Obama: Task Is To Save More Miners' Lives

Senator JAY ROCKEFELLER (Democrat, West Virginia): People say, well, why do they go into those coal mines? They go into those coal mines to provide for their families, and in the process, they keep the lights on in America.
via npr.org

As our American Studies students are about to read Robert Schenkkan's The Kentucky Cycle, this story could not be more timely as we return the beginnings of American history.

danah boyd: "when teachers and students connect outside school"

Teachers do not have to be a student’s friend to be helpful, but being a Friend (on social network sites) is not automatically problematic or equivalent to trying to be a kids’ friend. When it comes to social network sites, teachers should not invade a student’s space. But if a student invites a teacher to be present, they should enter in as a teacher, as a mentor, as a guide.

via zephoria.org

Our school district is now trying to "develop recommendations for using social media effectively (and safely) with students and the community."

Here is one example: http://www.d128.org/itfiles/District%20128%20Expectations%20for%20Electronica...