Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Education

Where Good Ideas Come From

The Independent Project

Build a School in the Cloud  
Changing Education Paradigms

Education Innovation


Flipped Classrooms

Independent Project Blog

Khan Academy 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Grammar Exercises

Grammar Exercises today







The actual subject of each of these poems has more to do with changing society, but each offers a not so subtle critique of the misuse of grammar in speech, do you think it is important to follow grammar rules in speaking?

Do you find that you use  a different set of rules verbally than you do on paper?
Write down some examples in your notes.

In your opinion, are grammar rules necessary in speech?   on paper?  Why?

Have you ever felt left out of conversation because people were speaking English differently than you do?

The English language has evolved into it's current form over a period of about 1500 years. Modern English speakers probably wouldn't even recognize English in its original form,  do you think it is important to standardize English or allow it to continue to develop and evolve? 

Old English
"Eft he axode, hu ðære ðeode nama wære þe hi of comon. Him wæs geandwyrd, þæt hi Angle genemnode wæron. Þa cwæð he, "Rihtlice hi sind Angle gehatene, for ðan ðe hi engla wlite habbað, and swilcum gedafenað þæt hi on heofonum engla geferan beon."
 
Modern English translation
"Again he [St. Gregory] asked what might be the name of the people from which they came. It was answered to him that they were named Angles. Then he said, "Rightly are they called Angles because they have the beauty of angels, and it is fitting that such as they should be angels' companions in heaven."




Water





LIFESAVER ADVERTISEMENT/CAMPAIGN FOR HAITI

Lifesaver Systems Jerrycan in Haiti from OB UK on Vimeo.




Young People are Changing the World:  Roots and Shoots Foundation

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03192010/watch3.html

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Homelessness in MN


What are the causes of homelessness according to those being interviewed?

What does it mean to have a lack of opportunities?

What barriers come up in finding accessible and long term stable housing? 

What resources are needed to end homelessness in MN?





Friday, March 1, 2013

5 pillars of Islam

1) Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
لَا إِلَّهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله (lā ʾilāha ʾillā l-Lāh, Muḥammadun rasūlu l-Lāh) (in Arabic)
There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God. (in English)


2)Salah (Prayer) Call to Prayer Adhan (azan)

Steps
-Proper covering: correct clothing, clean, in the right place
-bismillah "in the name of God..."
-purification: wash face, head, mouth, nose, arms and feet
-face the quibla *direction of the Kaaba
-pray with a partition in front of you


Salaat / Rak'ah

Rak'ah steps


3) Zakat (almsgiving)

2.5% of a person's wealth looking out for the community of Muslims (especially orphans, widows)

4) Sawm (fasting)
Fasting during the 9th month (Ramadan) fasting from Sunrise to Sunset -abstain from food, drink and sex children, pregnant women, elderly and the sick are not supposed to fast.

5) Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Every Muslim of means should try to make the pilgrimage at least once in their life. Hajj takes place during the 12 month of the Muslim Calendar. Pilgrims perform a series of rituals during the Hajj including wearing special clothing, making 7 cycles around the Kaaba and reciting certain prayers.