Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
LARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAY
“Resume Genius” Can Be Useful To Students
Though I’m not sure the world needs another resume-building site, Resume Genius is a new one that’s very accessible. It’s similar to the sites on The Best Places For Students To Write Their Resumes, and I’ll be adding it there.
New US Dept. of Ed Finds That “Less Effective Teaching” Responsible For 2-4 Percent Of Achievement Gap
Thanks to a tweet from Scott McLeod, I just learned about a new study from The Department of Education titled Do Disadvantaged Students Get Less Effective Teaching? Yes, it’s a study based on the discredited science of Value-Added Measurement. It highlights VAM studies that I have specifically criticized with “Best” lists of their own (A Beginning List Of The Best Posts On Gates’ Final MET “Effect
From The Archives: “What to do — and not do — for growing number of English Language Learners”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. What to do — and not do — for growing number of English Language Learners is a piece that my colleague Katie Hull Sypnieski and I wrote for The Washington Post. Here’s an excerpt:
“Keys To Parent Engagement – Relationships, Climate, Communication”
Keys To Parent Engagement – Relationships, Climate, Communication is the last in a four-part series I’ve published over at Education Week Teacher. Today’s post highlights responses from Darcy Hutchins and Mai Xi Lee, along with many readers’ comments. Here are some excerpts:
January’s Infographics & Interactives Galore – Part Three
There are just so many good infographics and interactives out there that I’ve begun a new semi-regular feature called “Infographics & Interactives Galore.” You can see others at A Collection Of “The Best…” Lists On Infographics and by searching “infographics” on this blog. I’ll still be publishing separate posts to individually highlight especially useful infographics and interactives, but you
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: A Brief History of Writing is an interesting short video, along with a lesson, for English Language Learners. It’s from The British Council. Ed. Dept. Falling Short in Support of English-Learners, Report Says is from Educ
“The New York Times’s Most Visited Content of 2013″
The Times has just published The New York Times’s Most Visited Content of 2013. The categories are pretty interesting, and they include which features were visited from which devices. Most of the lists don’t actually include direct links, which I find quite strange, but they have headlines and descriptions. It would be easy to find them by typing the headlines in The Times’ search box. Here’s a s
YESTERDAY
“Trending Words” Is A Neat Feature At Merriam-Webster Dictionary Site
I just discovered a neat feature at the Merriam-Webster website — Trend Watch. They apparently keep an eye on words that “spike” — lots of people looking up their meaning at the same time — during the year, and then track down the reason for their popularity. Here’s the latest one: They keep them all in one place so, for example, you can see 2013: The Year in Words. I’m adding this info to The Be
Ed Week Changes Access Policy To Articles & Blog Posts
Education Week has just announced a change in their access policy for readers of articles and blog posts on their site (including my weekly teacher advice column). Starting the last week of month, non-subscribers can view ten articles/blog posts on the site for free during each month (viewing the same article or blog post, however, will still count as “one,” so you can revisit that as many times
From The Archives: “What’s really wrong with ‘parent trigger’ laws”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m highlighting a piece I wrote for the Washington Post in 2011 on so-called “parent trigger” laws. It’s titled What’s really wrong with ‘parent trigger’ laws. Here’s an excerpt:
JAN 16
The Best Videos Documenting The History Of The English Language
There are quite a number of decent videos documenting the history of the English language, and I’m trying to figure out how to use them in my IB Theory of Knowledge class. Ideas are welcome. Here are the videos I know about: The Story Of English is a nine-part television series, and I’ve embedded the entire playlist below: How did English evolve? is from TED-Ed. I’ve embedded the video below, a
Nice Interactive: “Median Income Across the US”
Median Income Across the US is a nice interactive map from WNYC that shows the income levels of all the census tracts in the United States. I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Analyzing Census Data. Thanks to Google Maps Mania for the tip.
