Thursday Thoughts: Interesting Learning and Literacy Links

Brain Teaser:

A man is headed to a mountain along with a lion, a goat and a basket of vegetables. On the way, he needs to cross a river and the boat can only carry two things at a time. If he takes the vegetables, the lion will eat the goat. If he takes the lion, the goat will eat the vegetables. How does he cross the river?

(Answer at the end of post. Find more teasers like this on Buzzle.)

Interesting Learning and Literacy Links:

Homework in Elementary School Divides Educators. "PDF"—play, downtime, and family time—has replaced homework for kindergartners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders at one Chicago elementary school. Education Week, September 15, 2014.

Ted Talk: Rita Pierson, Every Kid Needs a Champion. Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don’t like.’” A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level. May 2013.

50+ Awesome Alphabet Activities. Here are more than 50 fantastic alphabet activities for kids from toddlers to early elementary school. No Time for Flashcards Blog, July 30, 2014.

How Does the Brain Learn Best? Smart Studying Strategies. Many things we think of as detractors from learning — like forgetting, distractions, interruptions or sleeping rather than hitting the books — aren’t necessarily bad after all. They can actually work in your favor, according to a body of research that offers surprising insights and simple, doable strategies for learning more effectively. Mind Shift, August 25, 2014.

Nearly Half of Poor 11-year-olds Unable to Read Books, Newspapers and Websites. Save the Children released the findings to mark the beginning of a national campaign to eliminate illiteracy by 2025 in the UK. The Telegraph, Tuesday, September 9, 2014.

Brain Teaser Answer:
Trip 1- He takes the goat with him, leaving the lion and the vegetables behind. On reaching the other river bank, he drops off the goat.

Trip 2- He then comes back for the lion, leaving the vegetables behind. On reaching the bank this time, he drops the lion and again takes the goat along.

Trip 3- He drops off the goat again and takes the vegetables with him to the other shore.

Trip 4- Lastly, he comes back alone for the goat.