Oysters in the Chesapeake

The story features an intro that quoted from Captain John Smith's journal from the early 1600's.

Could be a good reference point to connect modern and historic Maryland/Virginia...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129452345

NYT: New Life No Longer Means New Name

Great article for those studying immigration in the Times today:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/nyregion/26names.html?_r=1&hp

I have known a few people in the last decade or so who have changed their names back to the original names given up by their families at Ellis Island.

Arcade Fire Lyrics - Brain on Computers: Part Two

Here are the lyrics to two songs on Arcade Fire's new record, The Suburbs.  I think that they both parallel the sentiments of the articles, as well as, the shared experiences we, and our students, are having with our lives.

(Or maybe I just love Arcade Fire,)

The titles are links to videos of the songs played at MSG in New York earlier this month.

We Used To Wait:

I used to write
I used to write letters
I used to sign my name
I used to sleep at night
Before the flashing lights settled deep in my brain
But by the time we met
The times had already changed
So I never wrote a letter
I never took my true heart
I never wrote it down
So when the lights cut out
I was left standing in the wilderness downtown

Now our lives are changing fast
Hope that something pure can last

It seems strange
How we used to wait for letters to arrive
But what's stranger still
Is how something so small can keep you alive
We used to wait
We used to waste hours just walkin around
We used to wait
All those wasted lives in the wilderness downtown

Ooooo we used to wait
Sometimes it never came
Ooooo we used to wait
Sometimes it never came
Ooooo we used to wait
Still moving through the pain

I'm gonna write a letter to my true love
I'm gonna sign my name
Like a patient on a table
I Wanna walk again
Gonna move through the pain

Now our lives are changing fast
Hope that something pure can last

Ooooo we used to wait
Sometimes it never came
Ooooo we used to wait
Sometimes it never came
Ooooo we used to wait
Still moving through the pain

We used to wait for it
Now we're screaming
Sing the chorus again

I used to wait for it
Hear my voice screaming
Sing the chorus again

Wait for it

Sprawl II (Mountains Upon Mountains):

They heard me singing and they told me to stop,
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock,
These days, my life, I feel it has no purpose,
But late at night the feelings swim to the surface.
Cause on the surface the city lights shine,
They're calling at me, "come and find your kind."

Sometimes I wonder if the world's so small,
That we can never get away from the sprawl,
Living in the sprawl,
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains,
And there's no end in sight,
I need the darkness someone please cut the lights.

We rode our bikes to the nearest park,
Sat under the swings, we kissed in the dark,
We shield our eyes from the police lights,
We run away, but we don't know why,
And like a mirror these city lights shine,
They're screaming at us, "we don't need your kind."

Sometimes I wonder if the world's so small,
That we can never get away from the sprawl,
Living in the sprawl,
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains,
And there's no end in sight,
I need the darkness someone please cut the lights.

They heard me singing and they told me to stop,
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock.

Sometimes I wonder if the world's so small,
Can we ever get away from the sprawl?
Living in the sprawl,
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains,
And there's no end in sight,
I need the darkness someone please cut the lights.

Your Brain on Computers: Times Series and Interview with Author

On the road with some gadgets...minus iPhone, external drive, and iPod.

Over the last two years, both my previous and current school have flirted with idea of having an "Unplugged Day".  I believe the thought was that students and teachers could revert to the days of limited distraction for a day or two. The scientists in the first article would definitely agree!

I am interested in how we can combat over-stimulation in our students. In large part, the premise of this blog is to find connections between the traditional ways they access the curriculum while providing them with an embedded experiences of what is happening right now. So, for me, pulling the plug would be tough.

Below are three articles from the "Your Brain on Computers" series in the New York Times followed by today's interview the author of the articles, Matt Richtel, on NPR's "Fresh Air".

These could be great readings for in-service, teacher training courses, or to share with students.

To be honest, I can easily answer "yes" to every question in the "Warnings of Tech Overload" graphic in the second article listed below.  I know that I am addicted to my phone, to news streams, twitter feeds, pitch-by-pitch baseball scores, and the weather where everyone I know lives.  I am convinced it has effected my sleep and ability to be entertained. However, I do feel more informed and connected to what interests me.

All of the articles provide excellent insights into the world we, and of course, our students, live in. 

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Outdoors and Out of Reach, Studying the Brain

Attached to Technology and Paying a Price

A Side Effect of Digital Devices: Brain Fatigue

 

Fresh Air!

New Library of Congress App for iPhone!

Through twitter I found out about the new app from the Library of Congress.

There are photos and audio from across the collection.  So far I think it is incredible!

Here are some screen shots: