Would kids be better off with more free play or more structured learning time? Articles this week discuss how informal learning develops kids’ executive function. Plus Annie Murphy Paul talks about “embodied cognition” and the need to involve the body in learning. These stories make sense at the height of summer. Yet, at the same time, we see essays that make the case for summer school, to stop "brain drain." Reading conflicting information means your knowledge will be more broadly informed. ● There's commentary on the pros and cons of praise, and on sending texts to parents to fix the word gap. You'll be so current! ● This week the teachers union took two big actions. Randi Weingarten, the AFT President, announced the union would no longer support the common core. Then, she called for the resignation of the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. Education politics heated up this July!
Parenting
We Stink at Playing With Our Kids - Jens Peter de Pedro, Joan Ganz Cooney Center
Let 'Em Eat Dirt - Timothy Egan, New York Times
Should You Send Your Kids to Summer Camp? - Room for Debate, New York Times
We Tell Kids to 'Go to Sleep!' We Need to Teach Them Why - Annie Murphy Paul, NYT
Could Text Messages to Parents Help Close the 'Word Gap'? - Barbara Ray, EdCentral
The Emotional Whiplash of Parenting a Teenager - Lisa Damour, New York Times
Soccer Concussions are More Frequent Than You Think - Eric Chemi, BusinessWeek
Learning
Too Many Structured Activities May Hinder Kids' Executive Functioning - Ellen Wexler, Ed Week
Why So Many Kids Can't Sit Still in School Today - Angela Hanscom, Washington Post
We've Been Telling Kids to Sit Still and Pay Attention. That's All Wrong. - Annie Murphy Paul, Slate
In Praise of Praise: Pros and Cons of Giving Kids Praise - Carlin Flora, Aeon
Repetition Doesn't Work: Better Ways to Train the Memory - Gregory Ferenstein, Daily Beast
The Trouble with Brain Science - Gary Marcus, New York Times
Education
Teachers Union Takes on Common Core - Stephanie Simon, Politico
Another Teachers Union Ding for Arne Duncan - Allie Grasgreen, Politico
Beyond the Bubble Test: Why We Need Performance Assessments - Linda Darling-Hammond, EdWeek
Wrong Answer (Story of Atlanta's School Cheating Scandal) - Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker
How to Read Education Data Without Jumping to Conclusions - J. & T. Lahey, The Atlantic
A Draft Bill of Research Rights for Educators - Daniel Willingham, Real Clear Politics
A Teacher's Case Against Summer Vacation - Cristina Duncan Evans, Education Week
Will Computers Ever Replace Teachers? - Justin Reich, The New Yorker
The 'Bright' vs. 'Gifted' Comparison: A Distraction - Scott Peters, Creativity Post
Resources
How to Remember All Your Passwords and Keep Them Safe - Rafael Laguna, Quartz
3 Maps that Explain America - Max Fisher, Vox
Visual Guide to the Major & Notable Sects, Schools, & Movements within Islam - Information is Beautiful
100 Amazing How-to Sites to Teach Yourself Anything - EWAO
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