Archive for July, 2010
Autism: “A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world” (Part I of III)
July 21st, 2010 | 
Author: 
Bud’s Grade 5 class, in disguise; photo from: http://momnos.blogspot.com/ …………………………………………………………………………………………….
I am grateful for this guest article I borrowed today, Wed, July 21, 2010. This is Part I of a 3-Part series about Bud, a 10-year-old with learning differences.
Bud, who has been labeled autistic, has been placed in a regular Grade 5 classroom. His Mom’s brilliant interactive discussion with the kids in his class (with Bud absent of course) is detailed here.
This is the best description of autism I have read anywhere
Thanks Mom! We are grateful for your creativity, your courage, and your willingness to share!
What is autism? (Part I of III)
- Bud’s Mom is interacting with Bud’s classmates at school (with Bud absent):
“Now, we all know that your brain is a machine that’s made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells. But let’s pretend it was a more simple machine. Let’s pretend your brain wasn’t made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells, but instead, it was made of metal and plastic and electrical wires. And let’s pretend that when you put that metal and plastic and electrical wire together, it turned into a toaster.”
Here, the class laughed – the good kind of laughter. I carried on. They were with me.
“And let’s pretend that MOST of us had toaster brains. Some of us might make white toast and some wheat toast or rye toast, and some of us might make light toast and some of us dark toast. Some of us might only toast bagels, and sometimes we might even burn the toast, but for the most part, all of our brains would be able to do the same thing: make toast.
“Now, think about the pretend world that we have just created. In our world, MOST people have toaster brains. So, when we make the rules for our world and decide how we want to spend our time, what do you think we’ll decide is the MOST important thing a person can do?”
Nora raised her hand. “Always try hard and do our very best?”
“Yes!” I said. “And WHEN we do our very best, we will be doing a great job making…”
“Toast!” they responded in unison.
“Yes! Because we have brains that are really GOOD at making toast – so we will want to have a world where it’s REALLY important and REALLY valuable to make toast. Right?”
Heads nodded around the room.
“Now let’s pretend that Bud’s brain is ALSO made of metal and plastic and electrical wires, just like our brains, except that when HIS metal and plastic and electrical wires get put together, they turn into a totally different kind of machine. Instead of being a TOASTER, Bud’s metal and plastic and electrical wires turn into a HAIR DRYER.”
I swear, I heard gasps.
“Now, there’s nothing WRONG with a hair dryer, right? Hair dryers are great! There are some things that hair dryers are really good for. There are some things that a hair dryer can do even BETTER than a toaster. But it is REALLY, REALLY hard to make toast with a hair dryer.”
They laughed again, and nodded, and totally, completely got it. …………………………………………………………………………………………
So did I!
I will publish the continuation of this welcome guest article in the next post (July 22, 2010); this article is an excerpt from Bud’s Mom’s blogsite: http://momnos.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-being-hair-dryer-kid-in-toaster.html
I posted a comment on this Mom’s blogsite:
- Doc Meek said…
- Does anybody know the tune for “A hairdryer kid in a toaster-brained world?” I predict that, like “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” this Mom’s “Hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world,” will go down in history. I’ve been helping kids mitigate learning and attentional problems for over thirty years now, and it is an axiom with me that “Mother knows best.” This Mom makes that point sharper than a surgical needle, right? – Doc Meek, Learning Consultant, May 7, 2010, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA
- May 07, 2010 11:38 AM ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Blessings, Doc Meek, Wed, July 21, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA ——————————-
J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com
For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
1. CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
2. TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
3. USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Posted in Learning Difficulties, learning solutions, overcoming learning problems | 
Tags: active learning, Autism, brain rules, changing your behavior, changing your mind, Doc Meek, docmeek, gratitude, learning differences, learning expert, learning problems, mothers, success, teacher training | 
4 Comments »
Cynthia Charleen Alexander, a starter from Texas
Photo from Facebook: Cynthia Charleen Alexander of “clutter-free” fame; her website: http://www.breakfreefromclutter.com/
My Texas friend Cynthia is suggesting we could help kids do better in school this fall. She says we need to set up a series of webinars (seminars or workshops anyone can attend without leaving home).
