tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630423342227800122024-03-19T01:41:41.720-07:00back theriaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-2846309235688485262012-11-13T04:37:00.000-08:002012-11-16T09:03:11.238-08:00Professional Development Collaboration<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9eJQTzryqs/UKI9b_Y09-I/AAAAAAAAAhU/UOT7CO1VzYk/s1600/The-Second-Family1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9eJQTzryqs/UKI9b_Y09-I/AAAAAAAAAhU/UOT7CO1VzYk/s200/The-Second-Family1.jpeg" width="131" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>86</o:Words> <o:Characters>491</o:Characters> <o:Company>Brooklyn Heights Montessori School</o:Company> <o:Lines>4</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>602</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Veterans Day my school had a professional development day with Metropolitan Montessori School — a collaborative activity where both schools share one speaker, thoughts and practices, a lunch together, AND the cost. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guest speaker <a href="http://www.rontaffel.com/"><span style="color: #e69138; text-decoration: initial;">Dr. Ron Taffel</span></a> spoke to us on child development, particularly the generational differences that confront parents and educators today. Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.rontaffel.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">his </span><span style="color: #e69138; text-decoration: initial;">website</span></a> and note the many books he has authored and his premise of children's "second family."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment--><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-36753937285047428152012-11-08T20:08:00.000-08:002012-11-16T09:03:11.245-08:00What Just Happened to Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zRPyjLp6Ug/UHrys-EmBFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/3GtaiHjkXX0/s1600/IS+Mag+cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zRPyjLp6Ug/UHrys-EmBFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/3GtaiHjkXX0/s200/IS+Mag+cvr.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nais.org/Magazines-Newsletters/ISMagazine/Pages/What-Just-Happened-to-Me.aspx" target="_blank">"What Just Happened to Me?"</a> is an article I wrote in the Fall 2012 issue of <i><a href="http://www.nais.org/Magazines-Newsletters/ISMagazine/Pages/Issues/Under-Pressure-On-Money-and-Mission.aspx" target="_blank">Independent School</a></i> Online Feature.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The piece contains important information on child abuse from expert Lisa Friel. It is a must-share with teachers and staff.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-35727505289790527912012-11-04T15:40:00.000-08:002012-11-16T09:03:11.252-08:00Post-Sandy Classroom Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcZpt6753tM/UJb8I6g8ntI/AAAAAAAAAg8/YFmpjJSoMEk/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcZpt6753tM/UJb8I6g8ntI/AAAAAAAAAg8/YFmpjJSoMEk/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those of us who teach for a living and live in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region, know that beyond the Sandy-caused school cancelations, there is much to think about with our students. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is an excellent piece by Launa Schweizer in the <i>NYTimes Motherlode</i> <i>Blog,</i> <a href="http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/the-first-day-in-the-classroom-post-sandy/" target="_blank">"The Frist Day in the Classroom, Post-Sandy,"</a> that speaks directly to this.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-70241510503963253362012-10-27T09:35:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.257-08:00Lessons in Diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past week, our students, faculty, staff, and parents were treated to separate, thoughtful, and instructive presentations by Derrick Gay, educational consultant (derrickgayconsultant@gmail.com)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. He was so good. I know we'll be seeing more and more of him in our schools.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He concluded his talk with parents by showing the profound TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie "The Danger of a Single Story."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-57694250920323196752012-10-21T07:08:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.296-08:00Class Bias the Real Enemy Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OS8gn9BXzo/UIQA0tnTpGI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z9zqkYk0qEI/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OS8gn9BXzo/UIQA0tnTpGI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z9zqkYk0qEI/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When my article <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwcMreex6GGCanhmLUVySlo1Wk0" target="_blank">"Class Bias the Real Enemy"</a> first appeared in the 1999 Winter issue of <i>Independent School</i> magazine, I knew this was a societal problem that would be insurmountable. It is rampant in nearly all cultures. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In today's <i>NYTimes</i> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/nyregion/for-minority-students-at-elite-new-york-private-schools-admittance-doesnt-bring-acceptance.html?_r=0" target="_blank">"Admitted, but Left Out"</a> by Jenny Anderson let's us know that diversity numbers in our "private" schools have improved, but class distinctions for students and families linger. When you look at the main drivers of class—education, wealth, occupation, and salary—you can understand the rancor that engulfs this presidential election.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-63647860455197157612012-10-15T17:24:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.302-08:00The Happy Secret to Better Work<span style="font-family: verdana;">If you have never heard of Shawn Achor, you must see this TEDX Talk on positive thinking. He goes from a childhood experience with his little sister to the campus of Harvard.<br /><br /><object height="374" width="526"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><br /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"><br /><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011X/Blank/ShawnAchor_2011X-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ShawnAchor_2011X-embed.jpg&vw=512&vh=288&ap=0&ti=1344&lang=&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work;year=2011;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=what_makes_us_happy;event=TEDxBloomington;tag=business;tag=happiness;tag=psychology;tag=science;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><br /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011X/Blank/ShawnAchor_2011X-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ShawnAchor_2011X-embed.jpg&vw=512&vh=288&ap=0&ti=1344&lang=&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work;year=2011;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=what_makes_us_happy;event=TEDxBloomington;tag=business;tag=happiness;tag=psychology;tag=science;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" height="374" width="526"><br /></object></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-34487516502109726492012-10-10T19:57:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.307-08:00Century of the Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhSq2_oqjVY/UEJJCvTwrjI/AAAAAAAAAbs/YKGlNxzw4Wo/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhSq2_oqjVY/UEJJCvTwrjI/AAAAAAAAAbs/YKGlNxzw4Wo/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll want to view <a href="http://www.moma.org/" target="_blank">The Museum of Modern Art </a>(MoMA) interactive website<a href="http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2012/centuryofthechild/" target="_blank"> Century of the Child Growing by Design 1900 - 2000</a> even if you cannot get to the exhibition itself, which runs through November 5. Here is how MoMA describes the exhibition:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"MoMA’s ambitious survey of 20th century design for children is the first large-scale overview of the modernist preoccupation with children and childhood as a paradigm for progressive design thinking. The exhibition will bring together areas underrepresented in design history and often considered separately, including school architecture, clothing, playgrounds, toys and games, children’s hospitals and safety equipment, nurseries, furniture, and books."</span></div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1"><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-58428696103106339222012-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.312-08:00Feeling Sorry For Yourself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJrZ4jWBiQA/UFuobyWetYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/va6hVyfsyGg/s1600/wonder.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJrZ4jWBiQA/UFuobyWetYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/va6hVyfsyGg/s200/wonder.jpeg" width="131" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2mz48w0MRE/UGW8vXrYBhI/AAAAAAAAAd0/b4hZk28QZbo/s1600/File:When_Bad_Things_Happen_To_Good_People.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2mz48w0MRE/UGW8vXrYBhI/AAAAAAAAAd0/b4hZk28QZbo/s1600/File:When_Bad_Things_Happen_To_Good_People.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my previous post, I introduced you to the book <i>Wonder</i>. It attracted me because one of my all-time favorite books is Harold Kushner's <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Bad_Things_Happen_to_Good_People" target="_blank">When Bad Things Happen to Good People</a></i>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, a <i>Wall Street Journal</i> front page story, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444083304578016110045188652.html" target="_blank">"Study of Rare Disease Helps in Search of Clues on Aging</a>" and the article's related video give <i>Wonder</i> a partner in helping adults navigate the difficult waters of childhood medical issues.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both books and the article give you an understanding of the bigger picture in life. So, when you are feeling sorry for yourself, start with the article, then go to Kushner's book, and if you need to, read <i>Wonder</i>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-40973602724343585362012-09-28T07:50:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.378-08:00Wonder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJrZ4jWBiQA/UFuobyWetYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/va6hVyfsyGg/s1600/wonder.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJrZ4jWBiQA/UFuobyWetYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/va6hVyfsyGg/s200/wonder.jpeg" width="131" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a <i>Wonder</i> . . . ful young adult book. I believe it will be a <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal" target="_blank">Newbery Medal</a> contender.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The video below tells a lot, but you must read the book to fully appreciate its beautiful messages. Here are two links for you to read as well:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/books/review/wonder-by-r-j-palacio.