Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
LARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Two New Excellent College Financial Aid Resources
Here are two new excellent resources on college financial aid. I’m adding them to The Best Financial Aid Resources For Students Planning To Go To College: White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics has created the ¡Gradúate! Financial Aid Guide to Success (Guide). You can read more about it here, and download it in English and Spanish. Here’s a video about it: The Five “Qs” o
More Mother’s Day Resources
Here are a few more additions to my very long The Best Sites For Learning About Mother’s Day list: This Is Your Body on Motherhood is a series of infographics from TIME. Cruel Joke: What Will Your Mother’s Day Flowers Cost? is from Common Dreams. Google created a Doodle in 2013 that let you make your own Mother’s Day card, and I think it might still work.
Great GIF: “European Colonial Empires from 1492-2008″
Watch European colonialism rise and fall in seconds in this GIF. Thanks to Vox for the tip, which has also written an accompanying text: I’m adding it to The Best Websites For Teaching & Learning About World History, which also contains this related video: Watch as 1000 years of European borders change (timelapse map) from Nick Mironenko on Vimeo.
Here’s What I Will — & Won’t — Be Doing Over The Summer…
I’ve still got plenty to do over the last four weeks of school, including working with students to finalize their Theory of Knowledge Oral Presentations (I’ll be posting videos of a few here); preparing some of what I hope to be engaging lessons for all my classes (which I’ll also share here); and setting-up a virtual summer school classroom for students since, once again, our District doesn’t ha
Another Reason Why We Need More Organizing, Not More Dialogue, In Education Policy Fights
There are regular articles and blog posts calling for more dialogue and less confrontation in the debates surrounding education policy issues. Unless it’s done as a tactical move in a larger strategy, I don’t think we have to go out of our way to be rude, but I generally believe that these calls are pretty naive and demonstrate a pipe-dream attitude about how change happens in public life (see Th
Video: A Drone Flies Into An Erupting Volcano
Here’s footage from a drone of the Yasur volcano on Tanna island, Vanuatu. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Volcanoes:
May’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
Memorial Day Resources
Memorial Day occurs later this month. Reader might be interested in The Best Websites For Learning About Memorial Day.
YESTERDAY
The Best Resources On The Kidnapped School Girls In Nigeria – Help Me Find More
The tragedy in Nigeria is heartbreaking. Here are a few useful resources: Boko Haram’s four-year reign of terror – infographic is from Channel 4 in the UK. Here’s another infographic from ABC News. #BringBackOurGirls focuses world’s eyes on Nigeria’s mass kidnapping is from The Guardian, and the same page has lots of multimedia resources and other articles. The BBC has some excellent resources, p
Administrators Must Make ‘Alliances With Students, Teachers & Parents’
Administrators Must Make ‘Alliances With Students, Teachers & Parents’ is my latest post at Education Week Teacher. It includes guest responses from three educators — Anne Reeves, Justin Tarte, and PJ Caposey — as well as my own thoughts… Here are some excerpts:
May’s Best Tweets – Part Two
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 post. If you don’t use Twitter, you can
Another Great Video For Mother’s Day: Kevin Durant’s MVP Speech
You probably have either seen or heard about Kevin Durant’s speech accepting the NBA Most Valuable Player award. He makes many moving comments, particularly about his mother. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Mother’s Day:
MAY 08
Great Mother’s Day StoryCorps Animation: “Me & You”
I’ve previously posted about StoryCorps’ great series of animated videos. Here’s a new one that’s perfect for Mother’s Day: I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Mother’s Day.
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: ELLs and Their Peers: What They Teach Each Other in the Classroom is an Ed Week post about an interesting upcoming research study. Study calls for standardizing English fluency definition is from The San Francisco Chronic
MAY 07
One-Minute “Ask Smithsonian” Videos Are Good To Watch & Are Useful Models For Student Creations
The Smithsonian has a series of one-minute “Ask Smithsonian” videos that answer questions on a variety of topics. Here’s an example: There short, sweet and interesting to watch. But I plan on using them for something else, too… Next year, I’ll be teaching a number of Social Studies classes to English Language Learners — Geography, World History, U.S. History. I could definitely see showing thes
This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Useful Posts & Articles On Education Policies
Here are several recent useful posts and articles on educational policy issues: What If Teacher Evaluation Isn’t Actually Broken After All? by Paul Bruno is a really excellent post. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Effective Student & Teacher Assessments. Merit Badges for Teachers? You’ve Gotta Be Joking is by John Thompson. Failing Schools: Conflicts over How to Write,
How Much Do We Teachers Spend On Our Classrooms?
