Cell Phones in the Classroom? Your Thoughts?

With the return of school, the issue of cell phones in the classroom is again being discussed. Most kids own cell phones. It is estimated that most children get their first phone at the age of 10! As a teacher, what is either your policy or your school’s policy toward allowing students to bring cell phones into the classroom? What are the Pros and Cons of allowing cell phones in the classroom.

Here are just a few thoughts:

For some the issue of allowing students to have a cell phone in the classroom is for emergency contacts. Parents say they want to be able to contact their students should the need arise. Additionally, cell phones can be used in case of an emergency should a shelter in place be issued.

Cell phones can very quickly be used to check for information from their fingertips. No need to go to a computer room to do their research. Cell phones can be utilized as a teaching tool during a lesson.

Cell phones are distracting in the classroom. Will students look attentive but sneak texting one of their friends during your lessons? Might a student use their phone to record the class lesson or check out websites to review while the lesson is going on? Might a student use their cell phone to cheat on a test?

With most cell phones being rather expensive, are they an easy target for theft?

Does the ownership of a cell phone cause a class structure within the classroom? Some students can not afford to have one in their possession. Could this lead to some type of bullying?

It is estimated that young people can spend up to 10 hours each day on computer devices. There are some studies that say that such exposure to the light from the devices can make for disruption in sleep patterns.

Some schools say that phones must be stored in a student’s locker and not brought into the classroom. Violated have their phones taken and returned after the class is over. This could also result in a confrontation between the student and the teacher taking from valuable teaching time.

I would lean to having cell phones left in the lockers and not brought into my classroom. Should a parent need to contact their child(seems like this is the reason most heard for cell phones being allowed in the classroom), the office can quickly make contact with the student in the classroom.

What is your opinion?

Giraffe Gets Sad New Recognition

Sadly, the giraffe has gotten some new recognition. This past week, nations of the world have moved to classify giraffes as an endangered species. A committee at the World Wildlife Conference approved the protection with a vote of 106-21.

The African Wildlife Foundation says that in just 30 years, the population of giraffe in the wild has diminished by 40 percent. It is estimated, by the Giraffe conservation Foundation, that there are about 80,000 giraffes in the wild.(as of 2014)

As an endangered species, the trading of hides, bone carvings, meat and other giraffe parts would be controlled. A full ban was not approved. The cause of the dwindling of giraffes in the wild included the destruction of their habitat, climate change and worsening droughts and illegal trading of giraffe body parts.

 Did you Know?

1. There are nine subspecies of giraffe.  One is stable, three are actually increasing in number and 5 have dwindling numbers.

2. Did you know that the okapi is the only close relative of the giraffe?

3. The tallest land animals, the giraffe’s legs are about six feet long!

4. Each giraffe’s spots are different. They are like a human fingerprint.

5. People once called the giraffe a “camel-leopard” because of its small hump and leopard spots. That is how it got its the species name of camelopardalis.

What do YOU know about giraffes?

 Check out this web quest.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Giraffe-Learn-all-about-Giraffes-Internet-Activity-2924515

All Students Should Own a Library Book!

As Thomas Jefferson once said, " I cannot live without books..."  As a new school year begins, encourage all students to own a library card.

New Resources:Women’s Suffrage

The 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution is in 2020.

Check out my latest resources:
1.https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Womens-Suffrage-A-Bundle-of-Resources-4802320

This bundle on Women Suffrage topics includes:

1. Reader's Theater Script on Susan B. Anthony

2. Reader's Theater Script on Nell Richardson and Alice Burke who in 1916 did a cross country trip to promote women's suffrage. Go on a ride through history to learn about the Golden Flyer.

3. The Silent Sentinels: A Reading Passage/ Activities on the brave women who worked to get women's suffrage and what they endured.

2. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Womens-Suffrage-The-Silent-SentinelsA-Reading-Passage-4802174

On January 9, 1917, a group of suffragettes, called the National Woman’s Party, led by Alice Paul, went to the White House to see President Woodrow Wilson. They hoped to get the president’s support for woman to have the right to vote. Unfortunately, he refused to support women’s suffrage. He believed it was a state issue and not a federal one.