January’s Best Tweets – Part Three
Every month I make a few short lists highlighting my choices of the best resources I 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 Twitter, yo
Video: “Magic Vine Collection”
Zach King’s ‘Magic’ Vine Compilation is a pretty entertaining collection of Vine videos that would be good for English Language Learners to watch and describe what they see:
You Can Read About An Excellent ELL Speaking Activity At My New British Council Blog
I’ve just begun publishing a monthly post at the Teaching English site of the British Council, which is the preeminent international organization promoting English-language teaching. My first post there is about an excellent speaking/listening activity for English Language Learners — check out Using a “Three-Two_one” Speaking Activity.
JAN 15
More Good Martin Luther King, Jr. Resources
Even though we’ll be officially recognizing Martin Luther King’s birthday on Monday, his real birthday is today. Here are two excellent resources I’m adding to The Best Websites For Learning About Martin Luther King: MLK Was a Revolutionary, Not Just a Dreamer is from The Root. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- Assassination and Legacy is from a radio program originating from the Canadian Broadcasting
Two Must-Visit Resources: 40 More Maps AND 40 Charts “That Explain The World”
Last year I posted about an incredible Washington Post resource: 40 maps that explain the world is a great collection from the Washington Post that may be the best geography site of the year. It links to another site called 40 Maps They Didn’t Teach You In School that has a number of other good maps. However, that second site also includes a few maps with topics and language that wouldn’t be appr
From The Archives: “Positive, Not Punitive, Classroom Management Tips”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m highlighting an excerpt from one of my books that appeared at Edutopia awhile back. It’s titled Positive, Not Punitive, Classroom Management Tips. Here’s an excerpt:
More “What If?” History Projects — Plus, What Students Thought Of Them….
Last week, I shared a few of the “What If?” history project my IB Theory of Knowledge students created and added them to The Best Resources For Teaching “What If?” History Lessons. Students just completed a simple evaluation of the project, and I thought readers might be interested in what they thought of it. As my IB students have done in previous years, they are teaching my English Language Lea
Important Interactive Infographic: “The Kids Aren’t All Right”
Here’s an excellent interactive infographic I learned about through The Answer Sheet: Produced By Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
NEA Announces Online Lesson Project
The National Education Association has just announced a Master Teacher Project/CC Better Lesson site where thousands of Common Core aligned lesson plans are freely available to educators. I’ve embedded a video below about the effort, which appears similar to the American Federation of Teachers Share My Lesson site. And, believe me, there are so many poor lesson plans online, it’s nice that both un
“Parents Can Teach Educators ‘Lessons About Learning and Life’”
Parents Can Teach Educators ‘Lessons About Learning and Life’ is part three in my Ed Week series on parent engagement. Today’s post features contributions from Catherine Compton-Lilly, Dr. Sherrel Bergmann, Dr. Judith Brough and Maurice J. Elias.
JAN 14
This Week’s Round-Up Of Good Posts & Articles On Education Policy
Here are some recent useful posts on education policy issues: Garbage In, Garbage Out: Or, How to Lie with Bad Data is from Medium. I’m adding it to The Best Resources Showing Why We Need To Be “Data-Informed” & Not “Data-Driven.” Fight over school funding starts Thursday is from The San Francisco Chronicle, and gives an excellent overview of California ed policy issues. On Listing Education
Quote Of The Day: “John Wooden: An English Teacher Who Happened To Be A Hoops Legend”
John Wooden: An English Teacher Who Happened To Be A Hoops Legend is a great interview with a biographer of John Wooden. Here’s an excerpt:
Video On Cesar Chavez
This is a good, short video on Cesar Chavez. It won’t be controversial in states like our which already have an official Cesar Chavez holiday. However, at its end, it does push for President Obama to declare March 31 as the Cesar Chavez National Day of Service, so teachers should use their judgement on whether to use it in class. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Cesar Chavez.
TED Talks Unveils TED-Ed Clubs For Students
TED Talks has just unveiled a new program called TED-Ed Clubs. I’ve embedded a video below about it but, basically, it’s designed to encourage young people to create their own versions of a TED Talk through starting a school club. Helping students develop better speaking skills is great but, I don’t know about you, but I get tired just thinking of helping start and teach an after-school TED-Ed Cl
Parent Engagement Is The Topic Of My Newest Ten Minute Podcast
How Do We Increase Involvement Among Parents Who Are Already Overwhelmed? is the title of my newest ten minute BAM! Radio podcast. I talk with Mai Xi Lee and Darcy Hutchins about the topic, and I’ll be publishing their written responses on Sunday at my Education Week Teacher blog.
