What's New
K-12 standards coming soon to the US
April 7, 2010Even as a Canadian, I found it interesting to read of the draft Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) released recently...
Interview with Richard Allington
April 13, 2010Came across an interesting interview with Richard Allington on RTI and ways to address early literacy concerns. Like me, you may...
The Pre-K - School Connection
April 16, 2010In my presentations, I always encourage teachers to connect with their pre-K and daycare feeders to develop continuity from one environment...
An interesting perspective on RTI.
April 16, 2010Whenever I read something about RTI, I have the same thought: "That's what I did throughout my career - this isn't...
The Benefits of Pre-K
April 20, 2010Great to see some research supporting the value of good pre-K programs. Read about it here:http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0420-preschool-20100419,0,2289045.story
New Children's Storybook
April 21, 2010Found the link to this article on my CEC SmartBrief. The article begins: "At casual glance, the new children's storybook "Look Who...
Follow-up to the Common Standards
April 26, 2010"Will We Ever Learn?" This article raises some interesting questions applicable to education throughout the world (lots of responses generated). I...
Internet Addiction in S. Korea
April 26, 2010Our local newspaper had an interesting (and frightening) article on the epidemic of internet addiction in S. Korea. They related several...
Motivating Children to Read with Money
May 17, 2010Came acrossthis article on the CEC SmartBrief e-newsletter. Certainly a controversial method, but they seem to be getting results!http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20100512/NEWS01/5120321/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Kids-find-reading-pays
A good article on reading
May 27, 2010I thought this had some interesting statistic and good suggestions. Although the info is based on research done in the US,...
Word Stretchers
May 30, 2010Found a great new product at Lakeshore - check out Word Stretchers (#FF488)- a fun drill and practice activity for blending...
new tests for ADHD
June 2, 2010Most classrooms have at least one student displaying signs of ADD/ADHD. this article, from the CEC SmartBrief, shares some information on...
a legal challenge in support of ADHD children
June 2, 2010We've all watched ADHD students struggle in school. This Ontario Mom's frustration with the lack of support for her ADHD child...
The Common Core Standards have been released
June 3, 2010This article from the CEC SmartBrief outlines the expectations for students with disabilities within the new guidelines. I'm sure this will...
4-day school week
June 4, 2010This article offers both the pro's and con's to the 4-day school week. We have a nearby district that switched to...
RTI at the pre-school level
June 7, 2010This article gives abasic overview of the pro's and con's of bringing RTI into the pre-school levels. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2010/06/response_to_intervention_for_t.html
The Education Pendulum
June 7, 2010In my 34-year career, I saw the pendulum swing back and forth many times - and I know it will continue...
A Positive Look at Teaching
June 8, 2010Came across this well-written article entitled "Teaching is a Noble Profession". Congratulations to all teachers as you wrap up another year...
The Importance of Fun
June 8, 2010A teacher in the last post mentioned the importance of having fun with your students and this article confirms that, with...
incorporating social networking into the classroom
June 15, 2010This article left me with feelings of both fascination and fear. Fascination with the potential for learning through social networking (I'm...
Another thing to watch for in Pre-K
June 15, 2010While I don't like the thought of a medical diagnosis of depression at the pre-K level, it does make sense to...
A Good Summary of the Gender-Gap Issue
July 5, 2010This article summarizes many of the recent studies on the gender-gap issue and looks at other factors as well:http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/473
Head to the Mall for your Library Book
July 6, 2010What a unique idea to get people into the library! Read the full article at this link: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/07/06/364360usmalllibraries_ap.html?tkn=YYMFZukd%2FipHUfKeoUDfs2mn9TJD5vjdO2WR&cmp=clp-edweek
Great Ideas for our Multi-Cultural Classrooms
July 15, 2010We all have children in our classrooms who come from a culture different from ours. This EdWeek article suggests we try...
Effective Pro-D Options
July 15, 2010I like to see teachers have the option to develop pro-d activities specific to their situation/students. Before I retired, we had...
Mood Disorders in Children
July 15, 2010Found this link on the CEC SmartBrief. While we don't want to start over-diagnosing our young children, awareness of the potential...
The Importance of Kindergarten
July 28, 2010An interesting article in the long term effects of a good kindergarten teacher. Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/economy/28leonhardt.html?_r=2&ref=education
Mindboggling!!
