October 2011

Here is a link to a great article on the teenage brain. Yes, teens have brains.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/dobbs-text

September 2011

Here is a great video on how to listen better:

http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better.html

August 2011

Here is a great quiz you can take to learn more about your learning styles, intelligences, and special strengths:

http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

July 2011

Here is an interesting article on math anxiety and how it unfortunately starts young:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/researchers-say-math-anxiety-starts-young/2011/05/16/AG3YqxEH_story.html

June 2011

Here is a great article on how certain brain calisthenics can help students better understand abstract ideas:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/health/07learn.html

May 2011

Here is a great article about how thinking for others can boost your creativity:

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-thinking-for-others-can-boost-your.html

April 2011

Here is a great interview with Nicholas Carr, author of the book, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brain. He speaks about how the brain works (or not works) when online and how we have lost some of our ability to read, think, and process independently and deeply. Mr. Carr also talks about how the time spent "doing" technology is crowding out our time spent in different modes of concentrating and creating.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127370598

March 2011

Here is a great article on the need for play, and how a new organization is "trying to save childhood":

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Case-for-Play/126382/

And, speaking of childhood, here is an amazing documentary from Frontline that profiles the way young people are learning (or not learning) in the world of media and electronics. I highly recommend watching, "Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier." My hope for everyone after viewing this is to not multi-task anymore and to curb the amount of time using the computer, going on Facebook, texting, etc.

Here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/

February 2011

I love this recent article that speaks to the need for community, connection, and contact – both in our professional and especially, our personal lives. Happy Reading!

Social Animal: How the New Sciences of Human Nature Can Help Make Sense of a Life
by David Brooks

January 2011

Happy New Year! Now is the time for resolutions! In that vein, this recent article by neurologist Oliver Sacks may motivate you to set goals for improving/increasing your brain power. We all know the adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Dr. Sacks explains you can teach your brain new tricks.

This Year, Change Your Mind by Oliver Sacks > Read the article

 

My friend and colleague recently wrote an article for the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity about her dyslexic son and how his love and ability for reading changed in part because of my tutoring and support. I am very proud of this. Feel free to read this article and share the book list and/or suggestions with your students and/or children.

Click here to read the article !

 

Eric Kent Wine Cellars has recently released their 2007 Freestone
Pinot Noir. The label on each bottle features my poem "When I Wait
for a Cab in the Rain."

Click here for the PDF announcement, and click here for a page with my bio, some poetry philosophy, wine tasting notes, how to order, and where you can order a glass at restaurants on both coasts.

The reviews are in!

The Oct. '09 Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines awarded us 96 pts.:

"The Freestone area in the western portions of Sonoma County near to the Pacific Ocean is gaining increased importance as a growing area because it produces ripe grapes with a full measure of bracing acidity. This full-bodied effort will never be criticized for its lack of grape maturity with 14.8% stated alcohol and its plump, fleshy impressions at the front of the palate. But, its admirable fruit depth, its stones and creme caramel richness and its hints of cherry pie sweetness to its flavors are all kept in fine check by the wine's balance. Its finely honed, youthfully bright flavors go on and on at the end."