tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227108589192514182024-03-18T20:01:47.325-07:00Walton's Educational NewsletterThis newsletter is a great resource for students and parents. Updates will occur once a week.Links to various web pages that offer additional practice for student(s) in your home. I will also include research based instructional strategies that you can incorporate in your daily interaction with your child. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have by email.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-63855657007203572142014-12-20T07:46:00.002-08:002014-12-20T07:46:47.528-08:00Discovery Learning<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Discovery learning is a powerful instructional approach that guides and motivates learners to explore information and concepts, embrace new knowledge, and apply new behaviors to the learning experience.</div>
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Well-designed discovery learning educational sessions are highly experiential and interactive, using stories, games, simulations, visual maps and other techniques to grab attention, pique curiosity, build interest and lead participants along journey of discovery toward new thinking, actions and behaviors. When learners roll dice, move game pieces and respond to chance events, they're not only having fun - they're also deeply immersed in the discovery learning process.</div>
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Sometimes described as "learning by doing," discovery learning takes place in situations where learners draw on their own experiences and knowledge to solve problems. It is an inquiry-based educational method, encouraging participants to deal with realistic scenarios by exploring, experimenting and pondering a series of increasingly difficult challenges.</div>
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Discovery learning educational sessions incorporate three key ideas:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Problem Solving: They guide and motivate learners to find solutions by pulling together information and generalizing knowledge.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Learner Management: They allow participants, working solo or in small teams, to learn in their own ways and at their own pace.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Integrating and Connecting: They encourage integration of new knowledge into the learner's existing knowledge base and clearly connect to the real world.</li>
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Discovery learning has been on the educational forefront since the 1940s, when psychologist Jerome Bruner developed the first theories around the idea that perception is an active process. Aligned with the research of Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1980), Bruner expanded on the concept that people are better able to remember new information when they are able to connect it to something they already know.</div>
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Joyce Castronova identifies five characteristics of discovery learning that differentiates it from traditional learning models. First, learning is active and students must participate in hands-on and problem-solving activities rather than knowledge transfer. Secondly, Castronova suggests that discovery learning emphasizes the process instead of the end product, thus encouraging mastery and application. Thirdly, the lessons learned from failure within this model of instruction encourage the student to continue to search for solutions. Castronova also suggests that feedback is an essential part of the learning process and that collaboration and discussion allows students to develop deeper understandings. Finally, discovery learning satisfies natural human curiosity and promotes individual interests.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-24859703061683977752014-06-26T15:30:00.002-07:002014-06-26T15:30:06.255-07:00How to Read Informational Text<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The most important purpose of informational text is to convey information about the natural or social world, typically from someone presumed to know that information to someone presumed not to, with distinctive features such as headings and technical vocabulary to help accomplish that principle. By our definition, therefore, biography is nonfiction but is not informational text, because its primary purpose is to convey information about an individual’s life. Procedural or how-to text is also nonfiction, but not informational text because it’s primary purpose is to tell someone how to do something, not convey information about some thing. </div>
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Nonfiction narrative or “true stories” are also nonfiction but not informational text, because their primary purpose is to tell of an event or series of events that have occurred. This is not to say that biography, procedural text, nonfiction narrative, and other types of nonfiction are not important; they are just not the same as informational text.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Informational text is key to success in later schooling. We have all heard that from around fourth grade on, “reading to learn” is a major focus in school (Chall, 1983). Students encounter more textbooks and other forms of informational text as they move through the grades. The tests they take contain increasingly more difficult informational texts. College curricula are replete with a variety of informational readings. If we include more informational text in early schooling, we put children in a better position to handle the reading and writing demands of their later schooling. We would like to see a day when children “read to learn” and “learn to read” from the earliest days of school and throughout their school careers. The following is a listing of the five informational text structure:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Description<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Signal Words</u></b>: such as, for instance, in addition, also, specifically<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Tips</b></i>: Ask yourself: what specific person, place, thing, or idea is being described? Look for a topic word or phrase and for synonyms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Problem and Solution<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Signal Words:</u></b> problem, issue, since, as a result, solution, idea, so, leads to, causes<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Tips: </b></i>Ask yourself: what is the problem and what is the solution?</div>
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Look for the problem first and then the solution<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Compare and Contrast</div>
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<b><u>Signal Words: </u></b>similar, same, alike, both, as well as, unlike, as opposed to, on the other hand, in contrast, instead<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><i>Tips: </i></b>Ask yourself: what is being compared?</div>
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How are they the same? How are they different?<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Cause and Effect<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Signal Words</u></b>: since, because, if, due to, as a result of, causes, leads to, consequently, then, therefore<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Tips: </i></b>Ask yourself: what happened and why did it happen?</div>
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Remember, you are looking for a cause, not a solution.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Sequence<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Signal Words:</u></b> first, second, third, then, next, before, after, finally, following<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Tips: </i></b>Ask yourself: Is this event taking place over time?</div>
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Look for steps or references to time such as dates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="line-height: 32px;">When researchers investigate the kinds of texts children like to read, </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">they've</span><span style="line-height: 32px;"> found something that </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">isn't</span><span style="line-height: 32px;"> surprising: Different children have very different reading preferences. Some children seem to prefer informational text, some seem to prefer narrative text, and many don’t seem to have preferences for any particular genre. Utilizing these tips for understanding informational text will turn your young reader into an informed reader.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-67443096434014887692014-05-19T10:32:00.003-07:002014-05-19T10:32:42.921-07:00Summer Reading: Not Just for Kids!<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 6px 30px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Having a plethora of professional resources is a must for any great teacher. The following article was featured on TeachersFirst webpage. I wanted to share the great resources! </div>
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The lazy days of summer have arrived, and teachers have reason to relax. You brought your students through another year of content and relationship-building. You’ve helped them navigate their social circles and nudged them toward greater independence.</div>
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Now it’s time to take care of <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you!</em> It’s time to re-energize your spirit and reaffirm your dedication to this profession that you love. TeachersFirst is here to help. We know that in your day-to-day teaching life you might not have time to read all you’d like for your own professional growth and emotional well-being. This month we focus on some books to fuel your passion for education and reaffirm the impact that teachers have upon their students. </div>
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We’ll also introduce you to some blogs on the web (written by your teacher colleagues around the United States) that might inspire you. So grab your beach bag, your e-reader, and your library card, and let the words soak in and fortify you!</div>
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Inspiration in Print</div>
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<a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_print.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_print.cfm</a></div>
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Blogspiration</div>
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<a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_blog.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_blog.cfm</a></div>
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Refreshing ideas</div>
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<a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_ideas.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_ideas.cfm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_print.cfm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(215, 210, 230); color: #551a8b; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inspiration in Print</a> • <a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_blog.cfm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(215, 210, 230); color: #551a8b; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blogspirations</a> • <a href="http://www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/summer_ideas.cfm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(215, 210, 230); color: #551a8b; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Refreshing Ideas</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-56278781308204336102014-04-29T12:05:00.002-07:002014-04-29T12:05:39.696-07:00How to help your preschooler write.<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: arial; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1.4em 0px 0.4em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Letter Formation</h2>
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Try a few of these fun activities to help your <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">beginning writer</span> learn the correct strokes <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">when writing the letters of the alphabe</span>t:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #363636; font-family: verdana, Helvetica, Arial, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px 0.7em 1.6em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Air Writing.</strong> Have your child write letters in the air first. These large muscle movements will help your child process what she is writing and make it more likely to stick. As she writes the letter, have her say the letter name or the directions for writing the letter. For example, for the letter T, she might say, “Start at the top, go straight down. Pick up your pencil and cross it.”</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Foamy Fun.</strong> While your child is in the tub, spray a bit of shaving cream on the side of the tub or wall. On a hot day this is also fun to do outside, and your patio table will sparkle when you're done! Allow your child to practice writing letters, and then erase and try another set. A playful challenge will get your child even more excited to write.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kitchen Tracing.</strong> Pour a small amount of sand or salt in a cake pan or baking dish. Allow your child to practice tracing letters without the pressure of more permanent writing utensils such as markers and crayons. If she makes a mistake, she can simply erase what she wrote and try again.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paint Practice.</strong> For a non-messy alternative to fingerpaint, put a bit of fingerpaint inside a quart or gallon zipper bag. Remove the air, seal the bag and double the seal with some masking or duct tape. Your child can practice tracing letters on the outside of the bag, manipulating the paint with no mess or cleanup!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Learn Your Letters. </strong>When she is ready to move to paper, give her large sheets of paper and show her the strokes to make different letters. If you can give the letters human characteristics, it will be even more fun! (For example, a letter E is a straight line with a hat, a belt and a shoe.)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Name Writing</b></div>
