Thought Provoking - School Leadership 2.02024-03-19T09:24:07Zhttps://schoolleadership20.com/forum/categories/thought-provoking/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=no4-day school weeks gaining traction in US districtstag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-18:1990010:Topic:3908812024-03-18T17:31:08.565ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<div><a href="https://r.smartbrief.com/resp/rOwuCAjvBtAluVsYaydakIalXtMY?format=multipart" rel="noopener" target="_blank">4-day school weeks gaining traction in US districts</a></div>
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<div class="m_-923833404087779455name-100">The adoption of four-day school weeks is on the rise nationwide, driven by efforts to improve teacher recruitment and retention. Despite initial challenges, districts across the country are seeing positive outcomes, officials say, including higher…</div>
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<div><a href="https://r.smartbrief.com/resp/rOwuCAjvBtAluVsYaydakIalXtMY?format=multipart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4-day school weeks gaining traction in US districts</a></div>
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<div class="m_-923833404087779455name-100">The adoption of four-day school weeks is on the rise nationwide, driven by efforts to improve teacher recruitment and retention. Despite initial challenges, districts across the country are seeing positive outcomes, officials say, including higher graduation rates in a Colorado district that has shifted to a four-day schedule.</div>
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<p><span> </span><span class="m_-923833404087779455mobile_wrap"><b>Full Story:<span> </span></b><a class="m_-923833404087779455mobile_wrap" href="https://r.smartbrief.com/resp/rOwuCAjvBtAluVsYaydakIalXtMY?format=multipart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">K-12 Dive</a></span></p> Teaching Kids to Apologizetag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-18:1990010:Topic:3908782024-03-18T17:27:53.271ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<p>Character Counts</p>
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<tbody><tr><td class="m_1722656798261599290pad"><div><p>Teaching Kids to Apologize</p>
<p>Character Counts</p>
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<tbody><tr><td class="m_1722656798261599290pad"><div><p>Have you noticed how apologizing has become almost a lost art these days? How are kids going to learn this great skill unless we model it ourselves? Essential to our children’s moral development is realizing that personal actions do impact others. If you do something that causes another person pain, you need to make amends. Click below to learn five steps to giving a sincere apology.</p>
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<tbody><tr><td class="m_1722656798261599290pad"><div align="left" class="m_1722656798261599290alignment"><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/5pw0lg/550mex/t4fszx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Read more...</span></a></div>
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</table> Does Literature Count as Knowledge?tag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-18:1990010:Topic:3906092024-03-18T17:23:17.100ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
<h1><span>Does Literature Count as Knowledge?</span></h1>
<p><span>Tim Shanahan</span></p>
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<p><strong>Teacher question:</strong></p>
<p><em>Our district and state are making a big push to develop social studies knowledge through reading. I appreciate that and understand the importance of social studies (previously we hardly taught it at all). Our ELA textbook still has stories – each of these is connected to social studies or science topics. We are being told that if time is tight (and…</em></p>
<h1><span>Does Literature Count as Knowledge?</span></h1>
<p><span>Tim Shanahan</span></p>
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<p><strong>Teacher question:</strong></p>
<p><em>Our district and state are making a big push to develop social studies knowledge through reading. I appreciate that and understand the importance of social studies (previously we hardly taught it at all). Our ELA textbook still has stories – each of these is connected to social studies or science topics. We are being told that if time is tight (and it always is – we have so many things to teach now) that we can skip the stories and focus on the social studies selections alone. I always thought reading class was for literature and social studies was for geography, history, and so on. That no longer seems to be the case. Am I just hopelessly old fashioned or can you provide me with support for preserving the place of literature in my classroom (I teach the fourth and fifth graders)? Don’t stories do more to improve reading achievement than social studies articles?</em><em> </em></p>
<p><strong>Shanahan responds:</strong></p>
<p>You are correct that for years, literature – or stories, at least – dominated reading instruction. It was the rare selection that trod any other ground (most often an occasional story drawn from history, perhaps).</p>
<p>That has changed for several reasons.</p>
