Saturday, August 21, 2021

THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007

  Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007


THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... 
The latest news and resources in education since 2007



“Q&A Collections: Differentiating Instruction”
Q&A Collections: Differentiating Instruction is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Posts and videos from the past 10 years offering practical suggestions on differentiating instruction. Here’s an excerpt from one of them:
Saturday’s New Articles On School Reopenings
anaterate / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : As Childhood Covid Cases Spike, School Vaccination Clinics Are Slow Going is from The NY Times. Salt Lake City Mayor Announces Mask Mandate For K-12 Students is from NPR. School boards are in open revolt against Ron DeSantis’s anti-mask crusade is from Vox. Uncertai
New Resources On Critical Race Theory Hysteria
mmi9 / Pixabay Here are new additions to RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ABOUT ATTACKS ON “CRITICAL RACE THEORY,” THE 1619 PROJECT & ATTEMPTS TO STOP EDUCATORS FROM TEACHING ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM : American Education Is Founded on White Race Theory is from The New Republic. TO COUNTER “CRITICAL RACE THEORY” ATTACKS, ADVOCACY GROUPS DODGE THE TERM is from The Intercept. Republicans newly alarmed by critica
A Look Back: “What I Cannot Create, I Do Not Understand”
I thought that new – and veteran – readers might find it interesting if I began sharing my best posts from over the years. You can see the entire collection here . www_slon_pics / Pixabay “What I Cannot Create, I Do Not Understand” That’s what was on Nobel-Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman’s blackboard when he died . I found this image in an article at Scientific American titled Hunters of
iCivics Upgrades Its Site & Adds New Features
iCivics made a number of changes to their site this month, and added some features. I’ve often posted about its different activities, though this year will be the first time I expect to be trying out many of them since I’m teaching ELLs U.S. Government for the first time. Their new additions include a number of animated videos. Unfortunately, though, I was not able to turn-on closed captioning, e
The First Enslaved Africans Were Brought Here On This Day In 1619 – Here Are Teaching & Learning Resources
Engin_Akyurt / Pixabay It’s the 402nd anniversary of a terrible day. You might be interested in: USEFUL RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRINGING ENSLAVED AFRICANS TO AMERICA RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ABOUT ATTACKS ON “CRITICAL RACE THEORY,” THE 1619 PROJECT & ATTEMPTS TO STOP EDUCATORS FROM TEACHING ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM #otd in 1619, a ship carrying over 20 enslaved Africans a
“Q&A Collections: Assessment”
Q&A Collections: Assessment is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Scores of educators share commentaries on the use of assessments in schools. Here’s an excerpt from one of them:

AUG 19

Friday’s New Articles On School Reopenings
OpenClipart-Vectors / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : As quarantines send students home, what’s the plan to keep them learning? is from Chalkbeat. Parents pull kids from schools as district bucks CDC guidance and board member spreads misinformation is from CNN. A Texas school superintendent speaks out after p
Classroom Instruction Resources Of The Week
Each week, I publish a post or two containing three or four particularly useful resources on classroom instruction, and you can see them all here. You might also be interested in THE BEST RESOURCES ON INSTRUCTION IN 2021 – PART ONE . Here are this week’s picks: 6 Ideas to Support Students in a Fight, Flight, Freeze Response is from The Teaching Channel. I’m adding it to Best Posts On Classroom Ma
This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Useful Posts & Articles On Ed Policy Issues
Here are some recent useful posts and articles on educational policy issues (You might also be interested in seeing all my “Best” lists related to education policy here ): Education Dept. Will Erase $5.8 Billion In Loans For Borrowers With Disabilities is from NPR. MacKenzie Scott’s Money Bombs Are Single Handedly Reshaping America is from Bloomberg. I’m adding it The Best Resources For Learning
A Look Back: Animated Video I’ve Done With Ed Week: “What Is ‘Transfer of Learning’ and How Does It Help Students?”
I thought that new – and veteran – readers might find it interesting if I began sharing my best posts from over the years. You can see the entire collection here . This post originally appeared in 2017. You can see other videos, including a series Katie Hull and I did on differentiated instruction, and another on student motivation, here . In preparation for a series I did for them, I worked with
We Teachers Should Try To Avoid “Toxic Positivity” This Fall
I’m a longtime believer in the importance of projecting a positive attitude in class, and the benefits that provides to students (see Best Posts On Why It’s Important To Be Positive In Class ). But, as an article in today’s Harvard Business Review suggests (see Leaders, Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Your Fears and Anxieties ), maintaining a façade of constant positivity can have negative conseque
Three New Resources For Planning The First Days Of School
Darkmoon_Art / Pixabay Here are new additions to The Best Resources For Planning The First Day Of School : Listen Before You Leap (One Thing You Might Try . . .) is by Neema Avashia. We Belong: The First Week of School I Wish I Had is from ASCD. I've updated my beginning of the year student intro form. You're welcome to steal whatever you want! Updates include specifically asking about who I'm ta
My Keanu Reeves Meme & How To Make Your Own
Here’s my latest meme, referring to our new TOK textbook. You can make your own here . I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Making Internet ” Memes.”

