Once again Jesus had to explain to them: “You know how the so-called rulers of nations like to lord it over the people? And how those at the top like to make their authority felt? Well, with you it has to be different. If you want to be important, serve others. The son of man himself did not come to be served but to serve, to give his life so that everyone might be set free” (Mark 10:42-45). Jesus offered the world a new pattern of power and leadership, which few in church or state have ever really agreed with.
If only the Church had shared Jesus’ bias toward the bottom the past two thousand years! If only we had seriously believed him, how much sooner we would have seen the coming of peace and justice on this earth. If only we had truly listened to the Gospel, how differently Western history would have unfolded. Instead, we have made easy and happy friends with power, prestige, perks, and possessions–even in the name of God and the Church. Adapted from The Great Themes of Scripture: New Testament, pp. 42-45 (published by Franciscan Media)
Our Wednesday math RTI time resources have been altered due to PARCC tests and a couple of other scheduling issues.
That leaves me with about 36 fifth graders to teach in an approximately 20-minute period without our usual access to technology.
What’s a teacher to do?
I decided to make those Wednesday TED Wednesdays. On TED Wednesdays we’ll watch a TED talk, and explore the mathematical idea relayed during that talk with discussion and hands-on activities.
Today we started with making origami cats and dogs and then we watched the Lang talk below. Next week we’ll focus on mathematical thinking, and then after that we’ll examine math puzzles.
I had heard a long time ago that Gates favored a type of professional development for educators where experts educate many through the use of video and other online vehicles. Last week when I attended a Mahesh Sharma’s math workshop, I thought that he’d be a good candidate for that kind of professional development. In a similar fashion, sometimes a TED Talk is a terrific vehicle for students learning.
There’s never one way or medium for all share and growth, but online learning is definitely a positive path for some of the teaching/learning we want to do.