Reading inspires Kids!

Seriously. Start getting your students to read.

It is said that success if directly proportionate to one's vocabulary.

If this is true, then inspire your students to read!

Could you be the next 6 year old who breakdances?

Jalen Testerman on the Ellen Show

Sometimes, we wonder about what a six-year-old should not and cannot do. However, are we saying that we know full well the capabilities and limits of the young?

This boy could be either be limited or liberated by his environment and caregivers. Which would be the outcome if you were his caregiver? Think about that, it might be....

...liberating? :)

Everything is possible, if you believe

Little needs to be said here. We all know that we always do limit ourselves. The issue is the extent to which we do so.

Push the boundaries of your mind and break the physical limits of your body. It is always 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration.

Fun Theory - We all like to throw into a deep bin

Imagine what this can do for your school environment.

From what I can see, it is possible to use Fun Theory to make our schools and classrooms work for us and the students. We just need to make it fun to meet expectations.

It is a simple hard thing to do, isn't it?

Children See. Children Do.

How do you want your students to turn out?

Thanks to Samantha for sharing this video. =)

Drawing Manga Realistically!

Many students have taken fancy to Japanese anime and manga. Therefore, stimulate their interest with these easy-to-follow tutorials and get them drawing amazing and realistic manga immediately.

Be sure to praise them, encourage them and display their initial tries readily. Your belief in them will most certainly motivate them to start on the second. third, fourth....

Blogging made EZ...

Alright, it's term 4 in our school and we'll be embarking on a blogging project as part of our ICT curriculum. The blog is meant as a e-portfolio to capture the learning that has taken place over the last 3 terms. Students will be taught how to create new posts, add the images they have created and upload the video they had produced in term 3.

It is hoped that this skill learnt will help some of our students gain another wonderful platform on which they could showcase their achievements and socialise responsibly. As we will be using wordpress blogging script, the following videos are meant to introduce ideas that you can work with your students as you conduct a lesson on blogging.


This is a very comprehensive video that can be shown to your students to take them through blogging.


This video is for more advance learners and for teachers who would like to explore hosting a blog of your own.

And if you are preferring to use Blogger to do your blogging, check out the following video:


Adding a video in Blogger:


And the magic of adding Google gadgets in Blogger:



Enjoy!

An idea for Monfort Challenge?

Those of you who are keen on putting up a singing performance, this is a challenge for you!

If you didn't get enough laughter from the above video, check this one out!

Happy Teachers Day!

Dear teachers in Singapore, this is a day we can all celebrate our common achievement as builders of our nation.

The values you hold are imparted.
The vision you embrace is caught.
The passion you burn with keeps igniting.
The dreams you carry never cease to inspire.
The care you show always transforms.
The way that you show gives comfort and hope.

Thank you for being an agent of transforming change!







Singapore Teachers: Lead. Care. Inspire.

I get bullied a lot in school...

Watching this, it is easy for us to understand the emotional strain that one goes through when targetted by bullies. The negative self-perceptions, the negative social experiences, the suspicions of others' motives being with ill-intent, lack of self-belief, etc, all converge in a growing mind.

Nevertheless, we can start by saying, "Andrew, you are better than you think you are!"

Perhaps you can be someone who builts another up. So, go ahead, be an inspiration!

Bobby McFerrin playing the audience like an instrument

WOW!

Try this during one of your school's assemblies for a change...

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

I guess I do agree with him.

Watch and experience how Sir Ken Robinson disarms you with his wit and wisdom. A truly remarkable talk given by a remarkable man.

I loved the story he told about Gillian Lynne. That really provoked me deeply to consider the tremendous power I have in helping my students fulfill their destinies. This power is a double-edged sword. You have this power too.

And also, the thought of how all education systems apply the same hierarchical valuation in terms of subjects was a tremendous revelation. Imagine all the breakthroughs in educational research on Multiple Intelligences, Learning Styles, Brain Research, etc had SO LITTLE impact on the education world!

What would it take for you and your school to do the right thing?

Steve Levitt - Why Financial Incentives Don't Work

One of my favourite authors---the only one who made Economics fun enough for me to read!

Anyway, are you wondering what this video has got to do with you as an educator? Am I saying that you should not be drawing a higher salary?

Well, no. I think that teachers are providing an important function to society and should be financially incentivised generously. Having said that, what am I trying to say with this video?

