Rehearsing for death: A pre-K teacher on the trouble with lockdown drills

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rehearsing-for-death-a-pre-k-teacher-on-the-trouble-with-lockdown-drills/2014/10/28/4ab456ea-5eb2-11e4-9f3a-7e28799e0549_story.html

Credit: Launa Hall

 

 

 

The right — and surprisingly wrong — ways to get kids to sit still in class

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/10/07/the-right-and-surprisingly-wrong-ways-to-get-kids-to-sit-still-in-class/

Credit: Valerie Strauss

WHEN YOU DRINK A COKE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY IN JUST ONE HOUR

http://jeromiewilliams.com/2014/10/07/when-you-drink-a-coke-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body-in-just-one-hour/

Credit: Jeromie Williams

11 SECRETS TO ENDING FIGHTS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

http://thespiritscience.net/2014/09/26/11-secrets-to-ending-fights-in-your-relationships-2/

Credit: http://thespiritscience.net/

 

Hacking School

Logan LaPlante is one 4C youth with a lot of big ideas about what he wants from his education and life, most of which revolves around something not taught in school very much: how to be happy and healthy. Check out this video for a little inspiration on what young people are capable of with support and empowerment.

Two 7th Graders Made a Heartbreaking and Acclaimed Film about Eating Disorders

On Buzzfeed:

Two 7th Graders made a heartbreaking and award-winning film about eating disorders. Check out their powerful work here:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/two-7th-graders-made-a-heartbreaking-and-award-winning-short

 

Creative Action Artist

Arts and the Mind! Documentary

Alzheimer’s researchers call it a powerful tool to ward off dementia. At-risk teens use it to find meaning in the world around them—and in themselves. It offers healing to both chronically ill toddlers and veterans battling PTSD.
What is this magical elixir? Art.

Arts & the Mind explores the vital role the arts play in human development during both youth and older age, and shares stories and cutting edge scientific research on how music, dance, painting, poetry and theater markedly improve well-being at both ends of life.

http://www.pbs.org/programs/arts-mind/

Thanks to Karen for sharing!

The War at Home

 

 

Watch this inspiring teacher speak out about the realities of his students and their community environment. How does the place we live affect our sense of safety, access to nutrition, health, life expectancy, etc.?

Thanks to Keri for sharing the inspiration!

Lewis Hine: Photographs of Child Labor

Lewis Hine was a teacher in the early 20th Century who became so concerned about the abuses and evils of Industrial era child labor in the U.S. that he quit his job teaching and toured the country taking photographs of child laborers of all stripes.  His photos were later instrumental in the adoption of child labor laws in this country.  Check out his photos and the accompanying lesson plan ideas if you’d like to explore concepts like the rights of the child, family, work, health, self, community, heroes of history, class, agism, photography/documentary work, the power of art to change society, or being a courageous ally.

Photos are here: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/hine-photos/

And lesson plan ideas are here: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/hine-photos/activities.html

Obesity in Texas

Obesity in Texas

Looking to do a project on fitness and nutrition?  Maybe just curious how your school district compares to others as far as childhood obesity?  Check out this childhood obesity Interactive mapping tool from Reshaping Texas: http://reshapingtexas.org/fitnessgram