Fear of Failure

Either click Here or scan the QR code and read the following article, "How to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Failure" by Vicki Zakrzewski. 

Michael Jordan once said, "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."  

Personally, I learn more from things I fail than from things I succeed doing.  When I fail, I strive to master the concept until I know what I did wrong.  If I succeed, many times it was just luck that was part of my success and I don't continue to strive for mastery.  

Your post should include answers to the following.  Your answers should be thoughtful and truthful.  

1.  How do you view failure as a student?  
2.  How do you view failure as a teacher?  
3.  Do you think grades are a true indicator of your knowledge?
4.  Do you think being unsuccessful can give you perspective and also encourage you to try harder?
5.  How do you handle criticism?  

Follow the rubric for best results.  Due on Friday, April 18.  

LiveBinder

Below is the classroom LiveBinder that contains the links to the Web 2.0 tools and APPS you researched in last week's blog. 

Your Blog assignment for Friday, March 28 is to embed this LiveBinder on to your own Blog and to create a Wiki page called LiveBinder and then to embed it on to that page.  This will be due by the end of class.  You will need to show me it is complete. 

You can copy and paste this embed code for your Blog.

Open Binder embed code:

<iframe src="http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814&present=true" height="500" width="100%">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

Binder icon embed code:

<div style="width:75px; height:78px; background-image:url(http://www.livebinders.com/images/icons/binder_icon.png); border:0px; margin-top:6px; background-repeat: no-repeat"> <a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814"> <img src="/images/blank_binder.gif" style="width:60px; height:60px; border:0px; padding:0px;margin:11px 0px 0px 13px;" /> </a> </div> <div><a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814">EAT Web tools and APPS</a><br /></div>

No rubric this week.  It's either all or none. 

Double Blog - Web tools

Follow the directions on Mrs. Stevens Wiki this week for your blog.  It is important to take your time and do it right.  Everything counts two times.  Do all of the criteria listed in the assignment, and you will need to include at least 4 types of multimedia this week.

Click here to access the Google Doc for the assignment.

Click here to access the rubric.

This Livebinder contains resources you may find useful for this assignment.

This Blog assignment will be due on Friday,  March 21 before class begins and will be shown randomly on the screen to be presented by you in front of class.

Is music the universal language?

Has music ever moved you?  Have you ever thought about the brain connections between music and learning?  Read this article about how one school is implementing a music program in their early education program. 

After you have finished the first article, Read this article about how one innovative teacher transformed a poverty stricken village in Paraguay.  Watch this powerful video Landfill Harmonic.


PS - the full version of the Landfill Harmonic is on YouTube.  It is awesome if you haven't seen it!

After you have finished reading both articles and watching the video, reflect on your experiences with music in education.  Was it meaningful?  Do you wish you could have pursued it further?  Do you feel we have enough fine arts and music in our curriculum?  Your thoughts. 

Your writing should reflect higher order thinking skills.  Grammar and process are important when writing.  Follow the rubric for best results.  This blog will be due on Friday, February 28 in class.  This blog will be shown on the screen so do your best work.  We will be peer grading the blogs this week.  Be creative with your title this week. 

7 Myths About Rigor

The Thinker Statue at Columbia University

Have you ever heard a teacher say that something wasn't rigorous enough?  Often, AP classes are said to contain rigor.  Just what does it mean?   Read this article "7 Myths About Rigor" and see what it says about rigor.  When you have read the article and based on your own personal knowledge, explain in your own words.   How do you think you could inject rigor into an assignment or a curriculum?  Ask yourself the questions that are outlined in the link.   Give clear thoughtful answers.

Follow the Rubric for the best grading results.  Blog is due on Monday, Feb. 10. 

Creativity Counts!

Creativity!

Use headphones to listen to the video below.   Some of you have probably heard this before, but it bears listening to again!  Sir Ken Robinson is a well renowned author and educator.  His TED Talk should offer you some perspective.  This video is always a class favorite!

I thought this was an appropriate time to show this video from Sir Ken Robinson while you are contemplating what you will be teaching your own students.   Creativity should always count!  

You are to answer the following using complete thoughts and phrases.  

You should give intelligent well thought out answers.  You should also write in complete, grammatically correct sentences.

What is Creativity?
Why does Creativity matter in Education?
How do we fix this?

Sir Ken Robinson's Website.  Click here

Sir Ken Robinson on TED Talks

The name of your Blog post is Creativity Counts.
Remember to follow the Rubric.  This blog post is due today, Monday, Feb. 3.  

The future of teachers in Texas

Here are two articles for you to read.  

After you have read both, reflect on what you have read.  Give well thought out ideas and statements.

1.  An article and graphic from Texas Monthly.  Click here

2.  Great Teachers:  Great Texas a plan proposed by State Senator Wendy Davis (Richland High School graduate) and candidate for Governor of Texas.  Click here and read about her proposal to strengthen teachers in Texas.

This blog is due on Friday, January 24.  As always, use the rubric for best scoring results.  We may be reviewing your blogs on the big screen, so do your best!