Friday, January 30, 2009
Have You Ever Thought About an International School?
With the American economy tanking you might have to move to school away from the United States. Check out this article! http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2009/01/25/the-world-of-international-schools/
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Some More Good Questions to Ask a School When Visiting
Academic Performance
How do the school's test scores compare to those of other schools? (Check the school's report card if it is a public school or ask for information from the school if it is a private school. See "Parent Tip" on school report cards.)
In the past few years, have test scores risen or declined? How does the school explain the rise or decline?
How well have children similar to yours performed on these tests?
How do students moving on to the next level of schooling perform in their new schools?
How many students leave the school before completing the last grade?
What special achievements or recognition has the school received?
How do the school's test scores compare to those of other schools? (Check the school's report card if it is a public school or ask for information from the school if it is a private school. See "Parent Tip" on school report cards.)
In the past few years, have test scores risen or declined? How does the school explain the rise or decline?
How well have children similar to yours performed on these tests?
How do students moving on to the next level of schooling perform in their new schools?
How many students leave the school before completing the last grade?
What special achievements or recognition has the school received?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
How Technology Can be Implemented in Schools
Here is an article on how technology can be implemented in schools.
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech149.shtml
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech149.shtml
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Technology and Schools Divide
Interesting perspective on schools and the digital divide. Maybe as simple as a generation gap.
http://blogs.synapse3di.com/
http://blogs.synapse3di.com/
Friday, January 23, 2009
SAT Information
I recently ran across an SAT review site that had every standardize test available. The site includes practice questions, answers, vocabulary help etc...
http://www.testprepreview.com/sat_practice.htm
http://www.testprepreview.com/sat_practice.htm
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Digital Divide
An area of focus for parents should be when evaluating a school is to ask what kind of technology they offer their students and teachers. There are some tendencies for school districts. I have posted below an excerpt from an article that I thought was very revealing.
"Schools serving students living in poverty tend to use technology for more traditional memory-based and remedial activities, while schools serving wealthier communities are more likely to focus on communication and expression.A nationwide study examining the relationship between socioeconomic status and teaching practices around technology found that teaching in low-SES schools correlated most strongly with using technology for "reinforcement of skills" and "remediation of skills," while teaching in higher-SES schools correlated most with "analyzing information" and "presenting information to an audience" (Becker, 2000b).
What does your school district look like? Do they have websites, emails, online newsletters etc.? If the world is going digital than how is your child suppose to integrate it into their own life without having well trained staff in that area? What in-services are provided by the districts?
"Schools serving students living in poverty tend to use technology for more traditional memory-based and remedial activities, while schools serving wealthier communities are more likely to focus on communication and expression.A nationwide study examining the relationship between socioeconomic status and teaching practices around technology found that teaching in low-SES schools correlated most strongly with using technology for "reinforcement of skills" and "remediation of skills," while teaching in higher-SES schools correlated most with "analyzing information" and "presenting information to an audience" (Becker, 2000b).
What does your school district look like? Do they have websites, emails, online newsletters etc.? If the world is going digital than how is your child suppose to integrate it into their own life without having well trained staff in that area? What in-services are provided by the districts?
ACT and SAT Vocabulary Help
Studying to go to college and for ACT and SAT? Here is a free website that contains over 5000 words to improve your vocabulary.
http://www.freevocabulary.com/
http://www.freevocabulary.com/
Working on Vocabulary for SAT?
Here is a site that enables students to become familiar with vocabulary from SAT Test.
http://www.english-test.net/sat/
http://www.english-test.net/sat/
Monday, January 19, 2009
If You Need a Tutor for SAT/ACT?
If you are looking for help on ACT or SAT this site is fantastic. http://www.number2.com/. At Number 2 you get a free ACT / SAT tutor companion, word of the day and monitoring.
If Know Someone Who is Taking SAT
For the next 5 days we are going to be posting SAT tools for students working towards college.
The link I am going to provide is to Spark Notes. Spark Notes has a SAT center. It can be very helpful, including a mini SAT, vocabulary novels, power tactics and much, much more.
http://testprep.sparknotes.com/testcenter/newsat/index.epl
The link I am going to provide is to Spark Notes. Spark Notes has a SAT center. It can be very helpful, including a mini SAT, vocabulary novels, power tactics and much, much more.
http://testprep.sparknotes.com/testcenter/newsat/index.epl
Friday, January 16, 2009
Teaching Students with Autism
Here is a link to an interesting article on teaching students with autism.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98959992&ft=1&f=1013
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98959992&ft=1&f=1013
Looking at Online High School
Here is an article regarding an On-line High School.
http://www.alliedhighschool.com/reblog/2007/10/not-all-online-high-schools-are-created.shtml
http://www.alliedhighschool.com/reblog/2007/10/not-all-online-high-schools-are-created.shtml
I Great Article About Selecting a Public School
This article was an excellent article about choosing the best public school. A must read for any parent who is sending their child to school.
