Springtime Balance

"Education means developing the mind,

not stuffing the memory."

One of my favorite things about spring is my annual practice of balancing an egg on it's end. I could prove that It really works because I took a picture with my cell phone.  The problem is that I don't know how to get it from my cell phone to my computer. If you want to send me your cell phone number, I will send the photo to you. If not, you will just have to believe that it works.
Which brings me to the topic of living a balanced life... hard enough for adults, but today, it is even harder for children. School, homework, sports or clubs, meals and sleep take up much of their day.  Phonics and worksheets take much up much of the class time for young children. Preparing for THE TEST takes up much of the time for the older children. So I would like to suggest a springtime activity and poem to lend balance to children's lives. 
Plant some seeds: This is the time to buy some packets of seeds   
                              and and get them going inside.
                                  You will need: * Seed packets
                                                          * Container to plant them in
                                                           (cups, planting trays, peet       
                                                             pots...)
                                                          *  Potting soil
                                                          *  Water
                                                          *  Sunny spot
                                                          * Newspapers
                                   The Process: 1. Spread the newspapers out on  
                                                      the surface you plan to work on.
                                                       2. Place your containers on the
                                                       newspaper.
                                                       3. Fill the containers with soil.
                                                       4. Read the directions on the
                                                      back of the seed packet to see
                                                      whether to bury or sprinkle the
                                                      seeds.
                                                       5. Water the seeds and place   
                                                      the containers in a sunny spot.
                                                      6. You might want to label what
                                                      you planted using toothpicks and
                                                      paper signs.
                                Keep a "Plant Journal:"
                                What you need: * A blank notebook
                                                        * Pencils, markers, colored 
                                                            pencils...(choice) * Your        
                                                            seedlings
                                                        * A stamp pad and a date          
                                                             stamp.(Optional)
                                 The Process:  * Day #1 Draw how your 
                                                          seedlings look just planted.
                                                        * Stamp or write the date.
                                                        * Decide how often to visit and 
                                                           record how the seeds look.   
                                                          (perhaps daily, weekly or every
                                                           few days.
                                                       * Taking photos is an option to 
                                                          drawing.
                                                       * Predict when your plants will                                                             strong enough  and the weather
                                                         will be warm enough, to
                                                         transfer outside.
                                                       * You can continue the journal
                                                         the summer or just show at the 
                                                         end.
                                   Poem: "The Garden," by Shel Silverstein    
                                                 Where The Sidewalk Ends 
                                                  Children can try planting a jewel or 
                                                  pennies to see if they can grow a
                                                  money tree.
Our plants like our children, will need                                          
                                                  "just enough and not too much"
                                                           (Caramelo, by Sandra Cisneros)
                         Here is too balance, for ourselves and our children.
                                                                             

Happy planting!

JD

                                                 

                                     

                                                          

Tiger Mom?

A child's work is play!

I consider myself a student and a life-long learner, as well as an Early Childhood expert and advocate, so I am intrigued by the

attention that is being paid to the "Tiger Mom" publication.

Sure children need structure, high standards and practice. What they do not need is stress, isolation and totally scheduled time.

• Children will learn in a rich environment.
• Children will learn by being surrounded by supportive people.
• Children will learn by positive models.
• Children will learn when there are consequences for their actions.
• Children will  learn through experience.
• Children will learn best when they are relaxed and comfortable taking risks. 

In her book, Amy Chua, is leaving out an important component in child-raising...socialization.

• Children need  to learn to work with others.
• Children need to understand that what they do affects others in either a good way or a bad way. (Adults could learn this too)
• Children need to believe that learning involves hard work, but can be fun at the same time.
• Children need to always want to learn more.
• Both good behavior and curiosity must be intrinsic.

From what I know of The Tiger Mom,  and what I see in some Kindergarten classrooms, I worry.  What I see in the classrooms are children who can sound out words phonetically, but are not engaged.  They can recognize sight words, but they are not excited about learning.  They can sit still if they have to, but they are not joyful. They are not together as a community of learners.

I guess you can tell that I am not, and never was, a "Tiger Mom."

Actually, I was, and am a "Tickle Mom."

My own children are now grown. I made some mistakes and they have gone through some very difficult times. Yet, they are strong, responsible, creative, and caring adults and as a result, I would recommend "Tickles" over "Tigers."

Here are some adult reading suggestions:

• The Hurried Child, by David Elkind
• All Grown Up and No Place to Go, by David Elkind.
• Multiple Intelligences,  by Howard Gardner
• Friendship Note Paper: The Fundraiser That Builds a Community of Learners., by Jane Diamond. (Me)

And for children...

• Lilly's Purple Purse: by Kevin Henkes.
• The Big Orange Splot: by Daniel Pinkwater.
• Alexander And The Very Bad Day,  by Judith Viorst.
• Miss Rumphius,  by Barbara Cooney.
• Roxaboxen, by Alice McClearen.

Must see film: "Race to Nowhere." Next showing at Arapahoe Community College. Feb. 8th. Waring Theater. $10, $15 at the door. http://rtnarapahoecc.evenbrite.com

I welcome your thoughts and comments and wish the children whose lives you touch many "Tickles."

 Jane

                                              

A Week to Reflect

If you always do

What you've always done,
You'll always get

What you've always gotten.

