Workshops and Seminars are in full swing but we're constantly adding new groups and specific topic areas.
This May we're introducing "Small Talk", a workshop series designed to help you communicate better with young children.
"The World as A Classroom" and "Summer Fun" which will provide tips, tools and activities for incorporating fun ways of learning into children's daily lives(shhhh, don't say it's learning.
"Getting Ready For the First Day of School" Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade and Second/Third Grade groups available.
Ongoing workshops include;
Learning Skills
School Skills
Social Skills
Encouraging and Enhancing Creativity in Children
Reading and Writing are Fun!
Math and Science are Fun!
Etherthink - Technology and your Child
For more information or to arrange for a group or seminar for your group, school or individual coaching please call 646.468.0608.
Enjoy the day,
Rebecca (Kiki)
Rebecca Kiki Weingarten M.Sc.Ed, MFA
Daily Life Consulting
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Learning To Write Is Learning To Think
So much emphasis on test scores. So lots of policy and education programs are developed and implemented in order to help children do well/better on their tests.
Excellent - we're educating a generation of test-takers. But what if we ask them questions that aren't in the test style they're used to? What if we ask them to make a leap between un(test)related subjects? What if we want them to be creative or to use new critical thinking skills?
I won't go into my personal opinions about a lot of these issues but will direct you to two articles from the New York Times that address the in different ways. One article titled U.S. Students Achieve Mixed Results on Writing Test reports that "About a third of the nation’s eighth-grade students, and roughly a quarter of its high school seniors, are proficient writers, according to nationwide test results released Thursday."
A third and a quarter are proficient in writing? That doesn't sound like mixed results to me. That sounds like poor results.
Another article In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for the Life Examined talks about the fact that many students are studying philosophy. It quotes David E. Schrader, executive director of the American Philosophical Association, a professional organization with 11,000 members, as saying "that in an era in which people change careers frequently, philosophy makes sense. 'It’s a major that helps them become quick learners and gives them strong skills in writing, analysis and critical thinking,'".
I had a terrific teacher in Grad school (for an MFA in writing) Tucker Farley, who changed the way we thought about things. She challenged us to think about old topics in new ways. On the door to her office was a quote that I always have in mind when working with children, parents, students of all ages (and of course with writers) because it has proved to be so true. "Learning To Write Is Learning To Think".
Teach a child to take tests and they'll perform better on standardized tests.
Teach a child to think creatively, to strategize and solve problems and they'll have the tools to help them in every subject and in their lives.
Excellent - we're educating a generation of test-takers. But what if we ask them questions that aren't in the test style they're used to? What if we ask them to make a leap between un(test)related subjects? What if we want them to be creative or to use new critical thinking skills?
I won't go into my personal opinions about a lot of these issues but will direct you to two articles from the New York Times that address the in different ways. One article titled U.S. Students Achieve Mixed Results on Writing Test reports that "About a third of the nation’s eighth-grade students, and roughly a quarter of its high school seniors, are proficient writers, according to nationwide test results released Thursday."
A third and a quarter are proficient in writing? That doesn't sound like mixed results to me. That sounds like poor results.
Another article In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for the Life Examined talks about the fact that many students are studying philosophy. It quotes David E. Schrader, executive director of the American Philosophical Association, a professional organization with 11,000 members, as saying "that in an era in which people change careers frequently, philosophy makes sense. 'It’s a major that helps them become quick learners and gives them strong skills in writing, analysis and critical thinking,'".
I had a terrific teacher in Grad school (for an MFA in writing) Tucker Farley, who changed the way we thought about things. She challenged us to think about old topics in new ways. On the door to her office was a quote that I always have in mind when working with children, parents, students of all ages (and of course with writers) because it has proved to be so true. "Learning To Write Is Learning To Think".
Teach a child to take tests and they'll perform better on standardized tests.
Teach a child to think creatively, to strategize and solve problems and they'll have the tools to help them in every subject and in their lives.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
3rd-Graders Aimed to Hurt Teacher - AP
I have no answers to any of the questions I've gotten about the story out of Georgia
"3rd-graders Aimed to Hurt Teacher " about a plot cooked up by a group of 3rd graders to hurt their teacher in retaliation for reprimanding one of them. The plot included duct tape, handcuffs and a knife and materials for covering the windows during the attack and cleaning up afterwards.
I am horrified. I'm upset. I'm bewildered. I'm a lot of things. I have a lot of questions but no answers right now.
The story did remind me though of a wonderful surprise birthday party that one of my second grade classes planned for me. It involved music, a cake, snacks and soda, cards and gifts. I was amazed that the children were able to plan it so well, they got their parents involved for some of the bigger items. Michael G. was the planner and leader and he did a great job. I still smile when I think of it. That's the kind of planning young children should be doing. Planning for parties, playing, thinking about summer vacation or gym or music class.
What's going on? Why the violence in our schools? Why the violence among young children? I recall the studies after 9/11 that suggested that violent acts will rise in number and that the violence will be exhibited by younger and younger children. Is that what we're seeing now? Where is this coming from?
It's time to take a really close look at what's going in our schools (BEYOND test scores) on and a closer look at what every adult can do to help stop the violence.
"3rd-graders Aimed to Hurt Teacher " about a plot cooked up by a group of 3rd graders to hurt their teacher in retaliation for reprimanding one of them. The plot included duct tape, handcuffs and a knife and materials for covering the windows during the attack and cleaning up afterwards.
I am horrified. I'm upset. I'm bewildered. I'm a lot of things. I have a lot of questions but no answers right now.
The story did remind me though of a wonderful surprise birthday party that one of my second grade classes planned for me. It involved music, a cake, snacks and soda, cards and gifts. I was amazed that the children were able to plan it so well, they got their parents involved for some of the bigger items. Michael G. was the planner and leader and he did a great job. I still smile when I think of it. That's the kind of planning young children should be doing. Planning for parties, playing, thinking about summer vacation or gym or music class.
What's going on? Why the violence in our schools? Why the violence among young children? I recall the studies after 9/11 that suggested that violent acts will rise in number and that the violence will be exhibited by younger and younger children. Is that what we're seeing now? Where is this coming from?
It's time to take a really close look at what's going in our schools (BEYOND test scores) on and a closer look at what every adult can do to help stop the violence.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Health Clubs Look to Kids to Bulk Up Membership - WSJ
Interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal Health Clubs Look to Kids to Bulk Up Membership Programs Lure Children Of Existing Clients As Well as Outsiders.
Work out, keep fit, let your children see that you are. Be active with them and they'll learn by example. If a gym is the best way for you to do that - do it. Whatever works.
Enjoy the day your way,
RK
Rebecca Kiki Weingarten M.Sc.Ed, MFA (APA)
Daily Life Consulting
Work out, keep fit, let your children see that you are. Be active with them and they'll learn by example. If a gym is the best way for you to do that - do it. Whatever works.
Enjoy the day your way,
RK
Rebecca Kiki Weingarten M.Sc.Ed, MFA (APA)
Daily Life Consulting
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