5 Quick Fixes for Better Health & Stress Relief

Spend Five Minutes a Day Outdoors to Increase Self-Esteem [Lifehacker]

Be at Peace in Less Than 5 Minutes [Wise Bread]

Fill Out This One-Minute Form Every Day and Find Out Why Your Life Sucks (or Doesn't) [Lifehacker]

20 Minutes of Exercise a Day Is Enough to Get You Fit [Lifehacker]

Keep a Journal of Awesomeness to Boost Your Self Esteem [Lifehacker]

Notice a trend here? You should probably be following Lifehacker directly, and cut out the middleman.

Help Students Calculate The Grades They Need To Pass

This is an end-of-year activity for any subject, although your students will need to be able to do at least a little basic algebra to complete it: calculating exactly what they need to pass the semester and for the year overall.

Perhaps this is a sad statement on my performance this year, but it looks like a little less than half of my students are either likely to fail or could go either way depending on this last grading period and their semester exam grades.  Thus it was especially important for them to know the minimum grades they would need to earn for the last six-week grading period and the semester exam to pass.

The graphic organizer below asked them to look up their grades for Semester 1 and the two grading periods we've completed so far on our online system.  Then, I gave them the two equations needed to calculate the minimum average they needed.

Your situation in terms of grading periods, exams and policies might be different, so of course you will need to make several edits.***

The Grades You Need to Pass handout [Google Docs]

Why this needs to be so complicated, I do not know.  If you have a better or different way of accomplishing the same thing, please share it in the comments.

***In our case, we have six grading periods and two semester exams that all count equally (thus 70 x 8 = 560 for the year).  Our minimum passing grade is a 70.  Students who average a 70 for the year, even if they failed one of the semesters, get the full credit for the year.  So while students who failed the first semester might need a certain grade to pass the second semester and get half credit, a higher grade is likely needed to get the full year's credit.  The 2x is used instead of x because there are two equally important grades left: the last grading period and the semester exam.

How to Make a Copy of Google Docs I've Shared

Most of the documents I've shared over the past few years are Google Docs that I've made publicly viewable.  Anyone can see them, make a copy to their own Docs folder or save a copy on their computer.

The only thing I don't allow anyone to do is be added as an "editor" who can change these documents permanently, for obvious reasons. Yet I've been getting many email alerts that readers want to "share" certain documents, when I know what they really want to do is have a copy they can edit.

The key is that the "Share" button is not the one you want to use:

To save a copy of something I've shared to your Google Docs, simply click File > Make a Copy.  Google will create the copy immeadiately and you'll see the filename change to "Copy of..." and then the original name.  This is your copy to edit, save, print or even share as you please.

You can also download any Google Docs you can view in multiple formats by clicking File > Download As. Sometimes the formatting and fonts will change a bit in the conversion, but you'll be able to edit or print offline.

Here's a helpful how-to video if you need it:

Book Giveaway: One Grain of Rice by Demi

A few years ago I learned about a really fun and unique way to introduce exponential functions to students: using the book One Grain Of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi.

Set long ago in India, the beautifully illustrated folktale tells the story of a greedy raja (the powerful ruler) who lives lavishly while his people go hungry.

One day, a young girl named Rani returns some of the raja's rice to him after it had fallen out of a basket.  The raja offered her anything she wanted as a reward.

"Very well," said Rani. "If it pleases Your Highness, you may reward me in this way.  Today, you will give me a single grain of rice.  Then, each day for thirty days you will give me double the rice you gave me the day before. Thus, tomorrow you will give me two grains of rice, the next day four grains of rice, and so on for thirty days."

The raja, lacking number sense, thinks this is entirely reasonable and agrees.  Thirty days later, let's just say a fool and his rice are soon parted.

Here are a few lesson ideas using this book:

• Teach with Picture Books: One Grain of Rice
• A Systems-Based Review - Demi's One Grain of Rice
• Illuminations: One Grain of Rice

I am giving away my copy of One Grain Of Rice to any math teacher or parent who wants to use it as a different way of introducing these kinds of functions.  Just send me an email (teachforever@gmail.com) with the subject "One Grain of Rice" between now and Friday 11:59pm CST to enter.  Good luck!

Collected End of Year Ideas & Resources

You have to look at the end of the school year in a couple of different ways.  First, you need to be prepared with engaging things to do with your students.  Secondly, you need to think about logistics, cleaning and paperwork that you need to finish so you can check out for the summer.  On top of that, you should be asking for feedback from your students and reflection on what went well and what didn't this year.

I've shared a lot of ideas on both fronts over the years, and I'm hoping to collect most of it here to help for years to come.

Lesson Ideas

• Six End of Year Lesson Ideas and Projects
• How to Keep Students Engaged After Testing is Over [Video]
• Test Prep Idea #1: Take-Home Test w/ Key - Adapt this state assessment prep idea for your semester exams.  
• Test Prep Idea #2: Word Wall Review - See above.

