Geography Awareness Week: November 13-17, 2023

Promoted by National Geographic, here’s what you should know about Geography Awareness Week:

Too many young Americans are unable to make effective decisions, understand geo-spatial issues, or even recognize their impacts as global citizens. National Geographic created Geography Awareness Week to raise awareness to this dangerous deficiency in American education and excite people about geography as both a discipline and as a part of everyday life.

Each year more than 100,000 Americans actively participate in Geography Awareness Week. Established by presidential proclamation more than 25 years ago, this annual public awareness program encourages citizens young and old to think and learn about the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it. Geography Awareness Week is supported by access to materials and resources for teachers, parents, community activists, and all geographically minded global citizens.

Here are excellent resources to promote geography lessons:

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A Day to Remember Veterans

As many of you know, I have two wonderful children–one a CDR in the Navy and one a SSG In the Army. I also have a long family history of relatives who fought for America. So today, I salute them and all others who have put their lives and dreams aside to support America’s values and principles. I can’t say it better than these videos:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHGGtSUckaA] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTKmjhJ1__o&fs=1&hl=en_US] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqUORIFV4I&fs=1&hl=en_US]

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Left-brain or Right-brain Dominant? Explore the Ideal Subjects to Nurture your Strengths

Left-brain or Right-brain Dominant? Explore the Ideal Subjects to Nurture your Strengths

Choosing what to study after high school can be tough. A popular theory that aids some students in their decision-making process is the left-brain vs right-brain theory. It suggests that people have a dominant side of their brain, which influences their thinking and learning styles. While it’s important to note that this theory has been debated and may not be entirely accurate, it can be helpful to understand your strengths when choosing subjects to study. This article will explore the ideal subjects for individuals who are left-brain or right-brain dominant.

Subjects for People Who Are Left-brain Dominant

If you are left-brain dominant, you are likely to be more analytical, logical and detail-oriented. You excel in subjects that require problem-solving skills and have a strong understanding of numbers and patterns. Here are some ideal subjects for left-brain dominant individuals:

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Tech Tip #26: My Mouse Doesn’t Work

As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each Tuesday, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy!

Q: My mouse stopped working. Do I need to buy a new one?

A: Maybe, but try a few things first:

  • Check the plugs. Is it still plugged in?
  • Check the batteries (if it’s a wireless)? Do you need to replace them?
  • Make sure your wireless hub (if it’s wireless) is in proximity that the mouse and keyboard can find it
  • Reboot your computer. This is a universal cure for all stuff that goes awry on a computer. There are so many drivers and commands floating around in the operational sequence, they get lost somethings. A reboot might get the mouse driver back where the system can find it.
  • Before you buy a new mouse, plug a spare in–see if it works.

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Technology Use and Wellness: How to Guide Students in a Digital Age

Technology Use and Wellness: How to Guide Students in a Digital Age

The amount of time young Americans spend staring at a screen has reached unprecedented levels. In 2021, they were logging more screen time than bedtime: Teenagers spent an average of eight hours and 39 minutes on a digital device, but only 22% were getting eight hours of sleep. Most alarmingly, a recent study found that as little as one to four hours of daily screen time among children aged one is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal and social skills by the age of two. As such, parents and educators must be more proactive in managing technology use to mitigate these health consequences.

However, it’s not just excessive screen time that is a concern. While students’ access to information is highly beneficial for learning, technology also exposes them to mental, emotional, and psychological risks that, when left unchecked, can have long-term consequences. It’s unrealistic to eliminate screen time altogether, but there are a few ways to help young people use technology more responsibly, with overall health top of mind:

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25 Online Resources About Brainstorming and Mindmapping

A mind map is a visual representation of information and ideas that helps organize and connect various concepts, making it easier for individuals and groups to understand, remember, and communicate complex topics. Some reasons why people use mind maps:

  1. Organizing Information: allow you to break down a topic into key components and show how they relate to each other.
  2. Visual Thinking: promote creativity and help individuals see patterns and relationships in a way text cannot.
  3. Memory Aid: for some, the visual nature makes it easier to recall information
  4. Problem Solving: encourage a non-linear approach to thinking and brainstorming.
  5. Project Planning: outline tasks, set priorities, and assign responsibilities
  6. Studying and Learning: make an excellent study aid for visual learners.
  7. Communication: present complex information in a more digestible and engaging manner
  8. Collaboration: facilitate collaborative thinking

Here are some online tools you might like:

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Subscriber Special: Holiday Project Book

Every month, subscribers to our newsletter get a free/discounted resource to help their tech teaching.

K-8 Holiday Projects

Regular price: $7.99

On Sale until November 8, 2023: $6.50

16 student-tested holiday projects, K-8, using word processing, spreadsheets, DTP, art, online webtools, and more. They’re from the Ask a Tech Teacher technology team, designed to be fun and festive, while teaching important tech skills. Use them for any holiday. They’ll fill your year with pictures, calendars, wallpaper, cards, that kids will love making and want to give to family as gifts.

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Halloween Projects, Websites, Apps, Books, and a Costume

Three holidays are fast-approaching–Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you’re a teacher, that means lots of tie-ins to make school festive and relevant to students.

Here are ideas for Halloween projects, lesson plans, websites, and apps (check here for updated links):

Websites and Apps

  1. 30-day Halloween fitness challenge
  2. Build a Jack-o-lantern (in Google Slides)
  3. Carve-a-Pumpkin from Parents magazine – Resolute Digital, LLC (app)
  4. Enchanted Learning
  5. Halloween games, puzzles–clean, easy to understand website and few ads!
  6. Halloween Kahoot Games (video for teachers)
  7. Halloween Science
  8. Halloween Voice Transformer (app)
  9. Make A Zombie – Skunk Brothers GmbH (app)
  10. Meddybemps Spooky
  11. Pumpkin Patch Games
  12. The Kidz Page
  13. WordSearch Halloween – AFKSoft (app)

Projects

  1. ASCII Art–Computer Art for Everyone (a pumpkin–see inset)
  2. Lesson Plan: Halloween letter for grades 2-5
  3. Make a Holiday Card
  4. A Holiday Card
  5. A Holiday flier

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