#teacher toolkit

[gr8startstudio]

Lesson Planning for Different Types of Learners: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Lesson planning is the heart of effective teaching. It sets the course for what students learn and how they will accomplish it. However, one of the most significant challenges teachers face is accommodating different types of learners in one classroom.

Understanding Different Types of Learners

Every student is unique. They have their preferred methods of learning - some are visual learners, others auditory, and some are kinesthetic. Understanding these different learning styles is crucial for creating an inclusive learning environment.

Tips for Lesson Planning for Different Types of Learners

Structuring a lesson plan that caters to all types of learners may sound daunting, but it's achievable. For visual learners, include graphical presentations or videos in your lessons. For auditory learners, incorporate discussions and readings. Kinesthetic learners, on the other hand, will benefit from hands-on activities and real-world examples.

Introducing the Ultimate Lesson Plan Template Bundle

To aid you in your lesson planning, we've created the Ultimate Lesson Plan Template Bundle. This bundle includes templates that cater to various learning styles, ensuring a diversified approach to your teaching. It's easy to use, adaptable, and designed with both teachers and students in mind.

Call to Action

We invite you to take a step towards effective and inclusive teaching by purchasing the Ultimate Lesson Plan Template Bundle from our Etsy shop. Check it out here and take advantage of any current promotions or discounts.

Conclusion

Creating lesson plans for different types of learners is no small feat, but with understanding and the right tools, it's within every teacher's reach. We encourage you to share your experiences and tips for lesson planning in the comments section. Remember, the goal isn't perfection but constant improvement and inclusivity.

[knighteclipsed]

Kurthnaga stumbles into the library, a pale blue handkerchief held tight over his face to mask the smell of blood. Frankly, the library was not far enough from the scene of the crime for his comfort, but the idea of being surrounded by books was calming, and he cannot help but to gravitate towards that which he knows may soothe him.

But it is a surprise indeed to see who else inhabits the library. He would not have pinned that man for someone to be so pious in the art of research, though everyone had things up their sleeves that others did not know about.

"Val- no, Mister Brunette, was it? Whatever are you doing in a place like this? Looks like quite the daunting task you have in front of you; say, are you researching something that may be related to this crime that has unfolding? Or is this for your... personal gain?"

Valter was never fond of being interrupted.

Be it in training, combat, missions, his own speech– To be cut short was an irritant, a quick way to lose favor for someone who you were already predisposed against. Knowing the person only ever made it slightly more tolerable—if not many times over worse.

Lucky for Kurthnaga, he wasn’t in the middle of something when the other invaded the library. Rather, he was putting away the last of the books he’d been using, gliding away before Kurth could get close enough to see which one it was.

“ Monsieur, ” he corrects without missing a beat. (He didn’t care for the role, but ‘my lord’ was an appealing title.) His marching ceases then, his attention turned then to the man before him.

“ Though I suppose you have your reasons for being here, don’t you, Mr. Azul? ” A smile twists onto his face, sly and unforgiving. “ Too sickened at the sight of blood? ”

“ Humorous, given the context of this event. Had you been hoping to be the victim? ”

[alex-just-vibing]

Are you a student who is unable to donate to Palestine, but still want ways to show your support?

Me too! Unfortunately, searching up ways for students who can't drive, spend money, or drop school for a week to show solidarity for Palestine just comes up with "centrist" (if not blatantly pro-israel) articles for teachers telling them how to stay neutral during discussions with students. So! Here are some ways that I've thought of to bring pro palestine sentiment into your school and community! You are more than encouraged to add on any ideas of your own!

Wear shirts, pins, or anything outwardly pro palestine. If you can't find something, make it.

Email your representatives. Email Congress. Email the White House, or whatever your country's equivalent would be. Let the people in charge know you want a ceasefire

Talk to your local library about holding an educational night about the genocide, and/or about Palestinian culture.

Talk to your peers. Find people who share your views. Create a fuss together.

Talk to your teachers about it. Having an authority figure on your side could make things so much easier for you.

Make stickers, posters, pamphlets, etc to put up around your school, town/city, anywhere you can.

Educate yourself on anti-palestine talking points and how to refute them in a calm and logical manner. (Palestinian Toolkit is a great website for that)

Speak up! It's fucking scary, but if you can, don't let people's bigotry go unchecked. (You can use knowledge from the last point to make it easier to talk)

But also, know when to give up. It sucks, but not everyone is worth wasting your time debating. Some people won't change their mind no matter what.