The next day, January 10, 1917, the group decided to protest, standing outside 12 different sections around the White House. The women felt that the President would be forced to see them any time he left or returned to the White House. Rain or shine, warm or frigid temperatures, the women silently stood, holding banners and signs. Some of the women got frost bite. Holding banners for hours caused arms to ache.The woman got the nickname “Silent Sentinels”.

This reading shares with students how women persisted in their quest to get the right to vote. It certainly wasn't easy! They were met with much resistance and were even jailed.

The reading passage includes comprehension questions and extension activities.

Great for study on women suffrage and especially in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment.

3.   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Womens-Suffrage-A-Road-Trip-Across-the-USA-for-Womens-Suffrage-Play-4802211

Before television, cell phones, internet and social media, it wasn’t easy to get the word out across the country on an issue. Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, two women who wanted to promote awareness for women’s suffrage, (the right to vote) decided to go on a cross country road trip. Back in 1916, this wasn’t as simple as it would be today. There were few paved roads, no interstate highway system. There weren’t many gas stations, nor was there GPS to navigate. Nell and Alice traveled to 36 states and traveled 10,700 miles from New York to California and back. This Ms. Bie Ografee play will entertain and inform students about the efforts of women to get the right to vote. Comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section, extension activities and the key are also included in this Reader's Theater Script.

Decorating the Classroom- Helpful or a Distraction?

Importance of decorating your classroom

I read a recent study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University that a decorated room is distracting and  can negatively impact the learning of our students. Although they don’t say teachers should go to a bare classroom, it is suggested that teachers think about whether “some of their visas displays may be distracting to young children.” 

See link: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/heavily-decorated-classrooms-disrupt-attention-and-learning-in-young-children.html The study involved a group of 24 kindergartners so this may also be different for middle school students, 6th graders being where I spent my teaching career.

I truly believe that a classroom should be an inviting place. Yes, we have lots and lots of responsibilities placed upon, and it seems more and more each year but  I think "bare" walls are not something you should have in your classroom. So, especially for new teachers....I say decorate your room, even if you teach high school! 

I believe that displaying world landmarks of places I have visited stimulate kids to ask about places in the world. Inspirational quotes are there for them to look at and quietly reflect upon. I always displayed things relating to the current unit of study in history. Additionally, I displayed great unit test performances and also included an area of most improved for the five weeks. There were articles about current events posted in the room as well as an area of personal things such as my 6th grade report card and my 6th grade photograph, and, of course,  photographs of my husband. I also had bears, all sorts and sizes and all things purple displayed near my desk area.

My thoughts are that a classroom is our home away from home and I wanted mine to be inviting not only to the students but me, too.  I always believed that students, if they weren’t interested in what I might be saying, might find SOMETHING of interest with the many visuals displayed in my classroom.

What are your thoughts?

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Wishing You a Wonderful School Year!

A new school year is beginning and I'd like to share one thought...focus on the positive!

As a classroom teacher for 33 years, I know that there are days when this thought is difficult at best to accomplish, but it really is something to keep in mind...even on those difficult days.  Take a walk during your break, have some photographs of your kids, husband, significant other, something you can gaze upon to bring back your positive state of mind. Eat chocolate(for me-Butterfingers!)

Try to find something that happened during your day that brings a smile, not a frown, as you leave school to go home. There were many days, when I'd arrive home, dragging myself into the home, down with what may have happened that day. The negativity zapped me of my energies. It wasn't a good thing and certainly not healthy. It took me a while to realize...focus on the positive!

Another important thought as you begin your school year...try and align  yourself with positive teachers and other adults during the day. I remember having a team where at break time, two of the women would complain about the kids, the administration and everything else. I eventually stopped joining them at break time and started to walk. Stay clear of such negative people, they will only bring you down. A few years later, I had several new team members, the negative teachers had left. WHAT a difference. When those of us on my new team would leave the building at the end of the day,we'd be laughing about something humorous that we'd experienced that day! What a difference this team made on my day and my life. So-seek out those that help you accomplish this goal-focus on the positive!

I wish you all a wonderful school year!

Gail

http://www.gailhennessey.com

Anyone else have some thoughts for those teachers returning to the classroom?