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/1
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/1
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thinking About Home Schooling? A Point of View to Consider
If you are considering home schooling your child then you want to read this article. As parents, you want to consider all sides when it involves your child's education.
http://principalspage.com/theblog/index.php?/archives/61-HOMESCHOOLING-IS-GREAT,-BUT-IT-SURE-MAKES-IT-HARD-TO-PICK-TEAMS..html
http://principalspage.com/theblog/index.php?/archives/61-HOMESCHOOLING-IS-GREAT,-BUT-IT-SURE-MAKES-IT-HARD-TO-PICK-TEAMS..html
Schools Going You Tube
Schools are using You Tube. Good article on schools using You Tube.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/multimedia/?i=56590
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/multimedia/?i=56590
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
Assessing your Child's Readiness for Preschool -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
If You Have a Young Child
Here is a site I found in which you can listen to different children books http://www.storynory.com. Enjoy them with your child.
Here is a Good Source of Information for those Book Orders
Hi Everyone,
I found a good source for evaluating childrens' books when the book order forms come home to you. The site is http://childrensbooksforparents.com. It gives a series of recommendations and a brief overview. I thought it might be helpful so that you don't have waste much time and cash on books that are above or below your child's reading level.
I found a good source for evaluating childrens' books when the book order forms come home to you. The site is http://childrensbooksforparents.com. It gives a series of recommendations and a brief overview. I thought it might be helpful so that you don't have waste much time and cash on books that are above or below your child's reading level.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Part 4: Creating a Newspaper Article
News Article Writing Process: Part 4 -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
Part 3: Newspaper Article Formation
News Article Writing Process: Part 3 -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
Here is Part 2 of Writing a Newspaper Article
News Article Writing Process: Part 2 -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
How to Write a Newspaper Article
News Article Writing Process: Part 1 -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
Kids Have to Do a Newspaper Article?
Here is part one of a four part series of videos about doing an interview and creating a newpaper article for a class assignment. The writing styles for these assignments are different from regular writing assignments usually assigned in class. Here are some helpful videos to help inspire them.
News Article Interview Tips -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
News Article Interview Tips -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Moms Going 3.0
Schools need to think about how they communicate to parents and especially moms.
Make way for “Mom 3.0″: Blogging, vlogging, twittering parents tune into tech
Filed as News on January 3, 2009 7:00 am
by Andy Merrett
Two-thirds of moms use five or more forms of technology every day to stay in touch with their families, consume and compose content, and manage their lives.
That’s according to recent research from BSM Media, published in “Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today’s Mothers by Leveraging New Media & Technology”.
The report predicts that video blogs (vlogs), podcasts, social networking and microblogging will increase in popularity over the coming year.
Four out of five moms have watched two or more videos in the last week compared to just one-third who have read blogs, while the availability of cheap and compact camcorders allows them to record their own video journals for sharing online.
Two out of three moms said that video is an appealing format because it is more easily adaptable to their lifestyles.
Though podcasts may be losing some appeal in the tech sector, the increasingly ubiquity of MP3 players among parents (over 80% of moms, own one compared to just 20% in 1999) means that they could be a more important form of media.
Adding weight to the argument that Twitter will go mainstream in 2009, the report suggests that moms will increasingly use such services this year, along with instant messaging and mobile phone SMS, to stay in touch with their families.
I’m not sure about the “Mom 3.0” tag, but it’s certainly true that parents are using a lot more technology and online services these days to stay in touch with both family and peers.
Make way for “Mom 3.0″: Blogging, vlogging, twittering parents tune into tech
Filed as News on January 3, 2009 7:00 am
by Andy Merrett
Two-thirds of moms use five or more forms of technology every day to stay in touch with their families, consume and compose content, and manage their lives.
That’s according to recent research from BSM Media, published in “Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today’s Mothers by Leveraging New Media & Technology”.
The report predicts that video blogs (vlogs), podcasts, social networking and microblogging will increase in popularity over the coming year.
Four out of five moms have watched two or more videos in the last week compared to just one-third who have read blogs, while the availability of cheap and compact camcorders allows them to record their own video journals for sharing online.
Two out of three moms said that video is an appealing format because it is more easily adaptable to their lifestyles.
Though podcasts may be losing some appeal in the tech sector, the increasingly ubiquity of MP3 players among parents (over 80% of moms, own one compared to just 20% in 1999) means that they could be a more important form of media.
Adding weight to the argument that Twitter will go mainstream in 2009, the report suggests that moms will increasingly use such services this year, along with instant messaging and mobile phone SMS, to stay in touch with their families.
I’m not sure about the “Mom 3.0” tag, but it’s certainly true that parents are using a lot more technology and online services these days to stay in touch with both family and peers.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Innovative Look at Teaching Algebra
With the failure rate increasing among students taking Algebra, look what one school district has done.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/nyregion/08video.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/nyregion/08video.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Friday, January 9, 2009
Great Article on ADHD and Mothers
Hey everyone I am getting back to you regarding ADHD.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/134161.php
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/134161.php
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Is This is a Little Much?
