You have probably heard before that it's important to read to your child and while many people talk about reading to babies from early infancy, lots of people put off story time until their baby grows into a toddler and can sit and listen to a story. However, as a teacher and educator, I have seen firsthand the benefits of early reading. I even read to my baby when he was still in utero! While that may be one step further than you are willing to go, here are some important reasons to begin reading as early as possible.
Develop Story time Routines
Start reading simple books to your baby from birth. Part of the reason to start early is that you are more likely to develop everyday routines around story time which will continue into your baby's childhood. Routines include the time that you read to them, perhaps before nap time and where you sit together to read.
Help get them Talking
The beginnings of your baby's language skills are developing in their brain, long before your baby starts talking. Lots of research shows that the more that babies and children are read to, the more words they learn compared to those not read to regularly.
Instil a Love of Reading and Strengthen Early Literacy Skills
You show your baby that you value reading by doing it regularly. While I certainly don't recommend getting the letters out at this age, developing a love of reading is the best way to give your child a head start in their early literacy development. By watching you hold the book, turn the pages and look at pages from left to right, your little one will develop key pre-reading skills.
Strengthen Bonds with your Baby
Sitting your baby on your lap or cradling them in your arms, while you share a book together further develops that bond between parent and child. Sharing these experiences together while laughing, smiling and talking to each other, deepens bonds.
While I hope I have convinced you to start reading to your baby, here are some tips to make reading with babies and toddlers that little bit easier:
- Begin reading to them when they are fed and happy
- Make reading fun by putting on silly voices or making animal noises
- Choose repetitive or short, simple books
- Turn off the TV or any other distractions
- As your baby gets older, allow them to choose which book you read next
- Sit your baby on your knee or next to each other in a special chair
If you don't have a lot of books, or want some variation at story time with your baby, try singing nursery rhymes and songs or storytelling without a book. If your little one always chooses the same book, it is a great sign that they are enjoying books and story time, even if you are getting sick of reading the same story over and over!
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The RIPPER II initiative lies within the education component of Farmsafe Australia’s Child Safety on Farms Program.
Ripper II - Growing kids on farms is an education resource for primary schools, providing teachers with evidence-based safety content and learning activities linked to the primary school curriculum of every Australian state and territory.
RIPPER II aims to provide teachers with ideas and resources to focus on / promote reputable farm safety content aligned the curricula, within the context of learning about farm life and farm environments. In particular, the resource provides teachers with: A background section highlighting evidence-base on injury causes and recommended interventions for child safety on farms.
Thanks to this latest sponsorship by Cargill for a revised 2008 edition, we are continuing toward our objective for every teacher to have knowledge of and ready access to this important farm safety education resource. We hope teachers, parents and other educators alike, will find the resource helpful in teaching primary age children about farms and farm safety.
RIPPER II: Growing Kids on Farms can be downloaded (*8MB) or is available in CD version, by contacting the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety on 02 6752 8210 or at


Science for Kids ~ How to make a barometer
Did you know that you can make your own barometer using items from around your home? I had no idea! My kids love science experiments, so I can’t wait to try it! Today, Joanna from The Blue Barn here sharing her DIY barometer tips and tricks. Until I read her post, I had no idea I could make one at home so easily. Love it! Read on for full instructions!
I’m so excited to be writing today for the lovely Tammy of Housing a Forest. My name is Joanna I’m originally from Wales, U.K but now live on the East Coast of the United States with my hubby, four children and way too many animals to remain sane. I’m chief creator at Blue Barn Living and you can normally find me and all our messy fun projects over on Instagram @thebluebarn.
Here in Connecticut we are heading into Spring and despite a few late snow storms we are expecting milder rainy weather because everyone knows that ‘April rain brings May flowers’. This makes it the perfect time of year to get the kids thinking a little about the weather and how we can predict some of these seasonal showers. Welcome the Barometer.
A Barometer as described by Google, (noun) is an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used especially in forecasting the weather and determining altitude.
The first Barometer is credited to an Italian called Evangelista Torricelli who is said to have invented it in 1643. However, there were thought to be a number of Italian scientists and astrologers working in the area of vacuums and air pressure at this time in the 17th century.
A barometer measures air pressure: A “rising” barometer indicates increasing air pressure; a “falling” barometer indicates decreasing air pressure.
Many barometers use Mercury tubes to help measure the air pressure but today we are going to make one that will work using a few items you have around your house.
You will need
- Glass jar
- Pair of scissors
- Thick elastic band
- Drinking straw
Take your balloon and cut the neck of the balloon off.
Taking the bottom part of the balloon stretch it over the neck of the jar. A younger child might need help with this as you should pull it as tight as possible so the balloon fits flat with no dimple in the middle.
Secure the balloon in place with a thick elastic band. This now creates a sealed vacuum in the jar.
Cut a straw at an angle to create a pointer.
Tape the straw to the center of the balloon. Make sure the end of the straw ends in the center.
On a piece of card draw a sunshine towards the top and a rain cloud towards the bottom. Mark the paper in the middle where the straw currently rests.
Now the children can step back and observe the barometer over time. What do they observe? Does their Barometer change? Does it move a lot or a little? Could they tell when it was raining v sunny? Ask them why they think this is happening?
You can explain to them that air is made up of tiny particles called molecules. The air inside the jar has been trapped by the balloon so no molecules can escape but they press against the balloon and the sides of the jar.
There is also air outside the jar, this air also contains molecules that push against the balloon from the other side.
If the pressure inside the jar is greater it pushes the balloon to dome outwards. If the pressure inside the jar is less the outside air molecules push the balloon inwards. The balloon causes the straw to point up or down depending on which way the pressure is greatest.
The weather causes changes in air pressure and thus changes in the arrow direction allowing you to see the weather prediction.
What other information can we gather from the weather? Think of other tools used in weather reporting. Could they come up with something to measure rainfall? What about wind direction or strength?
I can’t wait to try making our own Joanna, thanks so much for sharing! Off to go find some balloons so we can make one. Love it! Fingers crossed that our barometer reads sunshine for tomorrow!
We all love comments, so why not pop over and visit The Blue Barn her and tell her how much you enjoyed her post on Housing A Forest.


Dawn of the DAW: The Studio as Musical Instrument PDF
2018 |ISBN: 9780190296605 | English | PDF | 250 pages | 8 MB
Dawn ot the DAW tells the story of how the dividing line between the traditional roles of musicians and recording studio personnel (producers, recording engineers, mixing engineers, technicians, etc.) has eroded throughout the latter half of the twentieth century to the present.
Whereas those equally adept in music and technology such as Raymond Scott and Les Paul were exceptions to their eras, the millennial music maker is ensconced in a world in which the symbiosis of music and technology is commonplace.
As audio production skills such as recording, editing, and mixing are increasingly co-opted by musicians teaching themselves in their do-it-yourself (DIY) recording studios, conventions of how music production is taught and practiced are remixed to reflect this reality.
Dawn of the DAW first examines DIY recording practices within the context of recording history from the late nineteenth century to the present.
Second, Dawn of the DAW discusses the concept of “the studio as musical instrument” and the role of the producer, detailing how these constructs have evolved throughout the history of recorded music in tandem.
Third, Dawn of the DAW details current practices of DIY recording–how recording technologies are incorporated into music making, and how they are learned by DIY studio users in the musically–chic borough of Brooklyn. Finally, Dawn of the DAW examines the broader trends heard throughout, summarizing the different models of learning and approaches to music making.
Dawn of the DAW concludes by discussing the ramifications of these new directions for the field of music education.