<p>Researchers have identified important differences between expository or informational text and narrative text. Too many kids were leaving elementary school able to read the latter reasonably well, but not the former. Makes sense to include informational text – with all its lexical and structural challenges.</p>
<p>Then there were the concerns about knowledge and its role in reading comprehension. Readers are advantaged by knowing stuff. Your experience with social studies is enlightening. Perhaps if social studies and science had received adequate attention previously, we wouldn’t be discussing this. But this neglect was common.</p>
<p>Given all of that, arguing for reading instruction from texts that carry information worth knowing seems like a no-brainer.</p>
<p>That said, I, too, am seeing/hearing that things may have swung too far in some locales.</p>
<p>The problem here is that too many educators think of stories as motivational or entertaining, rather than informative.</p>
<p>This misjudgment of the value of literature is so pervasive that scholars have felt the need to defend it – not with regard to reading instruction – but in terms of its contribution to intellectual thought, philosophy, and our daily discourse (Miner, 1976; Peels, 2020; Wilson, 1976).</p>
<p><a href="https://shanahanonliteracy.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=fc58bb87f6546d26ef6670464&id=69231769e3&e=6d52f0d985" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE...</a></p> Should We Teach Data Science in High School?tag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-13:1990010:Topic:3908602024-03-13T19:18:02.192ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<p><strong>Should We Teach Data Science in High School?</strong></p>
<p><span>Future of Learning</span></p>
<p><span>A newsletter from The Hechinger Report</span></p>
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<p><span><em>By <a href="https://hechingerreport.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=66c306eebb323868c3ce353c1&id=1d310707c9&e=e89a2d138e" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Javeria Salman</a></em></span></p>
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<p>Javeria Salman's article for The Hechinger Report delves into the evolving landscape of…</p>
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<p><strong>Should We Teach Data Science in High School?</strong></p>
<p><span>Future of Learning</span></p>
<p><span>A newsletter from The Hechinger Report</span></p>
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<p><span><em>By <a href="https://hechingerreport.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=66c306eebb323868c3ce353c1&id=1d310707c9&e=e89a2d138e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Javeria Salman</a></em></span></p>
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<p>Javeria Salman's article for The Hechinger Report delves into the evolving landscape of mathematics education, highlighting the increasing interest in integrating data science into high school curricula as an alternative to traditional higher-level math courses like Algebra II. This shift is driven by the recognition that traditional math education methods may be outdated and the need to modernize them to better prepare students for contemporary college and career paths. Salman's exploration into the subject is informed by a diverse range of perspectives, including math experts, educators, students, and advocates, revealing the complex debate surrounding the content and structure of math education.</p>
<p>The article specifically focuses on California's public higher education system, which has been at the forefront of discussions on whether data science and statistics-based courses can replace Algebra II in admissions criteria. Salman emphasizes the absence of student and educator voices in these debates, prompting her to investigate firsthand the experiences of those involved in high school data science classes.</p>
<p>Visiting Oxnard Union High School District, Salman observes that data science courses are designed to appeal to students not necessarily intending to pursue STEM majors in college, as well as those planning to enter the workforce or military directly after high school. These courses, described humorously as a "math class for poets" by the district's superintendent, employ an applied, project-based learning approach that encourages collaboration among students. This pedagogical method stands in contrast to traditional math classes, focusing more on data literacy, statistical concepts, and, in some instances, computer programming.</p>
<p>The variation in how data science is taught, both in terms of content and approach, has led to concerns about the courses' quality and rigor. This inconsistency has spurred efforts to develop standardized criteria for what constitutes an effective data science course. Data Science 4 Everyone, a national initiative, is at the forefront of these efforts, aiming to establish baseline standards for data science education that distinguish it from statistics or computer programming courses while underscoring its interdisciplinary nature.</p>
<p>The initiative's goal is not only to make data science education more rigorous and relevant but also to expose more students to STEM fields that do not require a four-year degree. This endeavor seeks to modernize mathematics education by demonstrating the real-world applications of math concepts, thereby making math more engaging and relevant for 21st-century students.</p>