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>NYTimes Review</i></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/03/22/149082674/wonder-what-its-like-to-have-kids-stare-at-you" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NPR Story</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QOXDD3atWco" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-61209677903139945722012-09-23T06:03:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.384-08:00Rethinking Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xuh2Pv_8H98/UF8IRrk_pbI/AAAAAAAAAdU/eVrlEsbDZRY/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xuh2Pv_8H98/UF8IRrk_pbI/AAAAAAAAAdU/eVrlEsbDZRY/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For all of my readers who are caring for little ones and challenged by sleep issues—yours, that is, you must read <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/opinion/sunday/rethinking-sleep.html?ref=opinion" target="_blank">"Rethinking Sleep"</a> by David K. Randall in today's <i>NYTimes</i>. It gives all of us a whole new outlook on how to sleep.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-6071301920359230712012-09-17T05:40:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.389-08:00Golden Governance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLpdjz95HOE/UFcZXm0ZuFI/AAAAAAAAAcc/hBAyWWqjW3U/s1600/teresa-sullivan-uva-ouster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLpdjz95HOE/UFcZXm0ZuFI/AAAAAAAAAcc/hBAyWWqjW3U/s200/teresa-sullivan-uva-ouster.jpeg" width="164" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My article <a href="http://www.nais.org/Articles/Pages/Golden-Governance.aspx" target="_blank">"Golden Governance,"</a> recently published in NAIS's <i>The Savvy Trustee,</i> talks about how a strong relationship between the Board President and CEO/Head of School is critical to building a strong governing body. Coincidentally, yesterday's <i>NYTimes Magazine</i> cover story <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/teresa-sullivan-uva-ouster.html?_r=1&ref=magazine" target="_blank">"Anatomy of a Campus Coup"</a> revels pieces of how the University of Virginia fell prey to not following golden governance.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-80064359542986327572012-09-13T16:39:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.461-08:00Sesame Street's Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0FrheFdw0/UE3kB9LRwNI/AAAAAAAAAcE/aDULkt0iwYo/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0FrheFdw0/UE3kB9LRwNI/AAAAAAAAAcE/aDULkt0iwYo/s200/imgres.jpeg" width="165" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having enjoyed innumerable episodes of <i>Sesame Street</i> many, many years ago, I often think about its success. Here is <a href="http://www.nationalnannies.com/blog/10-reasons-why-sesame-street-has-been-on-for-so-long/" target="_blank">"10 Reasons Why Sesame Street Has Been On For So Long"</a> and speaks to why the program has served and survived for so many years.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-83808393647025234472012-09-10T06:43:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.533-08:00Who Should Decide What Students Read?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_HHa1gIhI/UDe6K6ALP5I/AAAAAAAAAas/Yv9m-_CFAHU/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7_HHa1gIhI/UDe6K6ALP5I/AAAAAAAAAas/Yv9m-_CFAHU/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I write another article on choosing what to read, I came across an <i>Education Week</i>, November 2009 article I wrote <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwcMreex6GGCanlmVUw0MnlNNnM" target="_blank">"Who Should Decide What Students Read."</a> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An awesome and onerous task, guiding students in their reading is such a delicate and important responsibility for parents and teachers. Likewise, if we as adults hope to have our students read, we have to be equally as vigilant in <u>our</u> reading habits and choices.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-51118629689050161452012-09-06T08:53:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.605-08:00The Empty Pot<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Empty-Pot-Demi/dp/0805082271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345394988&sr=8-1&keywords=the+empty+pot+by+demi" target="_blank">The Empty Pot</a></i> by Demi is a beautiful story that you will want to get and read to your 1st through 5th grade child(ren). Here is a handy reading of the story.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/emt08NorRU8" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-12824004734583054062012-09-03T04:40:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.677-08:00In Celebration of Maria Montessori's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHU2aQKcdtg/UEC3WPyhkqI/AAAAAAAAAbU/eBvvVEnULs0/s1600/Google+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHU2aQKcdtg/UEC3WPyhkqI/AAAAAAAAAbU/eBvvVEnULs0/s320/Google+page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google used this graphic on its search webpage on August 31, Dr. Montessori's birthday; and when you clicked on the Montessori materials graphics, you were brought <a href="https://www.google.com/#q=Maria+Montessori&oi=ddle&ct=montessori-hp&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=c2c622f5707131aa&biw=1260&bih=933" target="_blank">to an information page for Montessori references</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-5380600963513750742012-08-30T17:31:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.749-08:00Is Math Phobia in Your Home?