HomeArticlesLearn to paint abstract art! Easy abstract art lessons! ALL FREE Learn to paint abstract art! Easy abstract art lessons! ALL FREE By Frank Lundy December 23, 2019 Articles 0 Comments Tags:Abstract Art (Art Period/Movement), academy, Art (Quotation Subject), Art Education (Field Of Study), art lessons, artist, Fine Art (Industry), Help, how to art, How-to (Website Category), Learning (Quotation Subject), Marmet Academy, Marmet Fine Art, paint, painting, The Arts (Broadcast Genre), tips, Tutorial (Media Genre) Related Posts January Arts & Crafts Ideas for Elementary School Teachers : Arts & Crafts for Kids Space-themed art exhibit comes to Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art printmaking with marker on styrofoam About Author admin Add a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment:*Name:* Email Address:* Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


Education is free and compulsory
Compulsory –The Right To Education Act mandates the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education for every child between 6 and 14 years in India.
Free – It means that no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary education. The free education includes the provision of textbooks, uniforms, writing materials, special materials for children with disabilities, in order to reduce the burden of school expenses.
Standards for Education
RTE Act lays down standards and rules relating to classrooms, separate toilets for girls and boys, drinking water facility at schools, number of working days of a school, etc. Each and every elementary school (Primary school + Middle School) in India has to comply with these minimum standards set by the RTE Act.
Admission For All
RTE Act mandates that an out of school child is admitted to an age appropriate class and provided with special training to enable the child to come up to his/her learning level.
Reserves 25% seats in private schools for underprivileged kids
RTE Act mandates all the private schools to reserve 25% of the seats for children belonging to socially disadvantaged and economically weaker sections. This provision of the Act is aimed at furthering social inclusion for a better India.
Quantity and Quality Of Teachers
RTE Act also lays down rules for rational deployment of teachers by ensuring that the specified Pupil-Teacher-Ratio is maintained for each school and there is no urban-rural imbalance.
The Act mandates appointment of appropriately trained teachers, i.e. teachers with the requisite entry and academic qualifications.
No Discrimination And No Harassment
RTE Act prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment; discrimination based on gender, caste, class and religion; screening procedures for admission of children; capitation fee; private tuition by teachers and running of schools without recognition.
RTE Act provides for development of curriculum, which would ensure the all-round development of every child. Build a child’s knowledge, human potential and talent.
Prohibits detention of a child
RTE Act mandates that no child can be held back or expelled from school until Class 8th. The Act has mandated the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) method to ensure grade appropriate learning outcomes.
School Management Committees (SMCs) play a crucial role in strengthening participatory democracy and governance in elementary education. All schools covered under the Act shall constitute a School Management Committee consisting of head teacher, local elected representative, parents, community members, etc. The committees have been empowered to monitor the functioning of schools and to prepare school development plan.
RTE Act is justiciable and is backed by a Grievance Redressal (GR) mechanism that gives opportunity to people to take action against non compliance of various provisions of the Act.
(Edvantage Point is India’s go-to platform for related products and services. We are into admissions management for schools, career advice and counselling services for students as well as recruitment services).


Books by This Author
This valuable handbook provides ELL educators, speech-language pathologists, special educators, and teacher trainers with an in-depth, research-based introduction to the language development and disorders of dual-language learners (both students who are fully bilingual and those who are learning a second language). Topics include the impact of culture on language; language development for internationally adopted students; assessment strategies for identifying language and reading disorders; and intervention approaches for dual-language learners with language/reading impairments.
In this must-read guide, experts Nancy Cloud, Fred Genesee, and Else Hamayan lay out a research-based yet practical and accessible approach to reading and writing instruction for ELLs. Designed for ELL teachers, mainstream teachers, and reading specialists, the book offers an excellent foundation on what we know about literacy development in ELLs before offering numerous classroom strategies on topics such as: emergent literacy in a second language; helping ELLs become biliterate; academic language and literacy; connecting reading and writing; and assessment.


What is an Anthropologist
An anthropologist’s job is a little like that of a detective. Anthropologists look for clues to help them understand human beings and their lives. Anthropologists might work at a dig site, uncovering and examining ancient pottery or tools.
- Anthropology is the study of human behavior, including cultural traditions, food, art, music, and relationships. Some anthropologists study how humans move across regions over time. Others are interested in how humans adapt and change.
- Anthropologists might study humans in a specific geographic area or during a specific period of time. Some anthropologists are interested in one small specific area of study, such as how humans around the world parent.
- Anthropologists often work as professors or researchers at universities. They might work in related fields that require skills in research and analysis.
- Most anthropologists have a masters or doctorate degree.
- The average salary for anthropologists is around $30 an hour.
- The field of anthropology is shrinking. Fewer jobs are available in this field; however, similar jobs are growing.
Questions and Answers
Question: Is going into anthropology a good idea?
Answer: Anthropology is a fascinating subject. It’s definitely worth taking a few college courses in the subject. Finding a job might be hard and salaries are relatively low.
Visit the American Anthropological Association to learn more.
Cite This Page
You may cut-and-paste the below MLA and APA citation examples:
MLA Style Citation
Declan, Tobin. " Anthropologist Facts for Kids ." Easy Science for Kids, Feb 2020. Web. 23 Feb 2020. < https://easyscienceforkids.com/anthropologist/ >.
APA Style Citation
Tobin, Declan. (2020). Anthropologist Facts for Kids. Easy Science for Kids. Retrieved from https://easyscienceforkids.com/anthropologist/
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Enjoy this Easy Science for Kids Four Seasons Quiz – you’ll get your quiz score after completing this FREE online interactive quiz on the Four Seasons. You need to answer all the questions to be able to get your score. You can do this fun quiz about the Four Seasons again, till you get the perfect score and become a quiz champion!
Tip: To get it right the first time, read the page with fun facts about the Four Seasons.
The Four Seasons Quiz & our FREE Earth Science Quizzes
Our interactive quizzes for kids are a free kids quiz resource for teachers and educators of kids in elementary school, grammar school and preschool. This fun Four Seasons Geography quiz helps your kids learn fun facts about the Four Seasons while enjoying this FREE interactive quiz for kids.
If your kid is home-schooled by you, or is enrolled in some extra-curricular program, then this is a fun yet educational activity, with reading comprehension benefits for grade one to grade five kids. Kids will enjoy competing against their classmates and friends, to see who gets best results, doing this fun earth science quiz for kids on the Four Seasons.
As a reading comprehension educational activity for kids, you can set a timer to encourage kids to do the reading comprehension activity faster, or limit the number of times the kids can read about the Four Seasons quiz topic, before they do the actual interactive earth science quiz.
Younger kids who cannot yet read or write, such as Pre-K kids, Kindergarten kids or Preschool kids, will benefit from doing this Four Seasons quiz and our other fun kids quizzes, as a listening comprehension activity; you read out to them about the topic and then read the Four Seasons quiz question and answers. You will select the Four Seasons quiz answer they think is correct, and at the end you get the quiz score. Your child can try multiple times doing this free earth science quiz, till gets the perfect score faster, as your kid learns to listen more carefully and develop a better memory and attention span!
Enjoyed doing this free online quiz about the Four Seasons? Check out all our other fun Easy Science Quizzes for Kids and other earth science made easy for kids. Visit our Easy Earth Science for Kids all about the Four Seasons page. Get lengthy info here.


Teaching & Learning: Curriculum - English Language Learners
Planning for Language-in-Content
Arlington's elementary ELL teachers have been working together for two years to link English language instruction to essential concepts, skills, and language in the content areas. Current "best practices" in the field as well as state requirements around program design for English learners promote this linkage so that children will not fall behind in essential content such as mathematics and science while they are acquiring English (proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing). In order to organize this program development task, the theme of "Changes" was selected to provide focus and continuity for both staff and students.
What essential content can be introduced to effectively integrate with language acquisition and literacy development at the earliest proficiency level? Specifically, what observable, real world things are changing: e.g., leaves, seasons, animals, weather (See Science, Technology and Engineering Frameworks), individual and family changes, changes in the community (See History and Social Studies Frameworks). How can the children collect data on these tangible things? and finally, how will they represent their data? (See Mathematics Frameworks)
Our program goal at the first level of English proficiency is to provide access to hands-on experiences for children to observe and compare, to measure and predict, working in interactive, inquiry-based settings.
The yearlong "Changes" unit is designed to remain flexible for new arrivals at level I (Beginning) and for changing program enrollments and proficiency movement (from level 1 to 2, for example) over the course of the year. Through parallel, pre- teaching or "background-building", for example, grade-level essential content needs of ELLs can be addressed from the outset.
Because general education content expectations vary by topic and depth of learning from grade to grade, elementary ELL staff need to manage curriculum choices to reflect the needs of specific learners not only within a given year but to provide maximum exposure to any essential content that may have been missed due to different schooling experiences. Thus, "re-teaching" or spiraling of content may also be useful.
Collaboration with classroom teachers is needed to assure that overlap or gaps do not result in wasted time or effort. Constant communication between ELL and classroom teachers will result in efficient and effective learning of content and language by the district's newest arrivals.


While these developments were happening, the deskilling of the craftsman and manufacturing of mass-produced items, expansion of factories and even growing cities, a reaction emerged in the late 19th century, the Arts and Crafts movement.
Arts and Crafts Movement was a reaction that grew out of the artistic and social activism of John Ruskin and William Morris. They decried the shoddy nature of factory produced wears that flooded the already over-decorated parlors of the Victorian period and called for a re-evaluation of what truly constituted a beautiful home.
“What else can we do to help to educate ourselves and others in the path of art, to be on the road to attaining an ART MADE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE AS A JOY TO THE MAKER AND THE USER? Believe me, if we want art to begin at home, as it must, we must clear our houses of troublesome superfluities that are forever in our way: conventional comforts that are no real comforts, and do but make work for servants and doctors: if you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: HAVE NOTHING IN YOUR HOUSES THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW TO BE USEFUL OR BELIEVE TO BE BEAUTIFUL.” – William Morris
Morris criticized the idea that the designer and the maker were becoming so disconnected from each other which results in the decrease of quality products and directly affecting the beauty of objects created. It is interesting to note how today’s designers and makers are once again trying to close that gap and either design and make the products themselves or co-create in a multidisciplinary approach to overcome the acute problems that have roots in the 19th century.
The pioneers of this movement believed that the machines that are used to create mass-produced objects were not inherently bad, but the outcome was inhumane working environments such as factories where the workers were unhappy and working relentlessly just to survive in poor conditions. Their belief was that the objects created in this kind of environment lack the soul and beauty of the ones created by a happy craftsman.
Based on these ideas, they started promoting art education and craftsmanship to revive rural economies and challenge the model of unchecked industrial capitalism. They tried to prove that they can create products which are better than the ones produced by machines in dark factories. Their efforts resonated in the art and design community and many more organizations and guilds started to emerge sharing the same principles outlined by Ruskin and Morris.
Although they were right and the quality of the products was superior compared to the mass produced ones, they had a big disadvantage when it came to the price. The pieces created could only be afforded by richer high class and this created an outrage firstly for the creators of the pieces.
The aesthetics of Arts and Crafts Movement
The principles of the movement had an effect on many artists in the late 19th century and they were applied to many different areas from pottery to architecture. For that reason, it may seem hard to pinpoint the characteristic language of the movement. Yet again, what was common to the media was an ideal of truth to materials, clean functional designs that allow the natural beauty of the components to be visible and removal of unnecessary ornamentation or surface treatment. The simplicity dominated the products as well as the lives of its practitioners by suggesting that less is more.
Nature was a dominant inspiration for the practitioners of the movement. A fascination with botany was fuelled by the discoveries of new specimens arriving from around the world. They celebrated this fascination in many of the textiles, ceramics, and metalwork featuring trees and flowers as a way to bring the beauty inherent to nature into the home.
Starting from Britain, the movement quickly spread through Europe and then North America. Following the principles of Morris and Ruskin, many more artists tried to democratize the education and creation of art and design. As a design movement, Arts and Crafts in Britain, redefined beauty as the joy found in fine craftsmanship for both the maker and the user. Although most of the guilds and educational institutions could not survive after the World War 1, the timeless principles both Ruskin, Morris, and others identified continue to have great relevance today particularly among modern economies promoting over-consumption and mass production of disposable goods. It is very hard to see the promises of industrialization fulfilled in the lives of common people when we look around the world. Living and working conditions are not improving for many people and destruction of nature reaches to unprecedented levels because of the uncontrolled mass production.
These concerns were at the heart of Arts and Crafts movement almost a century and a half ago and the leaders of this movement were among the first to address these critical issues. Now in the 21st century, the strong ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement still resonate and shape the worldview of many people who believe in redefining the happiness of modern culture through greater simplicity, reconnecting through local communities and the endless beauty of nature.


The role of Universal Elementary Education (UEE) for strengthening the social fabric of democracy through provision of equal opportunities to all has been accepted since the inception of our Republic.With the formulation of NPE, India initiated a wide range of programmes for achieving the goal of UEE through several schematic and programme interventions.
The Right to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides a justiciable legal framework that entitles all children between the ages of 6-14 years free and compulsory admission,attendance and completion of elementary education.It provides for children's right to an education of equitable quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination.Most importantly,it provides for children's right to an education that is free from fear,stress and anxiety.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is being implemented as India's main programme for universalizing elementary education. Its overall goals include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in education and enhancement of learning levels of children. SSA provides for a variety of interventions, including inter alia, opening and construction of new schools, additional teachers, regular teacher in-service training, academic resource support to ensure free textbooks, uniforms and free support for improving learning outcomes.
Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. (Extracts)
- Every child of the age of six to fourteen years shall have the right to free and compulsory education.
- Where a child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted, could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age.
- No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardian to any screening procedure.
- No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.
- The appropriate Government shall ensure that the child belonging to different linguistic group, religion, caste, sex, weaker section and the child belonging to disadvantaged group are not discriminated against and prevented from pursuing and completing elementary education on any grounds;
- No child admitted in a school shall be held back in any class or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education.
- No child in the age group 6-14 years shall be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment.
- Teachers shall maintain regularity and punctuality in attending school.
- Out of school children will be identified and motivated to enroll for special training to be provided to them for aquiring the required competencies. Children from migratory groups shall also be provided with education.
- No teacher shall engage himself or herself in private tuition or private teaching activity.
- Children with special needs shall have the right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education in accordance with the provisions of Chapter V of the said Act.
- Minimum number of working days/instructional hours in an academic year are (i) two hundred working days and 400 hours for first class to fifth class (ii) two hundred and twenty working days and 1000 hours for sixth class to eighth class.
- Minimum number of working hours per week for the teacher is forty-five teaching including preparation hours. The preparation hours will be utilized for lesson planning, preparation of teaching-learning materials, assessment of classwork and homework, remedial teaching for slow learners, designing of school development plan and meeting the parents of irregular students.
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Learning to read is a skill that evolves over a long period of time. Watching kids develop their reading skills is especially fun as they grow in confidence and become excited about books they can read by themselves. Remember that learning to read is a journey and not a race, so enjoy your child’s development along the way. These apps work best as one of a few approaches to reading, including reading aloud to your children, and listening as they read aloud: a perfect recipe for success! Check out KinderTown’s top rated Reading Apps!
Learn with Homer is a full “Learn to Read” series of lessons for kids. The app features letter-sound instruction, sight word introduction, read-aloud stories, and a mixed review of concepts. The app introduces a letter and through game play children must identify the sound in the beginning, middle and end of words. This is a essential skill for developing phonemic awareness in preparation for learning to read. Also included in the progression through the lessons is the introduction of sight words. Sight words are words that can not be “sounded out” but rely on more instant recognition to develop fluent reading skills.
The app does a nice job of mixing instruction with a review of previously-taught concepts and the reading aloud of real books, which are all key components of learning to read. This app would be appropriate for children who are learning their letter sounds and are just beginning to read, or who need a review of the letter sounds. In addition, the app encourages children to record their voice saying the letter sounds, and reading the books and words included in the app. Children are most often at this developmental level during kindergarten and first grade. In addition, the developers of Learn with Homer conducted research using their app on children who were beginning to read and showed that the use of the app 15 minutes a day led to an increase in their beginning reading skills. KinderTown agrees that working 10-15 minutes on apps focused on reading skills into your beginning readers’ routine will encourage their development in this crucial area. Check out their website for a free 1 month trial. Read with Homer is free to download but does include in-app purchases to buy additional lesson content.
Reading Raven is a self-paced, phonics-based reading instructional app for emergent (beginning) readers. This app does a wonderful job of creating a variety of phonics instruction activities that will keep children interested. Parents and teachers are thoughtfully given in-app tools for customizing their children’s learning experience. Throughout the app, children are learning about letter sounds and word parts. Make sure to read the parent & teacher guide in the app and visit their website at www.readingraven.com for videos and more information. Reading Raven Vol. 2 expands on the content learned in Reading Raven such as long vowel patterns and blends. Reading Raven is appropriate for children beginning to learn their letter sounds, and Reading Raven 2 is appropriate for children who have learned most of their letter sounds and are ready to identify patterns in words. Most children are at this level when they are ages 4-7. Reading Raven is $3.99 and Reading Raven Vol. 2 is $2.99.
Montessori Crosswords creates a valuable learning environment for children to practice identifying individual sounds in words. The activities are leveled and the app will grow with your child who is just starting to identify letters, to when they are reading and writing words at a first/second grade level. The app uses color coding and chunking to reinforce spelling concepts. Families will find interacting together with the movable alphabet to be quite enjoyable. In addition, the movable alphabet could be used with children to practice spelling words or sight words they are learning. Check the settings to set a time limit for the beautiful and fun sensory rewards. They can be distracting to the overall learning if not limited, but our child testers loved playing with them as a quick reward. Montessori Crosswords is appropriate for children ages 4-7 and is $2.99.


