Category: Parenting

Favorite Dr. Seuss Story

I decided to begin building My Google Library so that I can:

  • Share my favorite books with our own children.
  • Easily access books, images, citations, etc. during class, presentations, workshops, etc.
  • Share and suggest resources with other educators

When it came time to add my favorite Dr. Seuss books to my library I realized that I would have to add most of them, so I decided to try and narrow it down to my very favorite book. It took some reflection and deep soul searching (I’m exaggerating.) but I was able to identify my very favorite (Thanks to a technicality that I’ll share in another post.) Seuss story.

The Sneetches and Other StoriesI remember the first time I read Too Many Daves (from The Sneetches and Other Stories). I was sitting at a table in my elementary school library with two of my friends. I read the book silently and the ridiculousness of one naming all 23 of her children the same thing just sent my imagination spinning. It remains one of my favorite poems all these years later. I’ve included the poem below in case you’re unfamiliar with it. Unfortunately, I can’t also include the artwork because it really sales the story – as is typical of all of Seuss’ work.

Discussion
What is YOUR favorite Dr. Seuss story? Why?

—————

TOO MANY DAVES
From: The Sneetches and Other Stories
By: Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
Had twenty-three sons, and she named them all Dave?

Well, she did. And that wasn’t a smart thing to do.
You see, when she wants one, and calls out “Yoo-Hoo!
Come into the house, Dave!” she doesn’t get one.
All twenty-three Daves of hers come on the run!

This makes things quite difficult at the McCaves’
As you can imagine, with so many Daves.
And often she wishes that, when they were born,
She had named one of them Bodkin Van Horn.
And one of them Hoos-Foos. And one of them Snimm.
And one of them Hot-Shot. And one Sunny Jim.
Another one Putt-Putt. Another one Moon Face.
Another one Marvin O’Gravel Balloon Face.
And one of them Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate…

But she didn’t do it. And now it’s too late.

Sleep Well Walsh Family

“Every child abduction is a tragedy but the 1981 kidnap and murder of one six year old boy ultimately would provide the parents of thousands of missing children with a glimmer of hope amid their despair.” (Source: ABC’s Nightline, 12/16/08)

John and Reve Walsh lost their six year old son, Adam, 27 years ago and the crime has gone unsolved. During that time John Walsh has redirected his grief and heartache in positive directions and taken on the cause of helping other suffering parents to find justice. The Walshes have helped start a number of centers for missing and exploited children, have helped reform related legislation and John’s TV show America’s Most Wanted has helped capture more than a thousand fugitives. The Hollywood (Florida) Police Department announced the perpetrator of the crimes against Adam and declared the case closed today.

Thankfully, I’ve not had to endure the suffering with which John and Reve have had to live. I can only imagine that it has been 27 years of unrest. Everything that comes to mind just sounds trite and cliche, so I’ll simply say, “Thousands and thousands of prayers have been answered today. Sleep well Walsh family. Sleep well.”

Middle School Student Makes Scientific Breakthrough

Thirteen-year-old William Yuan…

….began working with solar cells two years ago, after science teacher Susan Duncan encouraged him to tackle an engineering project. He spent hours searching the Internet, brainstorming with Duncan, and talking with professionals before he found a topic that piqued his interest: the global energy crisis. Building on research from Georgia Tech and Notre Dame universities, Yuan found a way to improve the conversion efficiency and yields of solar cells.

Most solar cells absorb visible light to produce electricity, but his design harnesses both visible and ultraviolet light. That’s particularly helpful in cloudy areas, such as where he lives in the Pacific Northwest, because the solar cell can continue to generate electricity even when clouds obscure the Sun. To achieve this result, Yuan applied various coatings, integrated nanotubes, and added specialized nanostructures to a typical solar cell. Experts have given his method a thumbs-up. (Source: Edutopia)

A Few Thoughts

  • Please consider reading the full story.
  • Congratulations William!!! Not only am I impressed by your discovery, but your diligence and ability to collaborate with others in resourceful ways is inspiring.
  • I send my respect and appreciation to Susan Duncan, William’s science teacher from 2 years ago, who seems to have played an instrumental and ongoing role in William’s personal work. I’d like to find her blog, website, etc. if it’s out there.

Discussion

  • What lessons can educators and parents learn from this?
  • What can other young people take away from William’s journey and scientific breakthrough?

If I Had My Child to Raise over Again

I read this poem in a church bulletin in 1997. Although I was single it struck home with me as an elementary teacher and as a hoping-to-someday-be Dad. I saved it and read it from time to time. I thought some of you teachers and parents might like it.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
By Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d teach less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.

Newsletter on Educational Technology

Throughout the years many of the preservice and in-service teachers in my classes, workshops, and presentations have requested that I start an email newsletter. They indicate that in addition to this blog they would like to receive occasional emails sharing rich resources related to technology integration. I’m excited to announce that I have answered these requests.

Clif’s Newsletter on Educational Technology focuses on the effective integration of technology with teaching and learning. Subscribers of this free service will receive occasional emails providing valuable resources and information about lesson plans, activities, technologies, research, etc., related to educational technology.

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Claymation Video by Sixth Grader

Since childhood I’ve always wanted to learn how to do claymation, but I’ve never gotten around to it. Sixth grader, Charlie, has already figured it out and released his first video. Watch the video and then consider leaving Charlie a comment. EduBloggers might notice that Charlie is Neil Hokanson‘s son.

Charlie and Neil, you should both be so proud!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEL-_I_6cr4

Student projects like this always makes me wonder if we are underestimating what our students are truly capable of.