Lessons have a way a re-appearing when I haven't learned them.... Sometimes once but more often several times!
Case in point... It's Christmas season... I know that. I know what it involves: advent, shopping, malls, lists, recipes, parties, eating, expectations, more lists, wrapping, traffic, Rudolph, scheduling, work deadlines, eating, rushing, church, lights, cold weather, candles, cards, stamps, shipping packages, reconnecting, scent of pine, tress, Chanukah, vacation, cookies, more eating, excitement, another list, children, joy, Santa, Grinch, etc.....
So in the midst of this holiday season, I struggle with my meditation, exercise, and quiet time.My motivator is my 100 lb German Shepherd, Shila, who needs exercise daily. I love her for that!
Anyway... my attention....and back to Christmas... I was frantically booking our "After the Holidays" Party on line during my busy time and I misplaced my business credit card and my business debit card. I realized this a day after I used them. I searched work, my desk, my home , my clothes, my jackets, my car, my briefcase, closet floors, trash, and anything and every other place I could search. I had staff, friends, clients, and my husband helping me. No luck...
During this chaos, I realized the stress I was feeling... No quiet time, no meditating, only credit cards..... Which brings me to "My Attention." While on a retreat 12 years ago, I heard, "Pay attention to your attention." I thought this was so foolish and mimicked it when I came home. My arrogance had the better of me.. The great I am that I always pay attention to what I am doing...
Now especially at this time, I relearned this lesson and am paying attention to my attention... I want to slow down a bit, breathe, focus on one task at a time, stay where my feet are, and yes, pay attention to my attention! Of course, too, I shall continue to make my lists!
No. I did not find my credit cards and as my best friend, Judy, said, "At least that is a problem you can solve." And I did... It was on my list! So slow down, pay attention to your attention, and have a fun-filled season!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
De-stress the Dr. Brene Brown Way
Dr. Brown considers herself a "pretty calm parent." She has learned the value of bringing perspective and quiet to difficult situations by watching her husband and by practice!
Parents can model calmness --- and practice it --- so our children can learn it, too. Practice deep breathing, stillness, meditating, and praying. Spend time alone - even 10 minutes - to quiet your mind. Walk around the block!
So the next time you want to yell, "Sit down!" or "Calm down!" try modelling the behavior of calm and quiet. Reduce the stress!
As Harriet Lerner says, "Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm." Great teachers model behaviors what they want and so do great parents!
Parents can model calmness --- and practice it --- so our children can learn it, too. Practice deep breathing, stillness, meditating, and praying. Spend time alone - even 10 minutes - to quiet your mind. Walk around the block!
So the next time you want to yell, "Sit down!" or "Calm down!" try modelling the behavior of calm and quiet. Reduce the stress!
As Harriet Lerner says, "Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm." Great teachers model behaviors what they want and so do great parents!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Students and Stress
Friends. Dating. Grades. Sports. Family. Work. Peer pressure. Drugs. Alcohol. Anxiety.
Students, like adults, experience stress. Not episodic stress like studying for an exam, finishing a paper, or preparing for a job interview. I am taking about a continuous "state" of stress. Stress is a process that builds and evidence indicates that stress can increase levels of illness and infection, take years off one's life, and cuts down on one's happiness.
Common symptoms are irritability, insomnia, headaches, accident proneness, indigestion, changes in sleep or appetite, and anxious feeling. More than 30% of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed. Depression affects over 19 million adults in the U.S. Eating disorders affect 5-10 million women and 1 million men. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death, the 3rd leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the 2nd leading leading cause of death in college populations.
How do we reduce stress? Here is s list of techniques to reduces stress:
For more.... http://www.edutopia.org/blog/destress-for-success-christopher-pepper
Students, like adults, experience stress. Not episodic stress like studying for an exam, finishing a paper, or preparing for a job interview. I am taking about a continuous "state" of stress. Stress is a process that builds and evidence indicates that stress can increase levels of illness and infection, take years off one's life, and cuts down on one's happiness.
Common symptoms are irritability, insomnia, headaches, accident proneness, indigestion, changes in sleep or appetite, and anxious feeling. More than 30% of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed. Depression affects over 19 million adults in the U.S. Eating disorders affect 5-10 million women and 1 million men. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death, the 3rd leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the 2nd leading leading cause of death in college populations.
How do we reduce stress? Here is s list of techniques to reduces stress:
- Try deep breathing for five seconds and create a sense of calmness and slow things down.
- Use visualization and place yourself in the most positive environment you have ever known.Is it the beach, the mountains, your room, or a park and transport your left there anytime you fell stressed.
- Say positive affirmations like, "I feel calm." "I can finish this paper." " I am alert." Avoid the no, don't, not. Your mind will believe what you tell it. Keep them short, simple and clear. Practice!
