All grade levels and subjects are included and there are ideas for a variety of teaching and learning styles. Best of all, much of the available content is offered free of charge. Check out Teachnology today!If you decide to try Teachnology, I’d love to know what you think about the site and if you found any helpful tools.

Moving beyond the success of his own life, Josh Waitzkin, eight-time national chess champion, world champion martial artist, and subject of the film Searching for Bobby Fischer, has written a book detailing his experiences on the road to mastery.

Part autobiography, part self-help guide, The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance explains Waitzkin’s principles for improving performance in any field. In talking about the book, Waitzkin’s says, “If I have learned anything in a lifetime of world-class competition, it is that learners and performers thrive when their growth process is uniquely tailored to their own personal nuance of character.”Waitzkin hopes to nurture the individualized learning potential of children and young adults by offering the book to schools and other youth programs through his non-profit organization, the JW Foundation. To learn more about the book and how to submit your own book request, visit the JW Foundation.

These articles aren’t new to publication, however, I believe they still are worth reading.

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From: Mirror cells’ fading spark: empathy-related neurons may turn off in autism. by Bower, B.
Source: Science News, 12/10/2005.
Via: HighBeam™ Research
COPYRIGHT 2008 Science Service, Inc.

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From: WE FEEL YOUR PAIN. . . . . . AND YOUR HAPPINESS, TOO THE HUMAN BRAIN’S SOURCE OF EMPATHY MAY ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN AUTISM by Carey Goldberg, Globe Staff
Source: The Boston Globe (Boston, MA), 12/12/2005.
Via: HighBeam™ Research
Copyright 2009 The Boston Globe

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From: Is the future of autism research to be found in the mirror. by Kessler, Richard J.
Source: Pediatrics for Parents, 9/1/2008.
Via: HighBeam™ Research
COPYRIGHT 2008 Pediatrics for Parents, Inc.

Wonderful Displays

Designing your own posters is a great way to fill your classroom space with a personalized feel. Everywhere your students look, there could be hanging reminders of past lessons, or posters foreshadowing what’s to come, or simply to spark curiosity.

Design them on your computer and any Office Maxx type store can enlarge them and turn them into glossy masterpieces. It can be a bit pricey for larger posters, ($30) but many stores give discounts for teachers. Also these can be re-used throughout the years, and be viewed as long term investments.

Free Alternatives

At Lowes or Home Depot teachers can purchase a sheet of flat white tile board for under twenty dollars. Often, store staff will cut the board to ‘personal size’ for free if they know it’s for educational use. Also, small pieces of carpet are available as free samples and work perfectly as erasers.

Another option is to purchase black or navy children’s sock. The sock are just the right size to hold a marker inside. The dark color keeps them looking nice longer. I put the white board, one sock and a dry-erase marker or erasable crayon in a Ziploc food storage bag. Students can store the bags in their desk or they can be stored all together in a milk rate It’s an efficient way to distribute the board and markers.

Some teachers shared that they use the Mr. Clean wipes. Others have shared a concern that they could be toxic. So, do be careful with what students use to wipe off their white boards.

If you have a favorite Individual White Board Activity tip, please add it through the comment field.

Visual Demonstration

1. The Brain – the intro: like the brain, the intro “controls” the body of the essay (especially point out ‘thesis’)

2. The Heart – body paragraph: at the “heart” of the essay are the body paragraphs.

3. The Feet – conclusion: like your feet,the conclusion leads you to somewhere new (i.e. new idea, insight). Also students should be able to answer the question “so what?” (Why is this information important?) by the time the essay has reached the feet. –

“THE BIG FOUR”

Jane E. Pollock’s “Improving Student Learning: One Teacher at a Time” builds off of the old saying, “When reading, think like a writer. And when writing, think like a reader.” by applying it to the Teacher/Student relationship.

Pollock offers a structure she calls “The Big Four” to build a learning program that is centered around student achievements.

1. Clearly articulated curriculum, benchmarks, and learning targets

2. Purposeful instructional planning and delivery

3. Purposeful and varied assessment, tied to learning targets

4. Record-keeping and reporting that allow for timely and meaningful feedback that is based on specific criteria

This user friendly book has lots to offer teachers working to differentiate curriculum based on research based best practice. I hope you enjoy the book and feel free to let me know what you think!