request by eight California School Districts, the first time this has been done for a non-state entity. You can read all about it at two excellent posts at Education Week: U.S. Department of Education Grants California Districts’ CORE Waiver California Districts Receive Spec
How To Keep Up-To-Date On Ed News
I’ve just updated The Best Ways To Keep-Up With Current Education Issues. Feel free to offer other suggestions….
Two Great Sites – SAS Curriculum Pathways & Awesome Stories – Upgrading Big Time This Month
I have posted often about two of my favorite sites, SAS Curriculum Pathways and Awesome Stories. They’re both free and are on more of my “The Best…” lists than you can shake a stick at. And they’re both getting even better this month…. SAS Curriculum Pathways has added a bunch of new activities that I’m looking forward to using with both my ELL and mainstream students. You can read one of my previ
Meet The “Burka Avenger”
A pop star in Pakistan has begun a new animated series called the Burka Avenger. Here’s how CNN describes it: Most, if not all, super heroes wear cloaks and masks to hide their identity. But how about a burqa? A new cartoon series in Pakistan is turning stereotypes on their head. It’s centered around a woman who doesn’t wear a burqa in the daytime but puts one on to transform into the “Burka Aven
Excellent Article On Teaching Making Home Visits — & It Features Our School!
Home visits help Sacramento families see college path is an extensive article in today’s Sacramento Bee that features the staff and families at our school. It’s a good one, and I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Teacher Home Visits.
AUG 05
Deliberate Practice, Myelin & The Brain
Myelinated Neuron photo from Trinity College I’ve written a lot about helping students see the physical impact learning new things has on the brain. Now, after reading The Talent Code (I’ll be posting an interview with the author in my Education Week Teacher blog), I have a new wrinkle I can share — the impact that deliberate practice has on the brain — its creation of myelin. I’ll try to explai
Quote Of The Day: “It’s Harder To Be Kind Than Clever”
In light of the big Washington Post news today, Dan Pink tweeted out a link to Jeff Bezos commencement address at Princeton. Here’s an excerpt: It’s a similar theme to George Saunders’ more recent speech….
Video: Cookie Monster Sings — I Kid You Not — About Self Regulation
In what is undoubtedly the first time the expression “self-regulate” has been sung on a music video, Sesame Street has put out a music video spoofing “Icona Pop’s hit song “I Love It”" (which I’ve never heard of — a sad commentary on my awareness of pop culture). The Cookie Monster sings about the importance of self-control, and is kicking-off what is a new Sesame Street curriculum on that life s
“The Science Of Thriving” Might Offer Some Useful Online Resources
The Science of Thriving: At Work & In Life is a free online “event” taking place from September taking place from September 16th to the 20th, and includes online talks by people like Dan Pink, Adam Grant, Carol Dweck, Paul Tough and many others. Each interview/presentation will be available to watch for twenty-four hours from its start time. My suspicion, and I may be wrong, is that presenters
Updates On The Mars Rover Curiosity
Today marks the one year anniversary of the Mars Rover Curiosity landing on Mars. Here are some new additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The Mars Rover Curiosity: One Year on Mars: The Curiosity Rover is a photo gallery from The Atlantic. Mars Curiosity Rover Tracker is a neat interactive feature from The New York Times. National Geographic also has a nice interactive.
Video: “What Does A Yellow Light Mean?”
Yesterday, George Couros sent out this tweet: What is the funniest video you have ever seen a speaker show in a presentation? — George Couros (@gcouros) August 4, 2013 I assume it will be leading to a post he’ll publish, which should be a great one! This was one of the responses to his tweet that I noticed: @gcouros Taxi: What Does the Yellow Light Mean? http://t.co/TBYIWEDfsx This brought tears
More Useful Resources On Learning About Different Cultures
Here are two new additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The World’s Different Cultures: Which countries eat the most meat? is an interactive from The Guardian.
AUG 04
Resources On Writing
Here are a few good resources on writing I’ve been accumulating recently: You probably have heard about the recent Pew Center/National Writing Project survey on technology and writing. It’s worth a look at Pew Report Illustrates Impact of Digital Technologies on Student Writing. George Orwell on writing is from The Economist. It elaborates and offers some commentary on it, as well. I’m adding it t
What Is A Teacherpreneur?
Teacherpreneurs: Innovative Teachers Who Lead But Don’t Leave by Barnett Berry, Ann Byrd, and Alan Wieder, from The Center For Teaching Quality, is coming out soon. It’ll be a must-read. You can read the first chapter here. You can also read Barnett’s recent post, Students, poverty, and stress: Teacherpreneurs can help. And I would strongly encourage you to watch David Orphal’s great Prezi present
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
I’ve started a somewhat regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention: Self-publishing in ELT (Part 1) and How to become a published ELT writer in the digital era – 10 insiders’ tips are both from ELT Jam. I’m adding them to So, You Want To Write A Book? Here’s The Best Advice… Q&A: Stan
Quote Of The Day: “Be Kinder”
Writer George Saunders recently gave a commencement address that has been making the rounds. Its theme reminds me of a previous quote of the day (The Importance Of Being Nice) and offers good advice to all of us, including teachers. Here’s an excerpt: I’ve written about a number of other memorable commencement speeches over the years…
“Best Ways To Begin & End The School Year”
Q & A Collections: Best Ways To Begin & End The School Year is my newest post over at Education Week Teacher. With the new school year gearing up, it might be a useful post…
AUG 03
This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Good Posts & Articles On Education Policy
Here’s this week’s “round-up” of useful articles on educational policy issues: Student achievement and teacher evaluations: The math doesn’t add up? is by Scott McLeod. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Effective Student & Teacher Assessments. “Performance Anxiety”: Improving Measures for Teacher Evaluations is by Ilana Garon. I’m adding it to the same list. “Corporate Re
Contribute A Presentation To The 2013 K-12 Online Conference!
August 16th is the deadline for people to submit proposals for The 2013 K-12 Online Conference, the annual international forum for professional development. Consider making a proposal! Here’s a summary, though you’ll want to go directly to the site for details: The theme for the 2013 conference is “Transforming Learning.” The conference will begin with a pre-conference keynote on Monday, October
A Surprising Useful Infographic About The History Of…Infographics
I think this infographic would be a useful one to show students prior to their creating one. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Creating Infographics: by Copponex. Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.
Crossword Puzzles & Hangman Games
I’ve just updated The Best Sites For Making Crossword Puzzles & Hangman Games. Feel free to make more suggestions….
This Week’s “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t” — August
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 few and list them here with a minimal description. It forces me to look through these older links, and help me organize them for my own use. I hope others will find them helpful