Getting Feedback & Reflecting on the Year

• Sample End of Year Survey
• End of Year Survey for Graduating Seniors
• Try This Teacher Reflection Exercise
• On Success, Part 3: Fostering Positive Change in Students - A reminder about making a "good things I accomplished this year" list while it's still fresh in your mind.

Logistics

• Trust Me: Start Getting Ready for the End of the Year Now
• Why You Must Document Your Classroom Before School Ends [Video]
• How To Remove Permanent Marker And Tape Residue
• Spring Cleaning: What Can I Do With All These Transparencies?

As I look at what I have gathered here, I realize there are still many things I've done at the end of the year that I haven't shared yet.  I'll continue to add to this post in the future.

Weekend Reader on Gamification in the Classroom

Ben Bertoli's ClassRealm Is Gamifying the Classroom [Wired:GeekDad] - Bertoli has wrapped a classroom management system in the guise of an RPG-style game.

New Book: The Gamification of Learning and Instruction [Educational Games Research]

ZisBoomBah - A new website that encourages healthy eating habits in younger kids using game elements. Worth trying out with your elementary-age students.  A similar resource appropriate for older students and adults was shared recently on Lifehacker: SuperBetter Is a Game that Rewards You for Healthy Living and Working Towards Your Goals.  I'm fascinated by the idea of using these kinds of services to engage kids over the long run.

National Competition Promotes Digital Badges for DIY Learning [GOOD] - Badges are just an adaptation of "achievements" that are used in so many modern games.

Pearson-backed Startup Aims to Be the Zynga for Learning and AT&T’s Largest Donation Ever Creates A National Hub For Learning Through Video Games - Ironically, I called on Zynga to be the Zynga of education in a post about games and education last year. I'm not as excited about a textbook/test prep company like Pearson being involved, even just as a backer, but it's something.  AT&T is playing the same role with another educational video game company.  These are good times for learning games!

Book Giveaway: Awakened by Angela Watson of The Cornerstone

What does it take overcome the daily stress and frustration that so many teachers face?

This is the central question addressed by Angela Watson's second book, Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching.  Watson, creator of The Cornerstone and longtime veteran of the classroom, has a simple, yet thought-provoking answer: change the way you think.

The mental game is of course, the key to longevity in this job.  If you don't master the game, it will consume you: at best, you'll quit and at worst, you'll keep teaching but be ineffective and miserable.

Watson makes it clear that the source of her own shift in mindset was a spiritual awakening, a reconnection to her Christian faith that had been lost to her for a time.  While her lessons are grounded in faith, those who don't consider themselves very religious won't feel that they are being preached to at all.  Watson explains that she hopes her experience and ideas will be something you "wrestle with... and use your questions and disagreements to bring you closer to the truth."

That being said, as you dive into the rest of Awakened, there's actually relatively little mention of God or religion.  Watson instead dives deep into tons of relevant research on the types of habits and mindsets that create problems for you and how to overcome them.

This is an incredibly practical, easy to read book that deal with issues most of you reading this confront each day.  I noticed many parallels to Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word, but Watson focuses exclusively on changing your mindset and expectations to help you survive and thrive in the classroom. If you're searching for answers, Awakened may indeed have them.

I have a copy of Awakened that I'm going to give away to a lucky reader.  I would like to share this book with someone who is in the classroom now, but struggling and wondering whether to continue teaching next year.  If that description fits you, send me an email (teachforever@gmail.com) by Friday 11:59pm CST and let me know you're interested in the book.

Have you already read Awakened? Share your thoughts on it in the comments.

An Educator's Reading List for Surviving & Thriving, Part 2

This is part two of a recommended reading list that helped inspire and supplement the ideas in my book Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word.  These are, in my opinion, your must-reads for surviving and thriving in education.

Blogs
Seth Godin - Godin is a marketing and entrepreneurship guru whose ideas translate easily to what teachers need for the classroom.  Read Seth Godin Ideas Every Educator Should Read and 5 More Seth Godin Ideas Every Educator Should Read for examples.

Lifehacker - As I wrote last year: "Lifehacker has consistently been one of the most useful websites for me in and out of the classroom since I first started reading it.  It's a blog focused on productivity and efficiency--two keys for a long, successful career in education."  Read some examples in Five New Resources for Teachers from Lifehacker and find more in most weeks of Five for Friday.

Eduwonk - The best place to keep up with what's going on in education news, research and reform across the country, written by Andrew Rotherham (who is a co-founder of Bellwether Education Partners and writes the "School of Thought" column for TIME).  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rotherham a couple of months ago and his passion for quality research and writing about education is inspiring.  His colleague Sara Mead writes a thoughtful, well written education policy blog for EdWeek that's also worth your time.

