Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
Monday, February 21, 2011
Dr Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---Mid-February '11 Edition--- (current subscribers: 21,334)
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News and updates to Kathie Nunley's Layered Curriculum® Sites for Educators:
http://Help4Teachers.com
http://brains.org
Do you have a NEW EMAIL address? You can unsubscribe your old one and
subscribe the new one using the link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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--------SECTION ONE: TEACHING TIPS ------
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TEACHER TIP # 1: A "C layer" assignment choice for character analysis in
an English class: Have the students create a list of daily "tweets" the character
would have posted to a Twitter account.
TEACHER TIP # 2: I painted my old, metal teacher’s desk with chalkboard
paint and let my students and visitors autograph my desk and draw on it.
Then in the summer I paint over the drawings and they can start over the
next year. Connie Mclaughlin , South Dakota.
Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
Watch for more tips via Twitter: http://twitter.com/
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------SECTION TWO: HOT TOPICS in Neuro & Educational Psychology------
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HOT TOPIC # 1: Marijuana use is associated with violence and weapon
use in teens. This is associated more so with boys. Marijuana, in isolation
of any alcohol use, has a definite correlation with peer violence.
Renee Johnson, PhD, Boston University. "Co-Occurring Marijuana Use and
Violence Among Black Adolescents." Presented August 14, 2010 APA
Annual Convention, San Diego, CA
HOT TOPIC #2: When working with adolescents who hurt themselves, it is
important to separate the four categories / levels: (1) Non-suicidal self injury
(NSSI) – self injury with no intent to die. (2) Suicide Ideation – has thought
about suicide, but no specific plan. (3) Suicide Plan – has made a specific
plan. (4) Suicide Attempt – actually tried to kill oneself. 9% of adolescents have
had suicide ideation, 3% have planned it, and 2.7% have attempted suicide. Of
those that have attempted, 60% of them make their 1st attempt within a year of
ideation. The longer they plan, the less likely they are to attempt.
Matthew Nock, PhD. Harvard University. “Why Adolescents and Young Adults
Hurt Themselves: Advances in the Understanding of Suicidal and Non suicidal
Self-Injury." Presented August 13, 2010 APA Annual Convention, San Diego, CA
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---SECTION THREE: WEB UPDATES ---
BRAINS.ORG & HELP4TEACHERS.COM
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Is "Differentiating Instruction" getting a bad reputation at your school? Try
Layered Curriculum® instead ....a simple, enjoyable and effective DI strategy
for teachers with more than one student in their classroom.
==>We offer the Layered Curriculum® TEXT and WORKBOOK set for the
direct, discounted price of $42.00
==>We also offer the individual teachers Study kit for $89.00
http://help4teachers.com/
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Notes from the Bookshop
New Books we're carrying:
==>How the ELL Brain Learns (Sousa)
==>A Child's Brain (Sylwester)
http://brains.org/store
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-----SECTION FOUR: KATHIE'S EMAIL
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From our FaceBook Page:
Kathie, I have kids having issues completing all their assignments and are
doing poorly grade wise b/c they seem to be unable to work independently.
Sara G.
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Sara,
Here are a few suggestions for you:
=Start with a "Daily method" of Layered Curriculum®? That helps
everyone walk through each of the layers and provides a lot of structure.
= Offer small group sessions with you for part of the class period, where students
can work with you to get started or to finish up particular assignments.
= Offer more group options, or assign some group projects with a lot of
structure.
Remember any time students are having problems with procrastination and
completion, tighten the deadlines. Make something due every day or even shorter
than that if needed. - Kathie
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------SECTION FIVE: WORKSHOPS / SCHEDULE / MISC CHAT------
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Less than one month til SPRING!! I'm counting the days as I watch the
snow continue to fall outside my window today. It's nearly March - my favorite
month as it really does come in like a lion and out like a lamb.
I want to thank the educators in Toronto for another wonderful day this
past week. I always enjoy my trips up to Ontario. Next week I'll be heading
to Rolla, Missouri for a day of Layered Curriculum® at the University of Mo.
New workshops are going up on my calendar for Michigan, Ontario, and
Idaho. Details are posted as they are confirmed at:
http://help4teachers.com/
I still have two dates open on my spring 2011 calendar and my fall calendar
is not available.
Finally, I want to update you on the village school in Uganda. I heard this
week from Martin Sebuliba, director at the Springs Alive School in Kakiri.
Despite the limited situation there, they were able to get all 8 of their grade 7
students to pass the national exit test last term and graduate! They are still
desperate for real teachers and other basic needs. Can I put out another call
to you all - maybe some of your classrooms or schools would like to help
sponsor the children in Kakiri, Uganda. Certified teachers cost $100 (USD) per
month. There are 3 months in a term. Can anyone sponsor a teacher for
one of their grades for a month or a term? Feeding the children a meal of porridge
costs 30cents a day per child. Right now, they are unable to feed the children
most days. Can anyone feed the children for a week or a month?
We are looking for sponsorships. More information is online at my website:
http://help4teachers.com/
All sponsors will receive a certificate of thanks from Brains.org, and a DVD of
the children performing a traditional song / dance for you.
As always, my best to you and yours,
Kathie
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