Napping and Memory

I have never been a very good napper.  I always felt it would be a waste of time, a wasted opportunity where I could be getting something else done.  This restlessness pretty much physically kept me from being able to even nap.  On the odd occasion when i did manage to squeeze a nap in - usually as a result of jetlag - the grogginess i experienced only reinforced that it was a "mistake".  Somehow, now that i am older, i listen more carefully to my body, and see the benefits of doing so.   And i have a better understanding of how the duration can affect that grogginess i was feeling.
More than just a means to inject increased energy into my day, there is research to suggest that Napping can Dramatically Increase Learning, Memory, Awareness, and More.  Check out how long you should nap to get optimal results.

Parents Helping Their Kids With Homework. Good or Bad?

"If only i knew then what i know now."  How many times will we say that in our lives?
I bought into the whole campaign that the more parents were involved in their child's education, the better the child would perform or achieve.  Most people today still accept that.  But there is recent research that suggests that there is little if any evidence to substantiate this.
Too much parental involvement can leave the student out of the equation, though our practice here of Student Led Conferences is a good way to keep them highly involved.
My own experience with the debate supports the research, that my daughter who i pushed and cajoled to complete homework, who i forced to choose courses and complete applications was the one who took the less conventional approach and often actively resisted my 'help.'

Check out the attached article, Don't Help Your Kids With Their Homework and comment about your own experience.

http://princeoftheuniverse.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/the-contrast-between-books-and-movies/

How many times have you said, "The book is better than the movie?"  Isn't it always?
Here's a chance for you to read them before they hit the big screen.  Here are 100 books to read before they're movies.   Many of these are available in our ISPP secondary library.  Come check them out!!

POETRY ANTHOLOGY -- Class of 2017

We've all had the chance to share things we like with each other:  a joke, a book, a story.  But how many of us have shared our favourite poems?
Poems seem to work best when the moment is right, and it can be hard to know when that is, so to have access to a collection of poems might help you find poems that appeal to you at the right time.
Hopefully this anthology will be an opportunity to be exposed to poems you might not otherwise have read, and give you the freedom to choose poems that might be meaningful for you.
Feel free to comment on any that inspire you to do so.

Thank you to Class of 2017 for sharing.
https://sites.google.com/a/ispp.edu.kh/class-of-2017-poetry-anthology/

Jackson Pollock

HOLIDAY READING LIST

What makes us want to read a book?

http://www.squidoo.com/make-learning-fun

It is believed that peer recommendations are the number one way.  So I am asking you to share your favourite books in order to create a peer recommended Holiday Reading List.
All you have to do is list your favourite book.  Identify your grade level, or the grade level you think the book would appeal to.  And if you want to add a little blurb or "hook", be my guest.
Be sure to indicate which house you are from, so that you can accumulate points for your team.

GOOGLE DOCS RESEARCH SIDEBAR

Check out the Research sidebar in Google docs.  Clips from web results are easily added to your document making it easier to find and cite information while composing.  I particularly like the ability to limit the images that are searched to Creative Commons licensed results.

One search option that isn’t featured in the menu: A “places” search. You can enter the name of a town or city, and the research tool will offer a map of the location, which can be dragged and dropped into the text, along with pictures and Web links for that place.

It’s a good step toward integrating google docs with simple and easy search strategies.  What would be truly powerful, however, would be the integration of a citation creator.

THE INNOVATION OF LONELINESS

 

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/this-video-will-have-you-completely-rethink-how-you-conduct-yourself-online-and-in-person-video/

Does this video not have you completely rethinking how you conduct yourself online and in person? 

A new video by Robert Gordon breaks down exactly how the social aspects of human beings have evolved and transformed, showing how we’ve regressed from a social standpoint.

Shimi Cohen shows exactly what’s wrong with our social structure now, and how we manipulate how we want to be presented to peers, family members, and potential mates on social media, rather than having vulnerable and genuine conversations in real time.

This could be a useful video for teachers and high school students to start the discussion about balance and technology.

BOOK TRAILERS GALORE!

http://bubblecow.net/how-to-make-your-own-book-trailer/

Okay Dolphins, White Elephants, and Tigers, here is your chance to beat the Sunbears once and for all.
A wide variety of ISPP book trailers are available for your viewing from Mr. Bacallao's grades 6, 8, and 9 English classes.  All you have to do is view them and vote for your favourite trailer.  Every vote gets a point for your house team.
Be sure to vote, and add positive comments.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCeV2VGEvdtv5ABmuhtCeUg 

RULES FOR USING COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS

See the rules for computer labs and computer usage.  And pay particular attention to "Surf Safely".  
Keep in mind that your information is public, that everything you do online is public, and that you will be answerable for your online actions. It's really that simple.

http://www.edudemic.com/school-computer-lab-rules/

 

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO YOUR DIGITAL LIFE??

http://www.edudemic.com/new-study-many-teens-addicted-and-tired-of-their-digital-lives/

• Are you tired of being wired?  

Feel free to share your comments.

Check out the article,  New Study: Many Teens Addicted And Tired Of Their Digital Lives 
by Jeff Dunn from Edudemic that has found research suggesting teens actually want more face-to-face communication and interaction.

http://www.edudemic.com/new-study-many-teens-addicted-and-tired-of-their-digital-lives/