TED Talk #18 A Life Lesson from a Volunteer Firefighter

Even though we're apart now, it's not going to stop TED Talk Fridays!  

Here's a great talk that may inspire you. 

Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected -- but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait to be a hero.

Think about the little acts of kindness you can do for your friends and loved ones now.  We need that kindness now more than anything.  

Remember those gifts that Anne made for her family for Haunnukah? They meant the world to them!  

Your homework this weekend is to find small ways you can brighten the day of the people around you.  It's not about grand gestures and expensive presents, but maybe doing the dishes, reading a book with a younger sister or brother, making a picture, playing a game together, or even an IOU when you do 20 minutes of whatever they ask :)  Mrs. Frank liked that one, right?  I'm sure your family would too. 

Now is your chance!  I challenge you! 

#gettheshoes

Check out his talk here! 

TED Talk #17: The Thrilling Potential of 6th Sense Technology

In my Stories and Film class, we've been talking a lot about imagined technological advances that are becoming more and more of a reality.  Our TED Talk today shows just how close the future is.  What was once only seen as sci-fi is not becoming possible.



Check out Pattie Maes's TED Talk as she introduces us to the 6th sense and a very Minority Report way of using technology! 

TED Talk #16 Living a Life Without Limits

Hi Everyone,

Get your tissues ready for this one!  Some talks are funny.  Some talks are educational.  Some talks are jaw-dropping.  Well, this talk is a combination of all those things and so much more. 

When she was 19, Amy Purdy lost both her legs below the knee. And now ... she's a pro snowboarder (and a killer competitor on "Dancing with the Stars"!). In this powerful talk, she shows us how to draw inspiration from life's obstacles.

Here is the link to Amy's talk about living life without limits.

Oh, in case you missed it, here is a video of one of Amy's best dances on Dancing with the Stars.

I hope you enjoy it.

TED Talk #14 Looks Aren't Everything

Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder... but try telling that to the media industry!

Today's TED talk comes from Cameron Russell about the subject of beauty.  Cameron, a model, knows first-hand how often people are judged based on the way we look.

Cameron Russell admits she won “a genetic lottery”: she's tall, pretty and a model. But don't judge her by her looks. In this fearless talk, she takes a critical look at the industry that had her looking highly seductive at barely 16 years old.

Take a look at her TED talk at This link.

TED Talk #13: Why Lunch Ladies are Heroes

Think about it...

Who's Your Hero?

Who are the people that you look up to?  The people that inspire you?  The people that you want to be like?



The people that may reside in your head... that you think sometimes, "What would _________ do?"

We all have them.  They may be super heroes, filling comic books with epic adventures, saving cities and fighting against evil.  They may be civil servants like firemen and police officers who put their lives on the line for strangers every day.  They may be professional heroes: doctors, writers, educators, artists, victorious in a specific line of work that we are a part of or hope to be one day.

They may be in the forefront, captivating everyone's attention.

But,
Maybe
They are the ones who smile, who notice, who care- annnnnnd maybe do a kung-fu-punch while serving up both justice and lunch.




To children's book author, Jarrett Kroscoczka, the lunch ladies he grew up with, became those heroes.   Their superpowers might be hidden and undercover, but quiet, unsung heroes have the power to change lives.



Check out Jarrett's TED talk as he shares the origins of the Lunch Lady graphic novel series, in which undercover school heroes serve lunch... and justice!  His new project, School Lunch Hero Day, reveals how cafeteria lunch staff provide more than food and illustrates how powerful a thank you can be.

Celebrate National Lunch Lady Appreciation Day this May 6th!