- Play or talk with your pet. (My favorite!)
- Listen to instrumental music.
- Take a bath or a nap.
- Exercise or walk at least 20 minutes.
- Try progressive relaxation by relaxing each individual body part from your toes to the top of your head. Focus on each body part.
For more.... http://www.edutopia.org/blog/destress-for-success-christopher-pepper
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Multiplication Tables!!! WHY?
Whats' the big deal with the times tables? I can use a calculator....
As an educator, I hear this often. Is learning the multiplication tables critical? Short answer is YES!!
Learning the tables by 3rd grade is crucial. Basic multiplication facts are foundational for further advancement in math. A lack of automaticity causes struggles in math with fractions, division, and more advance concepts. If they are not acquired by 3rd grade, it is unlikely they will be practiced in middle or high school. Without fluency and the ability to recall facts, students focus on the basic skills and not on the task at hand. As a result, higher order processing in problem solving is impeded.
I use the multiplication tables when shopping, planning parties, car repairs (well my husband does), paying and calculating bills, traveling, money, and cooking. Teachers depend on parents to help their children with basic facts. This is difficult with our busy schedules... so let's have a Facts Party after Thanksgiving!!! We can all be grateful for this innovative and helpful idea!
Call us today 508-821-7770 for party info!
As an educator, I hear this often. Is learning the multiplication tables critical? Short answer is YES!!
Learning the tables by 3rd grade is crucial. Basic multiplication facts are foundational for further advancement in math. A lack of automaticity causes struggles in math with fractions, division, and more advance concepts. If they are not acquired by 3rd grade, it is unlikely they will be practiced in middle or high school. Without fluency and the ability to recall facts, students focus on the basic skills and not on the task at hand. As a result, higher order processing in problem solving is impeded.
I use the multiplication tables when shopping, planning parties, car repairs (well my husband does), paying and calculating bills, traveling, money, and cooking. Teachers depend on parents to help their children with basic facts. This is difficult with our busy schedules... so let's have a Facts Party after Thanksgiving!!! We can all be grateful for this innovative and helpful idea!
Call us today 508-821-7770 for party info!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Why Hire a Tutor?
Many students benefit from a tutor at some point in their eduction. Why hire one?
- Some children are not academically challenged in class and are bored. As a result, their grades tend to slip. A tutor will provide additional challenges and coursework.
- Some children absorb materiel better in a one-on-one environment. Tutoring support will give your child the assistance he/she needs to thrive in the classroom.
- Some children are not comfortable is a traditional classroom. It is not an appropriate setting for them. Tutoring creates a different environment -- one that is flexible and open.
- Some children struggle in the classroom and the teacher is unable to slow down instruction. As a result, students fall behind. Tutors provide additional instruction to catch up and help them pass the class.
- Most children need some help with their homework. Some parents are unable to teach their children the material or don't have the knowledge to teach them. Some children think the parents are "not qualified" to teach them. A tutor is more knowledgeable.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Important Issues Facing Children?
What do you see as the most important concern facing children in America? Poverty? Unemployment? Health? Full Day Kindergarten? Literacy? Election day is tomorrow. Do you know how your candidate stands on these and other crucial issues? The Worcester Telegraph has an insightful and pithy article.Read on.
Election Day is fast approaching, and we want to make sure that candidates put young children and families on their agendas. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, so let's ask candidates to be part of the village and commit to supporting high-quality early education and literacy.
1. A high-return investment
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman calls high-quality early education an essential high-return investment. Heckman says, “The United States invests relatively little at the starting point – in early childhood development – and as a consequence pays dearly for this neglect at every point thereafter. Our country will be unable to compete in the global economy if it does not address the increasing numbers of children who are not prepared for success in school, career and life.” Yet despite overwhelming evidence that high-quality early education works, far too many families lack access to high-quality, affordable early education and care for their children.
Question: How will you answer Heckman's call to invest in young children? What will it take to act on this evidence?
2. Third grade reading
Third grade reading is a critical educational benchmark that strongly predicts a child's chances of success in school and beyond. Yet 39% of Massachusetts third graders scored below proficient in reading on the 2012 MCAS. Research tells us that the path to reading success begins at birth and continues through the primary grades and beyond.
Question: What is your plan to ensure that children become proficient readers by the end of third grade?
3. Full-day kindergarten
Research shows that children who attend full-day kindergarten programs make greater gains in early reading and math than children in half-day programs. They also exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality full-day kindergarten and to ensure that all children have access to full-day kindergarten?
4. Affordability for families
A new report from Child Care Aware finds that in 35 states and the District of Columbia the annual cost for center-based care exceeds a year's in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public college. Once again, Massachusetts has the highest annual costs in the nation for both 4-year-olds and infants in full-time center-based care.