<p>Salman's article captures a pivotal moment in education, where the need to adapt curricula to the demands of the modern world is increasingly recognized. The efforts to integrate data science into high school education reflect a broader push to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate a data-driven society.</p>
<p>Source: <a target="_new" href="https://hechingerreport.org/">The Hechinger Report, Future of Learning Newsletter</a></p>
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<p><i>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</i></p>
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<p></p> The secret world behind school fundraisers and turning kids into salespeopletag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-05:1990010:Topic:3907282024-03-05T18:29:30.813ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
<h1 class="css-ktpyb3">The secret world behind school fundraisers and turning kids into salespeople</h1>
<div class="css-17pf1cy"><div class="css-1ba1zfw">By<span> </span><span class="css-di9sn7">Jess Jiang,<span> </span></span><span class="css-di9sn7">Sarah Gonzalez,<span> </span></span><span class="css-di9sn7">Sam Yellowhorse Kesler<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="css-10e0jtj">NPR</div>
<div class="css-qslnu8">February 28, 2024</div>
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<p>In a revealing article published…</p>
<h1 class="css-ktpyb3">The secret world behind school fundraisers and turning kids into salespeople</h1>
<div class="css-17pf1cy"><div class="css-1ba1zfw">By<span> </span><span class="css-di9sn7">Jess Jiang,<span> </span></span><span class="css-di9sn7">Sarah Gonzalez,<span> </span></span><span class="css-di9sn7">Sam Yellowhorse Kesler<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="css-10e0jtj">NPR</div>
<div class="css-qslnu8">February 28, 2024</div>
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<p>In a revealing article published on February 28, 2024, by NPR, Jess Jiang, Sarah Gonzalez, and Sam Yellowhorse Kesler delve into the complex and often overlooked world of school fundraisers, highlighting the ethical and logistical issues that arise when students are turned into salespeople to fund school activities. At the heart of the story is Maria Lares, a dedicated teacher and PTA member at Villacorta Elementary School in La Puente, California, who views the PTA's role as vital in providing students with enriching experiences like field trips and special events that the school budget cannot cover.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12397753253?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12397753253?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Illustration by Michael Keany/AI</p>
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<p>The article underscores the financial disparities faced by schools across the United States, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas where families struggle to make ends meet. Despite receiving $4.5 million annually from various sources, Villacorta Elementary, like many public schools, finds the majority of its budget consumed by salaries, benefits, and operational costs, leaving a paltry sum for extracurricular activities or educational trips. This financial reality forces schools to rely heavily on PTA-driven fundraisers to offer students experiences beyond the classroom walls.</p>
<p>The narrative critically examines the partnership between schools and fundraising companies, which often take a significant portion of the proceeds, leaving schools with a smaller share of the revenue. This arrangement raises questions about the effectiveness and fairness of such fundraisers, as well as the burden they place on students, teachers, and families to continuously generate funds for basic educational experiences.</p>
<p>Moreover, the article explores the broader implications of relying on fundraisers for educational funding, pointing out the potential to change how school budgets are allocated to prioritize activities like field trips. Experts argue that with careful planning, schools could feasibly include these enriching experiences in their official budgets without resorting to external fundraising. However, the choice often comes down to prioritizing academic needs over enrichment activities, leaving schools in a perpetual cycle of fundraising.</p>
<p>The piece concludes with a look at the ongoing fundraising efforts at Villacorta Elementary, as the school aims to meet its $20,000 goal to ensure all students can participate in field trips. The story of Maria Lares and her school serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by educators and communities in providing a well-rounded education amid budgetary constraints.</p>
<p>This article sheds light on the hidden costs of public education in America, revealing the lengths to which teachers, parents, and students go to make school a memorable and engaging experience for all. It calls into question the sustainability of such fundraising efforts and the need for a more equitable approach to funding school activities, ensuring all students have access to educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1197958355/school-fundraisers?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Original article</a></p>
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<p>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</p>
