Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---Mid January 07 Edition--- (current subscribers: 18,645)
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News and updates to http://brains.org and Kathie Nunley's
Layered Curriculum(R) Site for Educators: http://help4teachers.com
~~The NO-MEMBERSHIP-REQUIRED website ~~
You can subscribe to this newsletter at:
http://help4teachers.com/newsletter.htm
Unsubscribe & EMAIL CHANGE information link at the bottom of this newsletter
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SECTION ONE: Teaching Tips -
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Teacher Tip # 1: I teach special ed students with emotional and behavioral
challenges. Lining up for anything creates arguments and fighting, so I
have a "line-up" order for the class. Each week the leader becomes the
tail and the 2nd in line moves up to the leader position. Now students don't
race to be first in line (especially for lunch). Danielle Keis, Olean, NY.
Teacher Tip #2: To make sure I get back "loaner" pencils, I ask the
students to leave a shoe by the pencil dispenser. When I get my pencil
back, they get their shoe back. They laugh at first, but it really works. My
loaner pencil pile lasts a lot longer then it used to! Katie Maloney, Idaho.
Teacher Tip #3: Create your classroom rules with your class. Then put it
on a scroll like the constitution. Talk about how we follow rules to keep
us safe and our leaders help us form rules. To close, have a big signing
celebration. Invite "big wigs" to sit at the signing table as your class
signs their constitution. (workshop participant, no name) Brookings, SD.
Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
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SECTION TWO: Hot Topics
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HOT TOPIC #1: For years we've associated problems in the prefrontal
cortex as one of the major contributors to ADHD. Researchers at
Queens College in NYC are arguing that model. They hypothesize that
the development of this area actually just correlates with the reduction
in ADHD symptoms as the person develops. They feel that ADHD
is due completely to noncortical dysfunction, develops very early in the
brain's life and remains constant throughout life despite the fact that some
symptoms may lessen with development. Haperin, J. & Schulz, K. (2006).
Psychological Bulletin, Vol 132(4), 560 - 581.
HOT TOPIC #2: Children's Hospital in Seattle has been studying the
volume of the corpus callosum compared to total cerebral volume in children
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) versus typically developing children.
Children with ASD had a disproportionately smaller corpus callosum than
typical children. This could mean that there is a decrease in interhemisperic
connectivity (and communication) in persons with ASD or that the larger
cerebral volume seen in ASD is due to an increase in tissues that are simply
not represented in the corpus callosum. Boger-Megiddo, I., et al(2006).
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol 36(6), 733-739.
More Hot Topics at the websites!
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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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***NEW at the Help4Teachers.com****:
We have 36 new Layered Curriculum(R) units at the website!! Wow, yes, 36.
For High School / Middle School Science:
##Reproduction, Electricity, Atoms & elements from Melissa Wotherspoon in
Bowmanville, Ontario.
## Bacteria, Genetics, DNA, Microscopes & Ecology, Energy, Properties
of Matter, Newton's Laws, Machines, Metric System & Linear Motion,
Scientific Method, from Michelle Gibson at Nate High School.
##Cells, Metric System from Steve Hill, Brigham City, UT.
##Cells & Tissues, Population ecology, and Leaf Collection from Sid Ready, Pender, NE.
##Properties of Materials, Earth & Materials, Intro to materials, Atomic
Structure, from Stephanie Henderson in Albuquerque, NM.
Math:
Properties of Function, from Richard Hernlund, Houston, TX.
Social Studies:
Legislative Branch from Gary Knapp in Monroe, MI.
Literature:
##True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle from Stephanie Ritter, DeSoto, WI
##Time Machine and Frankenstein from Melissa Wothespoon in Ontario.
Arts:
Painting, Architecture, Music & Dance, Sculpture, Theatre & Philosophy from
Steve Zimmerman at Blue Moutain High School.
Elementary:
Digestion, Amphibians, Birds from Katie Golin & Angela Kanerva, Pinckney, MI.
View all the sample units at: http://help4teachers.com/samples.htm
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*** NEW Article with some Simple Rules of Thumb to Help Avoid Making
the Top 5 Most Common Mistakes in Starting Layered Curriculum(R).
http://help4teachers.com/mistakes.htm
******************the Brains.org SHOP: *******************************
Looking for recommended books on teaching, learning and brain-based
instruction? You'll find them at our Brains.org Shop. We have
2 new books on reading strategies this month and a new math
addition, "Ways to Think About Mathematics" as well as our
current bestseller "Differentiating the High School Classroom." We also
offer direct discounts on the "Layered Curriculum" text and workbook.
We still carry colored overlays and accept school Purchase Orders.
Shop at: http://brains.org/store/index.htm
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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Kathie,
Hello from up north! I am a Junior High (7th & 8th grade) Science teacher
at Grand Traverse Academy in Traverse City, Michigan. My students are
finding great success as we try out these Layered Curriculum units together.
It has been a lot of work and planning, but well worth the time.
I thought I would share our latest unit with you - I'm sure it's not perfect, but
the students really enjoyed it as they took learning to the next level.
Thanks for your comprehensive website - it is loaded with tons of VERY useful
information! Much appreciated!
Ryan Schrock
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Ryan, Thanks so much for your unit and your email. I'll look forward
to hearing how things go as your year progresses, so please keep in
touch and if you'd like to share more units, that would be terrific!!
~Kathie
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(From the discussion forum at the website)
Four of the classrooms in my alternative high school are [using]
Layered Curriculum. Some of the teachers give the C level 80% of the
total points - while other teachers give the C level 20% of the points.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help! Twila.
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Twila, Some of this may have to do with the different subjects and where
the emphasis needs to be. Remember the C layer is for "basic knowledge"
the B layer for application and demonstration and the A layer for critical thought.
Obviously, a math class may need a bigger percentage of emphasis in the
C layer whereas a music class would need more emphasis in the B layer.
So a wide variety of grading systems within a school would be expected.
- Kathie
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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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I hope everyone had a warm and restful long weekend as here in the US we
celebrated Dr Martin Luther King's contributions to our world. I also hope
most of you are thawing out from our weather. Here in southern New Hampshire
we spent a day and a half without power as El Nino sent a "southern style"
ice storm up here to New England. The sun is out today and we're thawing
out despite our single digit temperatures.
Tomorrow I head up to Ontario, Canada to work with the high school teachers
of Peterborough. We have new workshops in the making for Kansas, Indiana,
and New Jersey. Watch my calendar for details and contact information as
plans become confirmed. I have a handful of openings left in my 2007 calendar
if anyone is still needing a workshop or conference this year.
If you're having a hard time synching your PD calendar with mine, please remember
that the Layered Curriculum(R) Video Training program has become very popular as a
convenient way to train your staff. Information available at: http://help4teachers.com/video.htm
Again wishing you a warm, happy, healthful and peaceful 2007.
As always, my best to you and yours,
Kathie
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Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com/workshops.htm
or
call: 603-249-9521
email: kathie@brains.org
Brains.org and Help4Teachers is located at:
54 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031
Layered Curriculum(R) is a registered trademark owned and developed
by Dr. Kathie F Nunley. Usage information available at:
http://help4teachers.com/usage.htm
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum(R) . . . because every child deserves a special education (tm)
Brains.org & Help4Teachers.com
54 Ponemah Rd
Amherst NH 03031
PH 603.249.9521
FX 208.979.0678
