T.G.I.F. Newsletter - Maybe the Teachers Can Help

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Hello Friends and T.G.I.F. 😁 Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this week.

The News

Here are some articles that grabbed my attention.

• This is scary. Experts now say that all children over 8 should be screened for anxiety. Just based on my classroom observation for the past five years it seems the state of mental health for children is worsening. My question is, what resources will be available to help children when they’ve been diagnosed with anxiety?
• Since the start of the pandemic, more and more students have been cheating. Here are some suggestions as to what to do about it.
• Here’s a story of a Romanian teacher who set up a school for Ukrainian refugee children. There are at least six hundred students on the waiting list. The Romanian school system is preparing for the worst-case scenario where the refugee children will need to be absorbed into classes in September.
• What’s the one habit that can radically improve anyone’s conversations? It’s as simple as putting your phone away. Our increasing use of portable technology is making us disconnected and lonely. I’ve noticed that my own children are happier and more fun to be around when they’ve spent some time away from their technology. I’d imagine the same is true for me too.
• People are quick to point out all of the ways the education system is broken. Maybe it’s time to ask the teachers and implement their suggestions.

Growth

Personal Development and Wellness Resources

• If you are an educator looking for support, and ways to celebrate your achievements, there’s an app for that. Check out Above and Beyond.
• Wendy Suzuki is passionate about the brain-changing benefits of exercise. We all know that exercise keeps our bodies strong and healthy. It looks like it protects our brain from degenerative diseases as well.
• Here’s a nice list of education podcasts covering a wide range of topics.

Inspiration

Here is a quote I’ve been revisiting this week:

If you want to be really successful, and I know you do, then you will have to give up blaming and complaining and take total responsibility for your life—that means all your results, both your successes and your failures. That is the prerequisite for creating a life of success. - The Success Principles* by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer.

I read The Success Principles years ago but I don’t think I gave it my total attention. I’m revisiting it as I continue to work on the T.G.I.F. Newsletter. It seems to be a great companion when starting something new, that’s both interesting and a little scary at the same time. This quote also applies to recent challenges in the classroom.

Favorite Things

• Here are some recent posts about gravity, Earth Day, and 30 days of using Readwise.
• Gimkit - We used this in several different classes to help students review academic vocabulary for state testing. It’s a great way to harness the power of retrieval.
• I’m grateful that my school purchased this Medify Air Purifier* for my classroom at the beginning of the pandemic. That slight hum in the background makes me feel like I am able to do something about pandemic risks in my classroom. If your school hasn’t done anything to improve the overall air quality I highly recommend this one.
• Model Rockets 🚀 - I enjoy watching students grapple with their assembly. It’s also a wonderful reason to get outside when the weather starts turning nice. They are part of the Forces and Motion unit culmination.