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<p>OpenAI. (2024). <i>ChatGPT</i> (4) [Large language model]. <a href="https://chat.openai.com">https://chat.openai.com</a></p>
<p></p> California proposes paid pregnancy leave for educatorstag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-05:1990010:Topic:3907252024-03-05T15:38:21.772ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<h1 class="display-heading-04">California proposes paid pregnancy leave for educators</h1>
<p>Education Dive</p>
<p><a class="analytics t-article-byline-author" href="https://www.k12dive.com/editors/nmodan/" rel="author">Naaz Modan </a><span class="author-title">Senior Reporter</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12397711301?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img> Illustration by Michael Keany/AI</p>
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<p>California is pioneering a legislative effort aimed at enhancing teacher retention by proposing paid…</p>
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<h1 class="display-heading-04">California proposes paid pregnancy leave for educators</h1>
<p>Education Dive</p>
<p><a rel="author" href="https://www.k12dive.com/editors/nmodan/" class="analytics t-article-byline-author">Naaz Modan </a><span class="author-title">Senior Reporter</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12397711301?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/>Illustration by Michael Keany/AI</p>
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<p>California is pioneering a legislative effort aimed at enhancing teacher retention by proposing paid disability leave for pregnant educators. Spearheaded by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, this initiative seeks to provide pregnant teachers and school employees with up to 14 weeks of fully paid disability leave. The move addresses the current gap where educators do not receive paid pregnancy disability leave and are forced to rely on other forms of leave post-birth or to manage their pregnancies, despite being entitled to four months of unpaid leave under state law.</p>
<p>Thurmond's advocacy for paid disability leave is part of a broader trend across various states aiming to improve work-life balance for educators. This initiative is timely, given the pressing teacher shortages and the growing recognition of the importance of supporting teachers' needs to maintain a healthy work-life balance. While paid parental leave for educators is gaining momentum in states like Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, and North Carolina, the overall adoption rate across the United States remains low. Research by the National Council on Teacher Quality in 2022 revealed that out of 148 surveyed school districts, a mere 18% provided paid parental leave, predominantly for birthing parents, with even fewer options available for fathers or non-birthing parents.</p>
<p>Thurmond emphasizes that enabling teachers to afford to stay in the profession while starting a family is crucial for retaining high-quality educators and addressing staffing crises in California's classrooms. The proposed bill, receiving support mainly from Democrats, aims to make significant progress in retaining talented teachers.</p>
<p>The call for paid pregnancy disability leave comes amidst historical challenges in securing such benefits at the state level. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar parental leave measure citing potential annual costs of tens of millions of dollars, advocating instead for the issue to be addressed through local collective bargaining or within the state budget. However, examples from other states like Delaware, which implemented paid parental leave in 2021, show that such policies can be both attractive and well-received by the workforce, suggesting potential positive impacts for California's educators.</p>
<p>This initiative is part of a wider movement towards ensuring fair treatment and accommodations for pregnant workers, highlighted by proposed regulations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and efforts to protect pregnant workers and students from sex discrimination under proposed Title IX regulations. As the majority of public school teachers are female, these measures are particularly pertinent, aiming to create a more supportive and equitable work environment for educators across California and potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives nationwide.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.k12dive.com/news/california-ed-dept-paid-disability-leave-pregnant-educators-retention/709172/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202024-03-04%20K-12%20Dive%20%5Bissue:59713%5D&utm_term=K-12%20Dive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Original article</a></p>
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<p>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</p>
<p>OpenAI. (2024). <i>ChatGPT</i> (4) [Large language model]. <a href="https://chat.openai.com">https://chat.openai.com</a></p>
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<p></p> Teacher Translated Beatles Songs into Latin for His Students: Read Lyrics for “O Teneum Manum,” “Diei Duri Nox” & Moretag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-05:1990010:Topic:3904172024-03-05T15:06:53.218ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<h1><a href="https://www.openculture.com/2017/01/hip-1960s-latin-teacher-translated-beatles-songs-into-latin-for-his-students.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Hip 1960s Latin Teacher Translated Beatles Songs into Latin for His Students: Read Lyrics for “O Teneum Manum,” “Diei Duri Nox” & More">Hip 1960s Latin Teacher Translated Beatles Songs into Latin for His Students: Read Lyrics for “O Teneum Manum,” “Diei Duri Nox” & More…</a></h1>
