SchoolNotes Home Newsletter for Parents and Teachers

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Date: January 15th 2008

Dear Friends,

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Volume 2, Issue 1
January 15, 2008

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PROJECTS FOR PARENTS AND KIDS
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Math at Home
Drawing to Scale
Fold a sheet of paper that is 4-inches square into eight squares. Draw a simple picture on the paper. Then fold a sheet of paper that is twice as large (8-inches square) into eight squares. Help your child see how the folds in the smaller paper can help him or her recreate the original picture at twice the size on the larger paper.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/newsletter/math/math004.shtml

Backpack-tivity
Catch the Phrase
This activity will improve your child's vocabulary as he or she shares thoughts about a book he or she has read.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/homework/pdfs/backpacktivity_003.pdf

Reader’s Theater: Scripts for Reading Aloud
Ask the Presidents
While researching online, Penny discovers a Web site for U.S. presidents. In the site's very special chat room, she chats with former leaders and discovers what they believe are the most important qualities in a president.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reading/ReadersTheater/ReadersTheater007.shtml

Web Site of the Month
BookBrowse
BookBrowse recommends the best recently published books through independent reviews and well-crafted reading lists.
http://www.bookbrowse.com

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Family Meals May Prevent Eating Disorders in Girls
Regular family meals may protect teen girls from developing eating disorders, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22575582/from/ET

Parent Debates Enter Cyberspace
As electronic mailing lists have become the main forum for parents in many districts to talk about their schools, dissension has arisen over who should control the lists and the messages.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/06/AR2008010602399.html

Moms Campaign for School Libraries
Three Spokane, Washington, mothers -- Susan McBurney, Lisa Layera Brunkan, and Denette Hill -- are continuing to lobby the state to fund full-time librarians in elementary schools.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6522057.html?desc=topstory&

Boy Scouts Must Show How to Stop Bullies
For the first time in the 97-year history of the Boy Scouts of America, new Scouts must demonstrate they have learned Scout-approved ways to avoid being bullied physically and verbally if they want to advance through the ranks.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22576610/from/ET

... AND HUMOR

The World of Lost Pens
by Forrest Stone

In some unknown dimension
In some uncharted zone
Are hundreds of lost pens, son,
I used to call my own

I never use the final drop
Of any ballpoint's ink
I lose the things before I stop
Recording what I think

The only consolation
To this strange circumstance
Is that entire nations
Must do this lost-pen dance

And so beyond our system
Beyond our moral ken
Beyond worlds as we list 'em
Must be a world of pens

They populate pen regions
They drive long, thin pen cars
They battle in pen legions
They're somewhere way past Mars

If I could somehow go there
This speech I would rehearse:
"Help me find a pen I know there
To finish up this verse."

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PARENTS’ TIP OF THE MONTH
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ABCs of Student Success
C is for Choices
According to Jim Fay, author of Becoming a Love and Logic Parent, giving children choices is more effective than making demands. He suggests…
-- Never give choices if it might cause problems for you or anyone else.
-- Give only two options for each choice, both equally okay with you. For example, Would you like peas or carrots? or Do you want to do homework now or in 15 minutes?
-- If the child doesn't decide within 10 seconds, make the choice for him or her.

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PARENTS AS PARTNERS
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Ways parents can work with schools to improve student achievement and motivation.

Parent Involvement
Community Scavenger Hunt Teaches Research Skills, Much More
When armies of students descend on local libraries, it has to be time for the State of Jefferson Scavenger Hunt. The three-day event challenges kids to track down answers to a series of questions. The results include improved research skills, priceless memories.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin507.shtml

Partners for Student Success
Families Share the Reading Experience, Bolster Reading Skills
An Illinois junior high prompts families to read together with parent/child discussion group.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/partners/partners029.shtml

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TALKING WITH THE EXPERTS
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Interviews with educators about today’s hot topics in education.

Wire Side Chat
National PTA Taps First Man To Serve As President-Elect
Charles Saylors has a message for dads who think the PTA is just for moms: The PTA needs you. Saylors, a PTA veteran, is slated to be the first man to serve as president of the 110-year-old National PTA. Getting more fathers involved is one of his top priorities.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat215.shtml

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LIFESTYLE
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Car Shopping Made Easy
Buying a Car Without Driving Yourself Crazy
Would you rather volunteer for a skunk round-up than go car-shopping? Many people are intimidated by the choices in the market and by haggling over price. Education World has collected expert advice to make buying a car less stressful, and maybe even a little fun.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lifestyle/lifestyle/lifestyle008.shtml

Cooking With Joy
Teacher’s Pet: The Frozen Pie Crust
Joy Rotondi wants to introduce readers to their new best friends in the kitchen: Frozen pie crusts. Whether you need dinner or dessert (or both), having pie crusts on hand ensures you can have something in the oven in minutes.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/columnists/joy/joy004.shtml

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Sincerely, Ellen Delisio, SchoolNotes Home editor and LifeStyle staff

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Education World®
http://www.educationworld.com/
schoolnoteshome@educationworld.com
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