Bernarda Deschamps January 2, 2020 Preschool Printable Activities
Specific Occasion Coloring Sheets – you can also opt for the coloring pages, which specifically meant for an exclusive season. These sheets will open your child’s mind and make him more informed, and that is what you desperately need. How I guessed, yes, no doubt. In case it is the time of Christmas, you can look for materials which are meant for this festival, and which will prove a great resource to teach your kids the things that are associated with the season. Coloring sheets which prove helpful by coloring the things within the surrounding – to be connected and gain the knowledge about the surrounding, coloring is a great means to help a child learn to distinguish the stuff around him or her. The coloring sheets which offer natural features can also be found from the internet.
Virtual Manipulative – These are tools which usually provide the kids with hands-on experience since it is more interactive than most of the others. The tool is actually math oriented and it takes into consideration the measurements and geometry that is normally used in the traditional classrooms. There are various libraries that are owned by the government around the country and they usually offer these learning tools for kids (preschool kids) for free so research is most definitely advocated for. Literacy Development Tools – There are other tools which are also free and are mainly meant for developing the literacy level of children. In order for a child to succeed in education and life in general, it is mandatory for parents and educators to ensure that they are literate enough to comprehend the syllabus. This is one of the learning tools for preschool kids that can be implemented very effectively at school or even home.
In today’s world children and kids constantly require innovative things in order to explore out their creative ability. Moreover, parents love to see their child preoccupied in such creative activities. They show a great interest towards building such habits in their children. One such way to keep children busy is indulging them into the art of coloring pages. The best part is that these pages are very easy on the pocket and almost everyone can try them. Moreover the emergence of internet has made possible to obtain such pages for free.
Children who are involved in coloring pages will most likely experience fewer psychological problems when they are young. The reason for this is that the minds of children, who are able to enjoy using their imaginations to create exciting worlds filled with fantasy and adventure, are strong and flexible. This coloring creativity aids them in steering clear of problems like childhood depression.
Children of the ages between 3 years to 6 years need to develop the knowledge that they possess and this is why the learning tools for preschool are relatively essential. These are tools that are inclusive of a wide range of games and other activities which help children to improve their pre-literacy level. In addition to this, their memory skills are also sharpened using these tools which makes it easier for them to recall events and information. There are numerous types of learning tools for kids (preschool kids) that a parent can use when it comes to giving their child the much desired milestone required for them to succeed in life. The types of tools that are available include:
Quality vs Quantity. Some free worksheets are not good quality – the pictures are fuzzy, backgrounds print grey or speckled – and children tend to notice these things. If you are using the worksheets to educate your child, you may want to choose good quality worksheets that encourage your child to produce good quality work. After all, it’s a little difficult to ask your child to color within the lines and work neatly when the worksheet they are filling in hasn’t done the same.
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***Our series of geography apps are being used successfully by parents, schools and therapists all over the world!
The method had been tested thoroughly and it works! Give it a try and see for yourself!!"***
Learn the names and locations of all the countries in Europe with this app that beautifully complements the geography materials used in the Montessori Classroom!
First, learn the names and locations of the European Countries:
Touch a country in the filmstrip to change the featured country on the page. Touch the speaker button to hear the correct pronunciation of the country name and touch the compass button to see the country highlighted on the map! The map itself follows the same color scheme used for the physical materials in the Montessori classroom.
Next, move on to the puzzle maps where you can assemble the complete European map with pieces that are exact replicas of the physical Montessori materials:
In the first puzzle map lesson children have to look for the country puzzle piece that is blinking on the map. As each country piece is placed its name can be heard aloud.
In the second puzzle map lesson children have to look for the country puzzle piece that corresponds to the name shown at the top. For children who cannot read, the country name at the top can be touched to hear the name aloud for them to know which one to look for.
The third puzzle map is an open activity for children to assemble the map in any order they choose.
This Montessori application was co-developed and approved by an AMI certified, Montessori teacher with over forty years experience educating children!
We sincerely thank you for your downloads and suggestions! Once you master the European countries, learn the Flags of Europe with our follow-up app!
Visit our website: http://www.mobilemontessori.org
|Europe - A Montessori Approach to Geography with Puzzle Maps|
|Montessori Skip Counting - Counting from 1 - 100 by twos, threes, etc. - A Montessori Approach to Math|
|La Table des 100 - Méthode Montessori pour Apprendre les Maths|
|Number Sequencing - What Comes Before, After & In Between? - Montessori Math for Preschool & Kindergarten|
|Animals of Africa - Montessori Geography & Science for Kids|
|Seasons and Weather - Montessori Science for Kids|
|Patterning - A Montessori Pre-Math Exercise|
|North America - Montessori Geography|
|Montessori Botany - Parts of Plants|
|Montessori Geography - Asia - Learn the countries of Asia with Montessori Puzzle Maps!|
|Montessori Subtraction Working Charts|
|Montessori Three Part Card System - Animals|
|Montessori Zoology - Parts of Animals - Invertebrates|
|Dinosaurs! - Montessori Paleontology for Kids|
|Montessori Parts of the Human Body (Anatomy for Kids)|
|Planets of the Solar System - A Montessori Approach to Cosmic Education|
|Count to 1000! Montessori Math for Kids: Extensions with the Hundred Board!|
|Montessori Addition Charts - First Grade Math|
|Multiplication Tables - Montessori Math for Kids Ages 6 & Up|
|Subtraction Tables - Montessori Math for Kids Ages 4 & Up|
|Addition Tables - Montessori Math for Kids Ages 4 and Up|


When Lower School music teacher Sara Zur began recording students' songs with her iPad two years ago, she envisioned a fun project that would allow Lower Schoolers to listen to each other's music. But what began as a little idea gained traction quickly, and Zur began to think big—internationally big. Two years later, Zur has created "BB&N Radio," featuring songs being heard beyond the border. Read below for an account by Zur of the exciting project.
In October 2018, I stood outside on the playground with a microphone and a sign that said "BB&N Radio." The mic was attached to my iPad. I explained to Lower School students that they could sing a song, and I would record it for our "Radio." They could invent something on the spot or practice a song first, but it had to be an original creation. Little by little, students (ages 4-8) came up to the mic to sing. In May 2019, I created a "Listening Station," which allowed students, parents, and teachers to listen to the invented songs. Students loved it. Brigid, age 4, said, "I was really scared, and my legs shook in the beginning. But then I felt good." Elliot, age 5, enjoyed hearing what his classmates had created. "I liked listening to some of the songs. Some of them are very funny."
I teach grades B-2 music at the BB&N Lower School and have been studying young children's informal invented songs for a number of years. Once I started collecting BB&N students' songs, I began to imagine collaborating with an international school because I thought it would be interesting to see how students react to songs that other children make, and I wanted to students to feel like their songs were being heard by a wider audience. I also thought that students might eventually collaborate in composing songs together across the two schools and two cultures. Karina Baum, our Director of Global Education, helped me set up an invitation for other Round Square schools to collaborate with us on this project. Ea-Ling Seun responded. Ea-Ling teaches music to grades 1 and 2 at the Bayview Independent School in Toronto, Canada.
Ea-Ling and I exchanged several emails about how to proceed. We set up a shared Google photo album to collect songs that our students would invent, as well as a shared Google Doc where we could record comments. It was fun to read what her students felt about the young BB&N students' compositions:
- "I like the words."
- "It is easy to sing because it has easy words."
- "They sound like they have a lot of energy."
- "I like the sound of the instruments."
- "It makes me feel so excited."
I continue to integrate the "Radio Project" into my own curriculum and usually leave time at the end of each class to ask if anyone has a song to sing. Sometimes groups of students will find me and say, "Sara! We have a song to sing! When can we put it on the radio?" Looking forward, I hope to use these invented songs to teach students about song structure and song-writing skills. I might even use some songs for our upcoming spring concert in May. And, to extend the momentum of global outreach, I plan to present this project at the International Seminar of Music Education (ISME) in Finland this coming July.


Young people aged 16-17 years must stay in education, training, or employment with training. You might have heard this called Raising the Participation Age or RPA. All young people must stay in education or training until the end of the academic year in which you are 18. If you don't yet have your GCSE grade A*-C in Maths and English (grade 9-5 on the new grading system), you will also need to carry on studying towards it - you may hear this called your study programme.
Traineeships fulfill the requirements of RPA. They also help you to build skills in advance of doing a course or apprenticeship, and support you to find and apply and succeed in finding the opportunity that is right for you.
What are Traineeships?
Traineeships are designed to help young people who would like to continue on to a course or apprenticeship, but don’t yet have the necessary skills. Traineeships allow you to learn skills as well as work towards or improve your Maths and English qualifications. A Traineeship will increase your employability.
What is employability?
Employability is a combination of qualifications, skills and personal qualities. These include things like:
- good communications skills - written and listening skills
- numeracy skills
- problem solving skills
- willingness and ability to learn
- work experience
Improving these skills will help you get a full time paid job and makes you a valuable part of the workforce.
What will I learn on a Traineeship?
The three aspects of a Traineeship are:-
- Preparation for work
- Improving level of Maths and English qualifications
- Work experience
Who is suitable for a Traineeship?
Traineeships may not be suitable for you if you need intensive support. But there are some exceptions, like special traineeships for people with disabilities. If there are difficulties in your life which are preventing you from doing a Traineeship, extra support is available.
How long is a Traineeship?
Traineeships can be as short as 6 weeks or last up to 6 months.
During your Traineeship your work placement can last for little as 5 weeks or last up to 5 months depending on your needs. You may have several work placements with different employers, or one placement with a single employer.
The Traineeship will finish early if you find employment, or you achieve qualifications before the full six months.
Will I get paid?
No. Traineeships are not employment. Traineeships are training programmes with real work experience.
Travel expenses to and from your work placement will be paid for by the employer.
Can I still claim benefit?
Yes. Traineeships have been designed so that you can still claim Universal Credit.
What do I get at the end of my Traineeship?
You will receive:
- meaningful feedback on your performance from the employer
- confirmation of completing a Traineeship
- confirmation of your qualifications
- a reference from the employer
You will also receive a guaranteed interview by the employer either for an actual job or apprenticeship (if one is available), or an exit interview to support you in your next steps.
Instant Expert: Get information and advice from Gov.uk to help you decide whether a traineeship might be suitable for you.


