1st Grade Digital PBL: Does It Work?

Source : Matthew Lynch , www.thetechedvocate.org

Project-based learning is becoming an increasingly popular method of education and for many reasons. Even the youngest students are being taught using this innovative and modern approach.

However, many teachers often wonder whether or not project-based learning works and is made out to. This article will discuss exactly what this approach involves and why you should incorporate it into your grade one classroom.

Got a Newspaper? You’ve Got Learning!

Source: www.readingrockets.org

Just a few pages from your newspaper can be turned into lots of early learning activities. Here you'll find "letters and words" activities for the youngest, plus fun writing prompts and tips on how to read and analyze the news for older kids.

Play Games, Learn Math! Number Path Games

Source : Kristen E. Reed, Jessica Mercer Young , www.naeyc.org

Number path games, when played like board games, are ideal for helping preschool children learn math. These games build children’s understanding of early math concepts, such as counting and comparing numbers, while giving them experience with a valuable math tool—a number path.

Teachers may wonder what the difference is between a number path and a number line (both are shown at right). A number line is a tool that shows the distance between whole numbers, like a ruler. This tool can be confusing for preschool children if they land between numbers as they are counting. A number path is a counting tool—each number is written within a rectangle or other shape, and it is easier for young children to use when counting. In a number path game, children build confidence as they practice counting, use one-to-one correspondence, and learn that numbers come before and after other numbers. Having experience with a visual model like a number path will help preschool children be prepared for kindergarten and later mathematics learning.

30 Academic Resources on Learning

Source: Saga Briggs , www.opencolleges.edu.au

Many of us read blogs about learning and discuss the learning process with our colleagues, but few of us actually bother keeping up with the latest science. Maybe it’s because, if we do manage to identify a source or two, we are immediately turned off by all the dense scientific jargon. Or maybe it’s not always clear which resources provide information specifically on learning and not just education in general. Our goal in this article is to supply you with approachable scientific materials you can actually read and use. That way, you can stay interested and informed, and your students can benefit.

How to Teach Learning-Disabled Children to Read

Source : Marie Huntington , ehow.com

 

 

 

 

Learning-disabled students learn and process information differently than students in general education classrooms. Although there are various forms of learning disabilities, there are certain signs to determine if a child has a learning disability. As indicated on the West Virginia University website, a learning-disabled student has trouble with memorization, coordination, reading and problem-solving. There are strategies to teach children with learning disabilities. Essentially, the strategy should focus on showing the student how to construct meaning when they read.

Summertime and the Learning Is Easy

Source : Ann Dolin , readingrockets.org

The summer is a time to unwind and relax for parents and kids alike, but learning should not come to a halt. By focusing on your child's interests, involving the family, and setting goals, you can motivate even the most reluctant learners

If you're like most parents at this time of year, you're relishing the days of summer. No more homework struggles, standardized tests, or jam-packed afternoons of carting your children to and from extracurricular activities. The summer is a time to unwind and relax for parents and kids alike, but learning should not come to a halt. According to the foundation Reading is Fundamental, children who do not read over the summer experience a loss of reading fluency and comprehension skills. Students who engage in summertime reading actually gain skills. Research also shows that students who have not engaged in summer learning score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer break than they do on the exact same test at the end of the previous school year. In math, students lose approximately 2.6 years of grade level equivalency over the summer if they are not stimulated.

Sally Shaywitz, author of Overcoming Dyslexia, reports that children who score in the top 10th percentile on standardized tests read more than 20 minutes per day after school. Over a school year, that translates to 1.8 million words read! Students who read only five minutes for pleasure score near the 50th percentile. Sadly, students who read a minute or less on a daily basis after school hours read a mere 8,000 words per year and score in the lowest 10 percent. It is easy to understand why engaging in some type of instruction, whether it be structured or unstructured, is an integral part of continued academic growth. Parents can play an important role in encouraging learning throughout the summer months even if their child is a reluctant learner.

What Are the Effects of the Home Environment on Learning?

Source : Jagg Xaxx, ehow.com

Children take their home environment with them to school every day. A positive, supportive and predictable home environment helps a child to cope with the stresses and uncertainties of the schoolroom. Conversely, children who leave home in the morning to go to school without a proper breakfast, or while worrying about their parents, or knowing that they will be returning to a home that is unsafe, will not be able to learn as well. No matter how good the school, children will be less able to take advantage of it if their home environments are inadequate.