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…For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

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May 21, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
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The Best Science Sites Of 2017 – So Far

Time for another mid-year “Best” list.

I’ll be adding this post to All Mid-Year 2017 “Best” Lists In One Place.

You might also be interested in:

The Best Science Sites Of 2016 – Part Two

The Best Science Sites Of 2016 – So Far

The Best Science Sites Of 2015

The Best Science Sites Of 2014 – Part Two

The “All-Time” Best Science Sites

The Best Science Sites Of 2014 – So Far

The Best Science Sites Of 2013 – Part Two

The Best Science Sites Of 2013 – So Far

The Best Science Sites Of 2012 — Part Two

The Best Science Sites Of 2012 — Part One

The Best Science Sites Of 2011

The Best Science Sites Of 2011 — So Far

The Best Science Websites — 2010

The Best Science & Math Sites — 2009

The Best Science & Math Websites — 2008

The Best Science Websites For Students & Teachers — 2007

Here are my choices for The Best Science Sites Of 2017 – So Far (not in any order of preference):

NPR has just announced their first show geared towards kids – a science podcast called “Wow In The World.” Here’s how they describe it:

NPR is thrilled to announce the launch of Wow in the World, a new podcast for kids ages 5-12 that illuminates the wonders of science, technology, discovery and inventions….Starting May 15, NPR’s Guy Raz and SiriusXM’s Mindy Thomas will take kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the most incredible science and kid-friendly news stories of the week.

One would think it could also have potential for use in the classroom.

The Best Resources On The Cassini Spacecraft

Here are two new (to me) sites providing very accessible science resources to teachers and students:

Reachout Reporter (you can learn more about it at Richard Byrne’s blog)

Young Person’s Trust For the Environment (you can more about it at TopMarks).

Apollo 13 Explosion Occurred On This Day In 1970 – Here’s The Story Behind The “Hack” That Saved Them

Legends of Learning is a new site that provides custom-built games organized by learning objectives. Teachers can create “playlists” they want their students to access and then monitor their progress. They only have science-related games right now, but plan on adding more related to other subjects soon. You can read more about it at USA Today’s article, ‘Spotify for learning games’ coming to classrooms, and I’ve embedded a video about the site at the bottom of this post. I’m adding it to The Best Sites Where Students Can Work Independently & Let Teachers Check On Progress.  It appears the site is free for a month or so after registration (longer if you have fewer students) and then you have to review games, perform other services for the site, or pay per student.

The Best Videos For Learning About The Scientific Method

The Best Resources For Helping Beginner ELLs Learn About Space & Planets

“How small are we in the scale of the universe?” is the title of a new TED-Ed video and lesson.

I’m adding it to The Best Web Tools That Show You Objects To Scale.

Vanishing: The Extinction Crisis Is Far Worse Than You Think is an important – and depressing – new CNN multimedia interactive. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For World Biodiversity Day (& Endangered Species Day).

 

May 21, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
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The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2017 – So Far

 

I use short, funny video clips a lot when I’m teaching ELLs, and you can read in detail about how I use them in The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL (& How To Use Them). In short, there are many ways to use them that promote speaking, listening, writing and reading (including having students describe – in writing and verbally – a chronological description of what they saw).

I’ve also published quite a few “fun videos” lists during the previous ten years of this blog. You can find those in these lists:

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2016 – Part Two

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2016 – So Far

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2015 – Part Two

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2015 – So Far

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2014 – Part Two

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2014 – Part One

The Best Videos For Educators In 2014 – So Far

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2013 – Part Two

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2013 — So Far

The “All-Time” Best Videos For Educators

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2012 (Part Two)

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2012 (Part One)

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2011

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2010

Part Two Of The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2009

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2009

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2008

The Best Movie Scenes To Use For English-Language Development

The Best Funny Videos Showing The Importance Of Being Bilingual Or Multilingual — Part One

The Best Pink Panther Fight Scenes For English Language Learners

The Best Videos Illustrating Qualities Of A Successful Language Learner

The Best Sports Videos To Use With English Language Learners

The Best Video Clips Of Sneaky Critters

The Best Videos Showing “Thinking Outside The Box” — Help Me Find More

The Best Fun Videos To Teach Language Conventions — Help Me Find More

The Best Funny Videos To Help Teach Grammar – Help Me Find More

The Best Movie Scenes For Halloween

The Best Christmas Videos For English Language Learners – Help Me Find More

The Best Random Acts Of Kindness Videos

Okay, now here are my choices for The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2017 — So Far:

You’ve probably seen this video on social media already but, if you haven’t, it would be great to show to English Language Learners and have them talk and write about what they saw:

You can read more about it at NPR: ‘Is That Your New Pink Leg?!’: A Girl Is Embraced As She Shows Off Her Prosthesis

Here are two fun videos to show English Language Learners and then have them share verbally and in writing what they saw.

I found them at The TED2017 film festival: Shorts from the conference.

This is an older video, but new to me. Laura Gibbs shared it on Twitter.

It would be fun to show English Language Learners and have them identify the animals and also say what they are doing.

I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Helping Beginner ELLs Learn About Animals.

Coco is a new Pixar movie coming out in October about Dia de Los Muertos.

They just published this delightful short video as part of some PR for the movie, and it would be great to show English Language Learners and have them write and discuss what they saw.

I’m adding it to The Best Movie Scenes For Halloween.

This hilarious BBC interview will be perfect to show English Language Learners and then have them share verbally and in writing what they saw:

Here are two good articles about the video, too:

When the Kids Crash Your BBC Interview is from The New York Times.

This short video is a commercial (only in the last few seconds), is engaging for everybody, and would be good to show and then have English Language Learners write and talk about what happened.

I’ve shared many Simon’s Cat videos over the years – they’re great to show English Language Learners and then have them discuss and write about what they saw.

Here’s a new one I’m adding to The Best Sites To Learn About Valentine’s Day.

“Hum” is a nice movie about a dishwashing robot and a little bird. It’s a little long (8 minutes), but very accessible to English Language Learners.

Hum from Tom Teller on Vimeo.

Here are some others:

May 21, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
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The Best Resources On Class Instruction In 2017 – So Far

 

Here’s another mid-year “Best” list…

I’m adding this list to All Mid-Year 2017 “Best” Lists In One Place.

Three years ago I began publishing a regular Classroom Instruction Resources Of The Week post and have so far published:

The Best Resources On Class Instruction – 2015

The Best Resources On Class Instruction In 2016 – So Far

The Best Resources On Class Instruction In 2016 – Part Two

Here are this year’s choices:

Ten teaching techniques to practise – deliberately. by Tom Sherrington is a great post and well-worth reading it and the links within the post, too!

Here’s a simple way to boost your learning from videos: “Prequestion” is from BPS Digest. Daniel Willingham writes about the same study. I’m adding both links to The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL, where you’ll find other resources related to effective student video viewing.

What makes expert teachers? is by Harry Fletcher-Wood. I’m adding it to The “Best” Lists Of Recommendations About What “Effective” Teachers Do.

Recommended Educational Research Papers for Teachers to Read is a treasure trove of links to many useful studies for teachers to review. It was compiled by Mr. Barton Maths, and recommended on Twitter by Carl Hendrick.

Learning To Learn is an excellent new article at the Harvard Business Review. It highlights four key qualities of an effective learner – aspiration, self-awareness, curiosity, and vulnerability. I’m thinking of dividing the article into four very short sections on each of those qualities and then have students respond to this same prompt for each:

What quality does the writer say is important in order to be an effective learner, and what is her justification? To what extent do you agree or disagree with what she believes? Write an essay responding to these questions; to develop your essay, be sure to include specific examples drawn from your own experience, your observation of others, or any of your reading — including “Learning To Learn” itself.

I’m adding this info to The Best Posts on Writing Instruction, where I collect links to all my writing prompts.

Culturally Responsive Classrooms is from Scholastic. I’m adding it to The Best Resources About “Culturally Responsive Teaching” & “Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy” – Please Share More!

20 Things for Students to Do with Informational Text is from Julie Conlon. It includes a very nice infographic. I’m adding it to Best Posts On Writing Instruction.

Educating Students to “Think Intensively and Critically” is from The Teaching Channel.It’s written by Lisa Rothbard, who also links to a series of excellent lesson plans.

