Ok, I am officially a nerd.... by the old school term of what nerd means... I read the below information today and just had to share it on my blog with you. It seems that big numbers keep getting bigger and scientists continue to think about them....

Petition to make "Hella" the prefix for 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

By Cory Doctorow at 10:32 PM March 1, 2010

Carl sez, "A petition to make Hella- the official SI prefix for 10^27, for measuring things bigger than Yotta- (the prefix for (US) billion trillion). For instance: 'the sun (mass of 2.2 hellatons) would release energy at 0.3 hellawatts.' It would also come in handy for eventually measuring Internet traffic and US national debt."

Official Petition

A client shared this You Tube clip about educating kids.  A twist on the Public Education point of view....

A humorous monalogue by Sir Ken Robertson and his opinion about the current educational system and the loss of creativity.  A worldwide problem; the loss of creativity in the school system.

Provided by Kim Ashby

Answer the following questions:     YES     NO

Do you skip words or lines when reading?        
Do you reread lines?        
Do you lose your place?        
Are you easily distracted when reading?        
Do you need to take breaks often?        
Do you find it harder to read the longer you read?        
Do you get headaches when you read?        
Do your eyes get red and watery?        
Does reading make you tired?        
Do you blink or squint?        
Do you prefer to read in dim light?        
Do you read close to the page?        
Do you use your finger or other markers?        
Do you get restless, active, or fidgety when reading?        

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you might be experiencing the effects of a perception problem called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which can interfere with your reading efficiency. Now, for the first time, there is a simple method Irlen Colored Filters worn as glasses or contact lenses, that can help people overcome this problem quickly and easily.

Copyright © 1991 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen.  All rights reserved.
For other self tests including the long test, headache test, light sensitivity test, autism test <a href="http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests">click here</a>.

Irlen Syndrom has also been known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.  It is not a problem with the eyes.  It  is a a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information.  Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas including academic performance, behavior, the ability to sit still, attention and concentration.  Studies suggest that 46% of individuals identified with reading problems, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD an other learning difficulties suffer from Irlen Syndrome and can be helped by the Irlen Method.  This syndrome is often just one more layer of the individuals problems, but the Irlen Method can be a part of the solution.

Some of the symptoms of Irlen Syndrome include light sensitivity, especially to fluorescent lights, headache, eye strain, reading problems, reading comprehension problems, attention and concentration problems, writing problems, depth perception problems, math disabilities, etc.

The Irlen Method provides a unique service for some children and adults who have been identified with reading and learning difficulties, low motivation, attention deficit disorder, discipline problems as well as helping  good readers and gifted students.

The Irlen Method and the efficacy of colored overlays and colored lenses has been the subject of over 100 research studies.  This method has been used for more than 25 years to identify and help people with this specific visual processing problem.  Additionally, the colored overlays are now considered an approved accommodation for standardized tests in many states.

My name is Lauren and I love to read. Novels, magazines, Twitter posts from celebrities, Facebook messages from friends, I devour it all. But this wasn't always the case. In fact, I used to despise reading, and not in the way many kids try to avoid reading. I hated reading because I just couldn't do it. I am Dyslexic.

In elementary school I struggled mightily to get through even the simplest sentences. Letters would blur, flip, or appear upside-down or reversed. Full lines would appear out of sequence. I used to cry when I had to read because it was so hard for me. It was so frustrating when I couldn't follow the story because my brain and eyes don't see things in the right order.

Read more »

I wanted to provide this resource for parents and their children. This will be an easy place for you to check and see how your child will score on the Exit Level TAKS Test for 11th and 12th grade students.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Writing Prompt

Social Studies

Social Studies [Glencoe]

Science

Mathematics

"Find Their Passion"
If you are a parent of a child that has a learning difference and is struggling to learn how to read and manage basic math skills chances are you have heard teachers, speech therapists, and counselors say to you "Find Their Passion" and you can teach your child anything. I know I have said this numerous times to parents. Well, it is easier said than done!

"Discover Who Your Child Is"
A parent knows their child best! Right? If you listen to their clues. You do know your child best! Offer opportunities for your child to experience extra-curricular activities and learning environments that fit their individual interest. This is our families story.

Read more »