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Before your child begins to write her name, she will need some practice identifying the letters in her name. Try a few of these fun name games and your child will master her John Hancock in no time!</div>
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If your child is young, she may find it easier to identify and write all uppercase letters first. Later on you can add the traditional written form with the first letter capitalized and the rest lowercase when you teach her to write her name the “kindergarten way.” Uppercase letters are much easier to distinguish and write — for example, B, D, P and Q rather than b, d, p and q. Most young children do not have the fine motor control necessary to form lowercase letters and can become quickly frustrated.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Puzzle Practice. Make a name puzzle by writing your child’s name in large letters on a sheet of paper. Cut the letters apart and have your child reassemble the letters of her name in the correct order. Click here for more info on how to make your own name puzzle.</li>
<li>Sand Writing. Write the letters of your child’s name on a sheet of sandpaper. Allow her to trace the letters with her finger for a tactile name experience!</li>
<li>Trace the Name. When she is ready to begin writing her name, write the letters in large letters on a big sheet of paper. Have your child first trace the letters with her finger several times, then the eraser side of the pencil, and then the pencil. Use a dab of paint on the end of her pointer finger to add a bit of color and even more multisensory practice tracing over the letters.</li>
</ul>
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The exciting journey of reading and writing begins with the alphabet. Give your child a great start to a lifetime of writing by providing hands-on experiences with writing. These playful interactions will go a long way in creating a positive attitude about writing for your child!</div>
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<img height="480" src="http://deborahjstewart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IMG_0176-300x225.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-13636694575174473552014-03-28T00:28:00.001-07:002014-03-28T00:28:46.253-07:00Unplanned Motherhood: Web Series: Episode 3 "Don't Touch the Spoon" (+pl...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-NUaJIE1C2E" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-80472786819632972062014-03-25T08:56:00.001-07:002014-03-25T08:56:30.738-07:00Unplanned Motherhood. A fantastic new web series. Please view and share!<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21778" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
Calling all mothers, teachers, grandparents and kids! A new web series that will surely tickle your funnybone will debut on March 28, 2014!<br /><br /><br /><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21924">YouTube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/lenasledge" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21923" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">www.YouTube.com/lenasledge</a></span><br /><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21919">Website: <a href="http://www.lenasledge.com/" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21926" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">www.lenasledge.com</a></span><br /><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21916">Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/unplannedmotherhood" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21915" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Facebook.com/unplannedmotherhood</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21928">Unplanned Motherhood is a comedy web series for perfectly imperfect families, starring Lena Sledge as Layla, a wife and mother of five that gives parenting advice on her real life mommy blog. Her unique parenting style at home contradicts her perfect parenting advice which lends to a distinct brand of humor. With each episode we see Layla teaching her kids life lessons as she discovers more about herself and the advice she gives to her readers. Unique to this web series is the actual blog that Layla writes where she gives the perfect parenting advice and after many of her posts, follows the tag line; to see how I really handled the situation watch this week's episode. This web series is special because the viewers of the web series and the readers of the real life blog get to interact with Layla and let her know if her advice is on the money or share their own parenting advice. Stay tuned. Unplanned Motherhood debuts March 28th!!!!</span></div>
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Thanks!!! </div>
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<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21942" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
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<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21788" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">I've included a sneak peek to Unplanned Motherhood as well. Below is the synopsis. </span><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;" /><a href="http://youtu.be/x-RiqQYMyFI" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395759045109_21921" rel="nofollow" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/x-RiqQYMyFI</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-75926504561822594392014-02-28T07:58:00.001-08:002014-02-28T07:58:57.854-08:00Hyper Kid or Kinesthetic Learner?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">While many children
have no problem learning their reading, writing and arithmetic by sitting at an
assigned desk and completing worksheets, many others </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">aren't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> so lucky. They have
trouble sitting at their desks for extended periods of time; they need to move
around and touch things to learn most effectively.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In the past, these kids
were considered hyperactive and difficult. Now we know better. These students </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> being difficult. They just learn differently. They are kinesthetic
learners. They learn best when they can move around and engage their small and
large muscle groups. Oftentimes, kinesthetic learners feel their way of
learning </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">isn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> as good because they can’t “sit and do the work,” but there are
lots of ways to maximize their learning style.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kinesthetic
Learners Usually:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Move around a lot</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Like to touch people they’re talking to</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tap their pencil or foot while doing
schoolwork</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Enjoy physical activities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Take frequent breaks when studying</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Do not spend a lot of time reading</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have difficulty spelling correctly</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Like to solve problems by physically
working through them</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Like to try new things</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Are coordinated and agile</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Are considered hyperactive</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Express their feelings physically, such
as hugging and hitting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Move their hands when they talk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dress for comfort, instead of style</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Lie on the floor or bed when studying</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Enjoy touching things</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have difficulty sitting still for
extended periods of time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Excel in athletics and the performing
arts</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Strategies
to Help Kinesthetic Learners Succeed:</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Provide your child with hands-on learning
tools, including:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">An abacus (a manual math tool with
horizontal rods and moveable beads)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Modeling clay</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Number lines</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Models</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sandpaper or carpet (Children can use
their finger to trace letters and draw shapes on textured surfaces to help
retain the information.)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Drawing materials</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Puzzles</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wooden numbers and letters</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Globes and maps</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Blocks and cubes</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Felt boards</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Computers</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A geoboard with rubber bands (a square
board with pegs used to teach shapes and geometric concepts)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Provide your child with hands-on
learning opportunities, including:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Experiments</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Field trips</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Role-playing</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
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</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Games</span><!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Kinesthetic learners do
things differently, but that </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">doesn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> mean they do them worse. Encourage your
child to study in several short blocks of time, instead of one extended time
period. Teach concepts with concrete examples; for example, teach "greater
than" and "less than" with a crocodile puppet, rather than just
numbers on a chalkboard. Have your child memorize information while moving.
Kids can walk, skip or jump rope as they're learning the material. They don't
need to sit at a desk, at least at home! Encourage your child to clap out
sounds or syllables in words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With a little help,
kinesthetic learners can find tricks and techniques that make the system work
in their favor. They just need some motion with their math, some rev with their
reading. So get moving on getting them on the move!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-88675382747553737522014-02-10T09:29:00.000-08:002014-02-10T09:29:14.918-08:00Vocabulary Strategies and Interactive "FUN" Vocabulary Websites.Vocabulary instruction experts all recommend a multi-component approach to developing vocabulary<br />
knowledge. Graves (2000) has advocated a four-part program that includes wide reading, teaching individual words, teaching word learning strategies, and fostering word consciousness. Stahl’s model (1999) sees vocabulary instruction as an ongoing process that involves using different approaches:<br />
<br />
1. Include both definitional information and contextual information about each word’s meaning.<br />
2. Involve children more actively in word learning.<br />
3. Provide multiple exposures to meaningful information about the word.<br />
<br />
The TRA (Teacher Reading Academy, 2002) professional development materials were developed by the<br />
University of Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts in Austin and distributed throughout the country through the federally sponsored Reading First program (part of the No Child Left Behind legislation). The TRA materials identify the following research-based components for effective vocabulary instruction:<br />
<br />
1. Encourage wide reading<br />
2. Expose students to high-quality oral language<br />
3. Promote word consciousness<br />
4. Teach word meaning directly<br />
5. Teach independent word-learning strategies, including the use of context clues, the use of word parts, and<br />
the efficient use of the dictionary<br />
<br />
To help make this learning experience fun, interactive webpages on vocabulary are listed below:<br />
<a href="https://www.vocabulary.co.il/" target="_blank">https://www.vocabulary.co.il/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/" target="_blank">http://www.spellingcity.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.funbrain.com/words.html" target="_blank">http://www.funbrain.com/words.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary_games.html" target="_blank">http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary_games.html</a><br />
<br />
<img height="224" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrUrIz0oMA-nzUVrTwg4q8fYiux9F80yw6yCrM806sn1aS7UKZ" width="400" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-11453844254164138712014-02-02T18:12:00.001-08:002014-02-02T18:12:52.713-08:00A World Without Black People, What Would That Be Like?<div style="background-color: white; color: #515050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