AUG 18

“Q&A Collections: Science Instruction”
Q&A Collections: Science Instruction is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Fifty teachers share ten year’s worth of science-teaching advice. Here’s an excerpt from one of them:
Thursday’s New Articles On School Reopenings
moritz320 / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : Texas parent rips mask off teacher’s face, superintendent says is from NBC News. Florida Schools Wrestle With Whether To Require Students To Wear Masks is from NPR. A Texas School Made Masks Part Of Its Dress Code To Get Around Gov. Abbot’s Ban is from NPR. Washingt
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
BiljaST / Pixabay Six years ago I began this 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. You might also be interested in THE BEST RESOURCES, ARTICLES & BLOG POSTS FOR TEACHERS OF ELLS IN 2020. Also, check out A Collection Of My Best Resources On Teaching English Language Learners. In additi
The Importance Of Pronouncing Student Names Correctly!
OpenClipart-Vectors / Pixabay As we all begin a new school year, here’s a reminder to teachers everywhere – including me! Pronounce our new students’ names correctly! To learn reasons why this is so important, and hints to get it right, check out The Best Resources On The Importance Of Correctly Pronouncing Student Names .
Infographic Of The Week: “Map Explainer: Key Facts About Afghanistan”
I’ve been sharing an infographic or two each week, and you can find previous ones here . You might also be interested in all my “Best” lists on infographics. Here’s my latest pick, Map Explainer: Key Facts About Afghanistan , is from Visual Capitalist. You can find more information on it – and a bigger version – at the link. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About The Afghanistan War .
NY Times Article On Challenges Facing Schools This Fall
The School Culture Wars: ‘You Have Brought Division to Us’ is an article in today’s NY Times that does what I think is a pretty good job describing some of the political challenges facing schools this year in the face of conservative attacks on teaching about systemic racism, implementing face mask mandates and reconsidering the use of school police. Teaching in a community like Sacramento insula
“Five Strategies for Implementing Accelerated Learning”
Five Strategies for Implementing Accelerated Learning is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Nancy Frey and Doug Fisher share suggestions on how to carry out accelerated learning, including through building student confidence. Here are some excerpts:
Wednesday’s New Articles & Videos On School Reopenings
DieElchin / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : New School Year, Same Old Covid Chaos appeared in The New Republic. Urgent call for Covid-safe ventilation in schools is from The BBC. This is interesting. And it should be made clear that most of the objections are coming from white parents. https://t.co/DhqOvOH5ET
My Latest BAM! Radio Show Is On Ways Educators Will Teach Differently Next Year
What Matters, What Matters More: How Will You Teach Differently This School Year? is the topic of my latest ten-minute BAM! Radio Show. It’s the first in a new season of shows! I’m joined in the discussion by Keisha Rembert, Tara Bogozan, Sheila Wilson, and Sarah Cooper, who have also contributed written commentaries to my Ed Week column. I’m adding it to All My BAM Radio Shows – Linked With Desc
A Look Back: Here’s My Chapter On Elements Of A Successful Lesson, Along With Student Hand-Outs THEY Use To Teach
I thought that new – and veteran – readers might find it interesting if I began sharing my best posts from over the years. You can see the entire collection here . This post originally appeared in 2015. Kidaha / Pixabay I’m a big advocate and practitioner of creating opportunities for students to be teachers (see The Best Posts On Helping Students Teach Their Classmates ). I’ve previously posted