These webinars would be designed to do just that, help kids in elementary school, middle school and high school do better in school this fall, and discover they are smarter than they think!
How to do it, and how to get the word out to the parents and their kids, become the next steps.
Let’s see:
What do kids want help with?
All subjects? Or primarily reading easier, studying smarter, and remembering longer?
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog has addressed some of these issues. Here are some examples. Just click on the titles:
A learning brain learns best with color, movement, and gentle learning music
The learning brain needs “uprightness” for greatest efficiency
HOPE: a NECESSITY in LIFE and EDUCATION
Teachers & Parents: learning = change = learning
(Intro) Learning to run our brain: 10 minutes daily
(1) Learning to run our own brain: Fear of failure
(2) Learning to run our brain: Vital need for HOPE . . . always
(3) Learning to run our brain: What are qualifications for the daily “brain coach?”
(4a) Learning to run our brain: Simple easy examples of how to proceed
(4b) Learning to run our brain: Remembering names
(5) Learning to run our brain: The eyes don’t see–the brain sees
(6) Learning to run our brain: Tasks of the “back 90″
(7) Learning to run our brain: The role of Mothers
Way to go, Cynthia!
Doc Meek, Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================
Yearning for the back trails of the Rocky Mountains
Back in South Jordan, Utah, USA, fresh from the beautiful red colors of Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. If you missed the photo of the stunningly beautiful Bryce Canyon, just click on this link to my previous article, posted Sunday, July 18, 2010: Sunday: Home from Bryce Canyon country, Utah
Visiting Bryce Canyon country made me yearn for a hike in the Canadian Rockies, the majestic Rocky Mountains, in British Columbia, Canada.
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, near Field, BC, Canada
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My sister Anita and I used to hike the back country in Yoho National Park, near Field, BC, Canada. (See photos above.)
Back in the early 1980s we had a policy of going to the mountains at least once a year. We should get back to that, eh!?
We hiked the Iceline Trail, opposite Takakkaw Falls, and took the photo of the distant falls at left above.
Breathtaking country!
You heard the one about Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies?
This guy from the US had spent several years traveling all over the place and at each place he would seek out “the green phone.” For those of you who don’t know (yet), “the green phone” is a pay phone with a direct line to God. The guy would always ask the cost of the phone call to God. Prices varied from $1,000 a minute to $10,000 a minute, depending on where “the green phone” was located, eh? 😮
The guy arrives in Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies and of course, as usual, seeks out “the green phone.”
The cost to call God? Only 50 cents a minute.
“Wow,” says the guy. “Why so little?”
“This is God’s country.”
“It’s a local call.” 😮
To the glory of the mountains everywhere!
Doc Meek (“Mountain Man”), Monday, July 19, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================
Sunday: Home from Bryce Canyon country, Utah
Sunday, a day of rest, a day for family
“Thor’s Hammer” at Bryce Canyon, in southern Utah; photo from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thor%27s_Hammer_-_Bryce_Canyon.jpg …………………………………………………………………………………………..
Returned yesterday (Saturday, July 17, 2010) from a 2-day extended family trip to Bryce Canyon country, Utah, USA. Family members hiked in Bryce Canyon, ran the 1/2 marathon (13 miles), or ran/walked the 5K. I was afraid I wouldn’t have the muscle strength to do the 5K and I did it anyway. I walked/ran the 5K and came in third in my category (70 years or older). 😮
For more information on the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run: http://www.brycecanyonhalfmarathon.com/
Enjoyed walking/running with family members, young and old.
Physically tired. Good kind of tired. Sleeps well. 😮
So today, Sunday, we are resting up, going to church, or remembering our wonderful time in the desert wilderness.
We hope all of our readers have an opportunity every week, on Sunday or some other day, to spend time with family, to enjoy solitude, or to enjoy the wonder of wilderness.
