News Articles
Early reading program gets better than expected results from The Seattle
Times
Five Seattle area schools offer the Early Reading First program, part
of the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind Act. Through this
$3 million, three-year grant, literacy test scores for pre-kindergarteners
have
increased from 66% to 93%. Read more about how children are learning and
growing in the Early Reading First program right in the Emerald City, here.
Big names write for little readers from the Sun-Sentinel
This article explores how celebrity-writers are all the rage for children’s
books. Celebrities that have been published recently are Ray Romano (Everybody
Loves Raymond), Jamie Lee Curtis, George Forman and Julie Andrews. Find out
why celebrities are some of today’s hottest writers. Click
here to learn more. (PDF)
Reading
into Brain Development
This article addresses the importance of nutrition and parenting
in children’s success with literacy. Stephen Lange is a child
psychologist who works with schools in New Jersey and also has
a
private practice. As a reading specialist, he knows how important
it is for children to learn to read. He also recognizes that fourth
grade is too late. Read more about ages and stages for brain development here.
Teaching
Our Youngest
A Guide for Preschool Teachers and Child Care and Family Providers
- A free publication from U.S. Department of Education
This booklet draws from scientifically based research about what
can be done to help children to develop their language abilities,
increase their knowledge, become familiar with books and other printed
materials, learn letters and sounds, recognize numbers and learn
to count. Click
here to access the entire booklet in PDF format.
Overview
of Learning to Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices
for Young Children
The primary purpose of this position statement is to provide guidance
to teachers of young children in schools and early childhood programs
(including child care centers, preschools, and family child care
homes) serving children from birth through age eight. By and large,
the principles and practices suggested here also will be of interest
to any adults who are in a position to influence a young child's
learning and development--parents, grandparents, older siblings,
tutors, and other community members. Click
here to learn more.
Dynamics
of Second Language Acquisition
The process of how children learn a second language is significant.
They develop and learn language through a culmination of many interrelated
elements. How often or how competently a child speaks a language
depends on modeling of adults, the quality of interactions, and
the environment of the child. Learn more about the dynamics of second
language acquisition here.
(PDF)
Kindergarten Readiness
Former Gov. Gary Locke and Superintendent of Public Instruction
Terry Bergeson unveiled the first-ever statewide guidelines for
kindergarten readiness.
Engaging Students in Meaningful Conversations
When we think about curriculum, we should start by thinking about
the conversations we want students to be able to engage in, rather
than making long lists of concepts and skills to be covered. Concepts
and skills are important, but they are important because they support
the conversations, not the other way around. This and other important
observations are included in this fantastic article. Click
here to read more. (PDF)
Taking on the Language Gap From the
Pioneer Press
In suburban St. Paul, MN, kindergarteners who don’t speak
English attend language-enrichment classes to help them catch up
with their classmates. Read more about this successful program here.
(PDF)
The Music, Movement and Learning Connection
Hap Palmer, M.A., is a consultant on music and movement
for young children. In this innovative article, Hap demonstrates
how engaging young children in music and movement can teach fundamental
literacy skills. By allowing children to think of themselves as
songwriters, Hap shows how new verses can be created for traditional
songs, inspiring creativity in children. Read more about this here.
Early education for all families is the goal (From
the San Diego Union-Tribune)
A two-year initiative to expand preschool services and promote early
literacy, the Smart Start Preschool Campaign will add 1,600 preschool
slots to underperforming schools in San Diego. Read more about this
exciting program here.
A
common language creates an uncommon bond (from
Edutopia Online)
Students in Portland, OR, who participate in a partial-immersion
magnet program use language, technology, and applied learning techniques
to study the Japanese language.
It
pays to read (from the Lexington Herald-Leader)
A program in Lexington, Kentucky, pairs fourth and fifth graders
with kindergartners to form book buddies teams.
More
time to learn and play (from the Cincinnati Enquirer)
Higher state standards and proficiency tests have pushed first-grade
curriculum down into kindergarten, where more rigorous academics
have all but eliminated show and tell, play time and naps.
Using
literacy to fight juvenile crime (from News4Jax.com
- Jacksonville, FL)
A Jacksonville, Florida program helps juvenile offenders learn
to read to reduce recidivism.
Hey,
kids! It's story time (from the Akron Beacon Journal)
Tales hook toddlers' imaginations, but feet, attention can wander
Library
literacy programs have positive influence, study finds
(from the Seattle Times)
Studies show that programs motivate parents to spend more time reading
to babies and preschoolers.
Literacy
lunch program helps kids catch up (from The Olympian.com)
Kindergartners stay after class so they can squeeze in extra hour
of education.
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