Last year, I posted this infographic reporting what a survey says the average teacher spends on their classroom. I thought it was a “low-ball” figure, and at least some readers agreed: Teachers Spend Hundreds of Own Funds to Keep Up With Classroom Needs infographic by ginatomko. Today, Vox published a number of very good charts on the same topic (I’d encourage you to check out Most teache
This Week In Web 2.0
In yet another attempt to get at the enormous backlog I have of sites worth blogging about, 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). I also sometimes include tech tools that might not exactly fit the definition of Web 2.0: Twoople lets you set up a permanent chatboard that you can sha
“Pixteller” Lets You Make Visually Attractive Quotations
Reader Irina let me know about Pixteller, another tool that lets you easily create visually attractive quotations. Here’s an example (the quote comes from a piece I wrote about Social Emotional Learning for The Washington Post): I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Creating Visually Attractive Quotations For Online Sharing.
“How Can Administrators Support an Engaging Curriculum in the Classroom?”
How Can Administrators Support an Engaging Curriculum in the Classroom? is my latest “question-of-the-week” at my Education Week Teacher column. Feel free to leave your responses here in the comments section or there…
I Learn Another Great Game For English Langage Learners From Jimmy Fallon
Last year, I wrote about a fun game for English Language Learners that I learned from late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon (see Jimmy Fallon Comes Up With A Great Game For English Language Learners). Today, I learned another one… He calls it Word Sneak, and it’s a simple one — two people are given five words that they have to fit into a conversation. Obviously, it’s very funny the way he uses
MAY 06
“What Are the Best Ways for Teachers to Work With School Counselors?” Is Topic Of My Latest BAM! Program
What Are the Best Ways for Teachers to Work With School Counselors? is the topic of my latest ten minute BAM! Radio program. I talk with Mindy Willard, 2013 American School Counselor of the Year, and Leticia Gallardo, who is the best counselor I’ve ever seen. They are both contributors to an upcoming Ed Week column I have on the subject.
Resources For “Endangered Species Day”
May 22nd has been named The International Day for Biological Diversity by the United Nations. In the United States, May 21st was designated Endangered Species Day by Congress. You might be interested in The Best Resources For World Biodiversity Day (& Endangered Species Day).
Just Updated “Choose Your Own Adventure” List
My students love reading “choose your own adventure” stories, and I’ve just updated my popular The Best Places To Read & Write “Choose Your Own Adventure” Stories list. Actually, I only had time to update the first half — the one with links to online stories. I still have to get around to revising the second half on tools to create them. Just another item on my “to do” list….
Wow! 800 Pound Gorilla Google Unveils “Google Classroom” That May Make Many Present Tools Irrelevant
Google has just unveiled Google Classroom, which looks like a one-stop shop for teachers and students. It’s free, with no ads, and describes itself as providing the ability to: Create and collect assignments: Classroom weaves together Google Docs, Drive and Gmail to help teachers create and collect assignments paperlessly. They can quickly see who has or hasn’t completed the work, and provide di
“Six ways teachers can stay energized” Is My New Post At Teaching English
Six ways teachers can stay energized is my latest monthly post at Teaching English at the British Council. Here’s an excerpt: You can see all my prior Teaching English posts here.
MAY 05
The Best Articles Showing Why Education Reform Is NOT The Best Way To Fight Poverty
Paul Bruno has described one of my common frustrations: When charged with “ignoring poverty”, many education reformers will respond that in fact improving education is the best way to fight poverty. Arne Duncan once went so far as to say that “the only way to end poverty is through education.” Here are some articles questioning that perspective, and I hope readers will contribute more. In additio
More Resources On The Upcoming World Cup
Here are some new additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The 2014 World Cup In Brazil: A Knuckleball No More: World Cup Soccer Ball Gets A Redesign is from NPR. How to Speak Football Infographic is from Kaplan. Here’s a great Powerade commercial connected to the World Cup:
A Collection Of Useful Posts, Articles & Videos On Race & Racism – Help Me Find More
Issues of race and racism are critical for us to discuss and act on in our classrooms, among the teaching profession, and in society. I’ve posted a number of useful related resources over the years, and I thought this would be a good time to bring them all together and to also invite readers to contribute more. Here are my choices, so far, for inclusion in A Collection Of Useful Posts, Articles &
Great Video For ELLs: “Teeth”
This is a great video for English Language Learners — there’s no dialogue, but it’s engaging and funny. ELLs can watch it and then describe in writing and verbally what happened in it:
Google’s New Teacher Appreciation Video
I’m adding Google’s brand-new teacher appreciation video to The Best Resources To Learn About World Teachers Day:
President Obama Declares This Week “National Charter Schools Week” – Perhaps He Should Read Some Of These Articles
President Obama has declared this week to be “National Charter Schools Week.” Perhaps he could benefit from reading The Best Posts & Articles Analyzing Charter Schools before he does the same next year.
Learn About Mother’s Day & Conjunctions In My Latest NY Times Post For ELLs
Learn about Mother’s Day AND conjunctions in my latest New York Times post for English Language Learners. It includes a student interactive and teaching ideas. You might also be interested in my previous forty NY Times posts for ELLs. You might also want to check-out The Best Sites For Learning About Mother’s Day.
MAY 04
Pinterest Changes The Way You Can Embed Pins — Again!