To rest and quietude.
Doc Meek, Sunday, July 18, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================
Doc Meek Qualifications Brief
Qualifications Brief for Doc Meek
J. Collins Meek, B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
US: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095-3260
Telephone: (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Facsimile: [801] 282-6026
Offering a rare combination of public and private sector background, with demonstrated success in developing programs and strategies for schooling and family triumphs for children and adults
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
A. ADVANCED AND BASIC DEGREES
– Ph.D. (1979); University of Alberta; emphasis on research and administration
– M.Ed. (1972); University of Alberta; emphasis on supervision and finance
– B.Ed. (1969); University of Alberta; emphasis on teaching, English and psychology
B. SELECTED SPECIALIZED TRAINING
– JOURNEY WORK (2008), The Journey—Evolution Unlimited, Louisville, CO, USA
Areas of emphasis: enlightened therapy; Journey Practitioner skills (220+ hours)
– EDUCATION IN NATIVE CULTURES (1999) BYU-HAWAII, Laie, HI, USA
Areas of emphasis: International Teacher Education Program (60 hours)
– DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT (1997), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, CANADA
Areas of emphasis: educational assessment in a cross-cultural context (45 hours)
– ADULT DEVELOPMENT (1996), University of Athabasca, Calgary, AB, CANADA
Areas of emphasis: adult development across the life-cycle (45 hours)
– FAMILY THERAPY (1995), Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary, AB, CANADA
Areas of emphasis: family systems and family interviews (90 hours)
– PHOTO READING (1993), Learning Strategies Corporation, Wazata, MN, USA
Areas of emphasis: accelerated learning and advanced speed reading (32 hours)
– BRAIN GYM I & II (1993), Educational Kinesiology Foundation, Ventura, CA, USA
Areas of emphasis: use of movement in mitigating learning problems (32 hours)
– NEURO-LINGUISTIC TRAINING (1992), First Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
Areas of emphasis: training design and presentation for adult audiences (80 hours)
– COGNITIVE RETRAINING (1991), Glenrose Hospital, Edmonton, AB, CANADA
Areas of emphasis: computerized rehabilitation for brain injuries (8 hours)
– NEURO-LINGUISTIC TRAINING (1990), NLP Comprehensive, Boulder, CO, USA
Areas of emphasis: advanced techniques for use in brief therapy (56 hours)
– PSYCHO-LINGUISTICS (1990), Communication Choices, Edmonton, AB, CANADA
Areas of emphasis: brief therapy for children and adults (144 hours)
– PEAK PERFORMANCE TEACHING (1988), Learning Pathways, Denver, CO, USA
Areas of emphasis: interventions for children with learning problems (56 hours)
(Continued on Page 2)
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS J. Collins Meek, Page 2
A. CONSULTANT/TRAINER for The Learning Clinic & TLC Inc., for 21 years (1988-2010)
Responsibilities: consulting, training, counseling (individual, and family systems)
B. CONSULTANT/MANAGER for Alberta Education, for 17 years (1971-88)
Responsibilities: planning/research, finance, special education and career counseling projects; served in administrative and teaching posts in cross-cultural contexts
C. GENERAL MANAGER of Sherwood Enterprises, for 3 years (1968-71)
Responsibilities: development of a small private research & development company; also developed a small residential construction firm and transportation company
D. SUPERVISOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS for Canadian Utilities Ltd., for 4 years (1964-68)
Responsibilities: taught electrical safety in rural Alberta schools; also supervised public information, media relations, and corporate publications (editor in chief)
E. TEACHER in Alberta hospitals and Alberta & Yukon public schools, for 4 years (1960-64)
Responsibilities: teaching students in hospitals and public schools in Alberta, and teaching native Canadians in a rural community school in the Yukon Territory, Canada
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
A. THE LEARNING CLINIC YEARS (1988 to 2010)
Most volunteer activity involved working with adults and children with learning problems; elected to the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta–Edmonton, and chaired the twice-monthly Parent Support Nights; elected Vice President in 1994. Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Utah in 2003.
B. THE SOUTH PACIFIC YEARS (1999 to 2001)
Appointed Adjunct Professor, School of Education, Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Served in the South Pacific in Tonga, as Teacher Development Coordinator for the International Teacher Education Program (ITEP); facilitated university instruction and teaching strategies for teachers/administrators, and private career counseling for students, teachers and administrators.
C. THE ALBERTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION YEARS (1971 to 1988)
Most volunteer activity was with professional education associations, both provincially and nationally; contributed to the National Economic Conference of the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education; did career counseling research for the federal Manpower Department.
D. THE SCHOOL AND PRIVATE SECTOR YEARS (1960 to 1971)
Volunteer tutoring and volunteer career counseling.
Served in church, community affairs and/or grassroots politics throughout all of the above years.
(Continued on Page 3)
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PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS J. Collins Meek, Page 3
Selected Publications:
CRANDELL, A.K., J.C. MEEK & W. WELCH. (2001). “Teacher Certification Practices for Vocational Education.” Liahona, Tonga: Paper prepared for Church Education System.
FARINE, A., D. FRIESEN & J.C. MEEK. Eds. (1979). Educational Administration: A Comparative View [of 15 countries]. Edmonton: University of Alberta.
MEEK, J.C., & J. MEEK. (2001). “International Teacher Education Program Annual Report.” Liahona, Tonga: Paper prepared for Church Education System.
MEEK, J.C. (2000). “TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) in Tonga.” Liahona, Tonga: Paper prepared for Church Education System.
MEEK, J.C. (1996). “The Meaning of Life.” Calgary: Paper prepared for Adult Development Course, Athabasca University.
MEEK, J.C. (1995). “The Case of Danielle.” Calgary: Paper prepared for the Family Therapy Training Program, Holy Cross Hospital.
MEEK, J.C. (1993). “Parenting the Difficult Child.” Edmonton: Course prepared for Edmonton Public Schools Continuing Education Classes.
MEEK, J.C. (1992). “Managing Personal Anger.” Edmonton: Course prepared for Edmonton Public Schools Continuing Education Classes.
MEEK, J.C. (1988). “Alberta Teacher Supply & Demand Forecast: 1988-1991.” Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education.
MEEK, J.C. (1987). “Report on Special Education Services in the Province of Alberta.” Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education.
MEEK, J.C. (1984). “Provincial Priority on Education.” Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education, prepared for the Minister of Education and Members of the Legislature.
MEEK, J.C. (1979). “Local School Board Revenues and Expenditures in a Period of Declining Enrolments.” Edmonton: University of Alberta, doctoral dissertation.
MEEK, J.C. (1978). “[Job Satisfaction] Literature Review.” In E.A. Holdaway, Teacher Satisfaction: An Alberta Report. Edmonton: University of Alberta, Chapter 2, pp. 5-33.
MEEK, J.C. (1972). Ed. Evaluation Guidelines. Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education, with original authors Clarence D. Rhodes and Tina Lomas.
MEEK, J.C., G.B. HAWLEY & B.L. STRINGHAM. (1972). “Toward an Improved Management Information System (MIS).” Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education.
MEEK, J.C. (1972). “Unit Cost Analysis of the Implementary Expenditures of an Urban School System.” Edmonton: University of Alberta, master’s thesis.
MEEK, J.C. (1972). Ed. Program Accounting and Budgeting Manual. Edmonton: Alberta Department of Education, with original authors William R. Duke and others.
Selected Presentations:
Numerous public and private workshops and seminars on positive parenting, difficult children, managing personal anger, and defeating depression; also taught editing and finance privately.
AVOCATIONAL INTERESTS: Public speaking, aviation and square dancing.
REFERENCES: Available upon request.
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Doc Meek, Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Canonville, Utah, USA; running/walking the 5K run (3.1 miles), while extended family does the half marathon (13 miles) from near Tropic, Utah, down to Canonville, Utah, near Bryce Canyon [Bryce Canyon is stunningly beautiful!]
