I recently started teaching high school and quickly realized that the possibilities for content are greatly expanded. These young adults are mature enough to approach all sorts of ideas and they are ready to question your assertions and defend their beliefs. It is an invigorating and formative age. The exciting part for me is that … Continue reading Higher Learning
Author: mrwalshteacher
That’s a lot of stars.
So, I guess I am a little late on this one, but I found it so interesting. I was searching for a work around of a dead link of a post I did a while back and I came across this amazing interactive visualization from Chrome Experiments. You have probably heard that the universe is … Continue reading That’s a lot of stars.
Better Conversations
I posted a little while ago about asking better questions to have better responses from students. Well, tonight I was out for a walk and listening to TED Talks Daily when I heard a great talk from Celeste Headlee about better conversations. In this funny and engaging talk she advises us to throw out all … Continue reading Better Conversations
Good Question!
Good questions are the backbone of every classroom. They initiate the best conversations and are mandatory for fruitful investigations, both scientific and artistic. I remember the simply revalation I had from asking a student, "Can you tell me more about that?" and having them pause a moment and then really think about what they had just … Continue reading Good Question!
Duolingo
If you are a language learner, you have probably already heard of Duolingo. I discovered it a couple of years ago and have used it on and off since then to augment my study of French. Over the past year I have also used it in the classroom. This post is to tell you why … Continue reading Duolingo
Way of the Master
It is with great pleasure that I share this site with you; Way of the Master. It is the final project that I completed for my Master of Education Technology from the University of British Columbia. The progress through the program is documented in this site which constitutes an ePortfolio of my learning and philosophy. … Continue reading Way of the Master
The Lost Thing
This little book by Shaun Tan is how I picture Dali would illustrate for his kids. Every picture has so much to look at! The story is ostensibly about a boy who finds an out of place, well, thing, on the beach. It had a weird look about it. "You know, a sad, lost sort of … Continue reading The Lost Thing
The (New) Way Things Work
I was first introduced to the works of David Macaulay by a friend with a big book about castles, cathedrals, and mosques. I was enthralled by the methods that our ancestors used to erect the architectural wonders of the world. Instead of removing the awe of wonder, it increased it by showing me the ingenuity … Continue reading The (New) Way Things Work
Sea of Dreams
Another great wordless book, this time by the enigmatic Dennis Nolan. Hey, I love books with words too, but these wordless books are great for starting interesting conversations with those less than enthusiastic about reading. Amazingly illustrated ones like this may make them think, "There be magic betwixt them thar pages!" And they would be … Continue reading Sea of Dreams
The Red Book
This little gem by the imaginative Barbara Lehman was a Caldecott Honor Book in 2005. It has no words, so children at all reading levels can enjoy it. It has many possibilities for predictive and descriptive activities as the ‘reader’ follows an intriguing story of a book about a book. Let me know how you … Continue reading The Red Book