[kidsinnowadays]

How to Navigate Remote Learning Successfully: A Parent's Comprehensive Toolkit

Discover a range of essential resources and strategies to effectively support your child's remote learning journey, ensuring a productive and enriching educational experience. #RemoteLearning #ParentingToolkit #OnlineEducation #SupportingStudentSuccess

The landscape of education has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of remote learning. As parents, navigating this new educational paradigm can present unique challenges. However, armed with the right tools and strategies, you can ensure that your child’s remote learning experience is not only successful but also enriching and enjoyable. This comprehensive toolkit provides a…

[snaileer]

Free advertising Part 3

Parts 1 & 2

If one has spent a decent amount of time in an engineering lab, perhaps even been raised above (and in) such a lab, it would come as no surprise that the construction of potentially hazardous items can sometimes be accidental.

Danny’s teachers and classmates evidently do not share this sentiment when he attempts to leave their group to disarm the pipe-bomb in front of them during their field trip to the Gotham railroad museum.

Danny doesn’t get it.

“Once you accidentally make one, you figure out pretty fast how to unmake one,” Danny shrugs in reason, it’s not like it’s hard. Well, it’ll probably be a bit different because it’s not from spare pieces of a microwave but still!

“Microwaves don’t have spare pieces, Danny,” One of the chaperones says. Oh, she must have heard Danny’s mumble.

“Sure they do! Everything has spare pieces if you do it right!” Danny smiles, “Here, watch this!” Danny lunges for the bomb, dodging a reaching arm with practiced expertise.

Once he has his hands on it, he’s pulling his Fenton family goggles from his pocket and the mini toolkit his parents got -made- him for his 12th birthday. Complete with a laser cutter!

Danny uses the magnification of the goggles to get a closer look at the design, holding it up to his face. The timer seems to be a separate connection… hmm.

Danny turns his ear to it, shaking vigorously, but he pauses as shouts sound from behind him sitting criss-cross on the floor.

Except…when he turns around, nothing’s different except the group looking startled and pressing themselves farther against the wall.

“Nightingale!” Damian hisses from the herd, “What are you doing!?!”

Danny tilts his head in confusion, vision tinted slightly green through his goggles, “I’m..deconstructing it??” Danny looks down as he unscrews a few pieces, listening for the disconnection of the timer, “Thought that was obvious,” He grumbles.

Danny pulls his goggles to his forehead to get a better gauge of the wire colors before pulling two of them out. The timer display turns off.

The group seems to sag in relief as the red numbers go dead.

Danny barely notices, looking intently at the object as he turns it in his hands.

Hmmmm.

He flips his goggles back down and reaches blindly for his toolkit. Danny continues unscrewing, grabbing a different screwdriver and his mini weld set, before setting two metal grids to the side and holding it back up.

“See! Spare parts!” He says with a smile.

The green goggle tint prevents him from seeing his chaperone’s face drain of color.

It does not prevent him seeing Batman crash through the window three seconds later.

Tags for those who asked:

@channajen @halfblackwolfdemon @epilepticnerd @busterkeel @samgirl98 @quirky-gardener @kitsunesflames @ace-aro-agender @whathehe11 @56thingsinaname @overtherose @i-dont-want-to-think-of-a-name @i-always-say-yea @the-legal-shipper @aph-mable @rowanaway-fromthisbs @punderfulfandoms @sjrose1216 @akikkobara @stargirl1331 @somecrappyclone @decadentbatbagelscissors @thatonegaybitch68 @cyber-geist @girlnic @seraphinedemort @alcorbearson @meira-3919 @joseph557 @cutelittlebeanie @fandomnerd103 @avelnfear @readerzj @snorlaxly-tired @thedragonqueen1998 @serasvictoria02

[sleeplesssmoll]

Character Analysis: Vertin's Deceptive Side

I don't see this trait of her's mentioned much but it is prevalent throughout the story so I think its worth looking at.

Vertin isn't a stranger to deception and lies.

Vertin convinces people to follow her by connecting with them and being honest about her capabilities/motives. Every arcanist we've met follow her knowing exactly what they're getting into.

However, she isn't above lying and tricking people as an end to a means.

She lied to Sonetto in the opening to hide her agenda (secretly recruiting Regulus). She also lied to Tommy to track down Regulus by saying they were “friends” and even used Regulus's records as “proof”. Later, she and Regulus improv together when Sonetto is summoned by the wheel and tries to take Regulus away.

She tried to cover for A Knight in Oliver's story. Oliver seems to have known her for a bit at this point and catches on because it's odd for Vertin to suggest something that she knows directly conflicts with his values.

