September 24, 2008
We are honored to periodically host the Carnival of Education. Hats off to our good friend Jane Goodwin for all of her work on the latest Carnival. - editor It’s time to put on our thinking caps and experience the 190th Carnival of Education, right here at Steve Spangler’s blog! All learning is scientific, you know. The world is a giant laboratory, and every day, we are all, regardless of our ages, making discoveries never before known to mankind. Perhaps some of you will make some discoveries right here at the Carnival of Education! Remember now, we don’t all necessarily have to agree on everything to appreciate it, or realize that it has a value. Let’s begin with some Games for the Brain. That will make us alert and ready for some educational action. Over at Three Standard Deviations to the Left, there is some discussion about low expectations. Mr. IB lets us know, in no uncertain terms, that HIS expectations are high.
Continue Reading…
Tags: adapting, anti-teacher sentiment, apostrophe, artificial turf, Asperger's, autism, brain games, Brainpop, cafeteria food, Carnival of Education, childhood obesity, classroom politics, classroom technology, collaborating teachers, democracy, differentiation, discoveries, educators, electoral, English, equinox, expectations, failures, field trip, foreign language, General, Genuine, giant soap bubbles, Hands on Science Boot Camp, homeschool, humble man, humility, internet dating, Jane Goodwin, John Wilkes Booth, learning style, Links, Mamacita, middle school, moron monday, National Punctuation Day, notecards, Obama, parent-school relationship, paying students, politics, printer, public school, public service messages, quiz, racism, risk, schools, skipping school, steve spangler, students, study hall, stupid, Teachers, technology, toasted pumpkin seeds, video podcasters, wall street bailouts, worksheets, writer's block
Filed under: Hands-on Science Boot Camp, In the News, Podcasts, Science in the Media, Teacher Spotlight, Teaching Moments
August 27, 2008
Once again, the educators that help put together the Carnival of Education have included one of our blog posts in this week’s edition of the Carnival. Check it out and support our fellow bloggers and educators by reading some of the other great blogs over there!
August 21, 2008
You may have seen the recent commercials showing a child raising flags representing America’s standing in school ranking world-wide. I came across an article for the same campaign that shared some striking, but unfortunately not surprising, statistics. According to the “One Nation Left Behind” program, 20 countries outscore the US in science education and 93% of US middle school teachers have little or no science training. As standardized testing becomes key in schools nation-wide, the decline in science education becomes widely apparent. The Strong American Schools Website offers more staggering statistics and eye-opening quizzes that help drive home the point that our children are not receiving enough science education. Check it out and be prepared for some shocking results. However, the One Nation Left Behind campaign is committed to creating awareness about the growing education problem in America… from science, to math, to English.. and offers opportunities to get involved in your community.
August 14, 2008
Hey, folks, the new Carnival of Education is up and we’re in it! Go check it out… you’ll find all kinds of fantastic resources and information there.
August 8, 2008
Preparation for standardized testing has taken a lot of the fun out of the classroom, but good teachers will find a way to sneak the fun back in. REALLY good teachers will sneak the fun back in and teach some awesome lessons at the same time! Science teachers frequently say, “I love all the activities you do, like being able to make slime, or make water float in a bottle, but of the 220 activities you taught us, only a handful were allowed in my school curriculum. There just isn’t enough time for science because it’s not on the big test!” A colleague went to her principal and asked: “If it is not in school time, but in private time, do you mind if I teach science?”? The principal agreed. On average, an elementary teacher spends about 15 minutes per child per year on his/her birthday, and each year that time grows shorter. That’s why “Cup Cakes for Science” was born. The kids were offered a choice between a traditional party or a science party where the birthday child gets to be helper. After one party, the …
Continue Reading…