During slavery, most black slaves were denied formal education and in fact many laws were passed in the South prohibiting slave literacy in the aftermath of various slave rebellions. Even free blacks in the century before and after <a href="http://www.infoplease.com/id/A0001248" style="color: #2d88ac; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">the Civil War</a> were limited in their access to mainstream, quality education and vocational training.</div>
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This limited education and training meant that, for the most part, blacks were shut out of professional occupations and confined to working in industries deemed acceptable for them, such as domestic services, some manual trades, and agriculture. Nevertheless a small number of exceptionally talented blacks were able to obtain an education and, through their life's work, make significant contributions to American life.</div>
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Have you ever wondered what the world would be like without the contributions of African Americans? I invite you to share a fantastic story that answers that questions for kids. Please click on the link below to read about "Theo" a little boy who asked that very question. Enjoy, read, and learn!</div>
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<a href="http://emeagwali.com/african-american/inventors/world-without-african-american-inventors.html" target="_blank">http://emeagwali.com/african-american/inventors/world-without-african-american-inventors.html</a></div>
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<img alt="Black History Month" src="http://i.infopls.com/images/FeatureHeaders-Black.jpg" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-42603657236337732002014-01-27T10:04:00.000-08:002014-01-27T10:04:14.692-08:00What does it mean to be "College Ready?"<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> This new center of
attention on college readiness requires an understanding of what it means to be
"college-ready" and where high school students currently stand on
that score. Answering these questions must begin by being more explicit about
precisely which sets of knowledge and skills shape college access and
performance and how best to measure those skills. The four main areas of skill
development that’s critical in shaping college readiness: content knowledge and
basic skills, core academic skills, non-cognitive skills and norms of
performance, and "college knowledge."</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Content knowledge and basic skills are
foundational to the understanding of academic disciplines and are often
specific to a given subject area, such as knowledge of different literary
techniques in the field of English. </span></li>
<li><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Core
academic skills, such as writing and analytic thinking, are not
subject-specific, but rather allow students to engage in work in a range of
disciplines.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Non-cognitive skills include a range of
behaviors that reflect greater student self-awareness, self-monitoring, and
self-control—study skills, work habits, time management, help-seeking behavior,
and social problem-solving skill.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">"College knowledge" includes the
information and skills that allow students to successfully navigate the complex
college admissions and financial aid processes, as well as develop an
understanding of college norms and culture.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This is just a brief definition to allow parents identify and
research the main areas of being “college ready.” Being able to identify these
four areas will assist parents identifying the task necessary for their child
to be college ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-11064426730827859882013-12-29T02:52:00.001-08:002013-12-29T02:52:17.364-08:00Common Core Connections: The Power of Poetry<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 6px 30px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Assess students' ideas about poetry. </strong>What do they already know--or think they know-- about poetry? Does their background include exposure to nursery rhymes, jump-rope chants, and simple songs? These are natural pathways to poetry.<br />Introduce questions such as:</div>
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What is a poem? How are poems different from other things we read?</div>
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Why do people write poems? Why do people read poems? Do you know any poems?</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Complete an activity that gets students thinking about the vast array of poetry choices.</strong>Assemble a large collection of poetry books for them to examine in small groups. Rubber-band “like” books together (books of poems by one author, anthologies, thematic poetry books, etc.) and challenge students to discover why they are banded together. How are they alike? How is one bundle different from another?</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Embrace poetry and look for ways to incorporate more of it into your program</strong>. For example, poetry can provide mini-breaks during the day as you transition from one thing to another, or experience “wait” time before an event or activity. Anthologies of poetry for children usually include poems with topics such as friendship, seasonal experiences, the weather, food, holidays, etc. so it is easy to find themed poetry to share—at Morning Meeting, calendar time, science, just before or after lunch. Assemble a collection of favorites over time that can be typed, bound, and added to your classroom library, or framed and hung in spots around the room. You could even create a few poetry slides to show as the “standby” screen on your projector or interactive whiteboard before you start a new lesson or as students enter the room from recess. Collect a few class favorites that can reappear like visits from an old friend. Return to these periodically and discuss why they have become class favorites.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide lots of poetry in your classroom library</strong>. In the same way that you have shifted your instruction to include more informational text, be deliberate in your plans to purchase more poetry anthologies, picture story books set in rhyme, and poetry works by single authors. Scour children’s magazines for single pages of poetry that you can laminate and include in a poetry tub. You will want to be sure to have a variety of poetry types and poetic forms. (Students who only know the humorous work of poets like Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein will need to broaden their scope.)</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Find poems about items in your classroom and post them near the item as a way of calling attention to them</strong>. Poets take ordinary things and look at them in fresh, new ways. Use books like Valerie Worth's <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All the</em> <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small Poems and Fourteen More </em>and Jane Yolen's <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Least Things: Poems about Small Natures</em>to expand the way we think about everyday objects, living things, and occurrences.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Experience the joy of poetry using different modalities. </strong>Singing, creative movement, drawing and painting can all be ways for students to connect with a poem.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be sure to provide ways for students to <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">share </em>their thoughts and to make their thinking about poems <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">visible. </em></strong>Remember that students will “dig deeper” in a <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">social context</em> as they discuss interpretations with peers, an important speaking and listening skill. Model for students how to hold meaningful discussions with partners, giving open prompts such as “It made me think of,” “It made me feel,” “I didn't understand,” etc. Provide older students with <strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">poetry response journals</strong> in which they collect words and phrases that stood out for them. Encourage them to “lift a line” and free-write about it, to ask questions about confusing parts, to express feelings and personal connections, perhaps to try writing their own poem. Younger students might draw in the margins of poem copies, create mind pictures of what a poem helps them to visualize, and share sticky notes of portions that demonstrate sensory words or feeling words. Thoughts can be shared on T-charts, Venn diagrams, and graphic organizers.</div>
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" 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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-32338347421748730622013-11-24T15:40:00.001-08:002013-11-24T15:40:31.657-08:00STEM in Early Grades<div style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">
STEM—or science, technology, engineering and math—has become a big buzzword in educational circles in the last few years. However, our classrooms have not yet realized this potential as evidenced by a 2008 report, where in which the United States ranked 28<sup style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> worldwide in math literacy and 24<sup style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th </sup>in science literacy. Combine that with the fact that in US Department of Commerce research, workers in STEM fields earn 26% more than their counterparts and the job growth rate for STEM-related jobs is almost double that of non-stem occupations, and it's easy to see that STEM education is essential for our future economy not to mention to our kids’ future success. </div>
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By giving our kids the tools they need to succeed in STEM, we are giving them a huge leg up as they enter the job market. But when we think STEM, we think middle school and high school, robotics and chemistry—not first graders and the sand table.</div>
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Too often, STEM education begins with a dis joined introduction to engineering and technology concepts starting in middle school. And while any exposure to STEM is good, research study after research study on STEM education has shown that kids who experience STEM early through hands-on learning are the ones who will be best equipped to develop a strong understanding of STEM concepts as they get older. </div>
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So how can you make STEM part of what your students do in the classroom every day? As an early education teacher, your plate is likely already quite full. The standards are there: with the advent of The Common Core along with the new Next Generation Science Standards, teachers have access to solid, research-based curricular guidelines for STEM education. But the everyday tools and the practical age-appropriate lesson plans can be a bit harder to come by.</div>
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In order to learn how early education teachers can effectively introduce STEM concepts, we sat down with Dr. Shelley Green, a professor of STEM education at Nova Southeastern University to talk about how busy elementary teachers can get a handle on STEM education in a way that's meaningful and effective. Dr. Green helped us boil it down to the four essential tasks that teachers can do in order to lead their students to successful STEM education.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-26808868863526677202013-11-17T19:47:00.000-08:002013-11-17T19:47:02.344-08:00 Tantrums...Tips on how to avoid them! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It never fails! Walking through a store and you hear a blood curdling scream of a kid having a temper tantrum over a snack, or cereal, or a toy, and the parent walking along like the shrieking of their kid does not bother them at all. Temper tantrums, what are they and how do we avoid them? C<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; line-height: 20px;">hildren of this age group are discovering a will of their own, but they do not yet have the language that they need to express themselves, nor do they have the ability to regulate their own emotions when they do not get what they want right away. Your job as the adult is to help them improve both types of skills. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try some of the following ideas to help avoid tantrums, or at least make them less frequent and less intense:</span></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #363636; line-height: 20px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1em 2.4em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try the best you can to prepare ahead of time to prevent unnecessary problems. Children do need to learn to deal with small amounts of frustration, since they will encounter many times in their lives when they cannot get their way, but you should make your own life easier by avoiding situations that might set your child off. For example, do not start activities that your child enjoys if you will not have enough time to finish them. Never promise anything that you know you will not follow through on. Avoid beginning activities when your child is already hungry, tired, or cranky. Keep track of when your child tends to throw tantrums, including the time of day, the situation, and particular stressors that make a tantrum more likely, and try to keep these factors to a minimum. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you see a tantrum building, try to distract your child by focusing his attention on something else. Young children respond quite well to music, so try singing his favorite song. Know that this strategy will not always work, but it's worth a try. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes tantrums arise because young children are testing the boundaries of their new-found independence. Give your child some sense of independence by giving her choices. However, make sure to word the choices in a way that makes it clear that what you want is non-negotiable. For example, she has to get dressed right now to go to preschool, but she can pick the outfit she wants to wear. Allow her to do so, even if she does not end up with a matching outfit.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once a tantrum begins, the best policy is usually to make sure that your child is physically safe, and then ignore him. Do not try to argue or reason with a child in the throes of a tantrum, as you will just be setting yourself up for a frustrating power struggle. Think about yourself – are you likely to listen to reason while you are in the grip of overwhelming emotions, or do you just need to vent?</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not let yourself get angry about the tantrum to the point where you think you will lose control and say or do something that you will later regret. No matter how hard it may be, force yourself to stay calm. If you cannot do so, excuse yourself for a minute until you regain control. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your children are always watching you, so make sure that you are modeling good behavior for dealing with your own frustrating emotions as they arise. Let your child know when something has upset you by labeling the feeling, and then show how you relax, such as taking five deep breaths, or saying that you need five minutes alone to calm down. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the tantrum is over, let your child know that you were not happy with his behavior, but then find something positive to say, such as how proud you are of how quickly he was able to calm himself down. Say, “I’m so glad that you are feeling better now,” give him a hug, and then channel him into an activity to avoid dwelling on what just happened.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your child has tried to hit, kick, or bite someone else, respond to that particular behavior, not to the tantrum. Remind him that hurting others physically is never tolerated and deliver the normal consequences for these behaviors.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not embarrass your child by making fun of his behavior. Do not hold a grudge and bring up the tantrum again in the future.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite how tempting it may be to give in and let the child have her way just to end a seemingly never-ending tantrum, do not do so. You will be teaching her one major lesson: that throwing a tantrum will eventually get her exactly what she wants if she holds out long enough. Think about the long-term consequences of teaching her this lesson. Tantrums are certainly unpleasant when children are young, but consider a tantrum in an older child or teenager. It is best to set patterns as early as possible so that your child learns that screaming and crying is not the way to get what she wants, from you or anyone else. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It may be embarrassing to have a child throw a tantrum in a crowded place, but try to remember that your concern is your child and not strangers. As calmly as you can, pick up your child and take him to a quiet place, such as the car, so he can calm down. Let him know that as soon as he calms down, you will be able to return to what you were doing. Do not show impatience or anger through your facial expressions or tone of voice. Try to stay impassive and let him know that he is not getting to you. </span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 5px 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tantrums may be the only way that your child feels that she can get your attention. Make sure that you are giving her lots of positive attention for good behaviors, and that you are setting aside as much time as possible, even just a few minutes every day, to spend alone with your child, only focusing on her. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of the time, tantrums are nothing to worry about. If you set your limits firmly and do not give in to the desires underlying the tantrums, children should learn fairly quickly that throwing tantrums do not work. If you are sticking to your limits and showing your child that he cannot upset you, but he continues to have tantrums 2-3 times per day, or the tantrums last longer than 15-20 minutes, you should contact your pediatrician for assistance. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-64525082831409663802013-10-31T17:31:00.000-07:002013-10-31T17:32:51.879-07:00Four Year Old Preschooler Development<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
There is no one like your child</h4>
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Every child's development is unique and complex. Although children develop through a generally predictable sequence of steps and milestones, they may not proceed through these steps in the same way or at the same time. A child's development is also greatly influenced by factors in his or her environment and the experiences he or she has. The information in this guide explains what child development experts consider to be "widely-held expectations" for what an average child might achieve within a given year. Please consider what you read in the context of your child's unique development.</div>
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Below is a snapshot of this year. For more in-depth information click on the specific areas of development in the menu at the left.</div>
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How your child may develop this year</h3>
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When it comes to learning, four-year-olds are developing greater self-control and ingenuity. Their pretend play is more complex and imaginative and can be sustained for longer periods. They can also make plans and complete tasks. Four-year-olds want to try new experiences. They also want to be more self-reliant and seek to expand the areas of their lives where they can be independent decision-makers.</div>
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The language skills of four-year-olds expand rapidly. They begin communicating in complex and compound sentences, have very few pronunciation errors and expand their vocabularies daily. They can follow multi-step directions and understand explanations given for things they can see. Four-year-olds frequently initiate conversations and are less likely to change the subject of conversation to areas of personal interest. They are also getting better at sharing personal experiences without prompts from adults.</div>
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Four-year-olds are building their knowledge of written language. They want to know what words in their environment say and can recognize many letters. By the end of this year, many children understand that letters represent the sounds in spoken words and may associate some letters with their sounds. Most children also are capable of writing some legible letters and know that writing goes from left-to-right and top to bottom.</div>
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Four-year-olds have an increased capacity for learning math concepts. They use logical reasoning to solve everyday problems and can effectively use language to compare and describe objects and shapes. They can count to "ten," recognize written numerals "0" to "9" and add and subtract using numbers up to "four." Four-year-olds know some variations of a circle, square, triangle and rectangle. They know days of the week, months and the seasons, but still cannot tell time.</div>
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Children this age can engage in long periods of active play and exercise. They are skillful at walking, climbing, jumping, hopping, skipping, marching and galloping. They also are better able to throw, catch, kick and bounce balls. Improved finger dexterity allows them to hold writing tools with a more mature, tripod grip. Advances in hand-eye coordination help four-year-olds do puzzles, play with toys that have small parts and dress and undress without assistance.</div>
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Four-year-olds approach the world with great curiosity and use their imaginations to help understand it. Hands-on explorations help them to separate reality from fantasy. They can participate in the planning and implementation of simple scientific investigations and over the course of the year, will increase their abilities to make observations, gather information, compare data, identify patterns, describe and discuss observations and form explanations and generalizations.</div>
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Emotionally, four-year-olds continue to learn what causes certain feelings and realize that others may react to the same situation differently. They have learned to better manage intense emotions with coping strategies like talking it out or drawing a picture. Four-year-olds also show further progress in their social interactions with peers, such as by smoothly joining in a group play situation, being sympathetic to others, or suggesting ways to resolve conflicts.</div>
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In exploring the creative arts, children this age can identify changes in pitch, tempo, loudness and musical duration. They can sing songs of their own creation as well as memorized ones. Their art begins to be more realistic and may incorporate letters. Four-year-olds love to dance and are able to move rhythmically and smoothly. Their dramatic play is highly imaginative and now has the structure of specific scenarios, like going to the grocery store or rescuing a cat stuck in a tree.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-67132761748562008812013-09-17T08:33:00.001-07:002013-09-17T08:33:21.792-07:00Tips for diagramming sentences.<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
When diagramming sentences, the easiest way to start is to identify the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence. </div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Identify your subject (What is the sentence about?)</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Identify your verb (What is the subject of the sentence doing?)</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">List any adjectives or <a href="http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/adverbs/List-of-Adverbs.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3995d9; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;">adverbs</a> (Words or phrases that modify a subject, object or verb)</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">List any prepositional or modifying phrases (Phrases that modify, or provide additional information, about something in the sentence)</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Determine whether you have one independent clause or whether there is a dependent <a href="http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/Grammar-Clause.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3995d9; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;">clause</a> (Dependent clauses are clauses that can't stand alone)</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">List interjections, articles, modifiers and other parts of speech</li>
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Once you have identified the different parts of the sentence and thought about how they fit together, it is easy to begin your diagram.</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Your subject and verb go on your base line, with a straight line between them</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases and modifying phrases go below your base line, on slanted lines below the thing they are modifying</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dependent clauses have their own base line, and the sentences are connected with dotted lines and the conjunction.</li>
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Diagramming sentences can be difficult at first, especially with complex sentences. However, it can help provide you with a deep understanding of grammar rules and parts of speech. The best way to get better at diagramming sentences is to practice.</div>
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<img height="640" src="http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/articles/lg/702.DiagrammedSentances.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-86067880839327269512013-09-02T18:52:00.001-07:002013-09-02T18:54:19.598-07:00How Parents Can Support the Common Core Reading Standards<div style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Common Core State Standards are national standards that say what K-12 students are expected to learn in math and the English language arts. For older students, the standards expand to include literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects.</div>
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Despite the complexities of the standards, there are several basic ways parents can support their child's learning. The recommendations below line up with the four broad areas of the Common Core reading standards: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas, and Range and Level of Complexity.</div>
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Key Ideas and Details</h2>
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<strong>What it means:</strong> Your child will be encouraged to carefully read many books and texts. Within these texts, your child will be working to understand what is happening, summarize key events or points and recall details important to the story or topic.</div>
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<strong>How parents can help:</strong> After you share a story, talk about important story elements such as beginning, middle and end. Encourage your child to retell or summarize the reading. After reading nonfiction, ask questions about the information, "Is the spider an insect? How is a spider different than an insect?"</div>
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Craft and Structure</h2>
