Getting Started with English Language Learners
August 24, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
The first step in getting started with English Language Learners (ELLs) from diverse backgrounds is to create an environment of acceptance so that all students feel welcome, empowered, and ready to learn. Some of the small things that educators do to reach out to students who are ELLs can make a big difference […]
Why Implement Standards in Schools?
August 23, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
Often the importance of setting realistic and achievable standards in schools are underestimated. One doesn’t realize the role that it plays in ensuring efficient student development.
Some of the positives of setting standards are:
Accountability
Standards hold teachers, schools and the districts responsible for what goes on in classrooms. It helps to generate a process […]
Understanding BICS and CALP
August 21, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
Teachers who work with English Language Learners (ELL) are often puzzled by the differences that they see between different language skill areas. For example, a teacher may observe that an ELL speaks easily with his peers about lunch, music, video games and what he did on the weekend, but may struggle a lot […]
Creating Effective Literacy Instruction: An Expert Opinion
August 19, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
Researcher and teacher educator, Donna Alvermann wrote a white paper on ‘Effective Literacy Instruction for Adolescents’ that says that students’ needs and interests must be at the forefront when designing any type of literacy instruction. Effective literacy instruction builds on elements of both formal and informal literacies. Alvermann challenges teachers to critically examine […]
Protecting the Child Against Abuse: Identifying the Characteristics of Child Abusers
August 17, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
As a teacher, child abuse has and always will be a major concern. It is important that we do all we can to protect the child from abuse. Identifying the characteristics of child abusers helps us identity possible situations of abuse.
However identifying child abusers isn’t easy. People are unique and it is not […]
Importance of Standards Based Instruction
August 16, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
In order to ensure that the student is given clear and precise instructions, it becomes necessary to align instruction with standards.
Standards ensure better accountability – holding teachers and schools responsible for what goes on in the classrooms. The practice of aligning learning to standards also helps ensure that a higher level of […]
Autism in Children: Physical Development
August 12, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
Autism in children often results in delays in their physical development. It affects the lower brain which is responsible for the child’s balance and coordination. The muscle tone of children with autism may also be different from that of typical students.
Most of the time, both gross and fine motor activities are affected by […]
Framing Internet safety rules for children
August 11, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
The internet is a medium that can be educational as well as harmful to children. While it opens them up to a world full of knowledge, it exposes them to the risks of perverted unadulterated content.
It is therefore important to lay down some internet safety rules for children before they access the internet. […]
Gifted and Talented Teaching Resources for Independent Learning
August 10, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
Independent learning is fostered by an environment that is sensitive, flexible, and responsive to the needs of the student. It involves a healthy interactive process between the teacher and learner that encourages the student’s intellectual development and capacity for independent and reflective judgment. This is a student-centered learning model.
More than the traditional role learning […]
Dealing with Bullying in School Age Children: Verbal Attacks
August 9, 2011 by PLB · Leave a Comment
The great majority of bullying in school age children is name-calling, and almost all physical aggression begins with insults.
A classic way of handling this is as below.
Child: Johnny called me a x@z#$%*!
Adult (sounding concerned): Do you believe it?
Child: No!
Adult: Good! I don’t either!
Handling the situation in this method defuses the hurt that […]
