Just A Note May Do…

It’s been assigned for four months now. The last couple of class meetings they have had the opportunity to complete their presentations. But one of my students, hasn’t begun. “Why haven’t you done your report?” “I’ve been really busy”…”For four months? Really?” “No, I don’t know, I just, I didn’t want to do it”. “But it was your choice?” “Yeah, I know….I just keep forgetting”. “I can believe that more than you’ve been really busy”.
So I wrote a note. A quick note. A friendly note, with a silly picture. “Remember to do your project”. The next morning I asked if she did her project. She said, “I got started, is that good?” Yes, that is much better than nothing. The note that helped her remember, was still in her binder cover. She didn’t remove it, as I think it meant alot to her, that I would take a moment to help her in a little different way. Today, I made another note, for another girl….I think I’ll be writing many notes.

Play To Learn, Learn to Play

As education continues to move toward proof of student’s academic learning through testing and statistics, it inadvertently moves further away from understanding whole student, development and the life-long learning process of learning. The reason for this blog is to reach an audience who is interested in practical application as opposed to theoretical rhetoric, and I acknowledge that the overall goal of academia is for our youth to be educated so they are productive and successful members in our society. When I was a student teacher, my master teacher had a great saying: Play to Learn-Learn to Play. His understanding of his kindergarten students was that if the teacher/facilitator/parent, realizes that children, and for that matter adults, enjoy interacting on a non-stressful and engaging level, the activity can teach them the same concept as “practicing” the information with pencil and paper. Soon, I will be releasing an ebook that give 25 free (or nearly free) practical ways to practice reading with your young child. Please stay tuned!