Question: What will you do to make early education and care more affordable for families?
5. Trained, professional early educators
Just as young children need effective teachers in their first years in our public schools, they also need effective teachers in their early learning settings. Research finds that young children learn best in classrooms led by early educators with bachelor's degrees and specialized training.
Question: What will you do support the professional development of early educators returning to school and the training of people entering the field?
6. Compensation
The early education field suffers from low pay and high turnover. And as early educators, particularly those in community-based settings, increase their education and training, their pay is not keeping up.
Question: What will you do to link increased compensation for early educators with increased training?
7. Educational continuity
Education is a continuum that runs from birth to college and career. For young children that means aligning early childhood settings with the primary grades.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality education for young children, from early childhood to third grade?
8. A research-backed positive impact
High-quality early education is one of the few educational strategies with a demonstrated positive impact on children's learning and life outcomes. Its many benefits, particularly for children from low-income families, include improved early literacy and numeracy skills and social-emotional development, as well as reduced special education and grade retention, increased high school graduation and college attendance. Its longer-term benefits include higher earnings, reduced need for public assistance and better health. Yet too many children do not have access to high-quality early education.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20121002/NEWS/121009835/0
Eight questions about young children to ask candidates
Election Day is fast approaching, and we want to make sure that candidates put young children and families on their agendas. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, so let's ask candidates to be part of the village and commit to supporting high-quality early education and literacy.
1. A high-return investment
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman calls high-quality early education an essential high-return investment. Heckman says, “The United States invests relatively little at the starting point – in early childhood development – and as a consequence pays dearly for this neglect at every point thereafter. Our country will be unable to compete in the global economy if it does not address the increasing numbers of children who are not prepared for success in school, career and life.” Yet despite overwhelming evidence that high-quality early education works, far too many families lack access to high-quality, affordable early education and care for their children.
Question: How will you answer Heckman's call to invest in young children? What will it take to act on this evidence?
2. Third grade reading
Third grade reading is a critical educational benchmark that strongly predicts a child's chances of success in school and beyond. Yet 39% of Massachusetts third graders scored below proficient in reading on the 2012 MCAS. Research tells us that the path to reading success begins at birth and continues through the primary grades and beyond.
Question: What is your plan to ensure that children become proficient readers by the end of third grade?
3. Full-day kindergarten
Research shows that children who attend full-day kindergarten programs make greater gains in early reading and math than children in half-day programs. They also exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality full-day kindergarten and to ensure that all children have access to full-day kindergarten?
4. Affordability for families
A new report from Child Care Aware finds that in 35 states and the District of Columbia the annual cost for center-based care exceeds a year's in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public college. Once again, Massachusetts has the highest annual costs in the nation for both 4-year-olds and infants in full-time center-based care.
Question: What will you do to make early education and care more affordable for families?
5. Trained, professional early educators
Just as young children need effective teachers in their first years in our public schools, they also need effective teachers in their early learning settings. Research finds that young children learn best in classrooms led by early educators with bachelor's degrees and specialized training.
Question: What will you do support the professional development of early educators returning to school and the training of people entering the field?
6. Compensation
The early education field suffers from low pay and high turnover. And as early educators, particularly those in community-based settings, increase their education and training, their pay is not keeping up.
Question: What will you do to link increased compensation for early educators with increased training?
7. Educational continuity
Education is a continuum that runs from birth to college and career. For young children that means aligning early childhood settings with the primary grades.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality education for young children, from early childhood to third grade?
8. A research-backed positive impact
High-quality early education is one of the few educational strategies with a demonstrated positive impact on children's learning and life outcomes. Its many benefits, particularly for children from low-income families, include improved early literacy and numeracy skills and social-emotional development, as well as reduced special education and grade retention, increased high school graduation and college attendance. Its longer-term benefits include higher earnings, reduced need for public assistance and better health. Yet too many children do not have access to high-quality early education.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20121002/NEWS/121009835/0
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Why preview a textbook???
I often hear students whine and ask, "Why do I have to look at the chapter first? My teacher will go over this."
Textbook previewing strategies allow us to gain a content overview and provide us a purpose for reading, generate background knowledge, connect this information to what we already know, focus on what's important, and, most importantly, gain new information. LDonline has a plethora of information. Visit them /http://www.ldonline.org/article/39881/39881/.
Textbook previewing strategies allow us to gain a content overview and provide us a purpose for reading, generate background knowledge, connect this information to what we already know, focus on what's important, and, most importantly, gain new information. LDonline has a plethora of information. Visit them /http://www.ldonline.org/article/39881/39881/.
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