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<h1><a href="https://www.openculture.com/2017/01/hip-1960s-latin-teacher-translated-beatles-songs-into-latin-for-his-students.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Hip 1960s Latin Teacher Translated Beatles Songs into Latin for His Students: Read Lyrics for “O Teneum Manum,” “Diei Duri Nox” & More">Hip 1960s Latin Teacher Translated Beatles Songs into Latin for His Students: Read Lyrics for “O Teneum Manum,” “Diei Duri Nox” & More</a></h1>
<p class="byline">in<span> </span><em class="postcategory">Education,<span> </span><a href="https://www.openculture.com/category/language_lessons" rel="category tag">Language Lessons</a>,<span> </span><a href="https://www.openculture.com/category/music" rel="category tag">Music</a></em><span> </span>| January 13th, 2017</p>
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<div class="colorcontrast"><div class="entry"><div class="oc-center"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1030272" src="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194028/Latin-Beatles-3-768x1024.jpg" width="600" height="800"/></div>
<p><em><small><a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194028/Latin-Beatles-3.jpg">Click here (and then click the image) to view in a larger format</a>.</small></em></p>
<p>I’ve interacted with many entertaining language-learning resources in various classes—from miniseries in Spanish to comic books in French—all geared toward making the unfamiliar language relevant to daily life. Learning counterintuitive pronunciations, parsing a new system of grammar, or memorizing the genders of word after word can be laborious and intimidating in the classroom. Doing so in everyday pop cultural settings, not as much.</p>
<p>When it comes to the teaching of dead languages, the resources can seem less approachable. I certainly appreciate the literary and rhetorical genius of Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Cicero, and Julius Caesar. But during my high school years, I did not always find their work easy to read in English, much less in formal classical Latin. The elation I felt after successfully translating a passage was sometimes dampened as I puzzled over historical notes and glosses that often left me with more questions than answers.</p>
<div class="oc-center"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1030271" src="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194007/Latin-Beatles-2-768x1024.jpg" width="600" height="800"/></div>
<p><em><small><a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194007/Latin-Beatles-2.jpg">Click here (and then click the image) to view in a larger format</a>.</small></em></p>
<p>That’s not at all to say that students of Latin shouldn’t be exposed to cultural and historical context or read the finest exemplars of the written language. Only that a break from the heavy stuff now and then goes a long way. Might I submit to Latin instructors one ingenious tool from Eddie O’Hara, former British Labour Party MP and classics teacher? O’Hara passed away in May of last year, and just this past week,<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/terrykohara/status/817642331369336833">his son Terry O’Hara tweeted these translations of Beatles songs</a> (including two Christmas tunes) his father made in the 60s for his students. At the time, these were the height of pop culture relevance, and, while a far cry from the complexities of the<span> </span><em>Aeneid</em>, a fun way for Latin learners to relate to a language that can seem cold and imposing.</p>
<p>I will admit, my Latin has fallen into such a state that I can’t immediately vouch for the accuracy or elegance of these translations (“cue fierce arguments among Latin grammarians,” replies one Twitter user), but there’s no reason to doubt Mr. O’Hara knew his stuff. ““He was a born educator,” his son remembers, “He was a teacher and classicist by background and he had a strong interest in educational matters and Greek cultural heritage.” Educated himself at<span> </span><a href="http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/">Magdalen College, Oxford</a>, O’Hara taught at Perse School, Cambridge, Birkenhead School, and in the early 70s, C.F. Mott College in the Beatles’ own Liverpool.</p>
<div class="oc-center"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1030270" src="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12193940/Latin-Beatles-1-768x1024.jpg" width="600" height="800"/></div>
<p><em><small><a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12193940/Latin-Beatles-1.jpg">Click here (and then click the image) to view in a larger format</a>.</small></em></p>
