This NPR story is fascinating; a judge has ordered electronic monitoring bracelets (like the one picture to left) for kids with continual truancy problems. The principal administering the program in East Dallas, Texas said that results have been tremendous. With the bracelet kids are back in school, spending more time with their families outside of school (due to the limitations placed upon them with the bracelets), and working towards rehabilitation. Parents are held accountable as part of the program as well. I definitely had some students who could have used some ankle bracelets for some accountability with their attendance.

In a follow up to other posts on the Megan Meier MySpace/Cyberbullying case, the adult involved, Lori Drew, has be indited by a federal grand jury as reported in the LA Times today.

What do you all think — good idea or excessive? (Drew pictured on left. This seems to be the only picture out there of her.)

Update 7:26pm: Just saw Megan’s mom speak on the ABC evening news — clip isn’t online yet. 8:00 am — still no footage, but the story is up online.

5-16-08, 8:00 am — This take on the situation from Wired is really interesting. The article says that Drew’s situation opens the gateway for punishment after terms of service abuse on any website. A good point since there are no cyberbullying laws in the involved states. If anything I think it makes the case for the need of specific cyberbullying legislation. You thoughts?

While I don’t entirely agree with the quote I’ve entitled this post with, because I do think there’s great learning going on in classroom that aren’t entirely high tech, I do agree that it is going to be impossible to outfit students the the skills they need to be successful 21st citizens and employees without full, cross curriculum technology integration. It’s also harder to engage students without using the online tools that define much of their communication. Often in explaining MindOH! to people, I call it a “high tech approach to discipline,” which it is. It has been amazing for us to see that when we meet kids in their high tech culture, they’ll provide us with 6 times more information about their situation than in a face to face conversation! Talk about being online communicators.

Schools have to be revamping everything from core classes to the discipline process to validate the content and communication kids are creating online. I loved this video I found from Wesley Fryer’s Moving at the Speed of Creativity Blog. The video addresses 21st century learning skills and how we have to change the face of traditional classrooms to serve 21st century students.

From my experience in the classroom and with MindOH!, I know that often times when kids act out at school, it’s a reflection on the turbulence they’re experiencing at home. Divorcing or separating parents can turn any kid’s world upside down, and Vanessa Van Petten has a great post up about strategies for divorced families.

1. Define Family
I think I freaked out because I thought that I would never have a real family again. One of the first things I hope you can do with your children…and maybe even yourself is explain that a family with one dad, two moms, three half-sisters, single parent…they are all families. Think about what family means to you and explain this to your kids, let them know that there are many different kinds of families and there is no better, best or ‘normal’—only happy and loving.

2. New Start…New Rules
Make the rules before they make you! Take the chance for a new start and have everyone decide what kind of new house rules you want to have. I always felt really empowered when my parents asked me my opinion on new household routines or rules. Be sure to also make a new emergency routine (emergency numbers, what to do in a new house in case of fire or earthquake…often overlooked, but very important). I was terrified for my other house during the LA earthquake and for a while phone lines were down so we couldn’t call each other…always know what to do.

3. New Start…Same Ethics
New rules are great, but sometimes we like to take advantage or our parents chaos to assume punching your brother, stealing candy and cursing like dad are suddenly ok. Be sure to let them know, that although there are a lot of changes, your family values and ethics are still the same.

4. Being Scared is OK
Be open, let them know you are scared too, and it might take a little while, but you can work together to make things feel ok.

5. Mum’s the Word
My parents are extremely good about not talking about the other. I mean literally avoid any comments at all in front of your kids, when you say bad things it can be upsetting and even when you say good things it can be confusing (i.e why don’t you just get back together?)

6. Find Other Single Parents
As I mentioned in a previous post, my mom just joined Jdate…she is much happier when she goes out. Find other single and divorced parents, I am sure they have far better tips than I!

