Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---May '07 Edition--- (current subscribers: 18,813)
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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 which blends current
psychology research with education.

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: Make a Substitute Lesson Plan page on your computer
at the beginning of the year. Type your redundant info such as how to check
roll, handle tardies, etc. Enter your class periods / times and leave room
between these to type activities. Plans are now ready to print out as needed.
Candy Bouldin, Archer City ISD, TX

Teacher Tip # 2: Use colored tape on the floor to indicate where to line up,
things students can use, places they cannot go, etc.
Amy Hellinger, Henrietta, TX

Teacher Tip # 3: I help students calculate their cumulative grade after every new
assignment. I also announce each day how many class days are left until
progress reports or report cards. Students are sometimes more motivated
if they know their current grade and how long it will be before grades come
out Darlene Connelly, Olean, NY.

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: A substantial number of adolescents with epilepsy and
seizures have clinical depression as well, so says the Journal of Epilepsy
& Behavior. The prevalence of depression among these teens has not been
widely known and many are not being treated. Researcher Benjamin
Hankin writes on how the role of stressors in a young person's life interact
with genetic, biological, cognitive and interpersonal factors to predict depression.
Hankin, B. (2006). Epilepsy & Behavior, Vol .8(1), 102-114.

HOT TOPIC # 2: New research out of London shows that the drug marijuana,
does in fact damage the brain. MRI brain scans conducted during administration of
various components of the drug show that the component, THC, produced
some psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoid delusions.
The THC suppressed activity in the inferior frontal cortex, which normally holds
fear at bay. In persons with some mental health problems such as schizophrenia,
marijuana use could make their symptoms worse. AP press release (Apr. 2007) at
psycport.com "New findings back evidence of marijuana's damaging effect on brain."

HOT TOPIC # 3: While genetic contributions to autism have been generally
accepted for many years now, finding the exact genetic marker or
biological basis has been up for much discussion and search. By looking for
brain anomalies in the brains of unaffected relatives of persons with autism,
researchers have found some clues to the puzzle. Much of this new research
continues to point to the genes that code for a serotonin transporter protein.
These rare genes relating to serotonin may increase a person's risk for autism.
Kuehn, B. (2006). Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(1), 19-20.

More Hot Topics at the websites!

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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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******** NEW Layered Curriculum® UNITS
Here's what our colleagues around the globe have sent us this week:

~~ "Here is a Layered Curriculum® unit for The Chocolate War.
Grades 9 and 10." Shari Erdmann De Soto High School, WI

~~ "Two more units for you to consider. I just tinkered with the Math
template I sent you previously (that's the cool part; once you have
a basic template, you can go to town with any subject content!) and
created Gr. 5 and Gr. 6 Science units, which the kids are tackling
as we speak." Michael Mitchell, Gr. 5/6, Hillcrest School, Belleville, ON

VIEW ALL THE SAMPLE UNITS AT: http://help4teachers.com/samples.htm

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********** The Help4Teachers Bookstore & The BRAINS.ORG SHOP: ************

NEW BOOKSTORE DISCOUNT FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS!

The bookstore now offers $3.00 off most Brains.org Shop books for newsletter
subscribers. Look for the code NLSD (newsletter subscriber discount) after a
book's price. Mention in the "special instructions" section of the shopping cart
that you're a subscriber and we'll take $3.00 off that book for you! Shop the store:
http://brains.org/store/index.htm

Our Brains.org shop is a source for the best selling books on
brain-based education, differentiated instruction, parenting, and
educating exceptional students. We also carry colored overlays.
You can order directly online with a credit card at:
http://brains.org/store/index.htm
Or fax your School's Purchase Order to 208-979-0678.

If you are looking for the Layered Curriculum® text or workbook,
remember you can buy the set discounted at our bookstore:
http://help4teachers.com/books.htm
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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Dear Kathie

I've been browsing your Layered Curriculum® lessons. Is it possible to get links
to the activities, worksheets, rubrics that the teachers used for their lessons?
Sally N.

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Hi Sally, Most teachers just send the unit plans. The posted lessons are
really just there to give you ideas on how to run a unit in your classroom.
Of course you'll want to modify it for your population and particular
curriculum needs and would want to use your own activities and ancillaries
with any unit that you use.
Best, Kathie

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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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Happy MAY DAY everyone. When I was a little girl, my mother helped us
make paper baskets on May Day. Then we had to go out and find flowers
to fill the baskets. (as I recall, most of the flowers I found were dandelions).
We'd fill the baskets, then go around to each of our neighbors, set the basket
on their doorstep, ring the bell, and run hide in the bushes to wait and see
their face when they discovered our May Day gift. It's been many, many years
since I've seen anyone set baskets on doorsteps to celebrate May Day,
but the day always brings me warm memories. So, let me wish you a
happy May Day and if you have a little time today, make paper basket, fill
it with wildflowers and give it to a neighbor.

Thank you again to the teachers in Las Vegas for that warm reception last week.
I'm getting ready now to head to Perrysburg, Ohio on Monday for a day at
Perrysburg High School and then I'm off to Chicago for a day with the Independent
Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) at the Hotel Monaco.

We've got new workshops in the planning for Ontario, Idaho, and Texas.
As workshops are confirmed, you will find contact and registration information
for open workshops at my calendar: http://help4teachers.com/calendar.htm
Currently there are workshops open to outside participants in Chicago, San Antonio,
Paramus, NJ (near NYC), San Juan Capistrano, CA; Miles City, MT;
Midland, MI; Macomb, IL; Toronto; Indianapolis, Montreal, & Polson, MT.

If you are looking to host a workshop or conference, my spring 2008 calendar is
now open. Let me know if I can check a date for you.

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® is a trademark developed by and registered
to 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