While learning about the first man to go to space, seven-year-old Kiara Mahadeo had one question – who was the first woman to go to space? When she discovered no South African women had done a space mission, she decided to start the change . . .
Kiara has always been a maker – taking one thing apart to make something new. A habit, her mother Romona says, she didn’t always encourage! “I sometimes got frustrated with Kiara always taking everything apart. One afternoon, I decided to try understand what her thinking was. When I sat down and really took time to listen to her and understand her inventions, I realised that she was onto something,” says Romona, who lives in Umhlanga with her family.
“She was creating board games and toys and had come up with GT (GirlTivity) – a character who could achieve anything and who, together with her ginger Kitty, was empowering girls to be fearless.”
Kiara explained to her mom that they needed to let all the girls know that they could be the first South African women in space one day, which got Romona thinking about the shortage of women in scientific fields. “According to UNESCO statistics, women make up only 23% of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent globally, and this inequality is often felt in South Africa’s science, technology and engineering industries,” says Romona, who works in the finance industry.
Motivated to change this statistic, Romona and her daughter have built the Girltivity brand to inspire and empower girls aged three to 12 through a monthly subscription ‘STEAMED UP’ box which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Design, Understanding and Practice. The box has been designed to encourage creativity and curiosity and support literacy development by going on educational adventures with GT and Kitty.
“Each month focuses on a different theme and each box includes a 20-page activity book highlighting a female role model and her unique story, with 10 to 15 hands-on ‘STEAMED UP’ activities. Also included is a creative play prop, a featured character trait that helped her succeed and two to three practical tips for parents to easily nurture that trait.”
Now, family play time is a top priority in the Mahadeo household and Romona says spending time playing with the children and creating conversations around games has changed their lives.
“It’s difficult for parents to take time out of their busy lives to actively engage with their children, but it is so crucial and really fosters the family bond. We think we know our kids, but life is hectic and fast-paced and before you know it, they are grown up and you’ve missed the opportunity to really experience them growing up. We decided to make time for family night and boardgames and it was a decision that has changed our lives.”
Details: Monthly subscription is R350 for 12 months, www.girltivity.co.za
Text: Elana Wagner


When I started college way back in the 1990s, I was an Art Therapy major. That never worked out for me because it was too much Psychology and not enough Art. In one of my Art Therapy classes, my professor went over the medical format of SOAP notes. Used primarily in doing patient intakes SOAP notes are an acronym, so each letter stands for a word and in this case SOAP Notes stand for Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan.
This year I began using the SOAP note format as writing prompts in my art class. I think it is essential for students to be self-reflective before a class critique and the SOAP notes help them gather the information they would like to share with the class about their inspiration and studio processes. As some of you know, leading a class critique can be challenging to get students to go beyond, “I like it” to explain why they like a piece of art, or what prompted them to go in a particular direction or make a decision regarding their artwork. The students writing their answers to the SOAP notes beforehand also focus their attention during the critique on studio practices or patterns they have not thought about previously.
Subjective: Here you document your inner experiences of your creativity in class. Here is where you can record your stream of consciousness. You can also document your observations about the research you did, and our previous class discussions. (Example: How is gesture important in my work? What did I learn from the thumbnail sketches I did? Why do my drawings need to look dark and moody for this topic? Etc.)
Objective: Here you write feedback that you receive from me (the teacher) during the class, or you can also document peer comments from previous critiques or working sessions. What did you take from this feedback?
Assessment: Write what you believe contributed to your most successful moment for this assignment or artwork. Also, write what contributed to your least successful moment in class. In other words, in this portion, you document your diagnosis of yourself in class including research, participation, and studio time.
Plan: In this section, you need to state what you feel is the most important plan for you to adopt for next class. What can you do to make your participation in class a better experience? Write a one sentence plan of action for the next class.
I hope that SOAP notes are something you will consider implementing in your class critiques, and please share your tips for successful critiques.
I teach Art Education at Pittsburg State University. Here is what is going on in my classes.


New instructional book series helps pre-K to grade 5 students calm, command and conquer elementary math curriculum
Tallman, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/11/2015 --Math4Minors has released the first two books in its Math MileMarkersTM series, a collection of educational books that combine child-friendly stories with standards-based educational resources.
The relevant, math-infused stories connect real-life situations to Common Core and state standards and are ideal for exploring key concepts in numeracy, promoting rich math talk and adding a spark to elementary math curriculum. They are helpful instructional tools for teachers due to their ease of use, and students connect well with the wide range of characters, allowing them to uncover numerous meaningful learning experiences embedded in each story.
Lynda Brennan, author of the Math MileMarkers series and founder of Math4Minors, has been in the education field for more than 23 years. After many years as a K-5 math specialist and elementary classroom teacher assigned to a Title I school, she set out to create a series of products that could energize new standards and foster in-depth understanding of math concepts. Brennan was recently featured at two national conferences, and her message on how to calm, command and conquer the elementary math curriculum has been well received by teachers and administrators across the country.
About "Miss Penny Says Prove It!"
"Miss Penny Says Prove It!" is a heartwarming children's book about a teacher and her unique young students. In the book, Miss Penny's lively class seeks to determine how many marbles Bobby could possibly have packed into his back pocket. In their quest for an answer, the class discusses important topics, such as the quantitative understandings of numbers, estimation, counting strategies and much more. The book lays the foundation for the most essential numeracy skills and provides teachers and parents with a clear view of the stages children move through as they establish true number knowledge.
About "On My Way to Grandma's House."
The second book in the series is "On My Way to Grandma's House." At first glance, this original story about Lily River and the adventures she has trying to get to her grandmother's house seems to focus primarily on the concept of rounding numbers. However, rather than looking at rounding as an isolated skill, Math MileMarkers uses the opportunity to encourage readers to uncover the infinite possibilities of numbers and the ultimate power tool: the number line.
The Math MileMarkers series is unique in that it's presented from the perspective of an elementary teacher who actively works to help children find meaning and success within the math curriculum every day.
"Our goal is to build strong foundational skills by highlighting the very best research-based strategies in the field of math and making relevant connections for students via simple stories," Brennan said. "We strive to make math instruction meaningful and—dare we say—fun."
"Miss Penny Says Prove It!" and "On My Way to Grandma's House" are available for purchase from the Math4Minors and Math MileMarkers' websites (www.Math4Minors.com and www.mathmilemarkers.com), as well as Amazon.com, Baker and Taylor and most academic distributors.


Literacy & Numeracy Programs for students in Grades 7 to 10
Continuing Education provides a wide variety of programs for students aimed at promoting numeracy and literacy development and improvement. These programs are available at NO COST to students in grades 7 to 10. Our Literacy and Numeracy programs are offered during the school year as well as in July and August. All programs are instructed by a certified teacher.
How to Get Started
All grade 7 to 10 students are eligible to participate in our After School and Summer Literacy and Numeracy programs.
Individual schools may work in consultation with their school community to offer an after-school program in their school. The principal will work with Continuing Education, teachers and parents to identify the most appropriate program and students who would benefit from additional support. If you are a parent or a teacher who would be interested in having your child participate in a program at your school or running a program at your school, please contact your Principal to express your interest.
After School student improvement programs are dependent upon securing sufficient student enrolment in classes.
Barb Jepson, Remediation Programs Consultant
Hill Park Learning Centre
Hamilton, Ontario L9A 4K6


Family learning is any learning activity that involves both children and adult family members; where learning outcomes are intended for both and that contributes to a culture of learning in the family
Family learning is important as it has a positive impact on children’s and adults’ learning, develops greater confidence and self-belief and helps provides their literacy, language and numeracy skills.
All our Family Learning programmes, delivered in partnership with Smartlyte, value the family as a learning environment and promote a culture of raising aspiration in adults and young children.
Our programmes include Family Learning English, Family Learning Maths, Family Learning Employability, Science Fun days, Balsall Heath Book days, and many educational visits which have included Houses of Parliament, Theatre, Library of Birmingham, and many more.
“I understand now, that I need to learn in order to help my child.”
“The classes make me feel confident and stronger as a woman. Being part of the Family Learning group makes me feel supported all the time. I have friends who text me, if I have been quiet for a few days. They care for me.”
To find out more about our exciting programmes call 0121 464 6349 and ask for Hafsha.