<p>In addition to his role as a statesman, the<span> </span><a href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/former-merseyside-mp-eddie-ohara-11401524"><em>Liverpool Echo</em><span> </span>remembers O’Hara</a>’s many decades as “a popular teacher who brought classes to life translating Beatles lyrics into Latin.” We do not have any indication of whether he actually tried to sing the lyrics, though his students surely must have attempted it. What must the chorus of “All My Loving” sound like as “Ita totum amorem dabo, Tibi totum, numquam cessaba”? Or “She Loves You” as “Amat te, mehercle”? Singing them to myself, I can see that O’Hara was sensitive to the meter of the original English in his Latin renderings. But I’d really love to see someone set these to music and make a video. Any of our readers up to the challenge?</p>
<p>Finally, since early sixties Beatles lyrics aren’t as likely to engage students in 2017, what pop cultural material would you translate today—classics teachers out there—to reach the bemused, bewildered, and the bored? If you’re already hard at work using hip resources in the classroom, please do share them with us in the comments!</p>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> To view the images in a larger format, please click on the links to these individuals images:<span> </span><a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194028/Latin-Beatles-3.jpg">Image 1</a><span> </span>-<a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12194007/Latin-Beatles-2.jpg"><span> </span>Image 2</a><span> </span>—<span> </span><a href="https://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12193940/Latin-Beatles-1.jpg">Image 3</a>. When the image opens, click on it again to zoom in.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/tedgioia">via Ted Gioia</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.openculture.com/2016/08/what-ancient-latin-sounded-like-and-how-we-know.html">What Ancient Latin Sounded Like, And How We Know It</a></p>
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<p><em><a href="http://about.me/jonesjoshua">Josh Jones</a> is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/jdmagness">@jdmagness</a></em></p>
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</div> 5 Reasons To Teach With Taylor Swifttag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-04:1990010:Topic:3906592024-03-04T16:08:01.065ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
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<h1>5 Reasons To Teach With Taylor Swift</h1>
<div class="byline-social"><div class="byline"><div class="slice-container slice-author-byline authorByline-tbEh6c49u6gpiU8DJr7MMZ slice-container-authorByline" id="slice-container-authorByline-tbEh6c49u6gpiU8DJr7MMZ"><div class="author-byline author-byline--basic-layout"><div class="author-byline__authors">By<span> …</span></div>
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<h1>5 Reasons To Teach With Taylor Swift</h1>
<div class="byline-social"><div class="byline"><div id="slice-container-authorByline-tbEh6c49u6gpiU8DJr7MMZ" class="slice-container slice-author-byline authorByline-tbEh6c49u6gpiU8DJr7MMZ slice-container-authorByline"><div class="author-byline author-byline--basic-layout"><div class="author-byline__authors">By<span> </span><span class="author-byline__author-name"><a href="https://www.techlearning.com/author/erik-ofgang" target="_self" class="link author-byline__link">Erik Ofgang</a></span></div>
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<p>In Erik Ofgang's recent article, he sheds light on an innovative approach to education introduced by Misty L. Heggeness, an economics professor and scientist at the University of Kansas. Heggeness has developed "Swiftynomics 101," a free online course that leverages Taylor Swift's popularity to make economic theories more accessible and engaging to students. This course, which also previews Heggeness's upcoming book "SWIFTYNOMICS," aims to blend pop culture with educational content to stimulate student interest and understanding in economics and beyond.</p>
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<div><div class="hero-image-padding-wrap padding-on"><div class="hero-image-padding"><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fNwZp6oGy77vHoW5sK66YD-320-80.jpg" alt="Taylor Swift" class=" block-image-ads hero-image" width="341" height="208"/></div>
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<p><span class="credit">(Image credit: Getty Images)</span></p>
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<p>Heggeness's strategy revolves around five key reasons why educators should consider incorporating Taylor Swift into their teaching methods:</p>
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<li><p><strong>Transforming Dry Concepts Into Engaging Stories</strong>: Heggeness points out that traditional economic concepts, often seen as abstract and dull by students, can be brought to life through real-world examples. By examining Swift's career and her interactions with figures like NFL star Travis Kelce, economic theories such as the theory of the firm and gender economic discrimination become relatable and meaningful.</p>
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<li><p><strong>Encouraging Diversity in Economics</strong>: Linking economic theory with pop culture not only makes the subject matter more appealing but also has the potential to attract a broader and more diverse group of students to the field of economics. This approach can help address the long-standing issue of lack of diversity within the economics profession by making the subject matter feel relevant to a wider community.</p>