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<strong>What it means:</strong> The standards within this area (or "strand") focus on specifics within a book, for example, an author's specific word choices or phrases. A second emphasis relates to understanding the underlying structure of common types of texts, including storybooks, poems and more.</div>
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<strong>How parents can help:</strong> During and after reading, call attention to interesting words and phrases. This may include repeated phrases, metaphors or idioms ("sick as a dog," "a dime a dozen.") Talk about any new vocabulary and other ways the author used language or words to make the text interesting, informative, funny or sad.</div>
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Integration of Knowledge and Ideas</h2>
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<strong>What it means:</strong> Within this strand, students will be working to compare and contrast details from stories, describe key ideas using details in informational text, and tell how two texts on the same topic differ.</div>
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<strong>How parents can help:</strong> For younger students, encourage your child to describe how the illustrations within a book support the story. For older students, have fun reading different versions of the same fairy or folk tale. Talk about the similarities and differences between the two books. Then switch to nonfiction and read two books on the same topic. Compare the information in each, again focusing on similarities and differences. "Let's look at each book and think about the words used to describe weather. How are the descriptions alike? How are they different?"</div>
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Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity</h2>
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<strong>What it means:</strong> Teachers will be using a variety of techniques to introduce a range of books and other written material that both support and challenge a child's reading level. This may include nonfiction and fiction, infographics, poetry and more. This will be done with the ultimate goal of making sure students understand what they're reading.</div>
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<strong>How parents can help:</strong> Parents can help promote their child's skill while developing their reading stamina (ability to "stick with it."). This means helping them avoid frustration or anxiety about tackling a harder book. Support your reader by talking through some of the things that make a text complex, including multiple levels of meaning, inferred information (implied rather than clearly stated) or more sophisticated graphics.<br />
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<img src="http://www.westfield.ma.edu/personalpages/draker/edcom/final/fa10/sectionb/alphabetgarden/parents_and_their_677f.jpg" /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-62835625620389529942013-08-29T11:38:00.000-07:002013-08-29T11:38:10.570-07:0010 Steps to Improving Your Study Skills<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 6px;">
Improving your study skills can be the great educational equalizer. Effective studying is the one element guaranteed to produce good grades in school. But it is ironic that students are almost never taught how to study - effectively - in school.</div>
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Example: An important part of studying is note-taking, yet few students receive any instruction in this skill. At best, you are told simply, "You had better take notes," but not given any advice on what to record or how to use the material as a learning tool.</div>
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Fortunately, reliable data on how to study does exist. It has been scientifically demonstrated that one method of note-taking is better than another and that there are routes to more effective reviewing, memorizing and textbook reading as well. The following are 10 proven steps you can take to improve your study habits. I guarantee that if you really use them, your grades will improve.</div>
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1. Behavior modification can work for you.</h2>
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Use the association learning concept. Attempt, as nearly as possible, to study the same subject at the same time in the same place each day. You will find that, after a very short while, when you get to that time and place, you are automatically in the subject "groove."</div>
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Train your brain to think math on a time-place cue, and it will no longer take you 10 minutes a day to get in the math mood. Not only will you save the time and emotional energy you once needed to psych yourself up to do math, or whatever else, it will also help you remember more of what you are studying.</div>
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After studying, reinforce yourself by doing something want to do (watch television, go to a party). Experts know that positive reinforcement of a behavior (such as studying) will increase its frequency and duration.</div>
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2. Do not study more than an hour at a time without taking a break.</h2>
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In fact, if you are doing straight memorization, do not spend more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Here is the rationale behind taking such small bites out of study time.</div>
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First, when you are under an imposed time restriction, you use the time more efficiently. Have you noticed how much studying you manage to cram into the day before big exams? That is why it is called "cramming."</div>
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Second, psychologists say that you learn best in short takes. In fact, studies have shown that as much is learned in four one- hour sessions distributed over four days as in one marathon six- hour session during one day. That is because, between study times, while you are sleeping or eating or reading a novel, your mind subconsciously works on absorbing what you have learned. So it counts as study time, too.</div>
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Keep in mind when you are memorizing, whether it is math formulas or a foreign language or names and dates, that you are doing much more real learning more quickly than when you are reading a social studies text or an English essay.</div>
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The specialists say you will get your most effective studying done if you take a 10-minute break every hour. In fact, some good students study 45 minutes to an hour, and they take a five- to 10-minute break. The break is considered your reward and improves your learning over the next hour.</div>
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Dr. Walter Pauk, former Director of the Reading and Study Center at Cornell University, suggests you take that short break whenever you feel you need one. That way, you will not waste your time away by clock-watching and anticipating your break.</div>
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Another technique for keeping your mind from wandering while studying is to begin with your hardest or least favorite subject and work toward the easiest and/or the one you like best. Thus, your reward for studying the least favorite or hardest is studying the subject you like best. Try it; it works.</div>
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3. Separate the study of subjects that are alike.</h2>
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Brain waves are like radio waves. If there is not enough space between input, you get interference. The more similar the kinds of learning taking place, the more interference. So, separate your study periods for courses with similar subject matter. Follow your studying of math with an hour of Spanish or history, not chemistry or statistics.</div>
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4. Do not study when you are tired.</h2>
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Psychologists have found that everyone has a certain time of day when he or she gets sleepy. Do not try to study during that time (but do not go to sleep either - it hardly ever refreshes). Instead, schedule some physical activity for that period, such as recreation. If you have a stack of schoolwork, use that time to sort your notes or clear up your desk and get your books together or study with a friend.</div>
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5. Prepare for your class at the best time.</h2>
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If it is a lecture course, do your studying soon after class; if it is a course in which students are called on to recite or answer questions, study before class. After the lecture, you can review and organize your notes. Before the recitation classes, you can spend your time memorizing, brushing up on your facts and preparing questions about the previous recitation. Question-posing is a good technique for helping the material sink in and for pinpointing areas in which you need more work.</div>
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6. Use the best note-taking system for you.</h2>
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Quite a bit of research has been done on note-taking, and one system has emerged as the best. Use 81/2-by-11-inch loose-leaf paper and write on just one side. (This may seem wasteful, but it is one time when economizing is secondary.) Take the time to rule your page as follows:</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 2px;">If the course is one in which lecture and text are closely related, use the 2-3-3-2 technique: Make columns of two inches down the left-hand side for recall clues, three inches in the middle for lecture notes and three inches on the right side for text notes. Leave a two-inch space across the bottom of the page for your own observations and conclusions. See Figure 20 (Three-Column Note-Taking System).</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">If it is a course where the lectures and the reading are not closely related, use separate pages for class notes and reading notes, following the 2-5-1 technique: Two inches at left for recall clues, five in the middle for lecture notes and an inch at the right for observations and conclusions. (After a while, you will not need to draw actual lines.)</li>
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You have most likely taken your lecture notes in the form that evolved during your years of schooling. You have also probably evolved your own shorthand system, such as using a "g" for all "-ing" endings, an ampersand (&) for "and," and abbreviations for many words (e.g., govt. for government and evaptn. for evaporation).</div>
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The recall clue column is the key to higher marks. As soon as possible after you have written your notes, take the time to read them over - not studying them, just reading them. Check right away, while it is all still fresh, to see whether you have left out anything important or put down anything incorrectly, and make changes.</div>
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After reviewing what you have written, set down recall clue words to the topics in your notes. These clue words should not repeat information but should designate or label the kind of information that is in your notes. They are the kind of clues you would put on "crib sheets."</div>
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<b>Example:</b> To remember the information contained so far in this section on note-taking, you need just the following clues: 8 1/2-by-11, loose-leaf, one side: 2-3-3-2 or 2-5-1. As you can see, they are simply memory cues to use later on in your actual studying.</div>
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Dr. Robert A. Palmatier, Assistant Professor of Reading Education at the University of Georgia, suggests that you study for tests in the following manner:</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Take out your loose leaf pages and shift them around so the order makes the most sense for studying.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Choose the first page and cover up the notes portion, leaving visible just the clues. See if you can recall the notes that go with the clues. As you get a page right, set it aside.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">If you are going to be taking a short-answer test, shuffle your note pages so that they are out of order. (That is why it is important to use just one side of the paper.) "This approach provides for learning without the support of logical sequence," Dr. Palmatier says, "thus, closely approximating the actual pattern in which the information must be recalled.'</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">If you are going to be taking an essay test, you can safely predict that "those areas on which the most notes are taken will most often be the areas on which essay questions will be based."</li>
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The beauty of the "recall clue word" note-taking method is that it provides a painless way to do the one thing proved to help you remember what you have learned - actively thinking about the notes and making logical sense of them in your mind. If, instead, you just keep going over your recorded notes, not only will you get bored, but you will be trying to memorize in the worst way possible.</div>
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7. Memorize actively, not passively.</h2>
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Researchers have found that the worst way to memorize -- the way that takes the most time and results in the least retention -- is to simply read something over and over again. If that is the way you memorize, forget it. Instead, use as many of your senses as possible.</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Try to <i>visualize</i> in concrete terms, to get a picture in your head. In addition to sight use sound: Say the words out loud and <i>listen</i> to yourself saying them.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Use association: Relate the fact to be learned to something personally significant or find a logical tie-in.</li>
