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I hope you know better than to use any resource from such a biased source in the classroom without one from the opposite side, say the Brookings Institution in this case. I found your posting of this article from this anti- free thought organization that is a puppet of big business and the far right on an education site plain wrong.

Well, the truth is I did not intend to share this bookmark with Diigo Education, but somehow it was posted in the group. I had intended it only for myself as part of research I am doing.

Wildlife films and photos are vital weapons in the battle to save the world's endangered species from the brink of extinction. So with the help of the world's best filmmakers, photographers, conservationists and scientists, ARKive is creating the ultimate multimedia guide to the world's endangered animals, plants and fungi.

amazing images, videos, sounds of life on earth with helpful factual information

Smithosonian battles the stereotypes often associated with scientists by featuring 20 scientist with interviews, job descriptions, and additional resources.

Anyone else finishing up a grading period?

"Now's the time to transcend the usual debates over how to make our schools better and our teachers more effective - and break free of the myths that keep us fighting 20th century battles. Instead we need to look hard at the realities, framed by research evidence as well as the challenges teachers face everyday"

This is a great Google Map mashup from the BBC that shows things in their true size from your location. From the size of historical battles, to natural disasters, to the size of the moon. http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/PSHE,+RE,+Citizenship,+Geography+&+Environmental

An interactive map and chronology of the major battles of the civil war.

"At the time of publication, it was leading up to 100 years since the cessation of fighting at the end of the First World War. The destruction of life, lands and families finally ceased for a couple of decades and bringing to mind the conflict of modern-day young generations is still important as lessons can be learned from those tragic battles."

A wonderful game for learning Java Script Coding. Battle with coding opponents, either against the computer or friends. The game contains some superb graphics and a manageable learning curve.

"I loved reading @thatboycanteach's blog this morning about music and his classroom-based Youtube battles with a former colleague. It got me thinking about how I use music within my lessons. To jolly my Y8 students along, I play 3 minutes of Bennie Hill's theme music as a signal that they should clear away practical equipment and return to their seats. It's great to see the startled look on their faces as soon as they hear the tune and then remember that they need to completely pack away before the music ends."

Teacher wants to make an example for his student and his point gets doubled.

A study by the Royal Economic Society, to be presented this week, finds that parental effect on test results is five times that of teachers' influence. This comes in the wake of warnings by Sir Michael Wilshaw last week that teachers were unable to properly do their own jobs because parents were expecting them to cover their own parenting skill shortfalls and to become surrogate family for the students.

It all happens well before school comes into the equation. If a child grows up in a literature rich, engaging environment with adults that spend quality time giving opportunities for great learning experiences in the world, the worst teachers still can't decoy that child's enthusiasm for learning. He can always learn at home. But if the child grows up neglected, not nurtured with rich learning experiences ( and I'm not talking about helicopter parents spending every waking moment ramming study down their throats - just quality conversation and hands on experiences )l doesn't get read to or taken out to shop, teachers are fighting an uphill battle with a disengaged individual. Parents, don't wait for school teachers to teach your kids. Start straight away..

Whiteboards in the classroom

Nancy: You need a phased attack. Phase one involves marshaling the technologies you do have handy to create communication with parents. Use Twitter for homework updates, essential questions about reading assignments, a "writer's tip of the day" etc. This is what I call a "tier 1" communication. This technology gives few details, but provides parents talking points during dinner conversation with their kids. Then use your website to add the major details, evaluation rubrics, blogging, etc. What I like to provide are "desktop" videos that capture you using or modeling Web 2.0 technologies, and their potential in the classroom. Post these on your website and say something like, "Blocked here at [your school] but you can perhaps use these tools at home..." When parents start to see the same text appear over and over as a caption or comment in your video, they just might get angry enough to go to the superintendent, or the IT "integration specialist" and say, "Enough! Give this teacher the tools she needs!" We're fighting this battle everywhere. Educators are being treated like children who don't have a clue. Keep fighting the good fight and good luck!