She lied to Arcana, which makes sense but imagine Sonetto being in this position. She is incapable of lying compared to Vertin. The Timekeeper is able to lie on the spot while Sonetto freezes up when faced with difficult questions.

As a child, Smoltin was going to lie to the teacher to pin the blame (for the note she wrote) on her bullies after they tried to blackmail her. This is an interesting one because it shows she thinks ahead, like with Regulus's records, and manipulates a situation in her favor. It's deeper than a simple lie.

While these are instances driven by a reason, these examples show how comfortable she is with telling lies and she could deceive people if she wanted to. It's a trait she most likely developed in order to deal with the Foundation. Deception is an important tool in a trouble-maker's toolkit.

Aside from that, remember when they told her to be open and honest about questions she had and then threw her in the guard house?

Or how about when she was open with Sonetto about her love for the outside world only to be harshly shut down?

She was brutalized and shot as a child when she tried to be open and direct in a peaceful protest, hoping to be heard during the Parade Ceremony.

She met with Madam Z for help with a plan to help her crew because she didn't want them to end up like her childhood friends. Then the Foundation decided to break her legs and subdue her in a coma. Mind you, she went through the proper channels and was still punished for it.

It makes you wonder why Vertin doesn't lie more often.

On that note, we're lucky that Vertin is a nice person at heart. If she followed Manus or the Foundation's ways, she could use her natural talent at connecting with people to manipulate them into joining her cause. Instead, our Vertin chooses to be transparent…for important things anyway.

Vertin's able to stand on the same field as Constantine and Arcana not because she's authentic, though that certainly helps. It's because she knows how to appeal to people's desires.

Knowing what someone wants means knowing what their motives are. You know what drives them to act. It's a very powerful skill in the art of persuasion/manipulation. 

On one hand you can say Vertin has the power to see into people's hearts. On the other, you can claim she knows how to pick people's brains.

Regardless, it's a talent she has that would be useful to both Arcana and Constantine aside from her Storm Immunity.

[radfemsiren]

Hi Siren! How do you think muslim women are able to accept Muhammad and his actions toward women? It seems that Muhammad is a particularly sex obsessed and immoral religious figure . Say what you want about christianity, but at the very least Jesus was supposed to be the ideal most pure individual to walk the earth. What does it say about a religion when a minor figure such as Jesus is more moral than the most holy prophet? Muhammad on the other hand had sex with a nine year old little girl, promises men sex parties with virgins in heaven and does not even pretend to believe that women are human at all. It’s just so over the top. t’s like, adultery and promiscuity is not really bad, just on earth. One cannot even "pretend" that the religion has been corrupted by man or something, the very text itself is so bad. Is there anything for women at all?

Hello, this is a good ask because I feel like a lot of people see the criticisms I offer about Islam on my blog, and they foster a misconception that Muslim women are stupid and docile.

The extremely misogynistic evidence I find in Islamic teachings are purposefully mystified to be not widely known, or lessened in their intensity. Most Muslims are not Arabic speaking, so Muslim leaders also warp translations to seem nicer and more palatable for a general audience. I had to dig to find the core of these ugly parts of the faith, and when I would bring them up in masjids, it made everyone uncomfortable, especially the religious teachers. They don’t just openly and bluntly say women are inferior: they use deceptive wording, mistranslations, and well practiced arguments to make Islam seem like a “feminist religion.” Me doing research and bringing up unspeakable topics is not the norm: I felt safe doing it all the time because my family moved constantly, and I knew there was be no real consequences like ostracization or violence.

As a teen I made a name for this phenomenon: The 2 Muhammads

1 Muhammad loved and cherished all his wives, instructing male Muslims to treat their wives “like expensive vases.” He said daughters were a precious gift, and raising 3 (or 2) right would guarantee heaven. He said that a man that comes home and his wife and children cower in fear of him would not go to heaven. 1 Muhammad would feed the poor, cuddle kittens, let children climb on and play on him while he led prayer, and he “emancipated” the women of the pre Islamic era from infanticide and other forms of mass violence. He generously bestowed on them the right to divorce, the right to half her husbands earning, the right to be protected when she traveled (many of these things are untrue but this is what they are teaching)

2 Muhammad is a shadowy figure only brought up sparingly, when used to criticize and scare the disobedient children, and women. He said if you listen to music, you go to hell! If you draw eyes, if you date, if you don’t listen to your husband… hell! Hell! Hell! He is almost never out in the open, and his greatest sins, like his youngest wife Aisha, is never spoken about. Kill apostates! Kill unbelievers where you find them! Sacrifice your life for Allah! Rape captured women in war! He is the real Muhammad, with far more religious texts matching this personality of his, but he gets less airtime. He’s camera shy 😔

I’ll make an indepth post about the specific arguments used to control Muslim women, in my anti-Islam feminist toolkit! It will layout my arguments for why Islam is misogynistic, and counter arguments I suggest for when they try to shut down criticism! It will be easy for anyone to read, not just ex Muslims.

