Beautiful Underwater Photographs

These pictures are amazing.  These pictures could be used for any subject, assignment, or writing prompt.

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/01/pl_last_reef/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Reader&pid=4531

New Dinosaur

I find fossils, especially new species' fossils so exciting.  Here is a great link to share with a class whether you are a science teacher or not.

feed://www.wired.com/wiredscience/feed/

An Affordable Solution

Maybe this new tablet will be an affordable alternative to the iPad for education.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/01/t-mobile-dell-streak-seven/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Evolution Debate

Below is a great article from Wired on teaching Evolution.

I know this is a "hot" topic but I believe the topic needs to be discussed.  What are we teaching children about science and the scientific method if we are not teaching evolution and allowing Intelligent Design to be taught in a science classroom?

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/01/scopes-weeps/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Graduation regulations condemned | Education | projo.com | The Providence Journal

Are the new graduation requirements hurting our special education students? I believe they are, however, at the same, we cannot lower our standards and we cannot make graduation requirements different depending on the strengths and weaknesses of every student. I am not sure how to remedy the situation but I feel terrible that special education students struggle socially and academically in high school to leave with a certificate of completion.

Below is an article that highlights the fallout of the new graduation requirements.

Graduation regulations condemned | Education | projo.com | The Providence Journal

Special Education

I work in an early childhood self-contained classroom and I believe my students should be integrated into the general education population.  My position should be one of support; I should be supporting the general education preschool teachers. My students will leave my self-contained classroom of 10 and go to a general education kindergarten class of 30. To add to that the administration firmly believes that resource room support should not be put into their kindergarten transition IEPs because they want the students to attempt kindergarten without special education support.
I understand the need for self-contained classrooms and I understand that some students (a very small population) need to be pulled form their general education classroom but I feel a special education teacher's position should be one of support to general education teachers, keeping students in the general education setting.
I am curious how others feel about full integration of special education students, especially general education teachers, who have high need, special education students in their classroom.

Deepest ever ocean expedition

Here is a great video that recaps Jacque Piccard's ocean expedition.  This would be a great video for students learning about the sea!

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/01/mariana-trench-dive/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

A Good Special Education Resource

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a great resource for special education teachers but also for general education teachers who would like more information on a particular topic.  You can sign up for an e mail service called CEC Smart Brief.  Here is their description of the service:

"CEC SmartBrief brings you the special education news that really matters. Our editors handpick key articles from hundreds of publications, do a brief summary of each and provide links back to the original sources."


I have been using this service for a few years and I often find really interesting articles that keep me abreast of what is happening and new trends in special education all over the country.


Unfortunately there is no RSS feed yet.


Here is a link to sign up if anyone is interested:
http://www.smartbrief.com/cec/

iPads for special education

I think using iPads in the classroom is an amazing idea.  I think using them for special education is an even better idea.  With all of the apps and the iPads' capabilities, it provides endless opportunities for students with special needs.  Below is a link on a school in Ohio using them in special education.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7902451

No School

No school today!  Here is a good site for MLK day lesson plans:

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/holidays/mlk/

Delicious

Here is a link to my delicious site

http://www.delicious.com/brookeedigiacomo

Hi

Hi
My name is Brooke and I am new to blogging.  So far blogging reminds me of Facebook, although I can see how a blog could be useful in education.