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<li><p><strong>Ease of Use with Pre-existing Materials</strong>: "Swiftynomics 101" provides a flexible curriculum that teachers can adapt to their classroom needs, whether for comprehensive lessons or specific topics. Aimed at high school students and older, the course is suitable for various subjects beyond economics, including civics, social studies, and business classes.</p>
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<li><p><strong>Sharing Expertise through Pop Culture</strong>: Heggeness encourages educators to use their expertise to make connections between academic theories and pop culture. This approach not only enhances public understanding of complex subjects but also serves as an effective recruitment tool for the educators' respective fields.</p>
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<li><p><strong>Adding Fun to Learning</strong>: Incorporating Taylor Swift into lessons can make learning more enjoyable for both students and teachers. Heggeness emphasizes the importance of integrating fun and novelty into teaching, which ultimately leads to a more effective educational experience.</p>
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<p>Through "Swiftynomics," Heggeness showcases an inventive method to teach economic concepts in a way that resonates with students' interests. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also highlights the potential of using pop culture to make education more inclusive, engaging, and enjoyable.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/5-reasons-to-teach-with-taylor-swift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Original source</a></p>
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<p>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</p>
<p>OpenAI. (2024). <i>ChatGPT</i> (4) [Large language model]. <a href="https://chat.openai.com">https://chat.openai.com</a></p> Meet the Rapping Mathematiciantag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-03-04:1990010:Topic:3906572024-03-04T15:46:39.538ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
<p>Meet The Rapping Mathematician</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.coolcatteacher.com/empower-new-teachers-alex-kajitani/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis</a></p>
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<p><span>Today, I interviewed Alex Kajitani, known as the “Rapping Mathematician.” He's the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, a Top-4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year, and author of the book “You're a Teacher Now, What's Next?”</span></p>
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<p>In…</p>
<p>Meet The Rapping Mathematician</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.coolcatteacher.com/empower-new-teachers-alex-kajitani/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis</a></p>
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<p><span>Today, I interviewed Alex Kajitani, known as the “Rapping Mathematician.” He's the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, a Top-4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year, and author of the book “You're a Teacher Now, What's Next?”</span></p>
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<p>In a heartfelt conversation with Vicki Davis, Alex Kajitani, known as the Rapping Mathematician and honored as the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, shares invaluable insights and encouragement for new teachers navigating the early years of their careers. Highlighting themes from his book, "You're a Teacher Now. What's Next?" Kajitani addresses the universal challenges and triumphs that new educators face, emphasizing the critical importance of persistence, support, and continuous improvement in the teaching profession.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12395794667?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12395794667?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Illustration by Michael Keany/AI</p>
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<p>Kajitani reassures new teachers that they are not alone in their experiences, stressing that both the struggles and successes they encounter are shared by educators everywhere. He urges them to view the teaching journey as a series of opportunities for renewal and growth, pointing out that the ability to "start anew" at various points throughout the school year offers a path to overcoming challenges and enhancing their teaching practice.</p>
<p>A central piece of advice from Kajitani is the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and seeking mentorship from experienced and effective educators. He highlights the value of observing and learning from peers as a form of professional development that can lead to significant improvements in teaching strategies and classroom management.</p>
<p>Kajitani also touches on the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life, sharing personal anecdotes that underscore the benefits of engaging in activities outside the classroom to stay refreshed and motivated. Celebrating small milestones and maintaining a positive perspective, he argues, are essential for new teachers to navigate the complexities of their roles with resilience and optimism.</p>