July 29, 2010Spending $1,000+ to prepare a 4-year old for testing . . . !!! Read on . . .http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/education/26winerip.html?_r=1&ref=education
Early Childhood Pro-D for Principals
August 9, 2010This EdWeek article addresses the need for principal's to have a good basic knowledge of the principles of early childhood education...
Kindergarten 'Redshirting'
August 23, 2010Found this in the ASCD SmartBrief e-newsletter. Some interesting perspectives on the issue of holding children out of Kindergarten for an...
Summer Classes for Kindergarten
August 23, 2010Definitely pro's and con's to this approach! http://www.ohio.com/news/101213169.html Source: ASCD SmartBrief
Early Elementary Technology??
August 25, 2010Not sure what to think of this one!!! http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2010/08/chicago_ipad_grant_winners_inc.html
California changing entry age
September 3, 2010I was pleased to see California taking the necessary steps to changing its entry age for Kindergarten to Sept. 1. I...
The Value of Early Intervention
September 14, 2010Fount this link in today's CEC SmartBrief. Research done right here in Vancouver BC brings further support to the importance of...
Inclusion in Preschool
September 20, 2010Always good to read about these success stories. Found this on the CEC SmartBrief: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/article_971bacbc-bf84-11df-9650-001cc4c03286.html
The Importance of Early Child Care
September 21, 2010Some good ideas here for implementing greater support at the early childhood level. Although mainly US specific, I liked the idea...
A Good Commentary on Education
September 27, 2010An interesting commentary on the importance of educating for life as well as for employment. Read more:http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/09/29/05haas.h30.html?tkn=NURFzgFC6WdzsPRWl3yIl%2F1Vb1qT6E2G3D%2Fi&cmp=clp-edweek
Savings Accounts for Kindergartners
October 6, 2010An interesting idea . . . . http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/2010/10/san_francisco_creates_college.html
Kgtn entry age change in CA
October 7, 2010I'm so pleased to see that this bill has finally passed! As a Learning Assistance teacher, I saw so many of...
More on Pre-school testing in NY
November 1, 2010This seems to be more about what the parents and schools need that what children need! http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/walt_gardners_reality_check/2010/11/the_private_preschool_game.html
An Objective Look at Digital vs Print Books
November 8, 2010I found this link on the ASCD newsletter today and liked what the author had to say:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/literature/must-we-have-the-digital-vs-pr.html
New Initiatives in Early Childhood Education
November 9, 2010This article gives links to what is going on in various states with regard to early childhood education. Good information if...
Our Transient Children
November 9, 2010This is a story that is playing out in many schools throughout North America. The transient nature of families, especially those...
An early math intervention
November 15, 2010Found this in the ASCD SmartBrief e-letter. A short read and a link to a site with some ideas to help...
Technology in Kindergarten
December 3, 2010This Kentucky Kindergarten teacher is using iPads with her students to reinforce skills. While the use of technology is certainly the...
Technology in Kindergarten
December 3, 2010This Kentucky Kindergarten teacher is using iPads with her students to reinforce skills. While the use of technology is certainly the...
NY teacher creates children's book on safety
December 27, 2010Today's CEC SmartBrief shared this article on a new book to share with children in preparation for a field trip. Sounds...
The Importance of Play-Based Learning
December 30, 2010Today's ASCD SmartBrief posted this article on the value of play-based learning. I think we need to ensure a balance between...
The Value of Drill and Practice
February 3, 2011I've always supported the use of 'drill and practice' techniques for learning letter sounds and use the comparison of successful athletes...
More on 'Kindercramming'
February 17, 2011A while back, I shared the article reporting on 'kindercramming' in New York. Now it's moving to Chicago! Such pressure for...
Integration in Pre-School
February 23, 2011Today's CEC SmartBrief shared this story of successful integration in a pre-school setting. Read more here : http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=409626
The Cursive Writing Controversy
March 29, 2011While my 'old-school' roots see some benefits of learning cursive writing, I look down the road and wonder how much longer...
The 'Perfect' Education System
April 4, 2011While I try to stay away from 'political' topics, I found this EdWeek article (#2 in a series of 7) very interesting...