Here’s What My IB Theory Of Knowledge Students Are Doing For Their Semester “Final”
I’ve previously posted what my ELL Geography students and what my ELL History students (as well as my mainstream ninth-grade classes) are doing for their semester finals next week. I’ve also published what my ELL students are doing for their English “final.” I thought some readers might also be interested in what my IB Theory of Knowledge students are doing for theirs, too. I’ve picked what I thi
Several Useful New Resources On Encouraging Intrinsic Motivation
Here are several new additions to The Best Posts & Articles On “Motivating” Students: What does neuroscience research say about motivation and the brain? is by Judy Willis. PISA 2012 Results in Focus: What 15-year-olds know and what they can do with what they know includes some very useful information, including this: Better teacher-student relations are strongly associated w greater student
JAN 13
A Couple Of Good Articles On Deliberate Practice
Here are two recent good articles on Deliberate Practice that are useful if you’re using the deliberate practice lesson found in one of my books, or if you just want to learn more about it: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect by Daniel Goleman might be the best short and accessible article on the concept that I’ve found. I’m definitely using it with my students. WHY “DELIBERATE PRACTICE” IS THE ONLY W
Video On Grit: “Trust Your Power”
Here’s a great video I’m adding to The Best Video Clips Demonstrating “Grit”:
From The Archives: “Merit pay and ‘loss aversion:’ Nonsense studies”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’d like to highlight a piece I wrote for The Washington Post about some appalling research done on students and teacher. It’s titled Merit pay and ‘loss aversion:’ Nonsense studies. Here’s how I ended i
My New BAM! Radio Show Is On The Air & First Episode Is On “Flipping” Classrooms
I’ve just begun a weekly ten minute BAM! Radio Network podcast where I interview a couple of guests who have written responses to the “question-of-the-week” at my Education Week Teacher advice column. You can listen to the first show, which is on “flipping” classrooms, with at the BAM! site or download it (and subscribe for free) on iTunes. I interview guests Jon Bergman and Troy Cockrum about t
My Latest NY Times Post: Learning Prepositions & Using Badly Translated Signs For Language Learning
My latest New York Times post for English Language Learners is on prepositions AND language-learning with badly translated signs. It includes a student interactive and teaching ideas. You might also be interested in The Best Collections Of Funny Signs (For Use In English Classes). You can see all my previous NY Times posts here.
JAN 12
From The Archives: “Teacher Eyes on the Wrong Prize?”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’d like to revisit an article I wrote for Education Week Teacher over three years ago. It’s titled Teacher Eyes on the Wrong Prize? Here’s an excerpt:
Resources From All My Blogs
In addition to this blog, I regularly post at several other sites: Engaging Parents In School: Weekly Posts At Classroom Q & A With Larry Ferlazzo: Weekly Posts At The New York Times Learning Network on Teaching English Language Learners: Periodic Posts at Edutopia: All My Class Blogs: Class Blog: Beginner & Intermediate ELD Class Blog: ESL/EFL Student Showcase Class Blog: Intermediate EL
More Resources On Gratitude
Here are new additions to The Best Resources On “Gratitude”: How to Teach Kids to Be Grateful: Give Them Less is from The Atlantic. The Science of Gratitude is from Nautilus. Raising Children With an Attitude of Gratitude is from The Wall Street Journal.
This Year’s “What If?” History Presentations
As usual, my IB Theory of Knowledge class did “What If?” presentations as part of their study of history, and are teaching my ELL U.S. History students how to do the same. Here are a couple of examples, which I’ll be adding to The Best Resources For Teaching “What If?” History Lessons. The second one is just a thumbnail and you have to click on it: If General Vang Pao died at the Vietnam PP More
This Translator Map Is A Cool Way To Teach European Geography & More
Dan Pink shared this cool translator map on Twitter. It uses Google Translate to translate English into any major European language and then shows the word on the geographical location where the language is primarily spoken. You can read more about it at Business Insider. I’m adding it to The Best “Language Maps.”