7. Maintain Habit and Approach
Don’t keep switching tactics. I think a lot of divorced parents are so desperate to make their kids feel ok they try everything and anything…incentives, rewards, punishment, presents, denial, upset. Pick a strategy and stick to it. The more consistent we see you being, the easier it is for us to find our footing. Be patient with us, show us love, we will come around = ).

I added what I think should be #7 on her comments, and I’ll recopy it here:

(Someone else’s screen shot of Fb chat)

When I first heard Facebook was launching a chat platform, my honest thought was, “No biggie. Gmail/GTalk already does it so well. (Not to mention countless other IM service providers — I also use AIM and MSN for work and other specific contacts.) I’ll never use this.” A few weeks later, I find myself often checking my online contacts and sending a chat message out to different friends. I’m still a loyal GTalker — I love it, but while I think everyone should be on Gmail, because it’s amazing, the reality is that not everyone is.

However Facebook has taken the world by storm, and my GTalk chat contacts will never exceed my 500+ Facebook contacts. While the instant access Facebook Chat provides to live contacts is great, I’ve also seen some online names pop up that I thought, “oh man, I sure wouldn’t want to talk to this character if he/she IMed me!”

So I wonder what other people are thinking. Has Facebook Chat changed the way you IM? Too intrusive without a “wall posting” between you and contacts, or a useful tool?.

We always love an organization that promotes outstanding teaching and awards exceptional teachers. I was particularly excited about this year’s International Reading Association Awards Banquet, because my mama, Susan Keehn (picture on right above with me at the banquet), was awarded the IRA Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award. It was an honor to be there with her along with the honorees and many of legends and ground breakers in reading instruction and research.

I caught this story in an airport amid my work traveling last week, and I finally had the chance to look up the details. Softball teams from Central Oregon and Western Washington were in a Division II playoff game, when one of the Washington players tore her ACL on her way to first base after a home run. She was unable to complete the bases, and none of her teammates were allowed to help her. Spontaneously, two players from the Oregon team went and picked her up, then proceeded to carry their opponent around the bases to complete her home run. This is a beautiful example of sportsmanship and character in action. It speaks so well of the young women from Central Oregon and coach that is obviously teaching them much more than just softball.

I got this great email from one of my Teach For America pals, Julia, last week and I wanted to share:

This really random and exciting thing just happened and I HAVE to share it!!! On the way home from Chicago over spring break I sat next to this older married man who saw I was a teacher because I was grading and working on lesson plans. Anyway he asked what I taught, where, etc and I was telling him about my kids and Southern and the challenged we face working in the community–he was from a city near by and he had heard of Southern- he was really interested in how the kids really did want to do well because the media portrays the school as a pretty negative place to be. He asked if I taught the Great Gatsby because he loved Fitzgerald and American Literature. I told him we didn’t have enough copies to use and I had to teach a Fitzgerald short story instead. Anyway we kept talking and at the end of the flight he wished me luck in teaching and that he admired what I was doing- all that jazz.

So today, out of NOWHERE arrive 60 copies of the Great Gatsby in my room. I opened the order and was like “who the heck is Jason?” It’s the guy from the plane! Isn’t that CRAZY/AWESOME?! Puts my faith back in humanity, that’s for sure

I just got this information from a friend who works for J. Crew. They will now be offering a 15% teacher discount at all of their retail stores with a valid teacher ID or pay stub. Thanks J. Crew for honoring teachers!

AT J.CREW, TEACHERS ARE VIPs…
Introducing the new J.Crew Teacher Discount.

Just bring your school ID to any J.Crew retail location and receive an exclusive 15% OFF every time you shop. (It’s even better than summer vacation.)*

Come see us. Visit jcrew.com for store locations.
*Discount is valid only in J.Crew retail stores and cannot be honored at J.Crew Factory Stores or online at jcrew.com. Offer cannot be combined with any other special discounts or promotions or applied to alterations, previous purchases or to the purchase of gift cards.

Some clarification about “what’s in” (and it’s no longer emo). Thanks YPulse for the link.