What is Elementary Education?
The study of students from the grade levels of Kindergarten to Eight grade. Elementary Education will teach you many different methods, or schools of thought, that relate to education. Elementary Education is responsible for a basic basis of education for every student. Elementary Education prepares students for teaching children through a series of classes designed to give students the practical knowledge they need to be successful in their careers. Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to apply for a K-8 Idaho Education Teaching License.
Why should I consider majoring in Elementary Education?
You might like this major if you like working with children. Every day you spend in the classroom working with students from Kindergarten to Eight grade. You will help shape and mold the minds of students who are just beginning their educational career. You will study a broad span of subjects from English to Science, Math to History, in order to teach the students that you are teaching.
What will I learn from studying Elementary Education?
As an Elementary Education major you will learn how to work with and teach students ranging from about age 5-12. You will also learn the importance of class planning, as well as lesson planning, and curriculum creating. You will learn a broad group of subjects, which will prepare you for all that is required to teach through grades K-8.
What interests and values are related to Elementary Education?
- Teaching others
- Studying many different types of subjects
- Looking at child development and psychological theories
- Learning new things daily Creating new and inventive teaching strategies
- Working independently to create lesson plans and curriculums
- Working within a group, or with other teachers, to better help students
- Written and Oral communication skills Elementary Education major should also be prepared to adapt teaching styles to each individual student, to better help them in their learning.
What career fields are related to Elementary Education?
- Secondary Education
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Speech Pathology Professional Preschool Education Special Education Child Development


Kids speech therapists on the importance of shared book reading
The benefits of shared book reading*
We all know reading is good for our children, but did you know you don’t always have to read the book word for word? Some children just want to flip the pages, but by spending time talking about the pictures you are helping your child develop their understanding of what is happening in the story. Our kids speech therapists recommend using this strategy to extend their language skills and help prepare them for narrative in the classroom.
Be curious about the book (pretend if you need to!) and ask questions like “What might happen next?”, “Why is the character feeling this?” and “Where has teddy been?”.
Understanding the sequence of events in stories can help children learn about events, and the emotions that connect with them. This helps develop their problem solving skills.
Blanks levels of Questions are a wonderful resource for parents to use with library books to develop children’s language skills. Your kids’ speech therapist can guide you with where to find these questions.
Model the correct answer to different types of WH questions (who, what, where, when, why and how), so your child has the opportunity to learn, and then over time, see if your child can answer some of these questions.
Don’t be afraid to read the same book over and over again. Talk to your child about the characters and where the book is set. Talk further about what problems the characters might face and how they might be feeling.
Help your child to create a picture in their mind while you read, and don’t be afraid to teach the ‘tricky’ vocabulary. Model to them what you are picturing in your mind when you read the story (“When I read those words, I imagine it might look like…”).
By spending quality time with your child reading, you are nurturing their love of books – not to mention their language and literacy development!
Our kids speech therapists are always happy to help parents help their kids, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more advice and tips about shared reading time with your child.
*Article originally written for the MASTER Institute on May 31 2017. See the original article here.


Ontario Launches New Initiatives To Help Students Learn Math Skills
Math may just be one of the most important skills a student can learn while in school, and the Ontario government has plans to make math more accessible for all students.
Recently, the Ontario government announced that it will be launching new initiatives (programs) to strengthen math skills for all students in Ontario, especially for students in under-served communities.
The goal of the initiatives is to help students develop the math skills they need and find future careers. The programs will help students retain and build on the math knowledge and skills they have learned throughout the academic year.
“We are listening to parents and educators,” said Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Education. “Ontario students need greater support to strengthen their math skills to achieve success in school and into their careers. This investment provides our young people with access to the skills they need to enter the workforce with confidence, and further underscores our government’s focus on STEM in the classroom.”
And, despite it being summer vacation for most students right now, the announcement may have come at a good time. According to provincial performance results based on the EQAO, mathematics assessments have shown a decline in recent years at the Grade 3 and Grade 6 levels in the English-language school systems.
The government hopes to help improve math scores by investing more than $6 million for summer initiatives throughout the province, including:
- Numerous math-focused three-week Summer Learning Programs offered by school boards for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5.
- Frontier College programs that support the development of foundational literacy and numeracy skills of high-priority students who live in under-served communities, including First Nations and remote communities.
- Math at Home: a virtual summer learning refresher which gives students and parents a chance to retain learned skills over the summer.
These initiatives support the government’s four-year math strategy that focuses on fundamental math concepts and skills and how to apply them. In the first year, Ontario will be making $55-million investment to support the strategy.
The strategy will ensure that students are prepared for success in the classroom and in their future, teachers are confident and capable of teaching math, and parents and families can support their child’s academics.
Other resources available to students and parents include:
- TVO’s Mathify: Ontario Certified Teachers provide free 1:1 English-language math tutoring for students in grades 7 to 10.
- SOS Devoirs: Ontario Certified Teachers provide free 1:1 tutoring and educational resources in all subjects for French-language students from grades 1 to 12.
- Doing Mathematics with Your Child: a guide for parents to help their children from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
- Parent Engagement: Resources for success in math.
What do you think of these new resources?
- Province Pledges Millions to Help Students Improve Math Grades in Mississauga
- Ontario Government To Test Future Teachers In Math Before Getting Their License
- Doug Ford to Require Teachers to Complete a Math Test
- EQAO math tests postponed at schools in Mississauga
- Test Results Show Mississauga Students Doing Increasingly Worse in Some Areas


Whether used as the basis for your 4th grade homeschool curriculum or as a supplement to brick-and-mortar education, K12’s online 4th grade courses empower you to optimize your child’s education for their unique learning style. In 4th grade courses, students study concepts such as the Age of Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution chemistry, electricity, and magnetism, and basic geometric and algebraic ideas, grammar, sentence diagramming and focused reading comprehension strategies. Our online 4th grade courses also incorporate world languages such as French, Spanish, German, and Latin.
K12’s online 4th grade courses offers adaptive activities to help students master key concepts before moving on, ensuring your child is never left behind. What sets our online 4th grade courses apart from other educational options is the blending of traditional academic excellence with easy-to-use software designed to make your child’s experience enjoyable and effective. To ensure you’re happy with your chosen program, K12 offers affordable payment options as well as a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Concluding their investigation (spanning grades 1–4) into history from the Stone Age to the Space Age, fourth grade students turn to the study of the modern world.
We have received your inquiry and you will start to receive additional information about our school offerings and programs. An enrollment consultant will contact you shortly.


Indonesia Worksheet – Get this entertaining FREE Printable Geography Worksheet.
Our FREE worksheet for kids on Indonesia comes with a fun search a word puzzle along with a find-the-missing words game for your kids.
This educational but fun printable Geography worksheet about Indonesia is completely FREE for parents and teachers to print out absolutely free and you are allowed to use the worksheet as many times as you desire for your classroom kids or for your kids at home!
Our printable worksheet on Indonesia is a great way to gain your child’s interest while taking part in a science enrichment class, homeschooling, distant learning lessons, regular school science classes or while participating in early learning activities.
The FREE Cambodia printable worksheet for kids is perfect for Elementary school kids who are in 1st Grade to 5th Grade. However, younger kids in Kindergarten or even kids in Preschool will also easily learn from this printable Indonesia word search game.
Your kid can have fun learning fun facts all about Indonesia through this worksheet while playing the word puzzle game.
Your children will enjoy to learn fun facts all about Indonesia while playing the printable word search game.
Primary school kids from first Grade to Fifth Grade can use our Indonesia worksheet as a reading comprehension exercise.
Your kids will learn well about Indonesia because your kids will most likely end up needing to read several times the Indonesia fun facts to identify all the missing words. Our free printable word searches aren’t merely a good way to increase children’s science knowledge, but also increases the brain’s memory and also improves their reading skills.
Pre-K and Kindergarten kids who haven’t yet learned to read and write can benefit from the free fun facts Indonesia worksheet as an interesting listening comprehension tool.
Parents or Educators can read to the kids the fun facts about Indonesia. Next, they can help the kids to recall what they reckon are the missing words. Additionally, the child learns to recognize words and find them in the Indonesia Geography worksheet for kids.
Parents doing early learning activities with their kids can use our Indonesia worksheet and our other printable word games to gain their kids interest in science.
Teachers and private tutors are free to use our FREE Indonesia worksheet to add to the regular science classes at school and interest children in learning all about Indonesia. Most beneficial is to utilize our free Geography worksheet for children on Indonesia combined with the free interactive online quiz with score on Indonesia.
Our Best Science for Kids Website offers hundreds of FREE printable fun Geography worksheets for kids and fun word search worksheets. Download and use our fun science word puzzles to make learning science fun for your children!
What do you know about Indonesia? Do you know how many islands Indonesia is made of? What island in Indonesia is the same size as New York? Which country ruled Indonesia until 1945? Indonesia is the largest country known for what?
Learn more easy science facts about Indonesia by downloading our fun Indonesia worksheet for children!
FREE Fun Facts About Indonesia Worksheet for Kids


