Celebrating TED

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Have you ever watched a TED talk? I love them. They inspire me. They make me think. They make me laugh. I'd always watched them and wondered how I could incorporate them into my teaching. I'd never had any success, until this year. 

Last summer I had heard that there are TED-ED Clubs for kids, so I applied to lead one at my school. Once approved, I asked a colleague if she wanted to participate with me. Today, she and I are working together to lead the first TED-Ed Club at our school.


We had our first meeting this week getting to know our club members and finding out their passions. After sharing our reasons for being there, we watched some videos. These students will be creating their very own TED talks about ideas and concepts that get them excited! (My favorite part of the meeting happened after we watched the first video. I could tell many of us wanted to jot down some ideas, so I gave everyone notebooks. They were so grateful & excited to get a new notebook...even, Maria, my co-facilitator!)


Since I'm leading this group, I started spending more time looking through the hundreds and thousands of TED videos there are and I found some to share in class. This week we watched two. The first one was by Mac Barnett, a brilliant children's author. It was a seventeen minute video and they were riveted! We took notes and a great discussion followed. 



Yesterday, we watched an amazing TED talk about smiling. 


My hope is to inspire my students to find their passions. This morning, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to attend my very first TED Conference. It's right here in Ashburn, Virginia. I can't wait to hear these talks in person. 

I celebrate the exchange of ideas. I celebrate the passion these talks inspire. I celebrate my students who watch these TED talks. I celebrate the TED-Ed Club and the students who will be creating their very own talks!

While sitting with the club after school last week, I was thinking about the topic of my TED talk. I haven't decided yet, but I am thinking about it. What would yours be?

Comments

  1. I'll try to find the time to watch later today, Michelle. I can see why you would choose these two for your group. They start wonderfully. A former colleague has started a different kind of restaurant here in Denver, & gave a Ted Talk Denver about it. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WY5ampAuA0 It's fabulous you are doing this. It will be exciting work for all of you.

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    1. WOW! I LOVE this Linda! What an amazing woman and an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. I'm so excited for you, Maria and your TED club! I didn't know about the TED Conference this morning, but thanks to you and your post, I'll be more aware in the future. It's a great idea to incorporate TED talks in the classroom. Thanks for the idea! I hope you have a great time today.

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  3. This is exciting! I look forward to hearing more about how the conference is today and what you and your club are able to do together!

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  4. I love your celebration today, your excitement makes me want to explore the links you shared with us. How fun to have a club for students to explore their passions.

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  5. I enjoy the TED Talks and am thinking of making it a ritual to watch one every week next year to learn and get inspired from them.

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  6. I have been exploring how to integrate TED talks with my lessons too. I'm not familiar with TED-ED though! I'm so curious to learn more about that and hear how your projects go. Please keep us updated.

    Kelly Gallagher uses TED talks with his students as an opportunity for them to learn while listening and taking notes.

    Thanks for reminding me to try this with my kiddos.

    Jen

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    1. I am doind the same thing...taking notes and listening...Kelly Gallagher is doing that too?!?! Wow!! They LOVE the videos! Have fun!

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  7. Michelle,
    Please link this post up tomorrow for DigiLit Sunday. Two uses in one! I have not explored Ted Talks with my students but I am now inspired to include them on our Wonder lessons. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Done, Margaret! I can't wait to hear how your students feel about the TED talks!

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  8. What a great club! It sounds like fun. I think my talk would be around diverse children's lit. Have a great year with your club.

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  9. You inspired me. 826LA is within driving distance and wow what a great organization. I would love to get some students up there or their volunteers to our school. Thank you so much for this link. I'm going to share Mac with my students (once my Smart Board gets fixed --ugg) and explore more of these TED talks to share with kids. Love it Michelle. Thank you for this post.

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    1. Julieanne, It's that close?!?! 826LA? I'm so jealous. I think they may host field trips too...you should definitely check into it! I'd love to hear what you find. I bet they will love this video. Enjoy TED!!!

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  10. I need to check out more TED talks! Wow!
    What you are doing is exciting!

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  11. I love TED talks and use them frequently, but I've never had kids make their own. I may have to make this a project for me!

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    1. Deb, Check out http://ed.ted.com/ to apply to start a club or to have the students in your classes make the videos. TED offers the most amazing resources!!!

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  12. This is such a great opportunity for your club kids! I can't wait to see their talks!! I put the Barnett TED Talk link on my IMWAYR last week to go with his new book, Telephone. I love it!

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