Thursday Thoughts: Cool Links and Interesting News

WEEKLY BRAIN TEASER:
 
This week’s brainteaser, Color Game, from www.brainmetrix.com uses colors and mind tricks to force you to concentrate and give the correct answer within four seconds. The game is much harder than it seems, taking the average person five times until they score 100%. This game will wake up your brain. Please note: You need to select the color of the word, not the text of the word itself (you'll see what I mean).

COOL LINKS AND INTERESTING NEWS:
 
Common Core in 9-year-old eyes. Backlash reigns in schools nationwide after the introduction of Common Core standards. Critics say they are overly difficult, but others say they challenge students to become better thinkers. New York Times, June 14, 2014.

Poll: Nearly Half of American Adults Haven't Heard of Common Core Standards, MSN/Wall Street Journal Poll in Education Week, June 14, 2014.

It’s Time to Acknowledge and Address Students' Declining Linguistic Skills, Education Week, Letters to the Editor, June 11, 2014 and the article it references K-12 Education in a Post-Literate Age, Education Week, April 2, 2014.
 
Read how technology is allowing teachers to reach learners across the spectrum in Assistive Tech Innovations: 14 New Apps & Other Tools from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, June 11, 2014.

Is Scientifically-Based Reading Instruction Effective for Students With Below-Average IQs? New research shows that, with intensive instruction, children with intellectual disabilities can independently read simple text.