Norway Is Waaaay Ahead, as Usual.

A friend just sent me a video, one of many amazing ones coming from Norway's Newton's Puberty series. This lady's Line Jansrud is my new inspiration. Her hair is a lot like mine too, and while the videos are more graphic than I could ever be in a classroom, they are very informative, fun, cute and shame free! Here is a nice little article that sums up some of what this amazing sex educator get's into. http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/248465/norway-puberty-sex-ed-tv-show/

A brilliant metaphor to explain how consent works.

A friend just sent me this, so SMART!! Yesterday I used this concept, but with the idea of ice cream with a grade 6/7 class. Pretended to offer some of them ice cream, totally worked.

http://www.theloop.ca/this-woman-just-explained-consent-with-the-most-perfect-metaphor/

Also here is a great video version complete with funny stick person animation if you want someone to read it to you. https://vimeo.com/126553913

My latest Hero

Last night I watched the movie "Temple Grandin" starring Clair Danes of My so Called Life fame. It was one of the most inspiring movies I have seen in a long time.

I have been learning about Temple Grandin for years, in Psychology classes, and from friends who work with Animals and can attest to her wisdom. I have listened to her books and today watched her speak for the first time on Ted. I think she is one of the greatest and most important thinkers of our time. In her talk she emphasizes the need for hands on learning. I couldn't agree more that this is one of the best ways of addressing the many different kinds of minds that exist in our schools today. There is also a BBC documentary about her that is broken into 5 parts on youtube and is really interesting. Here is a link to part 1.

Free Environmental resources tailored to BC curiculum!

Visit the David Suzuki Foundation website, or click here to register and download your FREE comprehensive teacher package for teaching "the nature challenge" in your classroom! In the words of the Doc:

As educators, you are in a unique position to effect real change on how we treat the earth. Teach students that small, simple steps can help protect nature, and you ground them in the awareness of that every individual – no matter how small or young – can make a big difference.

David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge Teacher’s Guide contains 20 lessons that use discovery-based learning to explore the key concepts of David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge. The introductory lessons are focused on how everything is connected to nature. Core lessons explore how choices about our homes, food, and transportation affect the environment.

Here are the 10 things David would like you to do:
1 Reduce home energy use by ten per cent.
2 Choose an energy-efficient home & appliances.
3 Don’t use pesticides.
4 Eat meat-free meals one day a week.
5 Buy locally grown and produced food.
6 Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle.
7 Walk, bike, carpool or take transit.
8 Choose a home close to work or school.
9 Support alternative transportation.
10 Learn more and share with others.