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53ZrFHuzDRY/UEAFE_yVmWI/AAAAAAAAAbA/UBokJbZ3L_c/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53ZrFHuzDRY/UEAFE_yVmWI/AAAAAAAAAbA/UBokJbZ3L_c/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is an excellent article and related video from Sue Shellenbarger reporter for the <i>Wall Street Journal.</i> <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10000872396390444914904577615690632669590-lMyQjAxMTAyMDMwMDAzODA3Wj.html?mod=wsj_valetleft_email#articleTabs%3Darticle" target="_blank">"A Worksheet for Math-Phobic Parents"</a> gives good perspective on math and will help you resist <a href="http://danesedblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/please-dont-throw-math-under-bus.html" target="_blank">throwing math under the bus</a> when frustration sets in with your child and you.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-44646366119444298702012-08-26T09:33:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.820-08:00The Meds-for-ADHD Debate<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TeWC_kHQiPs/UDDvwEStUtI/AAAAAAAAAaY/KewrLgsiEgI/s1600/19RITALINSUB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TeWC_kHQiPs/UDDvwEStUtI/AAAAAAAAAaY/KewrLgsiEgI/s200/19RITALINSUB.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether you read the balanced, August 19, 2012 <i>NYTimes</i> article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/opinion/sunday/raising-the-ritalin-generation.html?_r=1&ref=opinion" target="_blank">"Raising the Ritalin Generation"</a> or not, you only have to glance at the article's unfortunate accompanying graphic (displayed at the right) to receive the paper's intended negative impression of one approach to treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First read the article to take away your own impressions, then click over to <a href="http://www.drhallowell.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Ned Hallowell's website</a> to get a full and accurate understanding of ADHD, use of medications, and how to best support our children.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-15579655960275664342012-08-22T05:27:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.892-08:00Getting Ready for College<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6vWJABEVlE/UCwrQFKytCI/AAAAAAAAAZw/67wY2mO0vnE/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6vWJABEVlE/UCwrQFKytCI/AAAAAAAAAZw/67wY2mO0vnE/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.collegebeing.com/six-life-tips-to-guarantee-survival-in-college/" target="_blank">"Six Life Tips to Guarantee Survival at College,"</a> a thoughtfully practical article crossed my path recently, and if you are thinking about packing up your daughter or son to begin a college career, you may want to read this article by Aileen Pablo.</span><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-75691378811826160782012-08-18T18:44:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:11.964-08:00Boomer Buddy Axiom — Generational Differences<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vvBJ_SidX8/UC49q423oHI/AAAAAAAAAaE/t7lWry9Ou6w/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vvBJ_SidX8/UC49q423oHI/AAAAAAAAAaE/t7lWry9Ou6w/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on the previous post "Parent, Buddy, or Both?" I received this precious quote from a baby boomer friend who received this message from his mother when he was growing up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Remember one thing, as long as you live in my house you follow my rules; there is no democracy, I didn’t campaign to be your mother, and you didn’t vote for me. We are mom and son by the grace of God, and I have an obligation to perform my role as your mother. I’m not your pal, or your buddy, our age differences make that relationship impossible. Whatever I ask you to do is motivated by love . . . You have to trust me, and will understand perfectly when you have a son. Tough lady . . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19366d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19366d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19366d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-29399742072585114872012-08-15T10:09:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.036-08:00Parent, Buddy, or Both?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XI4Iv_ycs2Q/UCrnKeZAcKI/AAAAAAAAAZU/83zwYU_EtWA/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XI4Iv_ycs2Q/UCrnKeZAcKI/AAAAAAAAAZU/83zwYU_EtWA/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can parents be both a parent and a buddy to their child?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the <i>Sunday NYTimes</i>, </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/fashion/parents-choose-buddy-as-a-nickname-for-their-children.html?_r=1&ref=style" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">"More than a Son, He's My Buddy"</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> by Douglas Quenqua for an interesting perspective. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-16515790004502367912012-08-12T07:53:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.107-08:00Feel Good TED Talk<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You will love this one. Watch Neil Pasricha talk about the 3 A's — attitude, awareness, and authenticity — using one touching story after another. Here is <a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/" target="_blank">"1000 Awesome Things,"</a> his famous blog link, in case you want to go there after seeing his Talk.