More kids read Facebook, e-mails than read books

One in six children are choosing to spend more time emailing, social networking, and sending text messages than reading books — a study by the National Literacy Trust has found.

School children — the age bracket of the younger Generation Z, an age range with an increase technology focus than their older Generation Y brothers’ and sisters’ — may not necessarily reading any less than previously thought.

The majority of teenagers are exposed to language and written word through social media — like Facebook and Twitter — and sending text messages to their friends.

Click here to read the entire article.

New to this site?

If you are new to my website here are a few tips. I am involved with many activities here at Westchester Lutheran and this is the central source for information on all my activites.

  1. Classroom information can be found under Homework and other info
  2. Performing arts Schedules for class and for after school activites areunder the Performing Arts Tab
  3. Information about the Youth group is also available under the Youth group heading
  4. Syllabus for Performing Arts Drama and Computer are also available.
  5. You can email me through the email link on this page as well.

Welcome Back To School!

Another school year begins! Schedules are made, school supplies purchased, friends are welcomed back. September is a time of seasonal rituals. A time of new beginnings. New beginnings are important. They give us a chance to reflect on the things we have done and look forward to the future. Bu, New beginnings can be an apprehensive time as well. We might fear what is ahead or feel like we are not ready or worthy. A times like this i like to look for inspiration from others. John the Baptist helped to mark the beginning of Jesus' ministry, but you may not know that John felt unqualified to do what Jesus asked of him.

John the Baptist was born with a single purpose; "to make ready a people prepared to receive the Lord" (Luke 1:17). He was chosen for service and was "filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth". John also knew his position within God's Kingdom...he had come to serve. had devoted his life to preparing for the arrival of Jesus. He had focused all of his energy toward this moment. He was set upon obedience. 

Yet the very first thing Jesus asked him to do, John resisted. He felt unqualified. 

Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? It was obviously part of his mission in coming to earth. Jesus was confessing sin on behalf of the people. He was also endorsing John's ministry of baptism. 

In addition, Jesus was identifying with those who were repenting. He was also setting an example for his followers. He was foreshadowing his death, burial and resurrection. And lastly, Jesus was announcing the beginning of his ministry on earth.

 Do you feel unqualified to fulfill your mission from God? John felt unworthy even to unfasten the shoes of Jesus, yet Jesus said John was the greatest of all prophets (Luke 7:28).

 God has  given us help. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit with the necessary tools to victoriously serve. Though our offering will always be imperfect, and far less than He deserves, it will be pleasing and acceptable if we give Him our ALL, give Him our best, and give from the innermost part of our heart.

Don't let your feelings of inadequacy hold you back from your God appointed mission.

"JESUS SAID TO FORGET THE MISTAKES AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES."

LET'S START THIS YEAR WITH MORE OPPORTUNITES!


Rewriting the Book

E-Books are the future for Education. In Ohio’s Lorain City Schools,  administrators have replaced traditional textbooks with e-books.

Instead of distributing print textbooks at the start of each school year, the district equips its middle and high school students with netbooks, whose hard drives come preloaded with the digital equivalent of every text the students will need.

Click here to read the full article

Chicago Public Schools Launches iPad Trials

In case you did not know I love all things thechnology. I particularly like those things that are transformational. I think the iPad is one of those things. So whenever I hear about school implementing them I get excited. here is an excerpt from an article on Convergmag.com.

The iPad is the hottest tablet to be carrying around. And soon, first and second graders at Burley Elementary School in Chicago will be carrying them around the classroom.

Burley, a literature and technology magnet within Chicago Public Schools (CPS), will use the iPads to differentiate instruction according to individual need, and encourage critical thinking through multimedia apps and collaborative tools. This could include using apps such as Question Builder, which helps elementary-aged children learn to answer abstract questions and create responses based on inference, and iWriteWords, which teaches handwriting.

You can read the rest of the article here. Feel free to come back and comment as well.

Welcome to my new website

Welcome! This is your one-stop shop relating to all things Mark Tennyson. Here you will find:

  • Information on all my classes
  • Information for parents
  • Schedules for all my activities
  • Links to my personal and educational philosophies
  • Clasroom Newsletters
  • Information about our Drama Program
  • And much, much, more

You can contact me directly through this website as well.

From Time to time I will post information I find useful and helpful here as well.