[world-of-wales]

THE PRINCESS DIARIES ♚

18 MAY 2023 || ANNA FREUD CENTRE, LONDON

The Princess of Wales visited her patronage, the Anna Freud Centre in London to mark the Mental Health Awareness Week.

During her visit the Princess of Wales joined Anna Freud staff, supporters and young people with lived experience of mental health challenges in a series of discussion topics including ‘How best to normalise conversations around mental health’, ‘Building a workforce which champions early intervention’, and ‘Whether schools can be places which build mental wellbeing’.

She took part in expert-led conversations on how we can build the mental wellbeing of current and future generations and learning about interactive activities undertaken by secondary school students.

Catherine joined in a roundtable on how evidence-based research, clinical expertise and young people’s lived experience can be united to create innovative new ideas and close the gap between children’s needs and the help they receive.

She then joined a group of secondary school students who had just taken part in a series of classroom activities that explored how they deal with their own anxious feelings. These were based on ‘Let’s talk about anxiety’, Anna Freud’s new animation and teacher toolkit – launched today at the event – which has been co-created by the students themselves.

[inevitableisopod]

Longswords and you, pt2

Right, so in my previous post in this series i covered what exactly we interpret the longsword to be, and now we get examine why it existed, and why that matters!

So the commonly accepted reason why longswords first emerged is the presence of more, and better quality armour on the battlefield; in the beginning this might just have been maille (chain mail for the uninitiated, though maille literally means chain so same differance) and perhaps a banded plate helmet, like a Norman nagel helm, allowing a user to use a weapons of greater size and leverage with truly shocking speed. the second reason is potentially better quality steel and metal working techniques, allowing these blades to reach considerably more impressive sizes. as an aside the fact it forms a cross in silhouette is both to do with Christianity and also that it was just the most efficient shape for its intended purpose, described below.

Something i failed to mention in my last post is that longsword blades are almost always cut and thrust, usually leaning more towards one extreme than the other, but most often capable of doing both quite well. this helps tell us exactly how they were used, for instance the early longswords (usually called great swords of war) usually had slightly more rounded tips and wider, thinner blades, telling us they were more optimised for cutting than piercing.

at this point some of you might be surprised at the mention of cutting, after all surely these things were more like clubs???

very much to the contrary dear reader! the swords pictured above are likely to only weigh approximately 1.3-1.6 kilograms, with most of the mass in or near the handle, so they feel very light and nimble, at least in comparison to what you expect, but it's still a long steel lever so it hits reasonably hard as well!

later on these swords became more pointed like you might have seen in my previous post and became more thrust oriented in order to exploit the gaps in plater armour.

In brief there are 2 main schools of thought on usage, the Italian tradition, and German tradition! the Italian traditions operate on the principal of countering an attack then striking your opponent, and the German traditions mostly focus around killing or maiming the little bastard you're fighting in one decisive blow, that may or may not come after a series of strikes and counters, that usually takes the form of 5 key techniques called the master stokes that function as a bit of a multitool in a fencers toolkit. i may go into more detail onto specific techniques later depending on if anyone cares!

As a final note these traditions were just as complex and vibrant as many eastern martial arts, but the difference is we have no living teachers who were taught by someone who was taught by someone who after many repetitions studied under these original masters (meaning teachers), as many eastern martial systems do, so much of what we modern day swordspeople do is reading the manuscripts they wrote and attempting to decode exactly what they meant by sparring, trial and interpretation, which we call HEMA, or historical European martial arts.

apologies for the long rather humourless post, we'll be moving onto more amusing and exciting things in part 3!

May your edges stay sharp and your points true!

[readingteabooks]

It's Banned Books Week again.

In 2023 we saw another 65% increase in book challenges reported to the American Library Association. With 1,247 demands to remove or censor library books, citing 4,240 individual titles. The third year in a row of record high challenges.

Since 2020 we have seen a shift in who is challenging books and their methods of doing so. Previously, it was most common for challenges to come from parents protesting a single book their child was reading for school. Since 2020, and especially this past year, challenges have largely come from political pressure groups. A whopping 21% of all challenges in 2023, and 74% of challenges to books in schools. Challenges targeting public libraries also increased by 92% this year, to make up 48% of all challenges.

