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Dear Friends,
Welcome to this issue of SchoolNotes Home, the newsletter for Parents and their SchoolNotes Teachers! If you have not already done so, please click the clipboard to the right to sign up to continue to receive this practical and fun newsletter.
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Volume 3, Issue 6
October 2009
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Math at Home
Tracking Time #2
While watching television, make a chart showing how much time in every hour is used for commercials compared to how much time is used for the actual show. Do this for every half-hour of television you watch. Then make a bar or pie chart showing the two amounts. Time the minutes carefully.
Parents and Kids in the Kitchen
A Smooth Treat
Make this simple yet healthful treat for your next class snack.
- Pour 1 cup of milk into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.
- Pop milk cubes out and place in a blender.
- Add 2 cups canned, sliced peaches and 2 teaspoons sugar.
- Blend together until very smooth.
- Pour into dishes and serve. Serves 6.
Web Site of the Month
The World of Victor
The World of Victor is a multimedia site for toddlers ages 2-4 to learn and develop their imaginations by discovering nature and animals while they play and have fun. Included are games, a gallery, coloring pages, songs, and other activities.
Walking Earth's Solar System
Make a scale model of the Earth's solar system.
Reader’s Theater: Scripts for Reading Aloud
Hen-Picked
The hardworking Little Red Hen is a chicken that has laid a golden egg. She has a thriving pastry business and now hopes to relax a little and enjoy her success. But to do that, she needs an apprentice. Who should it be?
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The ABCs of Student Success
U is for UNIQUE
It sounds cliché , but it's true -- your child is unique, unlike anyone else!
- Oprah once mentioned that parents should "light up" when their child walks into a room. How special is that?
- Let your child know what you appreciate about him. Point out his or her special accomplishments and talents.
- Nurture your child's special interests by providing related experiences and books.
- Spend time with others who share your appreciation of your child's uniqueness.
The ABCs of Student Success were written by Addie Gaines, principal at Kirbyville (Missouri) Elementary School. She created them for her school-to-home newsletter and has been kind enough to allow EducationWorld/SchoolNotes to reproduce them for you.
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Education World shares stories of schools and parents working
together to improve student motivaation and achievement.
Camp Out Lures Dads to Get Involved
The Dad's Club Camp Out is one of the most looked-forward-to events of the school year. This is not just another event; it's involvement for the entire family -- the entire community. The most wonderful part is that each year the event grows in size and scope.
Year-Long Literacy
Involving families in literacy-building activities is a year-long endeavor one Maryland middle school. When staff members discovered that their students' reading scores weren't improving as hoped, they took action to motivate the students to read and to get parents involved.
"Extreme Read--Warrior Style" Connects Kids, Parents, Teachers Through Books
Students at one Florida middle schools read and discuss young adult novels as part of the school's annual "Extreme Read." The experience gives students a chance to see those around them -- peers, parents, and even the math teacher -- as fellow readers.
Eco-Friendly School Supplies
It's time again to stock the classroom with supplies for a year's worth of learning -- and the choices you make can make a difference. Discover some unique, smart, and planet-friendly must-haves for this school year.
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Each month we select a few ed headlines that will be of interest to parents. This month...
It's a Fork, It's a Spoon, It's a ... Weapon?
A 6-year-old's suspension for bringing a Cub Scout tool to school has sparked a debate over whether schools' zero-tolerance policies have gone too far.
Students Overcome Obstacles in One-Room School
The students at the Academic Achievement Center in Seffner, Florida, have attention-deficit disorder and/or learning disabilities, but that doesn't stop them from tackling advanced subjects.
Event Promotes Benefits of Walking to School
Long lines of children came in "walking school buses" led by volunteers. This was done to celebrate International Walk to School Day, an effort to promote the virtues of walking to school.
Boxer Plans Hearing on Toxic School Drinking Water
Sen. Barbara Boxer called for hearings to be held in Washington this year after an AP investigation revealed unsafe levels of lead, bacteria, and pesticides have surfaced in the water at thousands of schools. 10/07/2009
What Schools Do, Don't Do About Bullying
At Vivian Elementary School, about 12 miles from the site of the shootings at Columbine High School, K-6 students spend about an hour a week talking about bullies and what to do when they see one. 10/05/2009
Video Reviews Help Student With Autism
A middle-school student with Asperger's syndrome has been honored for inspiring his classmates and teachers with the popular weekly video-game reviews he delivers on his school's announcements. 10/05/2009
Boy's Choking Death Raises School Safety Awareness
An Indiana boy's family has been awarded $5 million in a lawsuit. The boy's choking death has focused attention on schools employees' lack of training in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. 10/05/2009
Text Maps College Success
An Ohio high-school teacher has developed a curriculum -- including lessons on financial aid and scholarships, health, social skills and safety -- that aims to teach students to navigate college successfully. 10/04/2009
Educational? You Be the Judge
Frustrated by students' poor showing on tests of civics knowledge, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is spearheading a project that develops Web-based games aimed at teaching about government. 10/04/2009
A Crackdown on Bake Sales in City Schools
In an effort to limit how much sugar and fat students put in their bellies at school, the New York City schools have effectively banned most bake sales, a lucrative fund-raising staple for generations. 10/02/2009
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Wire Side Chats
Education World interviews the experts about hot topics in education today.
Sports Offer Autistic Kids Physical, Social Benefits
Participation in individual sports, such as martial arts and track and field, can have many benefits for children with autism, according to one neurologist. Children gain confidence and better awareness of their bodies, which can lead to improved communication skills.
The "Book Whisperer" Inspires Kids to Read
Donalyn Miller earned the nickname "The Book Whisperer" because of her almost mystical success getting kids to read -- a lot. Allowing children to choose books, and providing reading role models and time to read are among her strategies.
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Wearing Costumes to School
by Mr. Ivan, The Principal Poet
I'd like to wear my costume
For Halloween...to school.
But my teacher says to leave it home.
She said that is the rule!
I checked with all my classmates,
And they said she told them too.
"Leave your scary clothes at home
And keep 'em out of view."
I guess my teacher is a scardy cat
Who'd likely up and faint
If she saw me and my classmates
Dressed up in sheets and paint.
Copyright © 2009 Ivan Kershner, reprinted with permission.
Mr. Ivan, The Principal Poet, aka Ivan Kershner, has been writing poetry for more than 40 years. During that time he has also been an English teacher in Wyoming, a high school principal in Nebraska and Colorado, an assistant superintendent in Nebraska, and a middle school assistant principal in charge of curriculum and instruction in South Carolina.
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Best Books for Kids
Each month, Education World presents our Editors' Choices for the best books. This month, we spotlight the...
Best Books for Teaching About...Grammar
Best Books for Teaching About...Inventors and Inventions
Best Books for Teaching About...Colonial America
Best Books for Teaching About...Smoking
Best Books for Teaching About...Reading
Best Books for Teaching About...Oceans
See more great books for students.
Best Books for Parents
Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy And Successful Children
I guess if we all live in Lake Woebegone, this book should just be called "Parenting," because all our kids are gifted, right? Well, in fact, giftedness of the kind this book addresses brings its own challenges, including perfectionism, superiority complexes, and school systems that, legally obligated to spend extra resources on kids with various learning disabilities, either can't afford or don't want to spend anything extra on kids with special needs due to giftedness. The requisite ten tips structure this book, and many quotes from real gifted kids, real parents, and grownups who were gifted kids, give the book a human feel.
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.
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Geography Lesson
When I asked on a test who our neighbors to the north and south were, I got a few unexpected responses. One student had written Tristan and Tiffany. When I thought about the class seating chart, I had to admit that his response was correct; he'd proven he knew his "directions" and I had a good laugh, so I gave him credit.
Summer Camp
I read the ad in the newspaper that promoted a camp for children with asthma. There the kids could enjoy all kinds of wonderful activities from canoeing to crafts. I'm not sure about one selling point of the beautiful lakefront surroundings though. Will kids with asthma really enjoy the "breathtaking views"?
The English Lesson
Driving my car one afternoon, I rolled through a stop sign. I was pulled over by a police officer who recognized me as his former English teacher.
"Mrs. Brown," he said, "those stop signs are periods, not commas."
Little Johnny Strikes Again
Little Johnny: What do you get when you cross Godzilla with a mole?
Teacher: I give up.
Little Johnny: The Panama Canal!
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