National Aviation Day is August 19th

Did you know that people actually thought that the airplane would have no real purpose? WOW...were they wrong!  On December 17, 1903, less than 10 people showed up to watch Orville and Wilbur Wright make history. In fact most papers(only 3 carried the story in the USA) refused to print the press release of the Wright Brothers' historic flight, believing it was not possible for a human to fly. The December 17, 1903 event had to have been a hoax! 

To honor this historic day in history, use this resource to learn a bit about the history of flight.

Did You Know?

1. Most people at the time of the Wright brothers’ first flight attempts on December 17, 1903, thought that the airplane had NO purpose for transportation and was just a dangerous sport.

2. The distance covered by the 1903 Wright Flyer was less than the wingspan of today's 747 Jumbo Jet!

3. The Wright brothers’ first attempt went 120 ft. That’s about 20 people, about 6ft. tall, lined end to end!

4. Charles Lindbergh was the first to fly non-stop from New York to Paris. The trip, in 1927, took 33.5 hours.

5. Amelia Earhart was the first woman aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. The year was 1928.

6. Lillian Gatlin, was the first woman to ride as a passenger in an airplane! The year was 1922.

7. In 1939, Willa Brown was the first African American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license.

8. Did you know that pilots and co-pilots can not eat the same meal while in flight?

9. Every 37 seconds, an airplane takes off from Chicago O’Hare’s International Airport. That’s about 100 airplanes each hour.

10. The word used for aviation help, “Mayday”, comes from the French “m’aides" meaning “help me.

11. Did you know that 1/3 of your taste buds get numb while flying?

12. Bessie Coleman was an American aviator and the first African American female pilot. She was also the first American to receive an international pilot’s license. 

13. It is said that Gustave Whitehead successful powered an aircraft in Bridgeport, CT, on August 14, 1901. That is two years before the Wright Brothers. Whitehead's craft, called the Condor, did two flights on that date. Reaching 50 Ft., the distance covered was 1 1/2 miles.

14.Aerophobia is the fear of flying.

15. KLM is the world’s oldest airline, started in 1919.

16. Someone estimated that if you add up all the miles flown by all the 747 airplanes, it’s the distance from the Earth to the Moon and back over 75,000 times.c

17. National Aviation Day, August 19th, was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, on the birthday of Orville Wright, who first piloted the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903.

Your Turn:

1. Write a diary entry pretending to be Lindbergh, Earhart, Coleman, Orville/Wilbur Wright and tell about a day in your aviation life.

2. Illustrate one of the factoids. Write a sentence of your own explaining the illustrated fact.

3. Have you ever flown in an airplane? Tell about something you remember about your first time in an airplane.  If you haven't flown, would you like to experience flying? Why, why not.

4. Illustrate one of the facts listed above. Write a sentence of your own explaining the illustrated fact.

5. If you could meet one of the aviators mentioned above, what would be TWO questions you would ask of the aviator?

6. Write 3 POSITIVE(i.e.: helpful) character traits that a person can have. Write 3 NEGATIVE (i.e.: jealousy)character traits a person can have. What would be 2 positive character traits you would describe for yourself. What would be ONE negative character trait you would describe for yourself. What are 3 character traits that you would give to someone that is an aviator such as Lindbergh, Earhart, Coleman, Orville/Wilbur Wright? 

Links:

Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: https://airandspace.si.edu 

Wright Brothers' National Memorial: http://www.outerbanks.com/wright-brothers-national-memorial.html

Teachers, check out these resources on the History of Flight.

     1. Wright Brothers( A Webquest): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wright-Brothers-and-the-AirplaneA-WebquestExtension-Activities-628501

2. Bessie Coleman( Reader’s Theater Script): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bessie-Coleman-AviatorReaders-Theater-Script-1687487

3. Amelia Earhart (Reader’s Theater Script): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-EarhartBiographical-PlayTo-Tell-the-Truth-Play-348663

4. Aida de Acosta: Aida de Acosta did something really amazing in 1903. She became the very first woman to fly a powered aircraft all by herself. In fact, Aida, piloted the dirigible six months before the Wright Brothers would make their historic flight. Even more amazing, she kept what she had done a secret for almost thirty years!  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Womens-HistoryAida-de-AcostaFirst-woman-to-fly-a-powered-aircraft-3696573

Note: Photograph from Gail Hennessey(Wright Brothers' National Memorial)

ELEPHANT FUN FACTS!

