The Link Between Early Trauma and Lifelong Illness

From The Atlantic, May 2017
Link to the short animated video

Over the past decade, new research has revealed the link between early trauma and lifelong mental health issues. These discoveries have since revolutionized social work, healthcare, and early education. Policy changes enacted in response to our understanding of the biology of trauma are prioritizing earlier interventions like nurse home visiting services for at-risk families, and an increase in pre-kindergarten programs.
This short animation by Nadja Oertelt is part of The Atlantic’s Next America: Early Childhood project, which is supported by grants from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation.

Reading Rainbow Revisited

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high.
Take a look, it's in a book, a Reading Rainbow!
I can go anywhere.
Friends to know,
and ways to grow.
A Reading Rainbow!
I can be anything.
Take a look,
it's in a book.
A Reading Rainbow.

Are you singing yet? This past week I heard LeVar Burton speak to an enthusiastic crowd of educators. He had us all singing! His message was simple: children must be read to, must see adults reading and must be challenged to read every day. His mother, an English teacher, read to him all the time. They discussed books, ideas and dreams.  He launched a Reading Rainbow and created "Skybrary, a carefully curated, ever expanding interactive library of digital books and video explorations designed to engage young readers and foster a love of learning."

Don't take my word for it!  - try it yourself on the Web, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, and Android tablets! Link below and keep Literacy in your Life! 

Video Field Trips here! 

The End of the Year Snapshots

Teaching is Tiring from Trevor Muir

Teaching is Tiring (and worth it)! 

This will make you smile! Watch Trevor Muir tell us what we already know, and smile at the end of his message! 

Special Education Website Update IDEA

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -  New Website

According to Ed Weekly...

"Back in January, a technical glitch took down the website that hosted the text of the IDEA and other special education resources, prompting a wave of concern among some in the special education community and even some lawmakers. 

The disappearance of the website did not affect the 1975 law itself—the only entity that can make changes to the law is Congress. But the website's disappearance took on a symbolic importance after the Senate confirmation hearing of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. She was criticized by some disability advocates because of what they saw as her unfamiliarity with the civil rights law that covers more than 6 million students with disabilities ages ages 3-21." 

22 Ways to Teach Poetry from the NY TImes

From the New York Times Learning Section, this valuable link will enable you to go beyond an April poem acrostic and sink into some real good stuff! 

All the NY Times Lessons!

The Learning Network from the New York Times is one of the best resources! A great go-to as you plan your lessons and need that extra article. Here's the entire lesson plan link: all lesson plans, all in one place!