Donations for schools from families has been a long time traditional commitment that most communities can accept. The pizza kits, flowers, candles, and the 50/50 tickets have been familiar to all of us for a while. However look what one school is asking parents to bring.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/18430596/detail.html
Even more reasons to ask questions about the school district you are going to invest in.
Greg Green
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/18430596/detail.html
Even more reasons to ask questions about the school district you are going to invest in.
Greg Green
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Teenagers Decisions Driving You Crazy?
Helping accept your teenagers decisions is difficult but here is some good advice.
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/behavioranddiscipline/a/decisionmaking.htm
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/behavioranddiscipline/a/decisionmaking.htm
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Does Your School Address Violence within Teenage Dating
Schools are beginning to help address teenage dating violence. Ask your potential school about their plan to help teenagers create healthy dating relationships.
http://takingcareofourselves.blogspot.com/2008/10/get-facts-teaching-teenagers-about.html
http://takingcareofourselves.blogspot.com/2008/10/get-facts-teaching-teenagers-about.html
Thinking That Your Student May Go to College Oversees?
A good article regarding kids thinking about going oversees to school.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-cash-101/2008/10/17/6-ways-to-get-funding-to-study-overseas-and-one-way-not-to.html
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-cash-101/2008/10/17/6-ways-to-get-funding-to-study-overseas-and-one-way-not-to.html
Paying for College in a Recession
A good article for families looking to provide their student financial support for college.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-cash-101/2008/12/15/the-4-rules-of-paying-for-college-in-a-recession.html
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-cash-101/2008/12/15/the-4-rules-of-paying-for-college-in-a-recession.html
Paying for College Must Read!
Parents please check this out if you are planning to send your child to college.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/your-money/paying-for-college/03money.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/your-money/paying-for-college/03money.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Monday, January 5, 2009
Research Regarding Studying and Spaces
Interesting article regarding retention rates and spacing between study sessions.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118141708.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118141708.htm
Here is Some Interesting Research on Kindergarten Students
Students who enter kindergarten without adequate preparation are more likely to drop out, plus they're more likely to need special education or have to repeat a grade at a cost of some $24.4 million, additional English instruction for $11 million and more resources to deal with delinquent behavior, at a cost of $6 million, according to a Wilder Research report. Teachers are also more likely to quit or miss work due to the resulting behavior and academic problems, costing some $28.9 million, researchers said. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul) (12/29)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Have You Ever Considered These Things When Looking At a School?
For the past week, I have listed questions that I would consider important when choosing school. Culture is something that you can pick up on as soon as you arrive. Here are some starter questions that you should consider when selecting a school for your son or daughter.
Is the school secretary helpful and friendly?
Is the school orderly and neat?
What do the bulletin boards look like?
How is student work displayed?
How does the school communicate with students and parents (weekly/monthly newsletter, e-mail?
Is the school secretary helpful and friendly?
Is the school orderly and neat?
What do the bulletin boards look like?
How is student work displayed?
How does the school communicate with students and parents (weekly/monthly newsletter, e-mail?
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Great Read for Those Who Need to Get Organized
For those parents looking to get organized for 2009 here is a great blog post regarding organizational tools that are web based.
http://edtechpower.blogspot.com/2008/12/ten-tools-to-manage-your-life.html
http://edtechpower.blogspot.com/2008/12/ten-tools-to-manage-your-life.html
Curriculum Questions a Parent Should Ask a School When Investigating
Does the school have a strong program of core academic subjects such as English, history, mathematics, science, arts, and foreign languages?
What courses does the school offer in addition to the core subjects?
What evidence is there that the school is effectively teaching students to read?
Does the school have a special focus or theme for the curriculum?
Does the school offer challenging courses such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and high school honors courses?
Does the school provide enrichment opportunities for all students? For gifted students?
Does the school have extracurricular activities that support what is taught?
Is there an effective English language acquisition program for children who need it?
If your child has special learning needs, does the school have a curriculum and the necessary supports to appropriately accommodate those need?
What courses does the school offer in addition to the core subjects?
What evidence is there that the school is effectively teaching students to read?
Does the school have a special focus or theme for the curriculum?
Does the school offer challenging courses such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and high school honors courses?
Does the school provide enrichment opportunities for all students? For gifted students?
Does the school have extracurricular activities that support what is taught?
Is there an effective English language acquisition program for children who need it?
If your child has special learning needs, does the school have a curriculum and the necessary supports to appropriately accommodate those need?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Parents Does Your District Have These Types of Things
When you start looking at school districts for your son or daughter a good question to ask is if they have any classes that help parents such as ... teaching parents how to work with their student, filling out college applications, parenting classes, study skills etc... Here is an article that is helpful.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/dec/31/1m31parents001725-parents-head-back-school/?zIndex=30078
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/dec/31/1m31parents001725-parents-head-back-school/?zIndex=30078
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)