World Elephant Day is August 12th and April 16th is Save the Elephant Day

If you'd like this Possible Interactive Notebook download, go to this link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elephant-Fun-Facts-Possible-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-1793743

Sadly, the Wildlife Conservation Society says that 96 elephants are killed EVERY day in Africa!

Did You Know?

1. Did you know that elephants can be right or left tusked, similar to how humans are with their hands? Which are you?__________________________

2. Elephants will quickly wave their ears, twirl their trunks and blowing dirt when they are ___________________.

3. The elephant has the largest brain of the animal world. They are very intelligent!

4. Elephants can show many emotions including joy, anger, playfulness and grief with the death of a family member

5. Surprisingly, peanuts are NOT a favorite food of elephants.

6. The world’s largest LAND mammal, elephants eat about 300-600 pounds of food every day. They are herbivores, non-meat eaters.

7. Elephants live in families with females being the head of the heard(called a matriarch). There can be as few as 8 or as many as 100 in a group.

8. Did you know the elephant can use its trunk as a “snorkel” making it possible to swim in deep water.

9. In the last 100 years, the number of  Asian elephants in the wild have declined by about 90%. What are TWO reasons for the declining numbers of elephants in the wild?_______________________  and ________________________________

10. Elephant throw dirt/mud onto their backs in the hot sun. Why do you think this is done?___________________________________

11. Did you know that ever 15 minutes a poacher kills an African elephant?

12. Of the two, Asia and African, there are much less Asia elephants left in the wild.

13. Elephants make a sub-sonic rumble sound to communicate over long distances. The feet and trunks are very sensitive and other elephants can feel the sound being sent over the ground.

14. The word, jumbo, comes from the circus animal by that name. It means “large” or “huge”.

15. Elephants walk on average about 4 mph but can actual run up to 24 miles per hour!

16. The skin of an elephant is about 1 inch thick. Look around and find something that is about 1 inch thick._______________________________

17. An elephant tusk can be as long as 10 ft. and weigh over 200 pounds.

18. Elephants are one of the few animals that can recognize itself in the mirror.

19. There are 40,000 muscles, but no bones in an elephant’s trunk.

20. Did you know that an elephant tooth can weigh up to 12 pounds?

Which three facts did you find the most interesting to learn about and why?_____________________. _____________________  ___________________________

Teacher Page:

Extension Activities to Use with Your Students:

* Have students write a letter to a parent, grandparent, etc. to spread the word of the dwindling number of elephants. Include 3 facts about the elephant in the letter.

* Draw a picture of an elephant. Write 3 facts about elephants on the picture.

* Adopt an elephant project: http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/African-Elephant.aspx?sc=AWY1500WCM18&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Adopt%20-%20Elephant&utm_term=adopt%20a%20elephant  ( WWF) or https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=wagc_elephant

* Write a poem about an elephant using all the letters in the word, elephant, or write a haiku.

* Read a story about elephants. https://www.peacecorps.gov/educators/resources/story-blind-men-and-elephant/. The Blind Men and the Elephant.  Discuss summary writing and have students write a summary of the story.

* Write three facts from this site about elephants: https://www.ducksters.com/animals/elephant.php

Links for teachers to share with students:
http://www.childrenhelpingelephants.orghttp://www.childrenhelpingelephants.org

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/nature/angels-help-elephants/ Children’s efforts to stop ivory and destroy stockpiles of Ivory in Hong Kong

Check out my web quest on Elephants:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ElephantsOn-SafariA-Webquest-610125


Note:
If you see an elephant quickly move its ears, throw dirt and twirl  its trunk, it is angry!
Elephants are dwindling because of the destruction of their habitats and for their ivory tusks.
Elephants apply dirt/mud on their backs in the sun to prevent sunburn!


Gail
I also have web quests on the Rhino, Polar Bear and the Leopard.

*Photograph from WPclipart.com