Simple. Perhaps we can apply what he has said to how we run the class room. Do our students actually think that what they are doing is the most important thing in the world? Or are they working for extrinsic motivations?

If you went "huh?!" after reading that. You have either not watched the video or you need to watch it again.

Keep your school Bully-Free!

My school is running a two-week emphasis on Bully-free education. Research has shown that some cases of absenteeism are related to victimisation as a result of bullying.

Be on the look out for the following tell-tale signs that your student may be bullied:

• Drop in grades to poor school attendance
• Loneliness and poor social relationships
• Physical ill-health
• Lowered self-esteem and depression
• Suicide talk or tendencies
• Self-harm
• Revenge leading to violent juvenile behaviour
  

The anatomy of a bullying experience:


The following video is a stark reminder that bullying cannot be taken lightly. Parental guidance is advised.


I believe that one of the most effect ways to create a bully-free environment is to make bully-free look cool. In this way, it is likely that victims are well-informed on proper responses to bullying and bullies have full expectations of the consequences of bullying. Schools must also take up stringent measures to curb bullying and mete out harsh punishments for school bullies. However, having said that, the most powerful kind of incentive is the moral incentive. We must educate our students that all forms of bullying are inhumane to say the least. After all, they wouldn't want the same (form of bullying) to be done to themselves, would they?

A few more videos to help you with your quest to make your school bully-free!

link to final video (not possible to embed)

And finally, a link to help you and your students go deeper into this campaign:

http://www.bullyfreecampaign.sg/

Many thanks to Khusni for inspiring this post!

Striking 4D (Part 3) --- Dysgraphia

Understanding the learning disabilities in our students will go a long way in helping them, as well as helping us in helping them. Having poor or no understanding about learning disabilities will certainly enable teachers to contribute to negative outcomes in our students' lives.

There is NO advantage in being ignorant.

Remember, your contribution to early detection will help your students MORE than the contribution of the specialist providing late intervention.

Late intervention will cost more. More monetarily, and more emotionally.

So, what exactly is dysgraphia?



The following video may be a little difficult to digest at first, but the final two points can help you to better understand how you can help a student with dysgraphia:



How do some forms of disabilty go undetected in schools? Watch the following video to see how gifted students compensate for their disabilities.



Finally, we need to motivate students who have struck 4D which success stories that can spur them towards making one of their own.



From my reserach into this topic of learning disabilities, I have begun to realise the complexity of detection and intervention towards these disabilities. Detection really requires one to sit down and read into the discrepency in student performance, or rather, their under-performance. Any such discrepancies can be viewed as due cause that warrants a thorough investigation into the possibility of learning disability. An educator well-informed of learning disabilities is more likely to be able to detect the gift and provide the necessary intervention. Therefore, it is hoped that you will join the ranks of well-informed educators with the viewing of this post.

I have not been able to surface more relevant videos concerning Dysgraphia from Youtube, hence I will provide some links for your reading pleasure below:

All you need to know about Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia for students

Striking 4D (Part 2) --- Dyscalculia

Understanding the learning disabilities in our students will go a long way in helping them, as well as helping us in helping them. Having poor or no understanding about learning disabilities will certainly enable teachers to contribute to negative outcomes in our students' lives.

There is NO advantage in being ignorant.

Remember, your contribution to early detection will help your students MORE than the contribution of the specialist providing late intervention.

Late intervention will cost more. More monetarily, and more emotionally.

So, what exactly is dyscalculia?





And if you are wondering how it might affect you if you had it? Watch the next few videos.









Indeed, after watching these videos, it is a mistake to call Dyscalculia a type of Maths Dyslexia. I am beginning to wonder if my students have a combination of both. Perhaps they have dyspraxia and dysgraphia too?!

However, if you are anything like me, understanding that our students may have learning disabilities help me to be more observant and patient with them. At least, now I do know what I should be looking out for. Do you agree?

Well, here are some successful (and famous) Dyscalculics:



Having explored Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, I wonder if I should discuss Dysgraphia or Dyspraxia next?

Stay tune for 2 more chances to strike 4D!

Striking 4D (Part 1) --- Dyslexia

Understanding the learning disabilities in our students will go a long way in helping them, as well as helping us in helping them. Having poor or no understanding about learning disabilities will certainly enable teachers to contribute to negative outcomes in our students' lives.