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<b>Examples</b>: When memorizing dates, relate them to important events, the dates of which you already know. Use mnemonics: For example, the phrase "Every good boy does fine,", is used for remembering the names of the musical notes on the lines of the treble clef. Use acronyms, like OK4R, which is the key to remembering the steps in the reading method outlined in number 8, below.</div>
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8. Read and study at the same time.</h2>
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It really takes less time in the long run! Read with a purpose. Instead of just starting at the beginning and reading through to the end, you will complete the assignment much faster and remember much more if you first take the time to follow the OK4R method devised by Dr. Walter Pauk:</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>Overview</b> - Read the title, the introductory and summarizing paragraphs and all the headings included in the reading material. Then you will have a general idea of what topics will be discussed.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>K - Key Ideas</b> - Go back and skim the text for the key ideas (usually found in the first sentence of each paragraph). Also read the italics and bold type, bulleted sections, itemizations, pictures and tables.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>R1- Read</b> -your assignment from beginning to end. You will able to do it quickly, because you already know where the author is going and what he/she is trying to prove.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>R2 - Recall</b> - Put aside the text and say or write, in a few key words or sentences, the major points of what you have read. It has been proven that most forgetting takes place immediately after initial learning. Dr. Pauk says, "One minute spent in immediate recall nearly doubles retention of that piece of data!"</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>R3 - Reflect</b> - The previous step helps to fix the material in your mind. To cement it there forever, relate it to other knowledge; find relationships and significance for what you have read.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;"><b>R4 - Review</b> - This step does not take place right away. It should be done for the next short quiz, and then again for later tests throughout the term. Several reviews will make that knowledge indelibly yours.</li>
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9. Make up a color and sign system for text and notes.</h2>
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For your text, Dr. Palmatier suggests:</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Red for main ideas</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Blue for dates and numbers</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Yellow for supporting facts.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Circles, boxes, stars and checks in the margins can also be utilized to make reviewing easy.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 2px;">Make your own glossary of the words and concepts you do not know.</li>
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In your notebook, underline, star or otherwise mark the ideas which your teacher tells you are important: thoughts to which you are told you will be coming back later, items which you are warned to be common mistakes. Watch for the words - such as <i>therefore</i> and in <i>essence</i> - which tell you what is being summarized. Always record examples. In fact, in such subjects as math, your notes should consist<br />mainly of your teacher's examples.</div>
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Pay close attention in your note-taking until the last minute of class time. Often, a teacher gets sidetracked and runs out of time. He/she may jam up to a half-hour's content into the last five or 10 minutes of a lecture. Get down that packed-few minutes' worth. If necessary, stay on after class to get it all down.</div>
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10. Do not buy underlined textbooks.</h2>
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Of course, if the book does not belong to you, you will not be underlining at all. But if you underline, do it sparingly. The best underlining is not as productive as the worst note-taking.</div>
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Over-underlining is a common fault of students; only the key words in a paragraph should be underlined. It should be done in ink or felt-tip highlighter, and it should be done only after you have finished the "OK" part of your OK4R reading.</div>
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If you are buying your books secondhand, never buy one that has already been underlined. You may tend to rely on it, and you have no idea whether the hand that helped the pencil got an "A" or a " F" in the course! If, due to availability or finances, you have to buy an underlined textbook, mark it in a different color.</div>
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Research has proven that it is not how much time you study that counts but how well you study during that time. In fact, in at least one survey, students who studied more than 35 hours a week came out with poorer grades than those who studied less.</div>
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<b>Remember</b>: Use your study time wisely, and you too will come out ahead.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-91690895326450496192013-08-24T10:33:00.003-07:002013-08-24T10:33:47.820-07:005 Steps To Choosing The Correct Day Care<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tart Early </strong><br />Start looking as far in advance as you can. No matter what type of care you are considering - a child care center or care in someone else's home - finding the right child care option can take some time.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make a Call </strong><br />Begin your search by calling your local experts - your Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. CCR&Rs can give you the facts about child care, and a list of child care options in your area that may meet your needs. In addition to what is in this brochure, make sure to ask your CCR&R:</div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the licensing requirements in my area?</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I get information about complaints and licensing violations?</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Does my family qualify for any child care financial assistance programs?</li>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit and Ask Questions</strong><br />Visit the child care options you are considering. Find out about these key indicators of quality:</div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Adult to Child Ratio. </strong>Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the children for each adult, the better for your child. You want your child to get plenty of attention. The younger your child, the more important this is. Babies need an adult to child ratio of no more than 1:4 (one adult for four infants), while four-year-olds can do well with a ratio of 1:10 (one adult for 10 children).</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Group Size. </strong>Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group, the better. Imagine a group of 25 two-year olds with five adults, compared to a group of 10 with two adults. Both groups have the same adult to child ratio. Which would be calmer and safer? Which would be more like a family?</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Caregiver Qualifications. </strong>Ask about the caregivers' training and education. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child learn. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills? Do they attend classes and workshops?</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Turnover. </strong>Check how long caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their homes. It's best if children stay with the same caregiver at least a year. Caregivers who come and go make it hard on your child. Getting used to new caregivers takes time and energy that could be spent learning new things.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Accreditation. </strong>Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. Providers that are accredited have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements.The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the two largest organizations that accredit child care programs.</li>
</ul>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make a Choice</strong><br />Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice for your child and family.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay Involved</strong><br />The work isn't over when you find good care for your child. You and your child's caregiver are partners now.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here are some ways to be involved:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #262626; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 26.390625px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 15px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly, and ask questions.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Offer to volunteer time when needed, like participating in clean up days, fixing broken toys.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be there for your child's birthday party.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Join in special events, like field trips, Career Day, Black History Month, or other holidays.</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Even if you can't get time off from work during the day, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Ask the caregiver how things are going, and how your child is doing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Visiting and participating in events at your child's provider sends a strong message. It tells your child and your child's caregiver that you think what your child is doing and learning is important.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img src="http://woolworthsbabyandtoddlerclub.com.au/images/imageLibrary/choosing-the-right-day-care-for-your-toddler-454.jpg" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-35613435929303457512013-06-12T05:03:00.001-07:002013-06-12T05:03:32.859-07:00How to Write a Book ReportBefore you write, read. There’s no substitute for reading
the book. Choose a book you’ll enjoy—reading should be fun, not a chore! Read
with a pen and paper at your side. Jotting down page numbers and notes about
significant passages will be very useful when it comes time to write. Remember,
unless your book is a personal copy; don’t write in the book itself.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Use a Book Report Outline</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After reading the book, you are ready to start the writing
process. In writing a book report, or any writing prompt, you’ll find writing
easier if you follow the proven steps of the writing process: pre-writing,
writing, revising, editing, and publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the first step, pre-writing, you’ll plan what you want to
say. An outline is a great pre-writing tool for book reports. Start your book
report outline with the following five ideas. Each idea should correspond to a
paragraph:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Introduction<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. Summary of Book<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. Book Details: Characters<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4. Book Details: Plot<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5. Evaluation and Conclusion</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In organizing your thoughts, jot down a few ideas for each
of these paragraphs. Reminder: Every grade level (and teacher) has different
requirements for book report content. Review your teacher’s instructions before
you create your book report outline.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Introductory Paragraph</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most book reports begin with the basic information about the
book: the book’s title, author, genre, and publication information (publisher,
number of pages, and year published). The opening paragraph is also your
opportunity to build interest by mentioning any unusual facts or circumstances
about the writing of the book or noteworthy credentials of the author. Was the
book a bestseller? Is the author a well-known authority on the subject? Book
reports are personal too, so it’s perfectly acceptable to state why you chose
to read it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>What’s the Book About?</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the body of the book report—paragraphs 2, 3, and 4—you’ll
describe what the book is about. This is your chance to show you have read and
understood the book. Assuming you have read a fiction book, here are helpful
writing tips:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u><span style="color: red;">Summary:</span></u></i> Start this paragraph by writing an overview of the
story, including its setting, time period, main characters, and plot. Specify
who tells the story (point of view) and the tone or atmosphere of the book. Is
it a creepy tale of suspense or a lighthearted adventure?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u><span style="color: red;">Character Details:</span></u></i> In this paragraph, describe the main
characters and identify the major conflict or problem the main characters are
trying to solve. You can also write another paragraph about the other
characters in the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u><span style="color: red;">Plot Details:</span></u></i> In writing about the plot, you don’t need to
tell every detail of the story. Instead, focus on the main sequence of events.
