At last someone who agrees with me. Often, I see ideas about education that are feel good but not necessarily what I consider appropriate. It is interesting because I still supply at a school that is predominately Chinese. The students do extremely well academically. They want rigour in the academic setting. They work hard and are not looking for less academic work but want to prove that they can do well and they are successful in this endeavour.
Katherine Birbalsingh, Canadian raised and Oxford trained had concluded that students need rigour in their education training. They are unable to spell or even look up words in the dictionary. These are only a few of the problems that she has noticed. Numeracy is also an issue. McDonald's has training in numeracy because employees have difficulty making change. Katherine has taught for 10 years so she has experience in the educational system.
I am pleased to see that there are those who have misgivings about the fun philosophy in education. Wonder if she will be able to turn things around in the school she is planning to start?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Seeds, the play
Last night, we went to the Distillery area to see a play put at the Young Centre for the Arts. It was put on in the theatre used by Soul Pepper. The play was Seeds by Annabel Solitar starring Eric Peterson of Corner Gas fame, and Lisa Repo-Martell who is one of favourite live actresses.
The issues was Monsanto and the Genetically Modified Seeds. Over the course of the play there were many issues raised. I would recommend that you do more reading about the issue or better yet go and see the play.
The issues was Monsanto and the Genetically Modified Seeds. Over the course of the play there were many issues raised. I would recommend that you do more reading about the issue or better yet go and see the play.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Whitney buried with Jewels
While I think that people should be buried with respect, I question that they should be buried with a fortune in jewels. Yesterday, I heard a report on the radio that Whitney Houston was buried with $500,000 in jewels. My goodness, what those jewels could do. Support her daughter for starters. Go to charity. Many things besides be buried with the star. What would the purpose have been to do this. I certainly hope that the story is incorrect.
What would you have done?
What would you have done?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Music gets into your head
Neuroscientist Daniel Levitan likes to quote sheriff Andy Griffith when it comes to Classical Music: "Opera ain't nothin' but a bunch of hollering but it's high class hollering."
His mission is to demystify classical music and open it up to those who might have felt it was too distant or difficult for them to enjoy.
"I want to empower the listener to realize music is meaningful and interesting without any prior background," he says in an interview from Vancouver where he was made a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for "bring science to the public."
The McGill University professor of psychology and neuroscience is also a musician, playing the clarinet, sax, guitar and electric bass in both jazz and rock bands. It's been a natural progression to join the two interests in his research.
He returns to the Koerner Hall for a second session of Beethoven and Your Brain. Fascinating that people are interested and want to become involved.
Need to study more.
His mission is to demystify classical music and open it up to those who might have felt it was too distant or difficult for them to enjoy.
"I want to empower the listener to realize music is meaningful and interesting without any prior background," he says in an interview from Vancouver where he was made a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for "bring science to the public."
The McGill University professor of psychology and neuroscience is also a musician, playing the clarinet, sax, guitar and electric bass in both jazz and rock bands. It's been a natural progression to join the two interests in his research.
He returns to the Koerner Hall for a second session of Beethoven and Your Brain. Fascinating that people are interested and want to become involved.
Need to study more.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Double Chocolate Muffins
Yes, I am finally back to baking. Checked the freezer and nearly all the Double Chocolate Muffins are gone. Wow, they must be good.
Double Chocolate Muffins
You'll adore baking a basket of these delicious muffins. They're easy to make and are a gift for any chocolate lover.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 18 muffins
Ingredients:
2 cups (500ml) all purpose flour
2/3 cup (150 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) buttermilk or yogurt
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
1/3 (75 mL) vegetable or Canola oil
2 eggs
2 tsp (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
1 cup (250 mL) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375oF (190oC). Grease or line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients.
4. Stir just until batter is combined. Add chocolate chips and gently mix into batter. Be careful not to over mix the muffin batter. Place batter into prepared pans.
5. Bake in preheated oven 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre of muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
Tips:
1. Try mixing it up by using milk chocolate or white chocolate chips or a combination of any of your favourite.
Smucker Foods of Canada Corps: First Made February 16, 2012
Double Chocolate Muffins
You'll adore baking a basket of these delicious muffins. They're easy to make and are a gift for any chocolate lover.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 18 muffins
Ingredients:
2 cups (500ml) all purpose flour
2/3 cup (150 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) buttermilk or yogurt
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
1/3 (75 mL) vegetable or Canola oil
2 eggs
2 tsp (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
1 cup (250 mL) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375oF (190oC). Grease or line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients.
4. Stir just until batter is combined. Add chocolate chips and gently mix into batter. Be careful not to over mix the muffin batter. Place batter into prepared pans.
5. Bake in preheated oven 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre of muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
Tips:
1. Try mixing it up by using milk chocolate or white chocolate chips or a combination of any of your favourite.
Smucker Foods of Canada Corps: First Made February 16, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Music's Power to heal the brain
Medieval churches were so convinced of music's mind altering powers that they forbade dissonant chords such as the tritone, the "Devil in Music". Although their fears were unfounded, the priests were right about one things: "Music really can rewire the brain."
Neuroscientists are studying music a medical intervention for patients with conditions such as stroke, speech loss and Parkinson's disease.
Unlike drug therapies and surgical brain implants, musical interventions are safe, enjoyable and noninvasive. "There is essentially no downside."
In the near future, Dr. Fujioka and colleagues throughout Ontario may combine their efforts at the University of Toronto's new Music and Health Research Collaboratory Operating within the Faculty of Music building, the initiative will bring together experts in medicine, neuroscience and psychology to decode how musical interventions work and explore the limits of their potential.
Music is complex and stimulates the brain in all kinds of ways, say Amy Clements-Cortes, a professor of music therapy at the University of Windsor. For example, her research has found that listening to live versus taped versions of the same music makes a difference in patients pain perception. "Live music was significantly more effective."
Will be interesting to find out where this research takes scientists.
Neuroscientists are studying music a medical intervention for patients with conditions such as stroke, speech loss and Parkinson's disease.
Unlike drug therapies and surgical brain implants, musical interventions are safe, enjoyable and noninvasive. "There is essentially no downside."
In the near future, Dr. Fujioka and colleagues throughout Ontario may combine their efforts at the University of Toronto's new Music and Health Research Collaboratory Operating within the Faculty of Music building, the initiative will bring together experts in medicine, neuroscience and psychology to decode how musical interventions work and explore the limits of their potential.
Music is complex and stimulates the brain in all kinds of ways, say Amy Clements-Cortes, a professor of music therapy at the University of Windsor. For example, her research has found that listening to live versus taped versions of the same music makes a difference in patients pain perception. "Live music was significantly more effective."
Will be interesting to find out where this research takes scientists.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Family Day!
It is Family Day. Must say after heading downtown that many people are enjoying the day. The subway was packed, more people than on a Saturday or week day during the middle of the day. The movie that we went to was very busy and again on a usual day even Sunday, there are not usually so many people.
People good for you for embracing this day. We need to get out and enjoy more time like this with friends and families.
People good for you for embracing this day. We need to get out and enjoy more time like this with friends and families.
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