There is NO advantage in being ignorant.

Remember, your contribution to early detection will help your students MORE than the contribution of the specialist providing late intervention.

Late intervention will cost more. More monetarily, and more emotionally.

So, what exactly is dyslexia?









And you can motivate your student with dyslexia by showing them the following videos:





No one hopes to strike 4D when 'D' is for Disabilities.

In subsequent posts, I will be discussing Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia.

This post is dedicated to SH, AT, ES, MI and M. They are my brave students with the gift of dyslexia. It is my hope that they will learn to cope and excel in their lives!

Cyberbullying

It is increasing. It is rampant. It is...stoppable!

Do your part to educate and empower your students how they can ward off attacks from peers or strangers.

VISIT http://stopcyberbullying.org/

If not, the following video could be a reality for someone near you:





You can teach them to:

• Stop cyberbullying.
• Not write it.
• Not forward it.
• Save evidences.
• Report the cyberbullying or cyberbully.
  

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture: Achieving Your Chilhood Dreams!

It's 2.45am. And I had just finished watching this. Nevermind that I have to reach school later early in the morning, I just couldn't stop watching this. Thoroughly moved! Thoroughly inspired!

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.

Watched by over 10 million viewers, this video of Randy, who was dying of pancreatic cancer, contains tremendous inspiration and wisdom. It was the last lecture of a dying man. Be inspired by his life and the strength by which he lived it. Watch it!

If you are a school leader, teacher or student, there are lessons that could be learnt from Randy. He talked about life's brick wall, head fakes, helping others achieve their dreams, A.L.I.C.E. and the most important things in life.

Johnny the Bagger

A lesson learnt from a boy with Down's Syndrome.

As an educator, you too can make a difference in the lives of your students. All it takes is a little thoughtfulness injected with your love for them.

Greet them in the morning, give a high-five as you pass them, punch them at their knuckles, a pat on the back...

A simple praise to elevate their negative self perception.

Why is it that I feel you already know all these?

=P

Facing the Giants - "Your very best!"

One of the most inspiring clips I've ever seen.

"Your very best!"

"Keep Trying!"

"Keep going!"

"10 more steps!"

"You can!"

"You are in the end zone!"

And if you analyse accordingly:

1) Invitation to commitment (even when they can't see the end)
2) Voice of motivation
3) Voice of persuasion
4) Voice of guidance
5) Voice of empowerment
6) Voice of celebration

Does your conversation with you students sound something like the above?

If not, it's not too late to start. =)

Random Acts of Kindness

If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~Bob Hope

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. ~Charles H. Spurgeon

Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~Author Unknown

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown

What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. ~Cleveland Amory

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. ~Samuel Johnson

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. ~Chinese Proverb

When you drive, be responsible...

Responsibility. That's what this video is about. Responsible driving. Responsible living.

You can only understand responsibility when you know the consequences.

Smoking KILLS!

I really loved this Indian Ad. It is very creative.

For many of us, smoking has never been a choice. Somebody chose smoking, and YOU get to suffer along.

Anyway, here are more ads you could use to persuade your loved ones and students.







Now, more a stronger message:

212 degrees - The extra degree that makes a great difference!

A message that puts you one step ahead of the competition. Hear it, heed it and hit it!

She, without an arm. He, without a leg.

Are limitations really limiting? Are we restricted and confined by our circumstances?

Well, the answers is yes...only if you allow them to be so.

Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.

Never, never give up!

"It ain't over until it's over. And even then, it still ain't over"

Adversity Builds Character. Difficult situations can produce the most compelling beauty in a person. Such was the beauty exuded by these two dancers. May this be a dance that inspires fortunate and whole persons to do all that they can with all that they have.

"Smooth seas don't make skillful sailors."

A Father's Love for His Son

Alright, you have to watch this. Prepare some Kleenex.

The truth is, we don't all the time in the world. Treasure your present. Guard it well.

A word of thanks to Josephine for introducing this video to me.

Excellent Video showcase of Singapore's beauty

Singapore Lights Timelapse from Weehan Yeo on Vimeo.

Check this out. If you're stuck in the rut or getting less motivated in your pursuit of photography, perhaps you might like to have a change of menu. Try time-lapse photography.