Benefits of the Study of Music
Numerous studies show that study of music and the arts aids in the development of more active community members and even has a significant impact on improving overall academic performance. According to the National Association for Music Education, the study and practice of music helps develop language, reasoning, and memory skills and leads to better emotional development … and better SAT scores! Hand-eye coordination, spatial intelligence, creative thinking, and teamwork also show marked improvement!
Arizona Girlchoir Music Education
Music theory is study of the language and interpretation of music – how music works! We teach music theory so that our singers will understand the concepts needed to comprehend music. Our program is effective, fun, and provides easy instruction in general music theory, approaching the process from a singer’s perspective with specific instruction for key skills. Singers may move through the music theory curriculum as quickly as they choose, although certain workbooks need to be completed to be promoted to the next choir ensemble.
Sight-singing refers to the ability to produce accurate vocal music on first sight of a new written musical selection; in other words, the ability to read new sheet music without having studied it before. The ability to read notes on a page is a prerequisite for an exceptional musical performance, and the more comfortable a singer is with reading music, the more attention she will have to devote to interpretation, phrasing, and fluency of singing. Being able to read a piece of music and sing it at first sight will inspire the singer’s confidence and free her from the drilling of parts and rote learning to being able sing with ease. Sight-singing is seldom taught; as a result many singers do not sight-sing well. We believe in the importance of sight-singing and are proud to teach it as a part of our curriculum with a program that can be tailored to any singer’s level of study.
Ear training begins with pitch matching, the relatively simple process of hearing a tone and matching its pitch with the voice. Beyond that beginning skill, ear training is the process building a bridge between the written language of music – the notes, intervals, chords, scales, harmony, etc, learned in music theory – with the sounds we hear. Advanced ear training enables better singing and playing of instruments, by enabling the singer or musician to understand the music and to anticipate the musical structures.
Arizona Girlchoir Homeschooled Singers
While the Arizona Girlchoir is inclusive for all singers, whether public schooled or homeschooled, homeschooling girls generally make up one-third to one-half of our singers at any given time, and our staff is well-versed in serving the needs of our homeschooling population!
Our rigorous music education program meets all of the requirements of the Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards in the Arts: Music Standards for all grades from kindergarten to high school. We can provide a grade, course description, and credit documentation for any grade level, at your request. Of special interest to high schooled homeschoolers: our curriculum fulfills Arizona's Fine Arts requirement for your high school transcript. Every year that you sing with us may be counted as either a Fine Arts or elective credit, which is helpful since many colleges and universities require two or more Fine Arts credits.
Listen to Mike Farris of HSLDA interview Steven McCollum of Patrick Henry College about the benefits of choral education for homeschoolers!
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Supporting Arizona homeschoolers since 1979
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Direct Instruction in Middle School
A Review of Results from Two Middle Schools Implementing DI
The middle school grades are the last chance to customize instruction for large groups of students struggling to meet grade-level expectations. Schools serving these grades also often experience an influx of large numbers of students who can’t access content courses. Generally, struggling students have limited reading and/or math proficiency that limits their understanding of science, social studies and other courses in which foundational skills are applied. If students don’t receive instruction in middle school that increases their reading and math skills, they will have even more difficulty accessing content course material when they reach high school.
Once students reach high school, a system of credit requirements complicates school-wide efforts to address the skills of struggling student. Most high schools cannot offer remedial courses for credit. The middle school setting allows teachers and administrators to respond to students’ needs with customized solutions that target fundamental skills in reading and mathematics without the need to earn credits for graduation requirements.
Below are the experiences of two high-poverty middle schools that implemented DI with support from NIFDI.
City Springs School – Baltimore, MD
City Springs School located in Baltimore, Maryland is a high-poverty school with a student population that is almost exclusively African American (see Figure 1). City Springs serves students in K-8. As a result, with the exception of new students coming into the school, the majority of the middle school youth have received instruction in DI.
Prior to the implementation of Direct Instruction, the school had a history of low performance. Only 33% of 7th grade students met or exceeded the benchmark standards on the Maryland State Assessment (MSA) exam in 2004-05. This means two out of every three children were failing!
Over the course of the next five years, City Springs School implemented Direct Instruction with NIFDI’s support. During this time, the school's teaching staff were trained on critical aspects of the program, including student assessment, program delivery and adjusting instruction to react to individual students' needs. Through NIFDI’s coaches training model, the school’s leadership team developed the skills necessary to effectively lead a full-immersion DI implementation. As a result, the percentage of 7th graders meeting or exceeding the state benchmark more than doubled, from 33% to 79% (see Figure 2).
Bunche Middle School – Atlanta, GA
Students at Bunche Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia demonstrated significant improvements from the time they entered middle school as 6th graders to spring of their 8th grade year as a result of Direct Instruction with NIFDI’s support. Since Bunche is a feeder school for a number of elementary schools, students arrive with a wide range of skill levels that need to be addressed through instruction.
Bunche Middle School is comprised almost exclusively of African American students with 89% of the student body qualifying for the federal free-reduced lunch program (see Figure 3). With NIFDI support for implementing Direct Instruction, every cohort enjoyed significant gains from 2005 to 2009 (see Figure 4).
The first group through the program went from 87% of students meeting or exceeding the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) their first year in middle school to 96% of students passing the exam as 8th graders (see Figure 4). Similar results are evident for subsequent cohorts, including the 2006-07 cohort with 92% of students passing. Just two years later, 94 percent of students were passing – a difficult gain to achieve with already high-performing students!
While City Springs School and Bunche Middle School operate under varying circumstances, both achieved significant success through Direct Instruction and NIFDI support. Schools across the nation can leverage the opportunity to close the performance gap at the middle grades while preparing students for the rigors of high school before it’s too late through a schoolwide implementation of Direct Instruction. Both schools received comprehensive professional development from NIFDI that included:
- Extensive program training for new and returning teachers
- In-class observations and coaching sessions at least one week per month
- Coaches’ Training for peer mentors
- Weekly data analysis and problem solving sessions


ABOUT YAMAHA MUSIC EDUCATION SYSTEM
The Yamaha philosophy for music education is based on the belief that all people have the potential to develop musical ability. Yamaha believes that everyone has the capacity to create, preform, and enjoy one’s own music, and that through this joy of music one can enjoy a richer life. The Yamaha Music Education System hopes to influence the greatest number of people to enjoy music.
It's great to start at a young age! Have you ever wondered why it's so easy for young children to learn more than one language? Yamaha introduces music fundamentals to children at the time when their hearing capabilities are developing rapidly.
Group lessons have many advantages that enable children to enjoy rich musical experiences such as making friends through music, developing cooperativeness and deepening understanding of music through participation in ensembles. For this purpose, Yamaha has adopted a method whereby students can listen and play in a group, learning music while enjoying it.
Emphasis on Creativity
Make your own music! With Yamaha's comprehensive approach, kids develop musical sensitivity, imagination, and the ability to express themselves freely. Yamaha students learn to play and read music on a high level and also learn to create their own music!
The Yamaha method of music education incorporates weekly group lessons designed to give students the best beginning possible for the development of basic music skills. Emphasis is placed on ear training and the development of a good rhythmic sense. A variety of activities, including singing words and solfege, keyboard playing, sight singing, sight playing, ensemble work, and musical creativity are part of the curriculum.
RESEARCH BASED MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT
WHY CHOOSE YMES FOR YOUR CHILD?
1.) Proven Programs
Our methods are effective. Today, Yamaha Music Schools have developed into a large system with 700,000 students and 20,300 teachers at 7,200 locations in the world. More than 5 million students have graduated from our schools, and some gone on to become professional musicians, teachers, and composers.
Our aim is for every student, whatever their aspiration, is to gain a love of music and an interest in making music.
2.) Expert Teachers
Our teachers are specially selected for their musical and communication skills and their love of working with children. They undertake intensive training programs and their work is regularly monitored. They receive ongoing training and support, and undertake continuing self-development programs.
3.) Motivating Materials
YMES’ colorful student books are designed to excite and motivate young minds. Compact Discs have beautiful instrumental recordings to enrich musical enjoyment and involve the listener.
4.) Distinctive Approach
We aim to create the ‘complete’ musician, by nurturing the development of a full range of musical abilities. Listening and aural abilities, keyboard performance skills and reading skills are fostered through our unique group-learning methods - together with intellectual abilities and social skills.
5.) Unique Opportunities
Our network provides unique opportunities for participation in concerts and festivals locally and throughout the world. Children are encouraged to participate in piano competitions and special classes such as improvisation and composition.
6.) Comprehensive Curriculum
We offer an integrated, progressive curriculum for children aged from 3 to 17 years.
Yamaha and AMEB music examinations are offered for children who would like their achievements to be formally assessed and recognized.
7.) And Above All...
We are committed to doing our very best for the musical education of your child and to enhance your family’s enjoyment of music.