Teaching in the Trump Years (Part 1) is by Larry Cuban. I’m adding it The Best Posts & Articles On How To Teach “Controversial” Topics.

The Power of a Do Now is from Amy Louise Haywood. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For “Do Now” Activities To Begin A Class.

11 Alternatives to “Round Robin” (and “Popcorn”) Reading is by Todd Finley. I’m adding it to The Best Posts On Students Reading Aloud Individually In ESL Class — But I Need Your Help Finding Research On The Topic.

15 Reasons Why You Should Read was created by Lauren Zucker’s students. I’m adding it to Best Posts On Books: Why They’re Important & How To Help Students Select, Read, Write & Discuss Them.  Thanks to Kelly Gallagher for the tip.

Evaluating Sources in a ‘Post-Truth’ World: Ideas for Teaching and Learning About Fake News is from The New York Times Learning Network, and is just about the most exhaustive list of teaching ideas and resources you’re going to find on the topic. I’m adding it to The Best Tools & Lessons For Teaching Information Literacy – Help Me Find More.

Responding to Defiance in the Moment is from Responsive Classroom. I’m adding it to Best Posts On Classroom Management. Thanks to Chris Wejr for the tip.

5 Ways To Respond To Wrong Answers is from Smart Classroom Management. I’m adding it to The Best Resources On The Idea Of “Wait Time.”

Four Ways Teachers Can Support Students of Color is by Jennifer Gonzalez. I’m adding it to The Best Resources About “Culturally Responsive Teaching” & “Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy” – Please Share More!

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May 20, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
0 comments

The Best Guest Posts Appearing On This Blog In 2017 – So Far

I’ve had several important and popular guest posts appear on this blog this year, and thought readers might find it useful if I brought links to them together in a “Best” list.

I’m adding this list to All Mid-Year 2017 “Best” Lists In One Place.

Here are they are:

Guest Post: How One District Supports Personalized Learning by Dr. Lynell Powell

What ELLs Taught Our School In A Week-Long Empathy Project by Pam Buric

Guest Post From Lorin W. Anderson, Co-Author Of The Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy

Guest Post From One Of Our ELL Students: “Challenge” by Felipe Lopez

Teacher Action Research by Phil Taylor

Refugee Students Need SEL and More to Thrive by Mai Xi Lee

New ELL Teacher Online Book Club by Katie Toppel

Responding To Student Trauma by Kevin Parr

Social Studies & The Common Core (With Downloadable Lessons) by Tara Dale and Mandi White

Exploring Cultural Values with Students (With Hand-Outs) by Josh Kurzweil

“Inquiry” vs. “Diagnostic” Frameworks For Writing Assessments by Lara Hoekstra

May 18, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
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The Best Resources For Learning About Cognitive Bias

I’ve previously written about how teachers’ implicit bias (and “explicit” bias) can impact the classroom (see We Should Be Obsessed With Racial Equity).

I’ve also shared a lot about cognitive bias’ and thought a “Best” list would be useful.

But, first, I tried to clarify the difference between the two of them.  Here is a sampling of responses I received on Twitter:

Here are some resources related to cognitive bias (you might also be interested in The Best Resources For Learning About “Psychological Effects” Useful To Teachers and The Best Multimedia Resources For Learning About Fallacies — Help Me Find More);

57 Cognitive Biases That Screw Up How We Think is from Business Insider.

The 12 cognitive biases that prevent you from being rational is from Farnam Street.

Cognitive Bias Cheat Sheet

Cognitive Bias Survival Guide

QUIZ: How Good Are You At Detecting Bias? (with Lesson Plan) is from KQED.

Confirmation and Other Biases is from Facing History.

May 15, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
0 comments

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2017 – So Far

It’s time for another of my end-of-year “Best” lists (you can see all 1,700 “The Best…” lists here).