I like Pinterest a lot, and have several very active Boards. One thing I don’t like about it, though, is that the company keeps on changing the way you can embed Pins on blogs and websites. First, it was easy — they just gave you an embed code. Then, they created a new two-step process that was a pain, while at the same time disabling all the previous embedded images people at used on their sites
The Freedom Rides Began On This Day In 1961
As NPR says, on this day in 1961: 13 activists piled on a bus headed south to test new laws against segregation. The group of “Freedom Riders” that left Washington, D.C., that day would be one of many to confront racial discrimination in public transportation. Learn more at The Best Resources For Learning About The “Freedom Riders.”
Videos For Theory Of Knowledge: “What Is A Photocopier?”
The old Abbott and Costello “Who’s On First?” routine is used by Theory of Knowledge teachers around the world to illustrate how language can be used to discourage understanding. Jimmy Fallon also did a remake with famous comedians. You can see them both here. The New York Times recently shared a sad, but funny, video, What Is A Photocopier?, that can be used for the same purpose: It reminded me
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
The New York Times Learning Network has just announced their fifth annual summer reading contest. Here’s a brief description from them: Every Friday from June 13 through Aug. 15 we’ll pose the same question: What interested you most in The Times this week? Anyone 13 to 19 years old from anywhere in the world can post an answer, and contestants can choose from any Times article, essay, video, inte
“TUZZit” Looks Like An Intriguing Site For Online Graphic Organizers & More
I just learned about TUZZit from Carla Arena. It’s a free online graphic organizer tool that provides lots of different options of organizers (you can also create your own); lets you paste online images videos, virtual post-it notes and more onto them; and then you can share your creation with online collaborators. In some ways it seems like an Exploratree on steriods (that site is on Not “The Be
More Resources On California’s Drought
Here are some new additions to A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On California’s Drought: California’s Historic Drought is a photo gallery from The Atlantic. Parched is a chart from The Economist. What the Devastating Droughts in California and Texas Look Like When Graphed is from The Atlantic.
New RSA Animated Video Of Daniel Pink Talk
People are probably familiar with Dan Pink’s “TED Talk” which is one of their most popular of all time, and some are familiar with the RSA Animation of another one of his talks on motivation (I’ve embedded both below). A few days ago RSA posted another animation of a talk he gave on his most recent book (by the way, for what it’s worth, Dan interviewed both my wife and me for it). I’ve embedded t
Video: Violence ‘Interrupters’
It’s new to me, but apparently there’s an organization in Chicago called “Ceasefire” that works to reduce gang violence in Chicago. Here’s a useful clip from a Stephen Colbert interview with Ameena Matthews, one of the group’s leaders. I think the short segment on why people join gangs is one that will be particularly helpful since we write about that in our English class. You can also view an ent
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: Good language teachers, as seen through the eyes of teachers and learners is by Adam Simpson. There’s a lot of substance there, and I would label it as a “must-read.” Are School Turnaround Efforts Overlooking English-Lear
Here’s The Writing Prompt I’m Using As Part Of My Final For Ninth-Grade English
I’ve been sharing the writing prompts I have used, and plan to use, in all my classes — both as formative and summative assessments. You can find them all at My Best Posts On Writing Instruction. Here’s one I’ll be using with my mainstream ninth-grade English class… The Most Important Question You Can Ask was recently published by The New York Times. It’s a short essay by Tony Schwartz. Here’s ho
Video: “Hans Rosling – fossil fuel distribution in two minutes”
I’m adding this video to The Best Hans Rosling Videos:
MAY 03
A Video For Teacher Appreciation Week
In the United States, National Teacher Day is Tuesday in the first full week of May. Amy Erin Borovoy just shared this video, a collaboration between Soul Pancake and Edutopia. I’m adding it to The Best Resources To Learn About World Teachers Day.
May’s Infographics & Interactives Galore – Part One
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
Video: Bob Hoskins Teaches Literacy
I always liked Bob Hoskins in his movies, but never knew he launched his acting career in a popular BBC series designed to teach literacy to adult learners. Hoskins played an adult who had difficulty reading and writing in a series called “On The Move.” You can read more about it at this BBC article, On the Move: How Bob Hoskins helped adults learn to read. I’ve embedded one of the episodes below
This Month’s ASCD “Ed Leadership” Is Out — Here Are 3 Articles I Recommend
Most months, I highly recommend two-to-four articles that appear online in ASCD’s “Educational Leadership,” one of the best ed journals that are out there. You can see my recommendations from previous months here. The May issue on “Professional Learning: Reimagined” just came online. Here are my recommendations: Rethinking Classroom Observation by Emily Dolci Grimm, Trent Kaufman and Dave Doty is
This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Good Posts & Articles On Education Policy
Here are some relatively recent useful posts and articles on educational policy issues: Jack Schneider has written a good piece titled The High Stakes of Teacher Evaluation. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Effective Student & Teacher Assessments. EPI Stands By the Rigorous Methods and Findings of Its Report on Privately Run Charter Schools and the Rocketship Company is