We have seen laws passed, such as Texas HB 900, passed in 2023, whose vague language has led to teachers and librarians engaging in self-censorship for fear of losing their job or worse.

Despite this, surveys show that 71% of voters oppose book banning, and trust librarians to make informed decisions about what books are in their collections.

The ALA has put together a tool to help track book banning legislation by state. As well as book resumes to counter misinformation about challenged titles, a toolkit for fighting against pressure groups, online programs championing the freedom to read, and establishing a national Freedom To Read Day.

2023's Top 10 Most Challenged Books were:

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Flamer by Mike Curato

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Let's Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Sold by Patricia McCormick

[jessicanjpa]

Twilight Advent Calendar 2023 Event

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Dec. 21 - Pick any five characters. What's something they always carry with them?

Jasper: Zippo lighter

You never know when you might need to dismember and incinerate an enemy. Or, you know, burn out an entire classroom because you accidentally killed the teacher and you have no choice but to murder the whole class to cover your tracks. Safety first.

Carlisle: doctor bag including a fantasy-level knockout syringe

I don't even know what's in that syringe. Propofol? Ketamine? Methohexital? Even if he were to inject a bolus directly into the jugular vein after making an educated guess about his victim's body weight, I don't think anything can work that fast. Cardiac arrest is more likely, but he's the doctor.

Anyway, that syringe canonically sees more action than Jasper's lighter and I think that's hilarious.

Esme: tin pencil box, 1921

Carlisle had an exasperating habit of purchasing any and every item that newborn Esme mentioned even the smallest interest in. When the words "I used to draw when I was a girl" crossed her lips, he practically ran out the door to shop for art supplies. This tin pencil box came home in his pocket. Esme still carries it in her purse to this day, stocked with whichever medium is her favorite at the time. A small, battered sketch pad is ready and waiting, too—you never know when you might stumble across something beautiful.

Rosalie: decorative makeup compact and emergency toolkit

It's important to Rosalie that everyone—humans and vampires alike—see her as both beautiful and competent. I don't think the books ever mentioned whether Rosalie and/or Alice wear makeup to school, but if they do, it has to be reapplied often because of the nature of vampire skin. And while she's perfectly capable of using people's glasses as a mirror (canon), I think she'd rather do it in style.

And she feels most comfortable when she's prepared for mortifying scenarios like her car breaking down in a school parking lot someday. She also likes being the one to say "Well actually you just need a 3/16 hex wrench—here" when someone is scratching their head over a broken chair/desk/bicycle/anything.

Charlotte: digital camera -> smartphone

Nomads have to be very particular about what they keep with them; no self-respecting vampire wants to dash around the globe wearing a backpack. But Charlotte had to, back when she had no choice but to carry around a bulky camera, extra rolls of film, and prints. She very happily made the switch to digital once the resolution became good enough. And now she's made the switch to smartphone photography (a little more grudgingly). Peter got her an iPhone-compatible macro lens last year and that finally won her over.

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

You can find all of the #twilightadvent23 prompts here!

[1ore]

Hi, I've been following you since Ye Olde Esk Days and you've always been a huge inspiration for me as a fellow gender-questioning neurodivergent lesbian both in art and science.

I've been wanting to reach out because I'm considering enrolling in Enviroinmental Sciences (or something in that ballpark) in 1 or 2 years and wanted to ask how your experience studying it has been to you as a person with an artistic bakground? I am afraid my ADHD might get in the way of maths, and that I might not be "smart" enough to pursue a degree in STEM, despite the fact I've always been interested in scientific subjects and in the conservation efforts around the area (and the river) I grew up in. so, yeah, I don't really know what else to say xmx I hope this message wasn't too much, and thank you for taking the time to read it. Your art and its message has always meant a lot to me! (also, happy Pride month!)

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

So, funny enough, math anxiety is part of what what led me to Environmental Science in the first place. My degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, not a Bachelor of Science, because IIIIIII didn’t want to take more semesters of calculus and organic chemistry than I had to 🤪 I struggled with math in highschool, and by the time I went back to school, it had been more than 5 years since I last took a math class. I was also more interested in the interdisciplinary parts of Environmental Science, so a BA let me put more credit hours towards classes in policy, law, social science, humanities, etc.

As far as I know, having a BA hasn’t held me back. I’ve been accepted into internships and other programs doing “real science” just fine. Maybe this won’t always be true, but I’ve figured out that I like teaching and engaging people in science more than I like being in academia, so that works out fine for me.

As for my experience with ADHD and math/science courses, I have euuuauuuehhh a lot of thoughts. This gets dense, sorry.