I’m adding this one to All Mid-Year 2017 “Best” Lists In One Place

You might also be interested in:

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2016 – Part Two

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2016 – So Far

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2015 – Part Two

The Best Articles & Posts On Education Policy In 2015 – So Far

The Best Articles, Posts & Videos On Education Policy In 2014 – Part Two

The Best Articles & Posts On Education Policy In 2014 – So Far

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2013 — Part Two

All My 2013 “The Best…” Lists (So Far) On Education Policy In One Place

All My 2012 “The Best…” Lists On Education Policy In One Place

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2012 — Part Two

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2012 — Part One

The Best Articles & Posts On Education Policy In 2011 — Part Two

The Best Articles & Posts On Education Polcy In 2011 — Part One

The Best Articles & Posts On Education Policy — 2010

The “Best” Articles (And Blog Posts) About Education Policy — 2009

The “Best” Articles About Education — 2008

The “Best” Articles About Education — 2007

Here are my choices for The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2017 – So Far (let me know what you think I’m missing). these are not listed in any order of preference:

The Untold History of Charter Schools is by Rachel Cohen. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles Analyzing Charter Schools.

Trump’s Wrong about the Schools is from The Huffington Post.

The Best Resources On Social Capital In Schools

Where is the U.S. in School Reform in 2017? is by Larry Cuban.

Education for Sale? is by Linda Darling Hammond.

How The Systemic Segregation Of Schools Is Maintained By ‘Individual Choices’ is from NPR.

Educator, speaker, and writer Chris Emdin gave the keynote at SXSWedu, a big education and tech conference.

You can read an extensive interview I did with Chris for Education Week last year, ‘For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…’: An Interview With Chris Emdin.

You can also read about this impressive keynote at Ed Week, SXSWedu 2017 Conference Opens With a Challenge of Attendees’ Motives.

Have We Lost Sight of the Promise of Public Schools? is an important New York Times column by Nikole Hannah-Jones. It’s about our public schools, and also discusses the role and health of our public institutions. You’ll definitely want to read the entire piece, and it’s not very long.

Here’s an excerpt:

You’ll Want To Read This Interview With Education Researcher Kirabo Jackson

The real meaning of school choice is by Nancy Vera. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning Why School Vouchers Are A Bad Idea (& Other Commentaries On “Choice”).

The Trump War on Public Schools appeared in The New York Times. Here’s an excerpt:

The Unit of Education is from Learning Spy. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Understanding How To Interpret Education Research.

Our School Is Not “Flush With Cash” & Our Students Are Not “Deprived Of All Knowledge”

More Students Are Graduating Because High School Is Getting Less Boring is from Vice. I’m adding it to The Best Articles Pointing Out That Our Schools Are Not Failing — Please Suggest More.

Milwaukee’s Voucher Verdict is from The American Prospect. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning Why School Vouchers Are A Bad Idea.

New & Important Report On Deliberate Practice & Teacher Prep

School Vouchers 101: What They Are, How They Work — And Do They Work? is from NPR.

It Turns Out Spending More Probably Does Improve Education is the headline of a story in The New York Times.

A teacher makes eight education predictions for 2017 — some of them dire is the headline of my annual Washington Post column that appeared at the end of last year. I did not enjoy writing them…

There’s obviously a lot of other news related to the Trump Administration, and you can find many updates at The Best Resources For Learning About Our New U.S. Secretary of Education.

May 15, 2017
by Larry Ferlazzo
0 comments

All Mid-Year 2017 “Best” Lists In One Place

As regular readers know, I’ve begun publishing my annual mid-year “Best” lists.

I thought it it would be useful for me to begin to collect all of them in one place. I’ve got quite a few to go, and I’ll continue to add links to them in this post.

You might also be interested in:

All 2016 “Best” Lists In One Place

All Mid-Year 2016 “Best” Lists In One Place

All My 2015 “Best” Lists In One Place

All Of My “All-Time” Best Lists In One Place!

Here are the lists I’ve published so far – there should be fifteen or twenty once I’m all done:

Most Popular Posts From This Blog In 2017 – So Far

The Best Online Learning Games Of 2017 – So Far

The Best Social Studies Sites Of 2017 – So Far

My Best Posts On New Research Studies In 2017 – So Far

The Best Videos For Educators In 2017 – So Far

The Twenty-Five Best Web 2.0 Applications For Education In 2017 – So Far

The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2017 – So Far

The Best Guest Posts Appearing On This Blog In 2017 – So Far

The Best Resources On Class Instruction In 2017 – So Far

The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2017 – So Far

The Best Science Sites Of 2017 – So Far

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