I was so please to see some new books on my local library shelves. With all the problems caused by the economy, I thought it might be awhile until I found some new books to write about. The treasures I found quickly made me want to start writing again.
First there was We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers written by Bridget Hurst, with characters created by Lauren Child. I often shy away from books with a TV connection, but not this time. The message about recycling is way too important. If you like Charlie and Lola, you'll like this book.
Murphy's Three Homes by Jan Levinson Gilman and illustrated by Kathy O'Malley is a story for children in foster care. It is the story of a dog who has had several homes. Murphy experiences many of the same feelings that children in foster care my have.
It is Time for School with Tallulah is by by Nancy Wolff. I am not quite sure who the intended audience might have been,. While I found that some of the text and pictures looked like what you see in primary or elementary school, most of the book appeared to be preschool. In any case the concept behind the book is great. Talluah is a very kind teacher and children will enjoy the pictures and simply having a conversation about what will happen when they go to school.
I may not write as often as last year, but I will be sure to share any good, new, social-emotional books I find.
Have a great school year!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Data Driven Instruction
I just returned from the Governor's Institute and wanted to share a little of what we learned. The main topic was data driven instruction. Maybe not the most exciting title, but the when teachers collect information about what children know, plan and teach accordingly, then assess and analyze before teaching again, the result are amazing. Differentiating instruction is a way of teaching I believe in. Children have such a wide difference in knowledge and abilities, I cannot imagine teaching all children the same way.
What kinds of information should teachers collect? You want to find out what the child knows so you don't teach too far below or above his understanding. You also want to learn the child's approach to work. Is the child slow to start or does he jump in impulsively? Does he like to talk things over with others or figure things out himself? You also want to observe to see if the child is having trouble seeing or hearing.
How do we collect information about children? Quite often it is through observation. It may be a written record such as an anecdotal record or a running record. Some teachers find checklists work best for certain skills such as physical activities. The collection of work samples is also popular, but collection is not enough. Teachers need a way to quantify the work. Rubrics are one way to do that.
What do you do with the information once it has been collected? As I said earlier, use the information to make decisions about how best to teach the child. You can also use it to help parents have a better understanding of the child's knowledge and set learning goals for the next step. We also learned that it is important to share info with a child about what they did. In that way the child can see what he has accomplished and know what he has to work on next. If a child is not having success, the information you gathered can be used as evidence for the need for a referral or special services.
If you have questions about what I wrote, want more information about some of the terms I used, or specific methods to use when collecting info, drop a note in the comment section.
What kinds of information should teachers collect? You want to find out what the child knows so you don't teach too far below or above his understanding. You also want to learn the child's approach to work. Is the child slow to start or does he jump in impulsively? Does he like to talk things over with others or figure things out himself? You also want to observe to see if the child is having trouble seeing or hearing.
How do we collect information about children? Quite often it is through observation. It may be a written record such as an anecdotal record or a running record. Some teachers find checklists work best for certain skills such as physical activities. The collection of work samples is also popular, but collection is not enough. Teachers need a way to quantify the work. Rubrics are one way to do that.
What do you do with the information once it has been collected? As I said earlier, use the information to make decisions about how best to teach the child. You can also use it to help parents have a better understanding of the child's knowledge and set learning goals for the next step. We also learned that it is important to share info with a child about what they did. In that way the child can see what he has accomplished and know what he has to work on next. If a child is not having success, the information you gathered can be used as evidence for the need for a referral or special services.
If you have questions about what I wrote, want more information about some of the terms I used, or specific methods to use when collecting info, drop a note in the comment section.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Elephant and Piggie Books
It took me awhile to be a fan of Mo Williams, but now I know it is worth my time to check out whatever he writes. Actually it is often the drawings that make his books so good, but now I am rambling. Today, I am writing about his series of books about two friends. The Elephant and Piggie Books tittles include: My Friend is Sad, I Am Invited to a Party, I Love My New Toy!, and I Will Surprise My Friend!, as well as a number of others. While the books have limited text and can be read by beginning readers, in my mind, they are best when shared with others. My 5 year old grandson, an independent reader found the books interesting from cover to cover. I read four with him and then he read a fifth on his own. He told me about it and then asked me to read it with him.
All of the books can easily spur discussions on social emotional situations involving the two friends. They are funny yet many convey the important message that friends are more important than material things. Take time to check them out!
If you want to learn more about Mo Williams and his books, check out his website at http://www.mowillems.com There is info for parents, teachers, and children. Enjoy!
All of the books can easily spur discussions on social emotional situations involving the two friends. They are funny yet many convey the important message that friends are more important than material things. Take time to check them out!
If you want to learn more about Mo Williams and his books, check out his website at http://www.mowillems.com There is info for parents, teachers, and children. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Friends, Working Together
Being a friend is a difficult concept for children to understand. Appreciating each others strengths is often equally hard. Tiny and Hercules by Amy Schwartz is a collection of very short stories about two friends, a mouse and an elephant. The fact that they are so different works out for the best, as they use their differing abilities to help each other.
After reading the story have the children relate times when they helped a friend. See if they can create a group story about friends. Over the next few days observe as they children play and photo or report to them times when you saw friends working together. A visual reminder of how to play together is a great reinforcing positive interactions.
It is also worthwhile for each child to see that he or she has something to contribute to a friendship. Help children to value what they can do and then they may be able to better value another child's contribution. Take time to praise specific actions. Children need to hear exactly what action you are pointing out. Say, "I liked that you passed the box to Bill. That way you can both have fun with the toys." This tells what you are acknowledging and why. Later point out how Bill helps his friend. Children who learn early in life to work together will have a much better chance for success and happiness.