First, my ADHD came with a side of anxiety, which manifested as a compulsion to do well academically regardless of how much my mental health suffered. Doing busy work felt like hell on earth for reasons that were then mysterious to me, but disappointing my teachers felt Worse. So I became really good at, like, academic minmaxing, not so much learning or taking care of myself. It’s hard to articulate. I want to say I was muddling through these classes as a professional test-taker and not a student, and also not applying myself fully. But at the same time, I felt like I was well beyond my breaking point? This made more sense to me later when I got the diagnosis LOL. my capacity for doing the things I’m supposed to do, the way I’m supposed to do them, is lower than other peoples’. So either I do what I’m not supposed to do, or I do it “the wrong way.” <- meaningless.

I say all that because coursework is a poor metric of how “good” you are at science or math, or whether you'll enjoy doing them outside of the classroom. We know this LOL but I want to reiterate it. I learned how to get really good grades without learning how to reason my way through why xyz methodology is justified, or how to ask questions and be curious about what’s happening around me. It’s corny but it’s true. on one hand I still struggle with these, because I’m still working under the assumption that whatever’s going on in my head is the “wrong” way to do it. But ADHD does a lot of heavy lifting for us with lateral thinking and being able to make connections that other people can’t always see. If you want to do Science ™ (as in academic research,) this is an awesome tool to have in your toolkit.

There’s also a whole world of environmental work outside of academia that demands its own skillset, which coursework may or may not teach. Like, if you want to do hands-on restoration work or interpretive work or field technician stuff, this is less “can you spit out the balanced equation for photosynthesis on command” and more “can you operate a woodchipper” or “are you comfortable with public speaking and customer service.“ This is another part of what attracted me to envirosci--how wide-ranging the job market is. The backdrop of science is the same, but your day-to-day responsibilities can look wildly different.

Also, if it’s any encouragement, being an arts person has been a huge plus in my experience. My most recent employer told me outright that the artsy scicomm stuff in my resume is what made them think “oh, we need her.” Art and science are wives LOL a lot of the skills you hone as an artist are invaluable in science, especially if you’re doing any kind of communication work. (<- has seen some poorly-written papers and incomprehensible figures in her time)

Going along with that, back when I was yea high and wanted to do art professionally, I remember people telling me that you only go to art school for the professional connections. A lot of STEM careers are locked behind having a specialized degree, but I think this advice is still applicable here. Being a “good student” hasn’t helped me as much as abandoning my anxiety and sending cold emails, showing up at peoples’ guest lectures and office hours, participating fully and sincerely, etc. The stuff I did outside the classroom was more meaningful to me, in the end. (That said, I was lucky to have several classes that were more skills/training-oriented for things like GIS, field botany, conducting environmental assessments for NEPA, etc. You can swing projects for classes like these as opportunities to build skills or create portfolio pieces.)

OK. I thiiiink that’s everything I have for you? I hope that answers your question. If not, I can give it another shot. I'll also leave you with this answer from beloved mutual Heedra re: what Environmental Science as a major is like. I can't believe it's 6 years old because it's part of what put Environmental Science on my radar in the first place LOL

[spiritualsoul1969]

The Desire for Truth: The Greatness of Knowledge and the Beauty of Humanity and Divinity

In the vast expanse of human existence, there lies a quest that transcends all others—the desire for truth. This longing for truth is not merely a pursuit of facts or empirical data, but a deep, spiritual yearning that connects us to the core of our being, to the essence of knowledge, and ultimately to the divine.

The Greatness of Knowledge

Knowledge is often viewed as the accumulation of information, the gathering of wisdom from various sources. However, when knowledge is driven by the desire for truth, it transforms into something far greater. It becomes a sacred journey, where each piece of wisdom is not just a fact but a stepping stone towards a deeper understanding of life, the universe, and the divine.

This greatness of knowledge lies in its ability to elevate the human experience. It is not knowledge for the sake of knowing, but knowledge that enriches the soul, that brings clarity and purpose to our existence. When we seek truth with pure intent, knowledge becomes a guiding light, leading us through the darkness of ignorance and into the realm of divine wisdom.

The Beauty of Humanity

At the heart of this journey towards truth is the realization that truth is not just an abstract concept but is intricately woven into the fabric of humanity. The desire for truth compels us to look beyond ourselves, to see the interconnectedness of all life. It is in this interconnectedness that the true beauty of humanity is revealed.

When we pursue truth, we begin to see the divine in every person we encounter. We understand that each individual is a reflection of the divine, and in their unique expressions, we witness the infinite facets of truth. This recognition fosters compassion, empathy, and love—qualities that are the very essence of our shared humanity.

