Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Dr Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---April '09 Edition--- (current subscribers: 21,420)
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News and updates to http://brains.org and Kathie Nunley's
Layered Curriculum®
~~The NO-MEMBERSHIP-REQUIRED website which blends current
psychology research with education.
You can subscribe to this newsletter at: http://help4teachers.com/
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--------SECTION ONE: TEACHING TIPS ------
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Teacher Tip # 1: To clean tagging with a permanent marker, write
over it using a dry erase board marker, let dry and wipe. The tagging
wipes right off. Clara Rodriguez, Memorial HS, San Antonio TX.
Teacher Tip #2: To help students understand learning from different
perspectives, teach a concept, move desks and reteach. - workshop
participant no name, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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: We are all familiar with trying to decide if something is
worth the effort. The decision of should you work that hard or give up
now and take a smaller reward is based on dopamine levels in the brain.
New research now is going further to dissect which specific dopamine
receptors are involved. Neurons can contain up to 5 variations of dopamine
receptors (D1,D2, D3, D4,D5) each triggered by different components in
dopamine and each responsible for different proteins and responses. In
training rats to work harder and harder to reach a large reward treat (vs
a small, easy to get reward), when blocking D1 and D2 receptors, the rats
gave up much quicker. Simulating D1 and D2 resulted in the rats working
harder for longer periods to reach the reward. The other subtype receptors
showed no effect. This new research may lead to a new understanding of
how to help people who give up too easily. Bardgett, M. et al. (2009).
Behavioral Neuroscience. Vol 123(2), 242-251
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HOT TOPIC #2: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD/CD) can be diagnosed with some
accuracy at age 3. Researchers looked at 168, 3-year-olds with behavior
problems. They assessed them for ADHD and ODD and then followed
them for the next several years. The diagnosis of ADHD in a 3 year old
was accurate in 75% of the children and the diagnosis of ODD was
accurate in 66% of the children. So while many 3 years old with behavior
problems do grow out of the behaviors, early diagnosis may allow children
to be watched and perhaps provided with early intervention strategies.
Harvey, E. (2009) Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
Vol 77(2), 349-354.
More Hot Topics at the websites!
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------SECTION THREE: WEBSITE UPDATES------
at HELP4TEACHERS.COM and BRAINS.ORG
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===Layered Curriculum® Units:
Steve Ritter, Clinton HS, Missouri sent in ELEVEN Social Studies units and
they are all posted on the site now. Thanks again Steve!
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Notes from the Bookshops (Brains.org & Help4Teachers.com)
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==>NEW & Now Available:
A Layered Curriculum® study kit for individuals. So many
have asked for a single-person Layered Curriculum® training kit,
so here it is!! I've made a narrated DVD of slides designed to
accompany the texts and workbook. The first one (using HS
Science examples) is now available. You can order it now at
http://help4teachers.com/
Later this month, I'll release a version using Math examples.
WHAT'S AT THE Brains.org BOOKSHOP??? http://www.brains.org/store
A Brains.org EXCLUSIVE kit including a narrated powerpoint on
Layered Curriculum® to accompany Chapter 4 of the Facilitator's Guide.
==> Layered Curriculum® Text and Workbook Sets. (special pricing)
==> Ever Popular - Layered Curriculum® Video Training Kits
==> My newest book, in light of the recession: "The Successful Educator's
Guide to Earning Extra Income". (Yes, a bit of a break from my usual topic
of differentiation - but there is another side to the educator's world.)
==> All sorts of recommended books on a variety of subjects specific to education.
We appreciate your business. http://www.brains.org/store
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------SECTION FOUR: KATHIE'S EMAIL------
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Angela Kanerva is a Layered Curriculum® trainer and a 3rd grade teacher
in Michigan. She sent me an update on the latest unit her kids did for math.
I think you'll enjoy it: ======
Recently the 3rd grade students at Pinckney Elementary completed a
Layered Curriculum® Unit on "Perimeter". First, we measured the distance
in feet around the playground to find the perimeter. We researched the
prices of different fencing styles like fancy white picket fence, and chain
link fence. Then students estimated how much fencing we would need
and came up with an estimated cost for a couple different styles of fence.
Last, they were to answer the A layer question “Should we put up a fence
around our entire school grounds?” with their opinion in a clear sentence or
two with a reason behind their choice. Below are some of their answers:
"No. If we do it is a waste of money. This school is old and nobody tries to
escape yet. Why buy it now?" -Adam A.
"Yes, because the chain link fence would cost $441. The picket fence would
cost $34,000. The chainlink fence costs $33,559 less. That’s a lot!" - Daniel S.
"No, because it would be too much money. No kids are running away. I don’t
like the chain link fence, but I do like the privacy fence." -Claire S.
"Yes, I think we should put up a fence so no animals get in like wolves,
foxes and deer!" - Nate
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Thanks for sharing. Angela! - Kathie
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rainy day here in New England and we still have a few leftover piles of snow
around, but I can see buds on the trees and the robins are back and busy.
I'm keeping busy too. As mentioned above, I'm making a series of individual
Layered Curriculum® training kits using samples in a variety of subjects.
A lot of you asked for training kits you can use on your own. So I've narrated
a DVD of slides to accompany the books. The first one uses high school
biology examples (gee, guess why?). The next one will use high school math
examples. We'll see where it goes from there. Any of them work for any
discipline, but I know many of you like to see examples specific to your area.
This month I'll be heading up to Montreal to spend a day at The Study, an
independent girls school and then down to Chicago to do a "Differentiating
the High School Classroom" workshop for ISACS. I understand there are still
some slots open for that workshop, so feel free to join us (registration link
is on my calendar): http://help4teachers.com/
University in New York on May 1 as well.
In addition, there are open registration workshops coming up this fall for
Allegan, MI; Cotulla, TX; and Inuvik, NWT (that one for the adventurous
travelers!), and Lethbridge and Edmonton Alberta. You can get information
and contact information at the calendar page of the website.
My fall calendar looks to be just about filled but I do now have my Spring 2010
calendar open if you need to schedule a workshop. Information is available on line at:
http://help4teachers.com/
Kathie
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Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com/
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/
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum
