More on financial literacy

In an earlier blog I talked about a book I had been reading, Findependence Day. The author, Jonathon Chevreau (financial columnist from The National Post) commented and linked me to a column he had written on his blog entitled Financial Literacy. Now this was a term I hadn't really thought about before but then on my way between Cavell School and the VSB yesterday, I was listening to the CBC program,The Point, and they were discussing the importance of teaching high school students, you guessed it, financial literacy. It appears now that if you go to Zellers, you may be asked if you would like a cash advance on your HBC/Zellers card. It was noted how problematic credit card debt has become. The panel were discussing how important that students understand financial planning and even referring to their own educational experiences in high school. Anyway, saving money is obviously "hot" this year for obvious reasons but how hard is it to change habits and how can we help our students and ourselves become more financially literate?

Science anyone?

Thanks to Moira's blog I found a great website, that has many useful links that go well beyond science, learningscience.org In my classroom there was always an egg timer and a stopwatch. I found them endlessly useful. Well, thanks to this site you can get both online and many other useful tools. How about protractors that you then print on transparencies? When I went to look at graph paper I found a link to rather nice royalty free downloadable music. Now of course there are also real science links, games to help you learn etc. Check it out!

The week that was...

I have a funny feeling that I have used this title before but really...first there was more snow Sunday night... Like many other Vancouverites leaving my street was dangerous Monday and Tuesday, so I had to leave my car at home which is a bit difficult as a consultant. Just going to many of our schools was hazardous for our teachers. Then we were told a malicious virus had invaded the VSB computers so we weren't even supposed to turn on our computers in the office or schools.
I think we all realized how computer dependent we have become. I feel fortunate to have my own virus resistant Mac for home and most of my files are here as well but most people don't dare access their VSB e-mail these days so many messages just aren't getting out there. There is the fax machine but I have to remember the print things at home. Oh well maybe it really all is too much... Has our system just become totally overloaded?