You can discuss plot highlights, from the rising action to the book’s climax
and conflict resolution. Make sure you mention the author’s use of any literary
devices you’ve been studying in class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Book Reports on Non-fiction</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are writing a book report on a biography or other
factual text, you’ll want to devote the body of your book report to a
description of the book’s subject and the author’s points of view. Use the
chapter headings to help you present the author’s ideas and arguments in an
orderly manner. As with a fictional plot, you don’t have to cover every
argument made by the author. Instead, choose the main ideas and the ones most
interesting to you. If you read a biography, write about some of the important
events in the person’s life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Personal Evaluation and Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’ll like writing the final paragraph because it is here
that you’ll be able to offer your own critique of the book. What are the book’s
strengths and weaknesses? Did the book hold your interest? What did you learn
from the book? If you read a work of fiction, how did the book affect you? If
you read non-fiction, where you swayed by the author’s arguments? Try to be
balanced in your opinions, and support your statements with examples from the
book. Give your honest opinion of the book and whether or not you would
recommend it to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Revising, Editing, and Publishing</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After you have drafted your book report, you’re ready to
follow the next three steps of the writing process: revising, editing, and
publishing. Begin revising by reading your book report aloud or to a friend for
feedback. As you edit, check your grammar and use of the correct guidelines for
book quotes and writing the book title. Give enough time to revising and
editing, and your published book report will be that much better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fKWt4ms9GIVmhZOvOpSXrETVp26vEco85gz3qjF82Gl4mEIWn4lY3JV09-c-I_fectIA1ZNU9MuMWAch41vpE4ZPbnia0vKOcxhe8IT9ufO40mms9605CxTGSz-EW0xAMqoEZmZB3fzM/s1600/book_report.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-39247970550867613012013-05-30T18:25:00.001-07:002014-12-08T21:20:34.037-08:00How to Make Your Teaching Culturally Relevant. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Educators should develop a learning environment that is applicable
to and thoughtful of their students' social, cultural, and linguistic experiences.
Educators act as guides, mediators, consultants, instructors, and advocates for
the students, helping to effectively connect their culturally- and
community-based knowledge to the classroom learning experiences. Research has
shown that a key principle for culturally relevant teaching is nurturing and
supporting skills in both home and school cultures. Teachers should use the
students' home cultural experiences as a base upon which to develop knowledge
and skills. Content learned in this way is more momentous to the students and
facilitates the transfer of what is learned in school to real-life situations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<b><u> What does that look like in the classroom?</u></b></h3>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Learn about students'
cultures<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
students share artifacts from home that reflect their culture<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
students write about traditions shared by their families<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
students research different aspects of their culture<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Vary teaching approaches
to accommodate diverse learning styles and language proficiency<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">Initiate
cooperative learnin<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3622710858919251418" name="citepadron"></a>g<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
students participate in book clubs or literature circles <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3622710858919251418" name="citedaniels"></a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Use
student-directed discussion groups<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Speak
in ways that meet the comprehension and language development needs of
ELLs <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3622710858919251418" name="citeyedlin"></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Utilize various
resources in the students' communities<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
members of the community speak to students on various subjects<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Ask
members of the community to teach a lesson or give a demonstration (in
their field of expertise) to the students<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Invite
parents to the classroom to show students alternative ways of approaching
a problem (e.g., in math: various ways of dividing numbers, naming
decimals, etc.)</li>
</ul>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-68890455313736871032013-04-30T09:06:00.000-07:002013-04-30T09:06:12.179-07:00What Are New Literacies?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">To
be deemed a literate person in today’s society; learners must be skilled in the
new literacies of reading and technology. The internet and other forms of
information and communication technologies (ICTs) are restructuring reading,
writing, and how we communicate. Today the most common type ICTs are search
engines, webpages, e-mail, instant message (IM), blogs, podcasts, e-books,
wikis, YouTube, IPod’s, I Pads, and various educational apps. These are used
daily as a supplement for teaching reading to students. As technology changes
daily, reading teachers, classroom teachers, and literacy educators are being
held responsible to successfully integrate these technologies into their
curriculum to prepare students to become global competitors. Huntsville City School
System has become one of the leading school districts to move their entire
curriculum to digital. In a partnership with Pearson Education, they have moved
all textbooks and supplements to online. This will ensure that each student is
preparing for success in college and the workforce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there are at least four elements that apply
to nearly all of the current perspectives being used to inform the broader
dimensions of new literacies research (Coiro, 2008) : (1) The Internet and
other ICTs require new social practices, skills, strategies, and dispositions
for their effective use; (2) new literacies are central to full civic,
economic, and personal participation in a global community; (3) new literacies
rapidly change as defining technologies change; and (4) new literacies are
multiple, multimodal, and multifaceted; thus, they benefit from multiple lenses
seeking to understand how to better support our students in a digital age.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Internet is immeasurably growing and becoming a part of every classroom
instruction in developed nations around the world. The Internet has proven to
be a valuable tool in many classrooms. Making the Internet available to
classrooms does not ensure the maximum return will be gained by just making it
available. Long term job embedded professional development that is personally
relevant, actively engaging, and cognizant of the developmental process through
which teacher’s integrate technology in their classrooms (Garry, 2012). Having
successful, well trained teachers is recommended in many literacy programs. The
idea of present-day literacy represents the essential skill set involved in
effectively retrieving, handling, and effectively communicating information. In
many educators’ efforts to modernize classrooms and update curriculum, teachers
have logically focused on technology and integrating technology to create
openings for students to gain important technical skills. When utilizing
traditional literacies students were taught to just trust the information
given. With new literacies, students must show proof of the information given.
Students now have to find evidence within that vast global digital library
that's relevant to what they are researching, assess the information to
determine its value, and then organize that information into digital files or
other personal e-libraries. Daily new literacies are rapidly advancing and
changing. Improvements in the way teachers use technology in classrooms are
growing at a swift pace. To ensure that students are able to compete on a global
level, teachers must be trained in the ever changing world of new literacies.
Reading has moved from the one classroom and one teacher concept. Today the
world is education’s oyster and readers have access to global reading
knowledge.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm7LGWvHlRI/UX_rsuGebzI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QpUlsGMNcyA/s1600/information_literacy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm7LGWvHlRI/UX_rsuGebzI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QpUlsGMNcyA/s640/information_literacy.gif" width="576" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-37016468379982515922013-04-04T16:37:00.002-07:002013-04-04T16:37:40.786-07:00Test Anxiety. Does It Really Exist?<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> Do </span>you
sweat, chew your pencil, and feel butterflies in your stomach as your teacher
hands out a test? A lot of people (adults included) get freaked out when it's
time to take a test. It's natural to feel some stress about taking tests. In
fact, sometimes a little adrenaline (a hormone made by your body during times
of excitement or stress) is a good thing to jump-start you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here
are some tips for taking tests:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">First, be sure you've studied properly.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you're sure of the
information, you'll have less reason to be worried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Get enough sleep the night before the test.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Your memory recall will be much better if you've had enough
rest. In a scientific study, people who got enough sleep before taking a math
test did better than those who stayed up all night studying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Listen closely to any instructions.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>As the teacher hands out the test, be sure you know what's
expected of you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Read the test through first.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Once you have the test paper in front of you, read over the
entire test, checking out how long it is and all the parts that you are
expected to complete. This will allow you to estimate how much time you have
for each section and ask the teacher any questions. If something seems unclear
before you start, don't panic: ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Focus on addressing each question individually.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>As you take the test, if you don't know an answer, don't
obsess over it. Instead, answer the best way you can or skip over the question
and come back to it after you've answered other questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Relax.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>If you're so
nervous that you blank out, you might need a mini-break. Of course you can't
get up and move around in the middle of a test, but you can wiggle your fingers
and toes, take four or five deep breaths, or picture yourself on a beach or
some other calm place. As we all know, it can be easy to forget things we know
well — like a locker combination. The difference is we know we'll remember our
locker combination because we've used it hundreds of times, so we don't panic
and the combination number eventually comes back. During a test, if you blank
out on something and start to get tense, it suddenly becomes much more
difficult to remember.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Finished already?</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Although most teachers will let you hand a test in early,
it's usually a good idea to spend any extra time checking over your work. You
also can add details that you may not have thought you'd have time for. On the
other hand, if you have 5 minutes until the bell rings and you're still writing,
wind up whatever you're working on without panicking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These tips should
help most people, but some can get serious <span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">test-taking
terror</span>. If you're one of them, you may need to talk to a parent,
teacher, or counselor for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img src="http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/stressed-student.jpg" /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-49011161629658810892013-03-05T17:03:00.001-08:002013-03-05T17:03:43.358-08:00My Child Won't Stop Eating Boogers! <br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Hey, get your finger
outta there! Instead of picking them out, let's learn about those little blobs.