<p>The discussion culminates in a powerful reflection on the lasting impact of teaching, with Kajitani asserting that educators teach to "live forever" through the ideas and values they pass on to their students and the next generation of teachers. This sentiment beautifully encapsulates the profound influence teachers have, not only on the individuals they educate but also on the broader fabric of society.</p>
<p>Overall, Kajitani's message is one of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of education. His conversation with Vicki Davis serves as a beacon of support for new teachers, encouraging them to embrace their role with courage, creativity, and a commitment to continuous growth and learning.</p>
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<p>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</p>
<p>OpenAI. (2024). <i>ChatGPT</i> (4) [Large language model]. <a href="https://chat.openai.com">https://chat.openai.com</a></p> Wizard Chess, Robot Bikes and More: Six Students Creating Cool Stuff with AItag:schoolleadership20.com,2024-02-28:1990010:Topic:3904942024-02-28T15:33:02.072ZMichael Keanyhttps://schoolleadership20.com/profile/MichaelKeany91
<p><strong>Wizard Chess, Robot Bikes and More: Six Students Creating Cool Stuff with AI</strong></p>
<p><strong>by Greg Toppo</strong></p>
<p><strong>The 74</strong></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12390412493?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" height="375" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12390412493?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="375"></img> Illustration by M. Keany/AI</a></p>
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<p>In the article "Wizard Chess, Robot Bikes and More: Six Students Creating Cool Stuff with AI" by Greg Toppo, published on February 25,…</p>
<p><strong>Wizard Chess, Robot Bikes and More: Six Students Creating Cool Stuff with AI</strong></p>
<p><strong>by Greg Toppo</strong></p>
<p><strong>The 74</strong></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12390412493?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12390412493?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="375" height="375"/>Illustration by M. Keany/AI</a></p>
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<p>In the article "Wizard Chess, Robot Bikes and More: Six Students Creating Cool Stuff with AI" by Greg Toppo, published on February 25, 2024, the narrative shifts focus from the common educator concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and potential academic dishonesty to the innovative and constructive engagement with AI by students. The introduction of ChatGPT by OpenAI has led to widespread discussions on the implications of AI in educational settings, with a considerable portion of educators fearing its misuse for cheating purposes. However, Toppo highlights a different perspective, showcasing students who are harnessing AI to forge their future careers and solve complex problems.</p>
<p>The article presents findings from a December survey by ACT, revealing that nearly half of the high school students preparing for the June 2023 college entrance exam had utilized AI tools like ChatGPT for school assignments. This insight underpins the narrative that, contrary to widespread apprehensions, a segment of students is actively exploring the potential of AI beyond academic dishonesty. Toppo introduces six students, some as young as 15, engaged in advanced AI projects that range from autonomous bicycles and mental health apps to AI-driven educational tools and innovative games. These students, many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants, embody a deep engagement with AI that transcends generational and cultural boundaries, illustrating a global collaboration in the field of AI innovation.</p>
<p>The students' projects, which include an AI-powered chatbot for 911 calls, a robotic chess game inspired by Harry Potter, and an autonomous bicycle, among others, serve as examples of how young people are not only envisioning AI's potential to address real-world issues but are also actively participating in its development. These initiatives reflect a broader understanding and application of AI technologies, challenging the narrative that AI's primary impact on education is related to cheating.</p>
<p>Toppo's article encourages a reevaluation of the discourse surrounding AI in education, suggesting that the focus should not solely be on the technology's potential for misuse. Instead, it highlights the importance of embracing AI as a tool for innovation and learning. By showcasing the work of young AI enthusiasts, the piece argues for a more nuanced understanding of AI's role in shaping future professionals and problem-solvers. This perspective is crucial for educators and policymakers as they navigate the integration of AI into educational curricula and consider its implications for teaching and learning in the digital age.</p>
<p>The article ultimately serves as a call to action for educators to recognize and nurture the potential of AI as a transformative force in education, encouraging a balanced approach that fosters responsible use and innovation.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.the74million.org/article/students-ai-opportunity-while-adults-fret-artificial-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more...</a></p>
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<p>Prepared with the assistance of AI software</p>
<p>OpenAI. (2024). <i>ChatGPT</i> (4) [Large language model]. <a href="https://chat.openai.com">https://chat.openai.com</a></p>