AUG 17

AUG 16

“17 Actions Administrators Can Take Now to Support Students & Teachers”
17 Actions Administrators Can Take Now to Support Students & Teachers is the headline of my latest Education Week column. The year ahead is going to be “insanely difficult.” Innovation, educator agency, and equity will help leaders bring success to schools. Here are some excerpts:
How Have I Not Heard Of “Ingles.com” Or “SpanishDict” Before Now?
Ingles.com looks like an amazing site for Spanish-speakers learning English. It has a zillion interactive, including many connected to English textbooks, and they appear easy to assign to Google Classroom. They have a “sister” site, SpanishDict , that looks equally as valuable for English-speakers trying to learn Spanish. I sent the site a message with some clarifying questions, but haven’t heard
Tuesday’s New Articles & Videos On School Reopenings
StockSnap / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : Tennessee’s governor allows parents to opt out of mask mandates at school. is from The NY Times. More South Carolina Schools Set to Flout Mask Mandate Ban is from US News. Los Angeles and Chicago schools will mandate teacher vaccinations. is from The NY Times. Schoo
Statistic Of The Day: Biden Administration Makes Biggest Increase Ever In Food Stamps
Though it is admittedly hard to focus on this today in the face of the Biden Administration’s failure – so far – to transport tens of thousands of Afghan refugees to the United States, The NY Times did report a big piece of news that will help millions of our students: Biden Administration Prompts Largest Permanent Increase in Food Stamps . I’m adding this info to The Best Places To Learn What Im
Resources For Teaching About The Afghanistan War
ArmyAmber / Pixabay As we watch the devastating images from the Kabul airport, and as those of us with Afghan students hear the worry and panic in their voices about their loved ones who are still in Afghanistan, teachers in session might want to teach about what is going on there – and how it reached this point. You might find The Best Sites For Learning About The Afghanistan War helpful .

AUG 15

“Q&A Collections: Education Policy Issues”
Q&A Collections: Education Policy Issues is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Posts on the key education policy issues from the past 10 years. Here’s an excerpt from one of them:
Monday’s New Articles On School Reopenings
MIH83 / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : Doubts, Anger and Anxiety: What It’s Like to Go to School Now is from The NY Times. Masks in schools: Explaining the debate over face coverings in classrooms is from The Washington Post. Black educators struggle to cope with COVID-19 stress: ‘We are overwhelmed’ is from
My Jason Momoa & Henry Cavill Meme & How To Make Your Own
School doesn’t start for two more weeks, so I still have time to make memes. This one isn’t specifically related to education, but it also sort of is…. You can make your own here . I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Making Internet ” Memes.” You can see others I’ve created there – some hits, and some misses…..
A Look Back: Quote Of The Day On The Trauma Affecting “Black Boys”
I thought that new – and long-time – readers might find it interesting if I began sharing my best posts from over the years. You can see the entire collection here . I’ll start with my favorites from earlier this year. The Burden of Being ‘On Point’: Too often, traumatized Black boys’ behavior is pathologized. It’s actually rational. is a very important article appearing at The Atlantic today, wr
This Podcast Interview With Nikole Hannah-Jones & Ta-Nehisi Coates Is Worth Listening To &/Or Reading
Ezra Klein Interviews Ta-Nehisi Coates and Nikole Hannah-Jones is a New York Times podcast (you can listen to it here or read the transcript here ). Here’s an excerpt that I thought was particularly striking: NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES: …even at the darkest moments in this country, there was also always a biracial, sometimes a multiracial group of citizens, who are pushing for it to be better. Who were

AUG 14

“Q&A Collections: Writing Instruction”
Q&A Collections: Writing Instruction is the headline of my latest Education Week column. Ten years of advice from experienced teachers about writing instruction. Here’s an excerpt:
Most Popular Posts Of The Week
I’m making a change in the content of the regular feature. In addition to sharing the top five posts that have received the most “hits” in the preceding seven days (though they may have originally been published on an earlier date), I will also include the top five posts that have actually appeared in the past week. Often, these are different posts. You might also be interested in IT’S THE FOURTE
Sunday’s New Articles & Videos On School Reopenings
Sammy-Williams / Pixabay Here are today’s additions to The Best Posts Predicting (& Showing) What Schools Look Like During The Pandemic : 3 Florida Educators Die Of COVID-19 Within 24 Hours As Schools Prepare To Reopen is from NPR. DeSantis backpedals on threat to withhold salaries of defiant school officials is from Politico. An 8th-Grader Finally Returns To School In Person, Hoping It Lasts is
My “This Is Fine” Meme & Info On How To Make Your Own
Here’s a meme to illustrate the NBC News story, ‘Irrational zealotry’: GOP governors in standoff with schools over masks. You can make your own here . I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Making Internet ” Memes.”
Here’s My “Change My Mind” Meme & Info On How To Make Your Own
I decided to illustrate my previous post, COVID 19 HAS MADE TRANSPARENT THE LACK OF SKILLED LEADERSHIP IN MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS , with the above meme. You can make your own here . I’m adding it to The Best Tools For Making Internet ” Memes.” You can see others I’ve created there – some hits, and some misses…..

  Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007