Other Websites
Twitter - Even though most of my experience with the social media juggernaut began after my book was published, the power of Twitter to help you learn and grow is unmatched.  It's the most fully realized version of the personal learning network idea suggested throughout the book.

Facebook - If you haven't opened yourself to the possibilities of Facebook as a classroom resource, check out pages I used in my Algebra 1 and MMA classes this year.  That experiment is a realization of my dream to integrate social media into the classroom, and while it did not work out as I would have liked, it's a huge step in the right direction.  The most popular website in the world is also a great way to network with other teachers.

***

I tried to focus on the resources I used before (and since) I published the book, so of course there are many other resources I've learned about since then that are just as indispensible.  That, however, is a subject for another time.  Check out yesterday's post for more!

An Educator's Reading List for Surviving & Thriving, Part 1

I recently ran a workshop for new and preservice teachers at The University of Texas-Pan American (where I'm working towards a masters in Educational Administration) on some of the overarching themes and specific pieces of advice from my book Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word.

After the workshop, I kicked myself for not creating a recommended reading list with all the sources that inspired many of the ideas in the book.  I refer to these books, magazines and blogs all the time here on the blog, but haven't yet collected them together.  I've included links to relevant posts I've written about each source as well.  Enjoy!

Books
Teaching with Love & Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom by Jim Fay and David Funk. No single book has shaped me more as an educator than this classic.  It will revolutionize the way you manage your classroom and help you build strong relationships with your students, which is a base from which to do amazing things.  You can hear a bit about one of the main ideas in this video (skip to about 3 minutes in).

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. This one always gets a laugh when I mention it to colleagues, but if you put aside the central conceit and concentrate on the ideas that apply directly to what teachers do, you'll create a more sustainable way of life:

• Teacher Stress Relief: Lessons from The 4-Hour Workweek
• Teacher Stress Relief: The Low-Information Diet
• Teacher Stress Relief: Outsourcing Your Life

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins. This book should be standard reading for anyone who wants to be a leader in the classroom and especially if you want to move into a school or district leadership role.  Collins draws examples from the business world, but the principles of good leadership don't change--indeed, the main ideas of this book have become recurring themes in my graduate school program in Educational Administration.

Magazines
Fast Company - FC is a magazine about entrepreneurship and business that will inspire to anyone who wants to help their students succeed and be prepared for the 21st century.  They write about the nature of creativity, power of design, innovations in education, and how technology is shaping our world so you can keep on top of what's next.  Here are some reflections I did on education-related FC articles:

• It's Time for Leaders to Embrace Cell Phones in the Classroom [July 2011]
• The Future of Education, in the Palm of Your Hand [April 2010]
• What Educators Can Learn From the Most Creative People in Business [July 2010]

GOOD - Consistently great writing on education and anything else having to do with being "what is sustainable, prosperous, productive, creative, and just".  Liz Dwyer is the Education Editor and does an amazing job.  GOOD articles are regularly shared in my weekly Five for Friday posts.

More recommendations tomorrow!

5 More New Web-Based Resources for Teachers

The Teaching Channel [via Eduwonk] - A collection of how-to videos on lessons, planning, management, etc plus much more.  They're aiming to be an "online personal assistant" for teachers.  Eat your heart out, Siri.

Apps in Education [found via Twitter] - A growing blog focused on iPad/iPhone apps that are useful in the classroom across subjects and grade levels.  Instead of just reviews or lists, visual arts teacher Greg Swanson asks key questions and forces us to critically assess our use of these devices in education.

Teach.com [via http://twitter.com/#%21/USCTeacher on Twitter] - A new resource from USC's Rossier School of Education.  Read more about the launch here.

MIT Announces Platform for Free Online Courses [Mashable] - MIT is going to improve the organization of their already available online course materials, making them even more useful.

TED-Ed Launches Innovative Customized Learning Web Initiative [Wired: GeekDad] - Turn TED videos into an interactive, online lesson.

2 No-Hassle Teacher Appreciation Week Deals

Education publisher McGraw-Hill's Teacher Appreciation Week site is offering the chance at a $200 gift card, access to free mobile apps and more.

Red Roof Inn is offering teachers a 15% discount for the entire month of May.  Just use VP+ code 604276 when making reservations, or refer to the code upon arrival at the hotel.

Have you seen any good national TAW deals?  Share them in the comments.

5 More iPad Resources for Your Classroom

All the Awesome Things You Can Do with a Long Press on Your iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch [Lifehacker] - Quick and easy tips to share with your iPad-wielding students.

My Guide to iPad Deployment in School [Creating Lifelong Learners]

iPad App Lets Kids Publish Physical Books [Mashable]

Apple’s iTunes U Morphs Into a Tool for Full Online Classes [Mashable]

Apps in Education: Collaborative Whiteboard Apps for the Classroom [Apps in Education]