Very often, our motivation, passion or creativity hit a wall after some time in our multi-faceted lives. What does one do when this happens? Simply try taking a breather or introduce a slight change. Either you re-charge OR you keep things interesting for yourself.

Personally, I did both. I took a break and I changed my focus. And it did wonders.

This probably work for 80% of the people, 80% of the time in 80% of all possible circumstances.

Well, probably. =)

The H1N1 Song - "Wash Your Hands Too"

This is one of those "once in a blue moon", "square peg in round hole" and "what's wrong with him?" post.

Definitely not a worthwhile resource per se. But it certainly is of "the lighter side of things" genre. 2009 is summed up in two events. Recession and Swine Flu.

However, resource it is not, what tickles you stays a whole lot longer than what does not.

So, use it in class/school and tickle some learning into your audience.

"A merry heart doeth good as medicine." ~ A quote from the Bible.

Demonstration of Amazing Memory!

Alright, this guy (Alain Nu) has an amazing memory and he uses it on the edge. Lives depended on his technique and I imagine much practice had gone into making him so comfortable and confident.

I have a conjecture at this point. My guess is that he was processing the card sequence while he orientated himself on the route. If you watch carefully, he sort of timed saying the cards with the route. Check it out and say if you agree with me. He might have continued with it in reversed sequence if the "assistant" wasn't so excited.

I may be wrong. Then again, I may be correct.

Memorising using the LINK method (BBC)

You've got the Number-Rhyme technique in my previous post. Did it work for you? Usually, it really helps for lists of ten. If you've read Buzan's books on memory, you'll know how you can expand the list to 30 or 40 items. For me, I never got past twenty. Never needed to, anyway.

Well, here's Andi Bell explaining the "link method". Some memory practitioners may call it the Roman Room method. Either way, with practice, you can easily manage 100 items in time to come. Learning this may take less time than the Number-Rhyme as you are already familiar to your surroundings.

Hint: If you've got 5 rooms in your house, intentionally cycle through 10 items in every room. That will easily give you an initial capacity of 50. =P

The Number-Rhyme mnemonics system

Alright, this is a follow up to Tony Buzan's mind mapping.

I have personally used this Number-Rhyme system for memorising lists and up to today, some of the lists remained in my permanent memory. When I took the Powerboat Driving License more than 5 years back, we were required to memorise a list of 10 compulsory items.

The list is still there. In my head.

Try it with your kids and make them realise that they can learn to make use of their heads more effectively!

The Miniature Earth

Some of you may be fans of statistics like me. If so, you will definitely find this meaningful.

It is important that we can visualise our collective humanity so easily. This will give weight to our statements about the world, especially so when we do not speak from opinion but truth.

If you can view this blog...
If you can show this video to your class...
Those who can are probably more fortunate than much of the inhabitants of the earth.

Get your students to profile your school community and perhaps they may just learn a lesson on empathy. =)

Mind Mapping for effective living

Have you always wanted to remember better and remember more?

Have you ever wanted your students to learn effectively by getting into your mind?

Would you like your class to learn 10 different pockets of knowledge within the hour and still remember what they learnt?

Would you like to boost your students interest and success in their studies within a week?

All these are possible with Mind Mapping. Don't stop at watching this video, get the book as well. And all the above will become very probable.

Well, it worked for me.

Mr. Bean and the Invisible Drum Set

Looking at the precision of his acting, one can only wonder how many hours of practice went into it. It wasn't just him, but the SounFX crew as well.

Teachers, inspire your students to practice, continue and persevere in everything!

Out of this world Ping Pong Skills!

Practice does make perfect!

Creativity with Just Four Chords

Alright, the message is simple. Sometimes, we just need to re-invent the wheel, see things in new light, look at the world through a straw or "find the hidden side of everything". The music was just the bonus! =P

For teachers who want to spice up old or out-dated lessons, you can try to SCAMPER!

Creativity in Pizza Boxes

Now, how a bout inventing reusable toilet paper? Anyone?

Star Size Comparison

Amazing and informative video that shows you the moon and beyond.

Great resource for that science lesson or that counselling session. What do I mean? Watch it and you'll probably understand.

The "OTHER" NDP 2009 Theme Song

It seems that Singaporeans don't always "just lap it up" anymore. Gone were the days when everything went uncontested. This year, we start to see just about everything that can be challenged, contested. The AWARE saga was perhaps the most notable.

