Brain-based Learning? The Myths

Is your school/district big on Brain-Based Learning or are they talking about Mind, Brain, Education Science? Here's another great video from the IB Conference in The Hague.  Tracey Tokuhama discusses some of the current thinking that researches deems myth. 

Tracey Tokuhama

http://blip.tv/international-baccalaureate/aem-regional-conference-2011-the-hague-5734702


This book is next on my reading list.  Anyone interested in joining me in reading this book?  If so, let me know and I'll create a discussion group.

 Happy teaching and learning!

Chocolate Crack, I mean Cake...

 Hey virtual teacher friends!

If you are part of a staff that likes to eat, (and what teachers aren't?!) or you need to bring in a special treat for your students, then this recipe is for you!  My husband calls it "Chocolate Crack".  It is gluten-free, flourless, and oh-so-delicious! 

Another positive is it is super quick and easy to make. It only has a few ingredients.  You may even have the ingredients around the house. The cake requires eggs, chocolate, butter, sugar, and cocoa.  The frosting just needs butter, chocolate, milk, honey, and vanilla.   Click here or below the picture for the recipe.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipeId=753#

Tonight I am in the middle of making two cakes. I started at 7:30 and will be done by 10:30, with time to blog and check email in between. 

If you try the recipe, let me know!  I'd love to hear your comments.


Warmly,
Kate

3-D Teaching

Lately, I have been staying up way to late watching educational talks on blip.tv.  After watching Lynn Erickson's recent talk at the IB Conference in the Hague, my current unit - Where We Are In Time and Place took a turn for the better. 

Have you heard of Lynn Erickson?  If you are interested in developing students thinking, you will want to listen to her ideas or maybe purchase some of her books, especially if you teach PYP or MYP.  

In this, she discusses The 3-Dimensional Teaching model. 

http://a64.video2.blip.tv/12880009848352/Intbac-AEMRegionalConference2011TheHague996.m4v?brs=909&bri=29.5

Here's a test to see if you are working with topic or concept?

·      Concepts are timeless.

·      Concepts are universal.

·      Concepts are abstract.  (too different degrees)

·      Some concepts are very broad.

·      Concepts are mental constructs.

·      Concepts are one or two words

·      Concepts are universal.

·      Concepts don’t change 

I hope you enjoy the video!