The Beauty of Divinity

The ultimate culmination of the desire for truth is the realization of the divine. As we peel away the layers of illusion and falsehood, we come face to face with the divine presence that permeates all of existence. This divine presence is not distant or separate from us; it is within us, around us, and it is us.

The beauty of divinity lies in its omnipresence, in the way it manifests in every aspect of life. Whether it is the tranquility of a sunset, the innocence of a child’s smile, or the wisdom in an elder’s eyes, divinity reveals itself in countless forms. The pursuit of truth is the key that unlocks this divine beauty, allowing us to experience the sacred in the mundane.

A Divergent Perspective

To fully appreciate the greatness of knowledge and the beauty of humanity and divinity, we must adopt a perspective that goes beyond the conventional. This perspective recognizes that truth is not static; it is dynamic, ever-evolving, and multifaceted. Truth is not confined to religious doctrines, scientific theories, or philosophical constructs—it is a living, breathing reality that can be experienced in every moment of life.

This perspective challenges us to embrace uncertainty, to let go of rigid beliefs, and to be open to the infinite possibilities that truth presents. It invites us to see knowledge not as a destination but as a journey, humanity not as a collection of individuals but as a unified whole, and divinity not as a distant deity but as the very essence of life itself.

Practical Toolkit for Daily Integration

Daily Reflection: Dedicate time each day to reflect on your desire for truth. Write down your thoughts, questions, and insights, and observe how your understanding of truth evolves over time.

Mindful Observance: Practice observing the divine in everyday life. Whether it’s in nature, in your interactions with others, or in your own thoughts and emotions, look for the beauty of divinity in all things.

Seek Wisdom: Actively seek out sources of knowledge that resonate with your pursuit of truth. Read spiritual texts, listen to enlightened teachers, and engage in meaningful conversations that expand your understanding.

Embrace Compassion: Cultivate compassion by recognizing the divine in every person you meet. Practice acts of kindness, listen with empathy, and offer support to those in need, knowing that in serving others, you are serving the divine.

Open-Ended Inquiry: Approach life with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Ask open-ended questions that challenge your current beliefs and be willing to explore new perspectives. This will keep your desire for truth alive and vibrant.

Gratitude Practice: Each day, express gratitude for the knowledge you have gained, the beauty you have witnessed, and the divine presence in your life. Gratitude opens the heart and deepens your connection to truth.

Silent Contemplation: Spend time in silence, allowing the mind to settle and the heart to open. In this stillness, you may find that the truth you seek is already present, waiting to be recognized.

Integrate Art: Use creative expression as a means of exploring and conveying your understanding of truth. Whether it’s through writing, painting, music, or any other form of art, let your creativity be a reflection of your inner journey.

Community Engagement: Engage with others who share your desire for truth. Join spiritual communities, attend gatherings, and participate in discussions that nourish your soul and broaden your perspective.

Continuous Learning: Make a commitment to lifelong learning. Recognize that the pursuit of truth is endless, and every day presents an opportunity to learn something new about yourself, humanity, and the divine.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can nurture your desire for truth, elevate your knowledge, and experience the profound beauty of humanity and divinity. This journey is not just a personal endeavour but a collective awakening that brings us closer to the ultimate truth that binds us all.

[growing-yet-into-magic]

Hi do you have any recs from where to buy affordable tools, like essential oils , crystals and other necessary stuff (for witchcraft ofc)

Ah, cheapery. My third favorite hobby, beside spending money on things.

Firstly:

Essential oils are NOT necessary for witchcraft. They are medicine, have the potential to damage you severely (both immediately and in long-term damage), and are NOT better and more effective than just using the herbs they are manufactured from. You shouldn't be thinking about essential oils or considering them for your toolkit without herbalism education from a reputable school or licensed herbalist and paper research about each herb you use under your belt.

Moving on.

No physical item in witchcraft is essential. You could go into your kitchen cabinet and begin bespelling your home without paying anything. People like owning things, because sparklies are fun and we're all magpies at heart, but neither crystals nor tools are necessary to the craft- and some argue that they're not even backed by research into historic traditions and what ancient practitioners might have used. A lot of the tools people think are "essential" are specific to Wicca or introduced via the new age movement, which was only...what, 70 years ago now? There are certain paths which require certain tools, and religions and folk religions that require certain things to function, but unless you are in one and getting instructions from your teacher/mentor/godparent, you're not required to buy anything. We're Anti-capital here. Money is the enemy and dirt is our friend.

So, that being said, a few recommendations:

The thrift shop. Want an athame? Bell? Candle stand? Spoon? Find a pretty silver thing and consecrate it. Nothing in life has to be new when it gets to you, as long as you cleanse it well.