After reading the story have the children relate times when they helped a friend. See if they can create a group story about friends. Over the next few days observe as they children play and photo or report to them times when you saw friends working together. A visual reminder of how to play together is a great reinforcing positive interactions.
It is also worthwhile for each child to see that he or she has something to contribute to a friendship. Help children to value what they can do and then they may be able to better value another child's contribution. Take time to praise specific actions. Children need to hear exactly what action you are pointing out. Say, "I liked that you passed the box to Bill. That way you can both have fun with the toys." This tells what you are acknowledging and why. Later point out how Bill helps his friend. Children who learn early in life to work together will have a much better chance for success and happiness.
Empowerment
It is never to early to help children understand that they can make a difference and to stand up for what they feel is important. Ballyhoo Bay by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Derek Anderson is just the book to plant that seed into the minds of children. The story is told in rhyme and has lots of fun pictures for children to examine. It starts out with Mira Bella planning a special art event at the beach. But just before the big day, signs go up announcing the beach is to be developed with parking lots and penthouses. Mira Bella and her friends don't let this setback stop them. They attend a meeting and convince the town council to keep the beach as it is. This may sound like a hefty topic for young children, but the author keeps the text simple enough to be understood my most preschoolers.
This would be a great book to read when the children discover a problem in their environment. Maybe the lunch area is too crowded, or there is too much trash on the playground, or they need a crosswalk in front of the school. Whatever the problem, help the children advocate for a change. If the children don't have a problem tell them about an issue that is important to children such as cutbacks in preschool or library funding and go from there. Our local library has coloring sheets for children to color and mail to local legislators. The coloring sheets advocate library funding. You could help the children make a DVD or write stories about the issue.
Even if you don't have a cause, I like the book because children can see that sometimes even the best plans don't work out, there are disappointments, and you have to figure out a new plan rather than give up.
This would be a great book to read when the children discover a problem in their environment. Maybe the lunch area is too crowded, or there is too much trash on the playground, or they need a crosswalk in front of the school. Whatever the problem, help the children advocate for a change. If the children don't have a problem tell them about an issue that is important to children such as cutbacks in preschool or library funding and go from there. Our local library has coloring sheets for children to color and mail to local legislators. The coloring sheets advocate library funding. You could help the children make a DVD or write stories about the issue.
Even if you don't have a cause, I like the book because children can see that sometimes even the best plans don't work out, there are disappointments, and you have to figure out a new plan rather than give up.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Family Vacation
Take time to read The Bunnies' Trip (2008) by Lezlie Evans and illustrated by Kay Chorao and it might just save a headache or two as the family starts out on a trip. My son should have read it to my grandson before he sent him off to pack for a visit a grandmas. While the children in this story packed a garden hose, horn, and weights, in his suitcase was a mismatched set of pjs, a large green elephant, and an assortment of other small items. Forgotten were the glasses, toothbrush, underwear, flip flops, swim trunks, and shirts. As anyone who has traveled with children might suspect, the children in this story also complain of being tired and annoy each other.
We all do better when we know what to expect. Taking time to discuss the important things to pack, things to do and to keep us comfortable while traveling, and what to expect when arriving at the destination will pay off for both the children and adults. If you are teaching in a preschool environment, help the children prepare lists of things you might take on a trip. Not only will it help children fell more comfortable, list making is a good cognitive skill that helps children with organization and categorizing.
There is usually a lot of excitement about a family trip, parents need to take time to check in with how the children are feeling about the trip. Do they have any apprehensions? Do they have what they need to sleep comfortably in a new environment? Do they know what they can do if they become scared when meeting unfamiliar people? Children who have a chance to prepare for any new experience will be most likely have more positive behaviors.
Wherever you go this summer, have a wonderful trip!
We all do better when we know what to expect. Taking time to discuss the important things to pack, things to do and to keep us comfortable while traveling, and what to expect when arriving at the destination will pay off for both the children and adults. If you are teaching in a preschool environment, help the children prepare lists of things you might take on a trip. Not only will it help children fell more comfortable, list making is a good cognitive skill that helps children with organization and categorizing.
There is usually a lot of excitement about a family trip, parents need to take time to check in with how the children are feeling about the trip. Do they have any apprehensions? Do they have what they need to sleep comfortably in a new environment? Do they know what they can do if they become scared when meeting unfamiliar people? Children who have a chance to prepare for any new experience will be most likely have more positive behaviors.
Wherever you go this summer, have a wonderful trip!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Be a Good Citizen
Part of having good social-emotional skills is being a good citizen. It builds self esteem and confidence to know you are doing your part for the good of the community. One of the simplest, but most concrete things children can do is to help with recycling and generally take care of the environment. There are two news books will help you teach the children in your lives how they can help "save the world."
The first book is George Saves the World by Lunchtime. It is by Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts. The book is in storybook format, but also included some informational inserts. Michael Recycle, by Ellie Bethel and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo is a written in rhyme and is not quite as wordy. Use them both together and the children should be enthusiastic about recycling! Make sure to give them some practical hands on activities to so they can see they do have the ability to help. Better yet them them brainstorm and come up with things they would like to do. Get families involved and you might just feel that together you making a difference in your community.
The first book is George Saves the World by Lunchtime. It is by Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts. The book is in storybook format, but also included some informational inserts. Michael Recycle, by Ellie Bethel and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo is a written in rhyme and is not quite as wordy. Use them both together and the children should be enthusiastic about recycling! Make sure to give them some practical hands on activities to so they can see they do have the ability to help. Better yet them them brainstorm and come up with things they would like to do. Get families involved and you might just feel that together you making a difference in your community.
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