The Importance of Teacher Input
April 11, 2011This is something that was always so important to me as part of the planning for student support. My administrator provided...
Benefits of full-day Kindergarten
April 23, 2011I know many are still weighing the benefits vs the concerns of full-day Kindergarten as it is being implemented in many...
Keep an Eye Out for Visual Concerns
April 28, 2011This Education Week article does a good job of reviewing the importance of a thorough visual screening for young children. While I...
Children's Books Feature Children with Disabil
May 9, 2011Today's CEC SmartBrief has a link to a feature on a Canadian mother who has written children's books which highlight children...
Address Obesity as Early as Possible
May 10, 2011This astudy on the importance of addressing obesity in children age 2 - 5 was featured in today's ASCD SmarfBrief. Read more at:http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/05/06/study-anti-obesity-program-works-best-in-youngest-kids/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_health...
When to Eat
June 2, 2011Found this one interesting. We tried it at our school and teachers generally found it a positive experience. Read more at:...
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
June 13, 2011Found this on the ASCD SmartBrief today. Check with your local United Way - sounds like a good program!http://www.indystar.com/article/20110611/NEWS1003/106110335/Summer-program-helps-kids-learn-school-routines
US Gov't Funding Announced
July 1, 2011Sorry I haven't posted lately - on holiday in Mexico!Thought our US colleagues would be interested in this new funding proposal,...
Creative Cooking
July 7, 2011Found this in the ASCD SmartBrief today - while most schools probably don't have a kitchen available, the concept of introducing...
Creative Cooking
July 7, 2011Found this in the ASCD SmartBrief today - while most schools probably don't have a kitchen available, the concept of introducing...
Teasing can have long term effects
July 18, 2011This Education Week article really impacted me, I think because I am just finishing up Jodi Picoult's book Nineteen Minutes -...
A Good Laugh
August 2, 2011Might be a good activity to try with your students - even on an oral level! I loved #9. A 1st...
We try so hard!
August 11, 2011In this EdWeek blog, Marilyn has captured how we all so often feel when trying to support our at-risk students:http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/charting_my_own_course/2011/08/teaching_a_matter_of_life_and_death.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2
Managing Behavior Tips
August 31, 2011Found this in EdWeek today:http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/08/29/holland_earlychildhood.html?tkn=NSRFx7gLXupkNeiKtwmC6zJrRPpstTdxXlSn&cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2
Stay on the good side of the custodian!
September 12, 2011Some 'stuff' is good; teachers stores do have some great 'stuff'; and definitely stay on the good side of the custodian! ...
Tool of the Week from CEC
September 14, 2011Today's CEC SmartBrief has this link to a Tool of the Week site they now have. It is designed for Special...
Early Education Webinars
September 20, 2011Education Week was advertising these upcoming webinars - I've signed up and hope you might find some of them valuable as...
Reading Checklists Help
September 22, 2011This EdWeek article supports the use of tools such as our Accuracy and Automaticity Drills. These tools assist children in raising their decoding skills to an...
Education Around the World
October 12, 2011Thought some of you might be interested in seeing how Canada and the US compare to other countries in the field...
Fun fine-motor activities
October 13, 2011This Edweek article shares some great ideas to support children with fine-motor problems. http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/10/11/tln_sampish.html?tkn=NLVFJhBiGsRzZJvB6awKbpwaOos3NrR4PbmB&cmp=ENL-TU-NEWS2
Blended-learning in Kindergarten??
October 14, 2011I tend to be 'betwixt and between' on this one! Being "old school" I still favour direct instruction by the teacher. ...
Children with Dyslexia Can be Helped
October 30, 2011The LInk, Homeschooling Magazine email featured this article on dyslexia: http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/blog/?p=961
Get Parents Involved
November 3, 2011Today's CEC SmartBrief included this article on involving parents in the classroom. Some good ideas:http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-strong-parent-community-marisa-kaplan
Reduce Pre-Holiday Sress
December 13, 2011I can certainly remember the tension building as routines changed with concert preparations. These are good suggestions to try! http://edge.ascd.org/_Classroom-Management-During-the-Holidays/blog/5638229/127586.html
Prevention is the Key
February 1, 2012In my presentations, my goal is to give teachers strategies that will help to prevent problems from occuring in the first...
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