</div><br /><object height="374" width="526"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"> </param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"> </param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> </param><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2010X/Blank/NeilPasricha_2010X-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/NeilPasricha-2010X.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=512&vh=288&ap=0&ti=1048&lang=&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome;year=2010;theme=master_storytellers;theme=what_makes_us_happy;event=TEDxToronto+2010;tag=book;tag=happiness;tag=life;tag=love;tag=personal+growth;tag=psychology;tag=writing;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /> <embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="526" height="374" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2010X/Blank/NeilPasricha_2010X-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/NeilPasricha-2010X.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=512&vh=288&ap=0&ti=1048&lang=&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome;year=2010;theme=master_storytellers;theme=what_makes_us_happy;event=TEDxToronto+2010;tag=book;tag=happiness;tag=life;tag=love;tag=personal+growth;tag=psychology;tag=writing;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-40032161098887163902012-08-06T12:59:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.179-08:00Raising Successful Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oi0dn3tNuLU/UCAd_garKtI/AAAAAAAAAYs/SaZ5tFA9NRk/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oi0dn3tNuLU/UCAd_garKtI/AAAAAAAAAYs/SaZ5tFA9NRk/s200/imgres.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In yesterday's <i>NYTimes</i> "Sunday Review" section, <a href="http://danesedblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/price-of-privilege-part-1-of-4.html#uds-search-results" target="_blank">Madeline Levine's</a> excellent article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/opinion/sunday/raising-successful-children.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all" target="_blank">"Raising Successful Children"</a> is a must read. Drawing from the work of <a href="http://www.devpsy.org/teaching/parent/baumrind_styles.html" target="_blank">Diana Baumrind</a> and <a href="http://danesedblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/get-to-know-dr-carol-dweck.html" target="_blank">Carol Dweck</a>, Levine points out several important parenting tips. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I quote from the article:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. . . the optimal parent is one who is involved and responsive, who sets high expectations but respects her child's autonomy.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanging back and allowing children to make mistakes is one of the greatest challenges of parenting.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you can't stand to see your child unhappy, you are in the wrong business.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we do things for our children out of our own needs rather than theirs, it forces them to circumvent the most critical task of childhood: to develop a robust sense of self.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we must remember that children thrive best in an environment that is reliable, available, consistent, and noninterfering.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parents also have to be clear about their own values. Children watch us closely.</span></li></ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-17450832154705874502012-08-02T03:50:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.250-08:00Benji @ 21 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikxD6yKMZDs/UBkZG7JglDI/AAAAAAAAAYE/kKh8HzW9Ico/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikxD6yKMZDs/UBkZG7JglDI/AAAAAAAAAYE/kKh8HzW9Ico/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Notes from a parent:</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My son Benji threw a Billy Martin tantrum yesterday in the Wal Mart parking lot. I gave him the choice of walking into Wal Mart with me or riding in the cart. He wanted me to carry him. My back wasn't in the mood for that option, so he proceeded to sit down in the parking lot, take off his shoes, throw them, then throw his sippy cup, then stand up and kick his water bottle and shoes. It looked so ridiculous, I had a tough time not laughing."</span><br /><br /><div class="p1"><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-44254259550271808682012-07-29T15:16:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.322-08:00One way of using an iPad<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check out this generational video that answers a daughter's question, "So Dad, how do you like the iPad we got you?"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XcIwXVKQjsQ" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263042334222780012.post-22170146821426139532012-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:002012-11-16T09:03:12.393-08:00The Child Whisperer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_jGkXBXv-w/T-7o5WCU7kI/AAAAAAAAAWw/nUAcVpo1v1c/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_jGkXBXv-w/T-7o5WCU7kI/AAAAAAAAAWw/nUAcVpo1v1c/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Over the past ten years I have been struck by how Dr. Maria Montessori's understanding of the child was so powerful. It inspired me to express her gift in an article I wrote that was recently published in <i>Montessori Life</i>. Here is the article, <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwcMreex6GGCNHVSM0sxYnNHYjA" target="_blank">"The Child Whisperer."</a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511432864734182961noreply@blogger.com0