NYTimes "Room For Debate" Blog: Why Blame the Teachers?

Why Blame the Teachers?: "Across America, teachers have become the targets of criticism and budget cuts. Do they deserve it? "

The Learning Network: One Size Fits All? Reflecting on the Role of Government

The Learning Network: One Size Fits All? Reflecting on the Role of Government: "Lesson Plan | Nine different activities for considering the role of government and political ideology."

The Learning Network: Of Budgets and Bargaining: Putting the Union Protests Into Context

The Learning Network: Of Budgets and Bargaining: Putting the Union Protests Into Context: "Lesson Plan | Activities for learning about the current protests over state budgets and unions."

The Learning Network: More Great 'Read-Alouds' From The New York Times

The Learning Network: More Great 'Read-Alouds' From The New York Times: "We've updated last year's popular list of short, engaging Times pieces to read aloud in honor of the March 9 observance of World Read-Aloud Day."

NYTimes: Teachers Wonder, Why the Scorn?

Teachers Wonder, Why the Scorn?: "Many teachers see demands to cut their pay, benefits and say in how schools are run as attacks not just on their livelihoods, but on their value. "

Ferlazzo: The Best Posts Responding To Bill Gates’ Appallingly Clueless Op-Ed Piece

"Readers of this blog are familiar with the op-ed piece that Bill Gates wrote for the Washington Post this week where he said class size should be increased that teachers haven't gotten any better over the years (unlike other professions). Believe me, those are just the tip of the iceberg. He also made a similar presentation to a meeting of U.S. Governors this week.

There have been a number of excellent responses to Gates over the past twenty-four hours from...educators.

Here are my choices for The Best Posts Responding To Bill Gates' Appallingly Clueless Op-Ed Piece:

Though I wouldn't say mine are the best of the bunch, you might want to check out The Arrogance Of Bill Gates — Part Three and A Perfect Cartoon For Bill Gates.

Who Elected Bill Gates? is from Gary Stager.

Smart Guy (Gates) makes my list of “Dumbest Stuff I’ve Ever Read!” is from School Finance 101.

Can We Improve Education By Increasing Class Size? comes from GOOD.

An Open Letter to Bill Gates: Higher Class Sizes will Drive Teachers Out by Anthony Cody at Ed Week.

Expert Witness comes from Nancy Flanagan at Ed Week.

A partial response to Bill Gates’ op ed about teachers is by Ken Bernstein.

The Bill Gates problem in school reform is by Paul Thomas."

Huff Post: Matt Damon Calls Out President Obama, Education Policy

"This is not the man he voted for. Matt Damon sat down with Piers Morgan for an interview that will air Thursday night, and among other things, talked about his feelings on the first two years of President Obama's administration. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Damon was a vocal Obama supporter, campaigning for the then-candidate at rallies, promoting him through a MoveOn video contest and attending fundraisers for him.

Now, he's not so enthused about Obama. When asked if he was happy with the way the President is running the country, Damon said, point blank, 'no.'

'I really think he misinterpreted his mandate. A friend of mine said to me the other day, I thought it was a great line, 'I no longer hope for audacity,'' Damon said. 'He's doubled down on a lot of things, going back to education... the idea that we're testing kids and we're tying teachers salaries to how kids are performing on tests, that kind of mechanized thinking has nothing to do with higher order. We're training them, not teaching them.

For the full interview, tune into Damon and the rest of the cast of the new film, 'The Adjustment Bureau' on 'Piers Morgan Tonight' at 9 PM EST on Thursday.
Read more: Barack Obama Education, President Obama, Entertainment, Education, Matt Damon Barack Obama, Matt Damon Barack Obama Education, The Adjustment Bureau, Piers Morgan Tonight, Matt Damon, Piers Morgan, Barack Obama, Entertainment News"

The Daily Show on Wisconsin and Teachers

A must watch from Jon Stewart that aired on Monday 2/28/11, split into two clips regarding the attack on teachers (unions).

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Crisis in Dairyland - Angry Curds
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Crisis in Dairyland - Message for Teachers
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Ravitch: Rage Simmering Among American Teachers

Ravitch's original op-ed for CNN is here.

NPR's Talk of the Nation Discussion about "Rage Simmering Among American Teachers": "Education historian Diane Ravitch says the teachers on the front lines of labor rallies in Wisconsin reflect growing anger among educators nationwide. Teachers are sick and tired, she says, of being blamed for the ills of America's public schools."

Rethinking Schools: Teaching About Labor Issues and the Wisconsin Worker Fight Back

Teaching About Labor Issues and the Wisconsin Worker Fight Back

According to Labor historian, Mark Naison, the movement of workers that began in Wisconsin and is now spreading to other states is "the most important labor struggle in the United States in the 21st Century."

The current uprising of workers in Wisconsin and other states presents a powerful opportunity to teach students about what the protests are about, and why their teachers and neighbors are joining the struggle. It's an opportunity to critically examine issues, and to model for students responsible civic action and engagement in the political process.

As members of teacher unions, we have an additional responsibility, summarized by the late Howard Zinn in an interview published in Transforming Teacher Unions:

"If teacher unions want to be strong and well-supported, it's essential that they not only be teacher unionists but teachers of unionism. We need to create a generation of students who support teachers and the movements of teachers for their rights."

Listed below are teaching resources for all grade levels.

Embrace this "teachable moment," and share with us (in the comments) what resources you are using, how you are using them, and how your students are responding.