Yeah, we're talking about boogers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">To understand what boogers are, you need to know about
mucus (say:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">myoo</span></strong>-kus).
Mucus is the sticky, slimy stuff that's made inside your nose. If you're like
lot of kids, you have another name for nose mucus: snot. Your nose and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">sinuses</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>make about a quart (about 1 liter) of
snot every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Mucus has a pretty important job — it protects the lungs. When you
breathe in air through your nose, it contains lots of tiny things, like dust,
dirt, germs, and pollen. If these made it all the way to the lungs, the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">lungs</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>could get irritated or infected,
making it tough to breathe. Luckily, snot helps trap this stuff, keeping it in
the nose and out of the lungs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">After this stuff gets stuck inside the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">nose</span>,
the mucus surrounds it and some of the tiny hairs inside the nose called cilia
(say:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">sih</span></strong>-lee-uh). These hairs help move the mucus and
the trapped stuff toward the front of the nose or the back of the throat. When
the mucus, dirt, and other debris get dry and clump together, you're left with
a booger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0.25in; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Boogers
can be squishy and slimy or tough and crumbly. Everybody gets them, so they're
not a big deal. In fact, boogers are a sign that your nose is working the way
it should! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0.25in; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">If
you have to get rid of boogers, your best bet is to blow 'em out of your nose
and into a tissue. Picking your nose isn't a great idea because boogers contain
lots of germs and because poking around in your nose can make it bleed. Consuming
them is the ultimate NO! NO! No one will want to touch your hand or share a
pencil or any material after seeing you do that! So remember mucus is something
we all have, but not something we should share. Happy Hygiene! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><img src="http://www.karmaloop.com/vendor/BOOKB/zoom/BOOG-07-THEBOOGERSzoom1.JPG" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-47283274269428365502013-01-24T09:18:00.001-08:002013-01-24T09:18:22.730-08:00Teaching ChannelTeaching Channel is a video showcase—on the Internet and TV—of inspiring and effective teaching practices in America's schools. We have a rapidly growing community of registered members who trade ideas and share inspiration from each other.<br />
With the help of the <b>Tch</b> community, our mission is to revolutionize how teachers learn, connect, and inspire each other to improve the outcomes for all K-12 students across America.<br />
<a border="0" href="https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/celebrate-great-teaching-share-this-video"><img align="left" alt="Share This Video" height="232" src="https://ddrrm0j0poaez.cloudfront.net/images/about-us-315.jpg" width="315" /></a>In order to accomplish this mission, we have three simple goals, all of them reliant on input from teachers:<br />
• Build professional learning resources that teachers want<br />
• Deepen and improve opportunities for teacher learning<br />
• Elevate and celebrate teachers in our society<br />
Our videos are produced by a unique team of professionals—a collaborative effort between video production experts, education advisors, and the classroom teachers themselves. We should point out that Teaching Channel does not determine or influence the content taught in our videos.<br />
Our video library offers educators a wide range of subjects for grades K-12. The videos also include information on alignment with Common Core State Standards and ancillary material for teachers to use in their own classrooms.<br />
Teaching Channel Presents, a weekly one-hour program featuring <b>Tch</b> videos, airs on <a href="https://www.teachingchannel.org/tv-schedule">PBS stations</a> in nearly 75 million homes across the United States.<br />
A non-profit organization, Teaching Channel launched publicly in June 2011.<br />
*****All information taken fronm the teaching channel webpage******<br />
Below is a link to The Teaching Channel. It is a great resource for teachers.<br />
<a href="https://www.teachingchannel.org/?national=1" target="_blank">https://www.teachingchannel.org/?national=1</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622710858919251418.post-10881424403112816412013-01-11T18:21:00.001-08:002013-01-11T18:21:11.624-08:00Four Basic Steps to Better Vocabulary
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">While there
are not any magic shortcuts to learning words, the larger your vocabulary
becomes, the easier it will be to connect a new word with words you already
know, and thus remember its meaning. So your learning speed, or pace, should
increase as your vocabulary grows. There are four basic steps to building your
vocabulary: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1. Be Aware of Words</span></em><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Many people
are surprised when they are told they have small vocabularies. “But I read all
the time!” they protest. This shows that reading alone may not be enough to
make you learn new words. When we read a novel, for instance, there is usually
a strong urge to get on with the story and skip over unfamiliar or perhaps
vaguely known words. But while it is obvious when a word is totally unknown to
you, you have to be especially aware of words that seem familiar to you but
whose precise meanings you may not really know.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Instead of
avoiding these words, you will need to take a closer look at them. First, try
to guess at a word's meaning from its context—that is, the sense of the passage
in which it appears; second, if you have a dictionary on hand, look up the
word's meaning immediately. This may slow down your reading somewhat, but your
improved understanding of each new word will eventually speed your learning of other
words, making reading easier. Make a daily practice of noting words of interest
to you for further study whenever you are reading, listening to the radio,
talking to friends, or watching television.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<em><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">2. Read</span></b></em><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">When you have
become more aware of words, reading is the next important step to increasing
your knowledge of words, because that is how you will find most of the words
you should be learning. It is also the best way to check on words you have
already learned. When you come across a word you have recently studied, and you
understand it, that proves you have learned its meaning.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">What should
you read? Whatever interests you—whatever makes you want to read. If you like
sports, read the sports page of the newspapers; read magazines like <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sports Illustrated</span></em>; read books about
your favorite athletes. If you are interested in interior decorating, read a
magazine like <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">House Beautiful</span></em>—read
it, don't just look at the photographs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Often people
with very low vocabularies don't enjoy reading at all. It's more of a chore for
them than a pleasure because they don't understand many of the words. If this
is the way you feel about reading, try reading easier things. Newspapers are
usually easier than magazines; a magazine like <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Reader's Digest</span></em> is easier to read than <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Atlantic Monthly</span></em>. There is no point
in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or are not
interested in. The important idea is to find things to read you can enjoy, and
to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning new words
always in mind.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<em><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">3. Use
a Dictionary</span></b></em><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Most people
know how to use a dictionary to look up a word's meaning. Here are some
pointers on how to do this as a part of a vocabulary-building program:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">•
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have your own dictionary</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Keep
it where you usually do your reading at home. You are more likely to use it if
you do not have to get it from another room. At work, there may be a good
dictionary available for your use. At home, most people do not have a big,
unabridged dictionary; however, one of the smaller collegiate dictionaries
would be fine to start with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">•
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Circle the words you look up</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">After
you have done this for a while, your eye will naturally move to the words you
have circled whenever you flip through the dictionary. This will give you a
quick form of review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">•
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Read the entire entry for the word
you look up</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Remember,
words can have more than one meaning, and the meaning you need for the word you
are looking up may not be the first one given in your dictionary. Even if it is,
the other meanings of the word will help you understand the different ways the
word is used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Also, the
word's history, usually given near the beginning of the entry, can often give a
fascinating picture of the way the word has developed its current meaning. This
will add to the pleasure of learning the word as well as help you remember it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<em><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">4.
Study and Review Regularly</span></b></em><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">Once you have
begun looking up words and you know which ones to study, vocabulary building is
simply a matter of reviewing the words regularly until you fix them in your
memory. This is best done by setting aside a specific amount of time each day
for vocabulary study. During that time you can look up new words you have noted
during the day and review old words you are in the process of learning. Set a
goal for the number of words you would like to learn and by what date, and
arrange your schedule accordingly. Fifteen minutes a day will bring better
results than half an hour once a week or so. However, if half an hour a week is
all the time you have to spare, start with that. You may find more time later
on, and you will be moving in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">In order to
review words effectively, all the information on a word should be kept in one
place—in a notebook, for example, or on an index card. Index cards are
convenient because the words can be placed in alphabetical order, which makes
them easy to find when reviewing; and the cards can be carried around with you,
so you can study them anywhere. You should try to be systematic about studying,
so that you are sure to review each word at least once every couple of weeks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Do not throw cards away,
though; you can get a great feeling of accomplishment by looking at the growing
stack of words you have learned and by occasionally glancing at an old card and
thinking, “Once I actually didn't know the meaning of this word!”</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><img height="457" id="il_fi" src="http://www.holistichealthandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/the-power-of-words.jpeg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="671" /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728269404257628199noreply@blogger.com0