Your local kids museum will have cheap crystals at discount prices. The natural history museum told me then genuinely sell them by weight. You can't guarantee their ethical background that way (a lot of cheap rocks are mined with enslaved labor), but you can get your rocks.

If you can get to a rock and crystal show, rarer and harder to find crystals go cheap in there, but you do have to pay a flat fee to enter so it's kind of a financial wash in the end. It's fun though. They sell empanadas at my closest one.

Your local supermarket. Unless you're using bulk herbs by the bucket, which seems wasteful, you can usually get herbs and pre-packed larger quantities of herbs from the spice section in your supermarket. And this way they're guaranteed to be food grade and safe to consume or bathe with, which is never a guarantee when you pick something up from the metaphysical shop.

eBay and other secondhand sites. People leave the craft all the time, and hawk their stuff for cheap. A little Dr. Bronner's, a little sacred perfume or incense, and she's good as new.

Indian and other Asian grocery stores. When I'm down and in some trouble, I know they have my back. Thank you for carrying incense on the shelf when I needed you the most. And having bulk rice.

Local swap. Networking is everything! Sometimes local covens will host events where people get together to sell off old things or swap stuff. Good times to find a pre-loved tarot deck or altar cloth.

Your hands! *grabby hand gesture* Some stuff you can make. I have an old sewing machine, and I love her to death; I make storage pockets and altar cloths with her. I crochet altar cloths. Some people make their own candles. I know someone who learned glass-making to make their own altar pieces. Some hobbies are more expensive than others, but a crochet hook is like $3 and yarn can be like $4. Bam. Altar mat.

Speaking of candles, I forgot to mention the dollar tree and other discount stores have cheap candles: some even have the tall glass pillars you need if you're in one of the ATR diasporic traditions.

Quite frankly, my best investment in witchcraft tools I ever made was watching my mother buy an antique silver serving spoon, which I occasionally filch from her drawer and return after it's done it's job. Borrowing things from your family costs nothing.

I'm sure this wasn't what you had in mind, but (and not to be a weird adult who has a poor relationship with the internet here), sometimes you have to go out there and physically touch things before you find what's right for you. Find a thrift store. A secondhand shop. A goodwill. Browse. What could you use this in? What spells can you piggyback off of this thing you found? What use does this have in your craft? Try not to build your craft off of your tools; build your toolkit to support what you want to do with your craft. That way you won't have wasted time and money on a fun thing people said was essential to have! ...but now you never use this selenite wand you spent $30 on because you found out wands don't have a place in your practice. Blech.

Best of luck hunting! 💜✨

[eretzyisrael]

by Troy O. Fritzhand

York University in Ontario, Canada. Photo: Andrei Sedoff via Wikimedia Commons.

Union members at York University, the country’s third largest, have been instructed to condemn Israel, according to a training booklet distributed by the university’s employee union.

The union, CUPE 3093, says Israel, the world’s only Jewish state, is operating in the war with “unrestrained confidence to carry out genocidal violence… through the discursive levitation and material support of Western imperialist nations.”

The 15-page booklet, titled “A Toolkit on Teaching Palestine,” also calls Israel a “murderous colonial project,” and calls organizations such as Hillel a “Zionist cultural institution.” The booklet also seeks to educate professors how to approach anti-Israel discourse in class, giving an example: “Today, I open up our classroom to bring our attention on Gaza, to speak up and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement, and contribute in ending Canada’s and York’s complicity with genocide and the settler-colonial occupation of Palestinian land and life.” It also gives the tells professors they will be supported by the organization if attacked for such discourse.

CUPE 3093 tells professors “We all have a moral, professional, and collective human imperative to speak, teach, and be in solidarity with Palestine.” More so, they offer resources in how to dispel “Israel’s pink/rainbow-washing, as well as other resources on identifying and combating the myths of Zionism.”

As if to conflate their entire existence with the Palestinian cause, the employee union even added the Palestinian flag into their logo. The university itself condemned the union, saying “York’s commitment to support and uphold academic freedom, and freedom of expression within the limits of the law, remains the same.

[michaelgabrill]

Bundling the Best of Heliophysics Education: DigiKits for Physics and Astronomy Teachers

For nearly a decade, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has been working to bring together resources through its DigiKits–multimedia collections of vetted high-quality resources for teachers and their students. These resources are toolkits, allowing teachers to pick and choose interesting content to support their instruction. As a partner with the NASA Heliophysics Education […] from NASA https://ift.tt/Fdk5oDt