Most agree that the earlier you expose a child to a language, the easier it is for that child to pick it up. The same rules apply for deaf children.
According to a new study, early exposure to sign language in addition to spoken language for all deaf children is the best way to maximise linguistic and cognitive skills to overcome any delays or difficulties due to deafness.
La Trobe University's Dr Adam Schembri—Director of the National Institute for Deaf Studies and Sign Language—and colleagues examined the effects of age of acquisition in deaf adults who use British Sign Language (BSL).
This study is focused specifically on deaf adults and reports significant accuracy differences for those who acquire sign language as a delayed first language between 2 to 8 years of age, but also significantly slower response times for those who acquire sign language as a second language in later life,' says Dr Schembri.
The study showed children that develop sign language skills from birth had better grammatical judgement in BSL. For adults who reported learning BSL from the ages of 2 to 8 years, the study found it harder for people to acquire the same language skills.
'One thing that seems very clear is that successful early acquisition of a first language is crucial, whether that language is natural signed language, such as BSL (or Auslan in Australia), or a spoken/written language such as English,' says Dr Schembri.
The current study supports many others showing that early exposure to accessible language is much more likely to result in successful language acquisition than later exposure.
'The advantages of early sign language exposure remain clear even with rapid advances in hearing aids and cochlear implants.'
According to Dr Schembri, an approach using both sign language and a spoken or written language will be the most beneficial for children to make the most of their linguistic skills.
'Bilingual education is the best way of ensuring that deaf children have early exposure to both a signed language and a spoken/written language, which will provide the deaf child with the best chance for successful language acquisition, in either or both languages.
We know that bilingualism comes with a range of cognitive benefits, so we would advocate early bilingualism in both signed and spoken language for all deaf children,' says Dr Schembri.
The Study—First Language acquisition differs from second language acquisition in prelinqually deaf signers: Evidence from sensitivity to grammaticality judgement in British Sign Language—was published in Cognition and is available on request.
La Trobe University, Australia. May 29, 2012.
This documentation project follows a baby's language acquisition, literacy development, and phonological acquisition in sign language, specifically ASL, week by week from gazing at birth to manual babbling, to first words just before the first birthday in a natural native-ASL environment and visual culture.
The second-year and third-year documentation continues to follow the same child's language and phonological acquisition and literacy development in ASL on a weekly basis from the one-word stage to two-word and multiple utterances.
The documentary continues to follow the same child's ASL language and literacy development on a regular basis from age three to four. It surveys ASL phonological acquisition and more complex utterances.
These posts on ASL-English bilingualism, language acquisition, and bilingual education may be of an interest for parents who raise a bilingual-bimodal child in ASL (or another signed language) and English (or another written and/or spoken language of its respective) as well as informative and educational for ASL specialists, educators, and professionals.


The objective of the African American Gallery of Nassau Region is to inform as well as promote understanding and appreciation of African American society, art and also practice through education, analysis, exhibits, collections, and workshops for the enrichment of the general public; featuring a focus on Long Island.The gallery's vision is to end up being the exceptional regional source for African American historic info.
In February 1968, Professor Leroy Leonardo Ramsey set up a Black History exhibit at Nassau Neighborhood University, in celebration of Black Record Month. At February's end, the display was left in place (as a result of prominent need) and also Professor Ramsey used his personal collection of artefacts to transform the exhibit once in a while. Before long, the exhibit outgrew its space and also he developed the Black History Display Facility in an establishment front at 106-A Main Street, in Hempstead. In 1984, Nassau County purchased the structure at 110 North Franklin Road as well as Professor Ramsey's Black Past history Display Center became the African American Museum of Nassau Region as well as relocated into 110 North Franklin in 1985.
AAM is among just two African American galleries in the northeast. (The other African American Museum lies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.) Renovation of the gallery's inside was launched by former Director/Curator, David Byer-Tyre. A work in progression, the home improvement remains to create an aesthetic ambiance for a social, academic gallery encounter.
The African Atlantic Genealogical Society, Inc. (TAAGS) came to be affiliated with the museum in 1998; making the African American Gallery distinct as the first museum to house a genealogical culture that gives workshops as well as appointments for the area. In 2005, the museum was allowed American Tradition Publication's "Heritage Honor for Conservation of African American Record as well as Culture". AAM is one of 10 museums to be so recognized.
Under management of TAAGS, considering that February 26, 2012, the museum provides programming that includes art exhibitions as well as fine art education, genealogical as well as historical research study, themed displays that concentrate on historical figures and also events, reading and also discussion workshops sponsored by the New york city State Council on the Humanities, theatrical and also musical workshops sponsored by the New York State Council on the Fine arts, as well as screening process and discussion programs. Our Saturday course routine consists of, Hands-On-Art (for youngsters as well as grownups), English as a 2nd language (ESL), and also prep lessons for the U.S. citizenship examination. AAM is a taking part institution of 2 prestigious annual art celebrations, ArtHamptons as well as ArtMarketHamptons. As an associate of the Household Study Collection we have accessibility to the millions of genealogical documents held by the Church of Latter-day Saints, in Utah.
110 North Franklin Street, Hempstead NY 11550-3029 • Telephone: 516-572-0730
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.


Christmas in Sweden Worksheet – FREE Kids Science Word Search Games
The Christmas in Sweden Worksheet – Get our entertaining FREE Kids Science Word Search Games.
Our FREE science worksheet for kids about Christmas in Sweden has a fun word seek game combined with a missing-and-hidden word search game for kids.
This fun and educational printable science worksheet all about Christmas in Sweden is completely FREE for you to print out completely free and you are permitted to use this worksheet as often as you wish for your classroom kids or for your kids at home!
Our kids science worksheet on Christmas in Sweden is a great way to perk kids interest during a science enrichment class, homeschooling, distant learning lessons, regular school science classes or while your kids are undertaking early learning activities.
This FREE Christmas in Sweden kids word search is enjoyable for kids in Primary school from First to Fifth Grades. Additionally, Kindergarten kids and kids in Preschool will also enjoy this Christmas in Sweden word search worksheet.
Your kid can have fun while learning fun facts on Christmas in Sweden doing our fun science for kids worksheet.
Your children will enjoy to learn fun facts all about Christmas in Sweden while playing the FREE word searches game.
Primary school kids from first Grade to fifth Grade can use our Christmas in Sweden worksheet as a reading comprehension tool.
Kids shall learn well and enhance their reading skills because they will probably have to re-read several times the Christmas in Sweden fun facts to find the missing words. This educational word game will not only increase your kids’ science knowledge, but also increases the brain’s memory and also improves their reading skills.
Younger kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten who didn’t yet learn to read and write can use our free fun facts Christmas in Sweden worksheet as a fun and educational listening comprehension exercise.
Parents or Educators can read out loud to the kids the fun facts about Christmas in Sweden. Next, they help the children to answer what were the missing words. Additionally, your kids learn to recognize words and find them in the Christmas in Sweden kids worksheet.
Parents homeschooling their kids can use this Christmas in Sweden worksheet to teach their kids fun science facts about Christmas in Sweden.
Teachers and private tutors are free to use our FREE Christmas in Sweden worksheet to supplement traditional science classes at school and interest children in learning all about Christmas in Sweden. Most beneficial is you use our free earth science worksheet for children on Christmas in Sweden together with the free interactive online quiz with score on Christmas in Sweden.
Our Fun Science Website offers lots more FREE printable fun earth science worksheets for kids and FREE word search games. Download and use our fun science word puzzles to make learning science fun for your children!
What do you know about Christmas in Sweden? How does Sweden celebrate Christmas? How is Christmas in Sweden different from a typical American Christmas? Did you know that Christmas in Sweden lasts almost two months? What other holidays does Sweden celebrate in December?
Learn more fun facts about Christmas in Sweden by downloading our free fun Christmas in Sweden worksheet for children!
FREE Printable Christmas in Sweden Worksheet
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Tobin, Declan. (2020). Christmas in Sweden Worksheet - FREE Kids Science Word Search Games -. Easy Science for Kids. Retrieved from https://easyscienceforkids.com/christmas-in-sweden-worksheet-free-kids-science-word-search-games/
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