Fun & Useful Video: “ESL Verb English Grammar Vocabulary Rap Song”
I’m adding this video to The Best Web Tools For Teaching Irregular Verbs & Verb Tenses — Contribute Your Suggestions!
Video: “What my beagle does when we’re not home”
Here’s another fun video to show English Language Learners and have them describe what happens in it:
JAN 11
From The Archives: “Cultivating a Positive Environment for Students”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m highlighting an excerpt from one of my books that appeared in Education Week Teacher over a year ago. It was titled Cultivating a Positive Environment for Students. Here’s an excerpt:
This Week’s “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t” — January (Part Two)
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
Special Edition Of Weekly “Round-Up” Of Good Posts On Education Policy Issues
Usually, I just do one round-up each week of useful education policy posts, but I’m even more behind than usual. So here’s a special edition: When, How and With Whom to Battle the Common Core? is by Nancy Flanagan. I’m adding it to The Best Articles Sharing Concerns About Common Core Standards. Teachers in Lee, MA, Return Merit Pay is from Diane Ravitch’s blog. I’m adding it to The Best Resources
Two Good Resources On “Grit”
Here are two new additions to The Best Resources For Learning About The Importance Of “Grit”: True Grit: The Best Measure of Success and How to Teach It is by Vicki Davis. Grit – motivating students is from teflreflections.
Excellent History Question For Students: “What Are History’s Biggest Turning-Point Years?”
What Are History’s Biggest Turning-Point Years? is a very interesting headline in a Slate article which, in turn, is based on this research based on a review of 120 years worth of dissertation titles. Here’s what they concluded: Unexpectedly for me, 1763, the year the Seven Years’ War ended and also a key date in the run-up to the American Revolution, turns out to be the year that most exceeds ex
Useful Resources On Grading Practices
Here are some new additions to The Best Resources On Grading Practices (you might also be interested in A Collection Of “The Best” Lists On Assessment). They are all from Frank Noschese: The Spirit of SBG is by Frank Noschese. RT @nancyflanagan: Frm @fnoschese. The problem with traditional grading: : pic.twitter.com/9BYAldD27U — Larry Ferlazzo (@Larryferlazzo) December 31, 2013 RT @fnoschese: @Ri
From The Archives: “Cultivating Student Leadership”
I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m featuring an article I wrote for Education Week Teacher two years ago titled Cultivating Student Leadership. Here’s an excerpt:
Groundhog Day Resources
Groundhog Day is every February 2nd. You might be interested in The Best Resources For Groundhog Day.
Research Studies Of The Week
I often write about research studies from various fields and how they can be applied to the classroom. I write individual posts about ones that I think are especially significant, and will continue to do so. However, so many studies are published that it’s hard to keep up. So I’ve started writing a “round-up” of some of them each week or every other week as a regular feature. By the way, you mi
African-American History Resources
February is Black History Month in the United States. You might be interested in The Best Websites To Teach & Learn About African-American History.
This Week In Web 2.0
In yet another attempt to get at the enormous backlog I have of sites worth , I’ve recently begin a regular feature called “The Week In Web 2.0.” (you might also be interested in The Best Web 2.0 Applications For Education In 2013): Biteslide looks like a fairly easy tool to create slideshow-like presentations. It’s worth a look. I’m adding it to The Best Ways To Create Online Slideshows.’ School
“Parent Engagement Requires ‘Trust, Not Blame’”
Parent Engagement Requires ‘Trust, Not Blame’ is Part Two in my Education Week Teacher series on…parent engagement. Jane Baskwill, Julia Thompson and Bryon V. Garrett share their thoughts. Here are some excerpts:
January’s Infographics & Interactives Galore – Part Two
There are just so many good infographics and interactives out there that I’ve begun a new semi-regular feature called “Infographics & Interactives Galore.” You can see others at A Collection Of “The Best…” Lists On Infographics and by searching “infographics” on this blog. I’ll still be publishing separate posts to individually highlight especially useful infographics and interactives, but you