Why The Internet Was Invented

​No, not just for cat videos.

Interesting and odd items for teachers fill the Internet, and the miracle of a fast connection and digital display technology means that we can either entertain ourselves or share with our students.  The best stuff, though, is hardly ever the straightforwardly educational.  It's the emotional or funny that catches my attention.

For example, I don't understand half of this video, but I'll bet our physics and math students will find "Bohemian Gravity" whimsical and memorable (and pretty darned clever--clearly not all the grad students in the world have enough to do).

In the same manner, chemistry students might find Tom Lehrer's "The Elements" pleasantly diverting.

English teachers can share the powerful poem from Taylor Mali, "Tony Steinberg, Brave 7th Grade Warrior."  And for themselves, when the world seems excessively bureaucratic, his "I'll Fight You for the Library" reminds them that other teachers struggle too.

Sometimes we just need something funny to start the day, like the Trunk Monkey videos.

And, finally, if the day is dark and my teaching soul needs provocation, fifty seconds with the Despicable Me minions and the "Banana Song" will start me on the path to recovery.

~ Jim Van Pelt

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