Posts by wkehl

Personalized Learning

Smart Review | Science Comic Series is Fun Reading

In the past few years there’s been a small but steady stream of great new nonfiction comics and graphic novels produced. Here are two recent science-focused releases from a series that I would recommend as optional or supplemental classroom reading.

Leadership

STEM Ideas From GeekGirlCon ’14

Teacher Blogger Winifred Kehl reports back from Geek Girl Con '14, the annual celebration of women contributing to science and technology, with coding resources, scholarship information, and club opportunities.

Personalized Learning

Thank a Teacher

A lot of people will fondly recall a specific teacher who made a difference in their life. Some people even track down their former teachers to say thank you, or keep in touch long after leaving school. It's now a little easier to say thank you, thanks to a website launched this week by six students from Olin College of Engineering.

Personalized Learning

Rethinking Math Teaching

I've recently been binging on math-related TED Talks and all the great ideas out there almost make me wish I taught math. While I have yet to create a museum exhibit about math, wouldn't it be great to teach it like something people want to learn instead of have to learn?

Personalized Learning

Boost Science Literacy with Music

If you ever watched Bill Nye the Science Guy, you probably remember the song parodies his episodes featured, which rewrote the lyrics of popular songs with scientific themes. Sure, getting the song stuck in your head will probably help you remember a few facts, but the benefits of music to learning science could go beyond just helping your memory.

Personalized Learning

Mini Maker Faire: Seattle

Last weekend, the third Seattle Mini Maker Faire took over the EMP museum in Seattle Center and filled it inside and out with neat things. Billed as a place where "people show what they are making, and share what they are learning," the all-ages faire featured some fantastic projects. A few of my favorites:

Personalized Learning

Teaching with Comics: Resources for Teachers

Over the past few weeks I’ve been exploring teaching with comics—for reading, history and social studies, art, and science. Now for a roundup of resources to help you bring comics to the classroom!

Uncategorized

Teaching Art with Comics

Comics are a great gateway to art and drawing. Comics range in style from stick figures to realism, but they all tell a story to the reader. Hopefully you're convinced that you (and your students) don't have to be "good" or "talented" at drawing to draw comics. Drawing is a skill that can be improved with practice -- no inherent "drawing talent" required -- and drawing comics can be a great incentive to practice.