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================
Rubrics for teachers: What are they?
TEACHER RUBRICS ARE NOT RUBIK’S CUBES!
Article from: http://712educators.about.com/cs/rubrics/ht/htcreaterubric.htm
Create Rubrics
By Melissa Kelly, About.com Guide, Secondary Education
See More About:
Here’s How:
- Make a list of what you want the students to accomplish through your assignment.
- Organize your list from most important to least important.
- Decide on an overall point value for the assignment.
- Assign each item on your ranked list a percentage value out of 100 percent.
- Multiply your total point value from step 3 by each item’s assigned percentage to arrive at the point value for that item.
- On a fresh sheet of paper, write the name for each item on your list in order from most to least important. Make sure to leave room in between each category.
- Assign specific grading criteria for each main category from step six.
- Distribute or display the rubric to the students when you are explaining the assignment.
Tips:
- Definitely know what your categories will be before you make your assignment.
Suggested Reading
Suggested Reading
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J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; see short
video at: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
=========================================
Doc Meek Brief Biography (Professional)
Doc responding to a student’s questions in his private practice
Brief Biography (Professional)
J. COLLINS MEEK, B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D.
According to the Calgary PROFILE magazine (March 1995):
“Dr. Meek brings a unique blend of warmth, intelligence and humor to everything he does.”
Dr. Meek is a learning specialist and counselor with extensive experience in almost all aspects of teaching, learning, and family systems counseling in various agencies and and schools in diverse cultures and venues in several countries.
He also provides specific leadership with respect to results-based training and effective strategies for helping families with learning, emotional, and behavioral difficulties, including anger management and abuse prevention, whether at home, at school, or in employment settings.
Dr Meek has been extensively involved in on-the-job teacher training.
He is a Canadian Citizen by birth, a British Citizen by descent, and a naturalized United States Citizen, authorized to work in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Dr. Meek is affectionately called “Doc” by his young clients, and almost everybody else now.
He has been teaching, speaking, conducting workshops, traveling to various countries, and consulting with clients for more than 30 years. He willingly shares his knowledge with many people of all ages and in a variety of different cultures.
He is an excellent editor, author and columnist, offering a significantly diversified background in both the public and private sectors. He is committed to developing and implementing high-quality learning and counseling programs that enhance mental acuity, self-confidence and problem-solving behaviors.
He loves to connect the vital “4 H’s” of education (Head/Heart/Hands/Hope):
– Head: brain, mind, intellect, genius, logic, knowledge, creativity, etc.
– Heart: intuition, feelings, emotion, fairness, caring, enthusiasm, etc.
– Hands: skills, knowledge in action, craftsmanship, professionalism, etc.
– Hope: commitment, “knowing that you know,” following your “true self,” etc.
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DR. MEEK LOCATIONS: Salt Lake City and South Jordan, Utah, USA
Calgary, Edmonton, and Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA
Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga, SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS
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Role: Available for training, counseling and clinical services
Qualifications: B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Experience: Thirty plus years experience in most aspects of teaching, learning, and counseling, including tough cases, and finding practical solutions for people of all ages
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J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; see short
video at: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
==========================================
“My Life . . . ’til Now” (Personal) by Doc Meek
Rossland, BC, CANADA, Doc’s birthplace and hometown; Photo from: http://www.tourismrossland.com ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Author’s preface:
Some of this autobiography is factual, such as date and place of birth. However, as life goes on, as we all know, we develop “stories” about ourselves that we believe to be factual and which are in fact very subjective.
The certainty of “just the facts, m’am” is not easy to maintain with any degree of rigor, especially as we get older. Therefore, it might be fair to say that beyond birth, there is an ever-increasing certainty that our lives as seen by ourselves are largely fictional, or at the very least, creatively subjective.
The ego, however, generally maintains the certainty — the fiction — that we are seeing our own lives with perfect clarity. After all, our intellect is with us the whole trip, isn’t it? And its logic is impeccable, right?