Now, even the official NDP Theme Song 2009 is being challenged.

Netizens are saying that the above song, Things So Singaporean, should have been the theme song for this year. It was composed and sung by Ann Hussein, with lyrics written by Judith d'Silva.

As for me, I'm featuring it because it is very informative and suitable for use in the NE lesson. Especially since it is as catchy as a jingle!

Anyway, I've included the official Theme Song for 2009 for you fans of local band Electrico:



So, what do you think?

Evian Roller Babies Commercial

Thought to share this commercial which really tickled my senses thoroughly. Oh my cuteness!

A shout of thanks to Anita for sharing this with me. This goes back out to you! =P

If you are an Infocomm Club teacher, you might want to show your students this behind-the-scenes clip to inspire them:

Ads that bring you closer to home...

In my school, we commemorated Racial Harmony Day today. Students seemed to know the model answers to any questions we can throw at them about the need for a cohesive multi-racial society. Some of them could even relate to you the racial riots from which we found need for a reminder to live in peace while embracing racial and religious differences.

However, perfect answers do little to help us predict the outcome of our "education". Perhaps, your response to the following ads will tell you how much of racial harmony you have embraced in your own life.

Perhaps, and if you wanted to, you could also use these videos to chromatograph the values at work in the lives of your students.

1. When home isn't home


2. If I had one more day with...


3. You gave him wings...


No doubt these videos are not related to racial harmony, I have picked a central theme that is common and important to each of the major races in Singapore---family.

While we seek to embrace the differences, let us not forget everything that we already have in common.

"Treasure what you have. Embrace what others have that you don't."

Michael Jackson Dance Tribute

This is the official clip from BOUNCE & Friends. More than 300 dancers met at 1530h, got briefed and then learned the choreography in 30 min. Less then 1 hour later, they were performing to the memorable tune of "Beat it!".

Such was the following of one Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009). He was 50 when he passed away. He was a legend spanning at least 3 generations.

This post is dedicated to my students who loved Michael Jackson.

Message is: Don't wait till your heroes are dead before you show your appreciation! Today is the best day to tell your hero that you love him/her.



One of his songs with heavy environmental overtones was Earth Song. Very good tuning in for a lesson on recycling or environmental conservation.

Watch the video:

Time Lapse Earth

Treat your eyes to the majesty of created earth. Expect to be awed and comforted by the vastness of the entire world and beyond. Indeed, one could only admit that, our experiences are dwarfed by the immensity of life.

This video is a good resource to tune in to orbits, revolutions of the moon, earth and sun (stars).

Reverse Graffiti - Cleaning with a difference

Just when you thought that there was no future in cleaning jobs, think again.

As educators, what we need is a paradigm shift. We need to re-look at existing societal structures and carve out fresh niches for our students. We give them hope in a world where there seems to be no hope. We learn to embrace learner differences.

CDEFGAB

CDEFGABC from lernert Engelberts on Vimeo.

Simply musical!

One kind act leads to others

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."

Amelia Earhart

"Stay hungry, stay foolish." Steve Jobs

The inspirational speech given by Steve Jobs to the graduates at Stanford, in which he shared 3 personal stories:
1. connecting the dots (of life)
2. loss and love
3. death (is the best invention of life)

Finally,

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Team Hoyt - A very touching story about a father and his son

A son asked his father, Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me? The father, who despite having a heart condition, said Yes. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying Yes to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, Dad, lets join the Ironman together. To which, his father said Yes too.

If you didn't already know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 miles (3.86 kilometres) ocean swim, followed by a 112 miles (180.2 kilometres) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres) marathon along the coast of the Big Island . Father and son went on to complete the the race together.

Find out more about Dick and Rick Hoyt in the next videos:

Pick me! - The voice of those who have practiced enough

Most of the time, personal success comes to those who practice, practice and practice. It very rarely comes easily and effortlessly. Even as you witness the skills and precision that these men possess, don't be mistaken. It could not have been without hours, months and years of training.

You can do it too!

Validation: The power of positive affirmation

Respect your national anthem, respect your nation

This is indeed an inspiring video!

If you, as the adult and source of inspiration to the young, do not respect the national anthem, expect the young to do likewise. And if you, as one who seeks to impress patriotism upon the next generation, do not respect your country, expect them to do likewise.

Your life is the seed of the next generation!