The Happy Secret to Better Work

If you have never heard of Shawn Achor, you must see this TEDX Talk on positive thinking. He goes from a childhood experience with his little sister to the campus of Harvard.

In Celebration of Maria Montessori's Birthday

Google used this graphic on its search webpage on August 31, Dr. Montessori's birthday; and when you clicked on the Montessori materials graphics, you were brought to an information page for Montessori references.

Feel Good TED Talk

You will love this one. Watch Neil Pasricha talk about the 3 A's — attitude, awareness, and authenticity — using one touching story after another. Here is "1000 Awesome Things," his famous blog link, in case you want to go there after seeing his Talk.

Grandparent Advice

  Stumbling upon this Brian Crane comic on the "Pickles" section of the ArcaMax website,  I asked, "Could this really happen?"  ; )

Why Teach Kindness

In his book Flourish, author Martin Seligman says "we scientists have found that doing a kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in well-being of any exercise we have tested."

Here is a beautiful quote from Aung San Suu Kyi to share with students and adults: 

"Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in the world."  Kindness she said, "can change the lives of people."

(This was reported in the NYTimes on June 17, 2012 the day after Aung San Suu Kyi accepted her Nobel Peace Prize, which was originally awarded to her in 1991 while under house arrest in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.)

9-Year Old?

If you are not one of the 1.6 million (as of this posting) viewers of "Caine's Arcade" and you love seeing talented 9-year olds, check out this beautiful video. It's worthy of viewing at a faculty meeting. There's more info about Caine Monroy at his website.

Inspiration for Students, Teachers, & Parents

So, you say you've had a bad day? When that happens, click on the video below to see and hear Rohan Murphy's story.

A Family That Teaches Together

Check out this lovely StoryCorp recording.

Drawing a Blanc on That Voice?

I grew up with Looney Tunes characters Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, the Tasmanian Devil, and any other voice Mel Blanc produced. Cartoons, and now full length movies, continue to entertain kids and adults. Here is a cute NPR "Weekend Edition Sunday" 3-minute interview with Mel Blanc's son, Noel Blanc, talking about his father.

Visions of the Earth

You must see this!

You and your kids check out this beautiful clip. National Geographic presents some amazing pictures and facts about our planet in "Visions of Earth."

12-Year Old Ap Developer?

Here is a neat TED Talk of Thomas Suarez talking about his experience learning and developing aps for the Apple Store. In true Google fashion, for now, Thomas is looking to help others with his new-found talent.

Ones Reprised Today

I don't often reprise a post, but on February 14, 2011, I posted "'1' Not Such a Lonely Number." On this special day, I thought I would repost it in celebration of November 11, 2011, you know, 11/11/11. And this post was posted at 11:11 a.m.

Apple Icon Steve Jobs

Two resources you might find interesting about the former Apple CEO:

1) "The Ten Commandments of Steve"

2) This is his commencement address to the Class of 2005 at Stanford University. At the least, listen to the first of his three stories.

Thoughts From a Teacher of 50 Years

Want to get an idea of what it is like to teach for 50 years? Read this Highline Times article about Jim Glennon: "Retired Teacher Did Anything to Get Students Engaged."



50 years is a long time, but according to Jim, "The students are my battery," Glennon explains. "If I'm not feeling well, and I could make it to school, I felt better. As a result, I've missed around 15 days in 50 years... All of my awards came because of my students, not because of me."

One Woman Teachers

One of the special treats about living in New York City is the availability of performing arts for students and teachers. I had the occasion to see "No Child . . ." at the Barrow Street Theater in the Village; it is a one-woman show about teaching Bronx high school students drama. I was awe struck by Nilaja Sun the sole performer. Like Sarah Jones's (TED Talk) "Bridge and Tunnel" and Anna Deavere Smith's "Let Me Down Easy," one actor portraying many different characters on stage is amazing.

I had the good fortune to sit next to an actor and high school drama teacher during the performance, and this is what she had to say: "The play really is a very accurate portrayal of the kids I and all my colleagues teach and how we work with them. And you are so right about how challenging and heartbreaking it can be. But as you well know, it is the most rewarding work in the world, and I have have been privileged to see hundreds of young lives utterly transformed in the 8 years I have worked with the Epic Theatre Ensemble"

Meet Tatiana and Krista

As I approached the bagel shop on my way to buying the Sunday paper and procuring requisite breakfast croissant and muffin, I saw and heard a set of one-year old twins fussing in their stroller right outside the shop. I surmised the parent was inside. As I got closer, I made eye contact, they settled, and their mother came out of the shop and positioned the stroller so the boys could see inside. I obliged the twins, held the door opened, and continued my conversation with our eyes. Mom completed her purchase, said thank you, and exited the store.

Little did I know that I would soon meet Tatiana and Krista Hogan another set of twins when I got home and began reading the NYTimes Magazine. These beautiful four-year old twins are conjoined. Read the article "A Mind of Their Own" and watch the video to see their remarkable lives and learn about how their brain works.

The Ultimate Forgive

Stop and think about what is the most one person could forgive another person for in life. This StoryCorps story has to be right at the top of the list of one person forgiving another.
Listen to this beautifully touching, 3-minute story about Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel, and pay particular attention to the last five words spoken.

Just for a Laugh

     Click on this short video.  It's well worth it.

In Case You Missed His Voice

     As soon as I heard mention of the name Ted Williams my ears perked up.  Growing up following Yankees and Red Sox clashes, I was acutely aware of the legendary Ted Williams (aka The Kid).  Well, this Ted Williams — same name, different person — caught my ear when someone pointed me to a video-gone-viral.  As one seventh grader said to me when I asked him if he had seen the video of the guy with the great voice, "Oh yeah, it's a beautiful success story.  Neat." I knew I should share it with you.
     See what you think.  Here it is

Learning Flow When Kids Are in Their Element

      From time to time I share one-page stories about kids, education, and parenting that I have written over the years.  Amusing but usually with a point, these pieces are a quick read.  Here's one on the kids in their element.

    It has always amazed me how kids might struggle with reading, writing, and certain school work; and yet, can zoom through infinite song lyrics or lines in a play.

   This past spring, I experienced what some might respond to by saying, “You did what?  Two days and three nights with 23 fourth and fifth graders on an island in one house?  You are crazy.”  I have to say, when you experience this kind of concentrated child development class you learn a lot, I mean a lot.

   For instance, after a day of rain, hanging around in the house on the island. . . more