It is — after all is said and done — our life, isn’t it?
Dream on.
“In the beginning . . . “
I was born on the side of a high mountain in Rossland, B.C., Canada.
It’s been all downhill since then.
Just kidding. I couldn’t resist. I remember once in a counselor’s office taking a potshot at one of the other participants. The counselor delivered a wry smile and observed: “You just couldn’t resist, could you?” True. Poor policy though.
Actually, my full story is full of ups and downs. I feel great gratitude for it all . . . now. 😮
And it is going to get better, right?
This can’t be all there is. Can it?
The movie’s not over yet.
I’m 70 years old, going on 71, and I’ve got only about 20 summers, maybe 30 summers left, eh? I hardly ever think about that except for right now because I am thinking that it is about to be Wednesday the 14th of July 2010 already and if I do my usual, summer is going to whiz by and I will have missed another summer in the mountains. Again!
Not right for a mountain boy, right?
Here’s the scoop (“Ira Progoff Personal Milestones”)
1. Born October 23, 1939, just as World War II was about to break out
2. Grew up in Rossland, B.C., Canada, where I was born
3. Moved to Kelowna, B.C. for Grades 12 & 13 when Dad was transferred
4. Went to The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, in the fall of 1959
5. Fell in love; fell apart; my walk (stumble?) with depression
6. Married Loretta 1962 and co-created 6 beloved children; one died at birth
7. Divorced 1988; 1994 married Jeannette (she had 4 beloved adult children)
8. Hoping to live happily ever after
9. Struggling with health issues
10. Still wondering what I am going to be when I grow up 😮
Expanding on “Ira Profgoff Personal Milestone” Number One
I was born on the side of a mountain. I already said that. I was actually born in the Misericordia Hospital, on an elevation at the eastern end of the main street (Columbia Avenue) of Rossland, B.C., Canada. Dr. Topliff presiding.
I went back recently to view my “roots” there in Rossland. Couldn’t find the “Miz” [Misericordia Hospital]. They tore it down! As my Mom says, “They didn’t ask my permission.” The nice condo in its place just doesn’t cut it, eh? The sisters of mercy are sorely missed. Or was it the sisters of the sacred heart. I don’t know. All I know is, the condo doesn’t cut it. 😮
Here’s to history!
Doc Meek, Wednesday, July 14, 2010, en route to South Jordan, Utah, USA, from Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA, mostly by air
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Below detail updated Nov 21, 2012
J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
Your Trusted Learning-Teaching Guide
Seasoned Administrator and Finance Expert
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
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CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
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Memory: Top 10 Mnemonic Devices. – Melissa Kelly
Brain picture from: http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_07/d_07_cr/d_07_cr_tra/d_07_cr_tra.html …………………………………………………………………………………………..
Gratitude for this guest article today, Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Top 10 Mnemonic Devices
By Melissa Kelly, About.com Guide
See More About:
1. ROY G BIV
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
This device helps students remember the order of the colors in a rainbow.
2. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
This mnemonic allows us to remember the Order of Operations in math.
3. Every Good Boy Does Fine / FACE
This mnemonic is used in musical notation to help students remember those treble clef notes on the lines (E, G, B, D, F) and those on the spaces (F, A, C, E).
4. My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
Here we have an easy way to remember the order of the planets from the sun out. The only thing to remember here is that every 248 years, Neptune becomes the furthest planet for 20 years.
5. King Philip Cuts Open Five Green Snakes
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
This is only one of innumerable mnemonics used to remember the order of Taxonomy for biology.
6. Thirty days hath September, …
I use this mnemonic all the time to help me remember the number of days each month:
Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November;
All the rest have thirty-one
Excepting February alone:
Which hath but twenty-eight, in fine,
Till leap year gives it twenty-nine.
7. Two Old Angels Skipped Over Heaven Carrying Ancient Harps
Used in math to remember the equations for Tangent, Sine, and Cosine. O stands for opposite, A stands for adjacent, and H stands for hypotenuse. Therefore, Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent; Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse; Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse.
8. HOMES
Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior
An easy way to remember the five Great Lakes.
9. OIL RIG
Oxidation It Loses (electrons)
Reduction It Gains (electrons)
This will help students in Chemistry remember these two terms.
10. In 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue
One that has been said by students for more years that can be remembered.
Related Guide Picks
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; see short
video at: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
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No hurry . . . yet all gets done :o
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu
Photo from:
http://www.appliedcomputer.biz/Personal/WatertonGlacier/Waterton%20Cameron%20Falls%201963.JPG
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
“TRUTH SIGNS” from Dr. Merrill Harmin
Most of the really important things I learned about effective education came from experience. The exception is a well-known fact — almost never applied in daily classroom realities — which was brought to my attention in a really good way by Dr. Merrill Harmin (2002), in his “golden book of education,” Strategies to Inspire Active Learning: A Complete Handbook [for teachers].
This is further developed in Dr. Merrill Harmin and Melanie Toth (2006): Inspiring Active Learning: A Complete Handbook for Today’s Teachers (2006).
My analogy is that we “cannot run faster than we are able” (which everybody knows). Likewise, we “cannot learn faster than we are able” either (which many curriculum structures and school system structures seem to ignore).
To remind us all of this basic fact, or truth, Dr. Harmin would post in his classrooms, and would ask other teachers to do likewise, “TRUTH SIGNS.’ These posters were not just wall decoration for the classroom. They were/are a vital teaching/learning tool about the fundamentals of education, the deepest need that students and teachers share: respect [and even gratitude] for each other. No matter what the behavior or performance.
Unconditional caring if you like. Uncondtional love, so to speak. Not much of it going around unfortunately. “Each of us has what each of us needs,” said a wall poster in a convent I was visiting once. “And why are we so slow to share it?” I wondered.
Dr. Harmin’s “TRUTH SIGNS” were not just for hanging on the wall. He and other teachers would refer to them frequently and point up their applicability for the moment at hand, the teaching/learning moment at hand.
Dr. Harmin (about to begin lesson, or a unit) would point to one of the “TRUTH SIGNS” and say:
“Now, before we begin, how does this truth apply to what we are about to do here?” Or more specifically, he would point to this “TRUTH SIGN”:
……………………………………………………………………………….
“We each learn in our own ways and by our own timeclocks”
……………………………………………………………………………….
Then Dr. Harmin would say: “So why is it OK if we don’t all get all of this right away? Vika?”
And Vika might say: “Because me and everybody in this class see things differently.”
“Sione?”
“Each of us walks differently . . . we have our own learning pathways.”
Elapsed time? 20 seconds.
Value for each student?
Priceless.
These are the kinds of gems originally developed by Grace Pilon of Workshop Way (TM), and then further developed and promulgated by Dr. Merrill Harmin and a multitude of classroom teachers, and teacher/associates such as Melanie Toth.
Thank you Grace! Thank you Merrill! Thank you Melanie!
Love and Gratitude!
Doc Meek, Monday, July 12, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA
P.S. Resources:
(1) Grace Pilon (1986): Thoughts on Workshop Way. http://www.workshopway.org/resources/beginning_of_ww.pdf; also see the website on the Workshop Way today: http://www.workshopway.org/faq_1-7.htm
(2)Dr. Merrill Harmin (2002): Strategies to Inspire Active Learning: A Complete Handbook [for teachers]. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=129c7ed3e80d389c&mt=application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D1177db59cb%26view%3Datt%26th%3D129c7ed3e80d389c%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dattd%26realattid%3Df_gbjnbyw20%26zw&sig=AHIEtbTn42Gw6o42QpzCMa4xdt0bWbr2Tg&pli=1
(3) Dr. Merrill Harmin and Melanie Toth (2006): Inspiring Active Learning: A Complete Handbook for Today’s Teachers. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416601554/sr=1-1/qid=1278955627/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1278955627&sr=1-1
—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095
Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; see short
video at: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
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