-unknown-

It was snowy and cold outside, and I was glued to the T.V. inside. I experienced many thoughts and feelings, as did you all.  "Not again." "What is wrong with us?" "Is nothing ever going to change?" Once again violence stemmed from anger, hatred, and loneliness occurred, this time in Tucson. Citizens were wounded, killed and we are all  horrified. Is it possible to change this culture that is becoming more and more violent?  I don't know, but I do believe that it is worth everybody doing their part to help solve the problem.
As a kindergarten teacher, I made some decisions about what atmosphere I wanted my classroom to reflect. In this case, I was "the boss." and we were going to become a caring community.  So,

• no play weapons, even for "show and tell."
• cooperative centers, where children were encouraged to help each other and do their best, were implemented.
• encouragement was given to help children solve their disagreements using words.
• we read and talked about stories that incorporated good writing, attractive illustrations, and a worthwhile message.
• we brought attention to children who were being good friends, using their words, and demonstrating kindness.
• we brainstormed ideas that could bring solutions to problems.

I continually told children that "what they did and said affected everyone else, in either a good or a bad way." They may not have understood at 5, but I hoped they would remember where they first heard it, as they matured.
I would encourage parents to encourage a peaceful home.

• Turn off, or limit, T.V.
• Monitor the video games and internet.
• Send your children outside to play.
• Work with your kids to solve problems.
• Read and discuss stories that have the message you want to impart.
• Have dinner together as often as you can.
• Listen to your children and take them seiously. (Ask questions and listen to answers.)

Activity: Begin a Journal. Children as young as five can write,
              draw or cut and paste in a "Journal."
              Let your child select a blank book and find a time
              daily, three times a week, or even once a week to make 
              a journal entry.   
Materials:        

•   An attractive book.
•   Pencil
•   Markers
•   Scissors

Some books that might encourage journal entries:

• Tough Boris, by Mem Fox, illustrations by Kathryn Brown. Even Pirates cry.   Entry: What is there that makes you sad?
• I'm in Charge of Celebrations, by Byrd Baylor, pictures by Peter Parnall. So much around us to celebrate. Entry: What is there to celebrate, that you might take for granted?
• Tickle Monster, by Josie Bissett, illustrations by Kevan j. Atteberry. A lovable "Monster" has flown in from planet "Tickle," to bring joy and laughter to planet Earth. Entry: What can you can do to add happiness to the life of someone else?
• Roxaboxen: by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney. An imaginative town is created by children, where play is encouraged, problems are solved and childhood memories are inspired. Entry: What would you include in a town that you created yourself? 

Pictures, words, or pictures and words make wonderful journal entries. Suggest that your child expand on what they enter.
Let us do all we can at home, in school and in our lives to make this a friendlier, more civil and  peaceful city, state and county...world. Let's be models for our kids.

Let's do it for Christina!

 Jane
FYI  Homework Happening: Thur. Afternoons-3:30-5:50
                                     950C Jersey St. (Dancing The Soul)
                                      $10 reserved (303-502-4586 or
                                      dancingthesoul.com)
                                      $12-drop-in

Welcome in 2011-A New Beginning

Education is not the filing of a pail,

but the lighting of a fire.

-William Butler Yeats-

I hope everyone had a good vacation and feel ready to return to routine with the feeling of having a "fresh start!"  This is the perfect excuse to do some goal setting and reflection for both children and adults. For parents, it is a good time to dedicate yourself to reading to your child/children at bedtime and having some one- on- one time with your child. It is also important to take some time for yourself, even if it is only an hour every day or two.  You will be a more effective parent when you are refreshed. (Don't roll your eyes!) I would like to share an activity that I do every year. There are lots of names for it...a "prosperity page," a "vision board," a "goal collage." It is, in short,  visual representation of your goals.  For children it can be a "me collage."
The Activity: Creation of a "Vision Board" or "Me Page"
Description:  There a different ways to approach this     
                      project. You might

1.   write down the goals you want to include.
2.  Look through magazines, catalogs, newspapers. and photos.
3.  Cut out pictures, words, quotes that reflect your goals.
4.  Arrange what you have cut out on a 12" x 12" piece of card stock, or a background to your choosing. 
5. Glue down your pictures/words.
6. Embellish using templates, stickers etc. (Optional)

7. Hang your vision board in a place that you will see it every day. (The idea is that when you see your goals in this way, you will internalize those goals and be likely to achieve them.)   

 I will be teaching a class on Sat.,Jan. 15th to create your 

"Vision Board."

To register go to dancingthesoul.com or call 303-502-4586.



For Children: You can make it a "Me Collage.

1. Children can look through magazines, catalogs, newspapers.
2. Cut out pictures, words, etc that reflect who they are.
3. Lay out the cuttings on a piece of card stock of the size they choose.
4. Paste down the pictures with a photo of themselves in the middle.
5. Embellish with stickers, or use a template to decorate.
6. This is a good project for the beginning of the school year to get an idea of the individuality and interests of students.
7. Children can also do the project as a goal setting tool.

Materials:

• magazines, catalogs, newspaper, photos
• card stock or background of choice.
• scissors
• glue stick
• stickers, templates with markers, (optional)
• frame or page covers (optional)

         The "Homework Happening" begins today, Thursday,

          at 3:30-5:30. 950C Jersey St. 

Bring in assignments, projects for support, ideas, and tools to make your work the best that it can be!

            Call: 303-331-1418 for information. 

        
          Here's to a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

   May learning be fun and meaningful and memorable.

Jane