Childhood Education articles from June 2004

Childhood Education archives from June 2004

Making the science literacy connection: after-school science clubs.
June 22, 2004... Glancing about the room, we see elementary students viewing water samples from local wetlands with amazement and awe. We hear students' voices exclaim, "Look what I found--a green water spider walking on the water"; "Hey! Now I know what...

Meaningful learning with African American families: the freedom quilt FunPacks.
June 22, 2004... Despite some characterization as being uninvolved in the education of their children, African American parents have always valued education and recognized it as the key to economic and political freedom. Despite laws in the United States...

Early childhood care and education in Kenya.
June 22, 2004... Recent years have seen a global endeavor to prioritize early childhood care and education as a foundation for later learning and development, as evidenced by the Global Guidelines for Early Childhood Education and Care in the 21st Century...

Teacher portfolios: an effective way to assess teacher performance and enhance learning.
June 22, 2004... The overall goal of assessment is to collect information regarding a targeted program or performance. Specifically, assessment involves the identification, clarification, and application of defensible criteria to ascertain a target object's...

Too young to be stressed.
June 22, 2004... "For children, the pressures are beginning to tell." "Required: Stress busters for smart kids." "Shrinks called in as exam fever turns into epidemic." The above headlines are not a sampling from sensationalized items on a television news...

Unexpected lessons and nudges.(President's Message)
June 22, 2004... Dear Colleagues, At the beginning of each day, I ask my creator for assistance in recognizing opportunities to learn from unexpected sources. This request has made a difference in my becoming a better listener and accepting invitations to...

Television and children.(From The Executive Director)
June 22, 2004... Last fall, an article that made the front page of the Washington Post (October 29, 2003) caught my attention. It focused on a recent Kaiser Foundation study, "Zero to Six: Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers,"...

2004 Week of the Classroom Teacher: a time to celebrate those who teach.(Public Relations)
June 22, 2004... As the new Public Relations Manager at ACEI, I am delighted to be engaged in a program as far-reaching and meaningful as Week of the Classroom Teacher. This worldwide commemoration to honor the contributions and dedication of outstanding...

ACEI elects new executive board members.(ACEI Executive Board)
June 22, 2004... Jeanie Burnett President Elect (2004-2005) Jeanie Burnett, Professor of Elementary Education, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, is the new ACEI President-Elect. Burnett is an active ACEI member, having served as ACEI's Vice President...

In memoriam.(Obituary)
June 22, 2004... Esther Morgan We are saddened to report that Esther Morgan, a long-time member and Past President of ACEI, died on March 10th in Gainesville, Florida. Esther received a bachelor's degree from East Carolina University, a master's degree...

The effects of educational values and cultural tradition on literacy instruction.(International/Intercultural)
June 22, 2004... This article is based on my experiences observing a Korean family that immigrated to the United States. This two-income, middle-class family (a mother and father, a grandmother, and a son) live in the northern suburbs of Chicago, where a large...

Classroom idea-sparkers.
June 22, 2004... The following Idea-Sparker was submitted by Rashmi Kumar, Avon Grove Intermediate School, West Grove, PA. What Does the Rain Look Like in Zimbabwe? It is important to appreciate differences in perspectives in order to gain an...

Discovering students' knowledge through observation and community building.(Student Slant)
June 22, 2004... It has been said that children are smarter than we sometimes acknowledge them to be. Knowledge can be, at times, hidden from view. Our job as teachers is to get to know our students very well, and find ways to make sure we give them due credit...

Ron Colbert to serve as ACEI/NCATE training officer.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... Ron Colbert was recently appointed by the ACEI Executive Board to serve a three-year term as ACEI/NCATE Training Officer. Colbert is also serving as an ACEI Program Reviewer, ACEINCATE Representative, Member of the NCATE Board of Examiners for...

Could you please help?: support the Adopt a Teacher Program.(Adopt a Teacher)
June 22, 2004... Dear Colleagues, As President of ACEI, I shared my vision for the Adopt a Teacher Program (2003-2005) in the Fall 2003 Exchange. At that time, I outlined a plan and invited our ACEI family and other professional colleagues to take three...

Serving an international membership, meeting local needs.(Memberandum)
June 22, 2004... As the Internet and the United Nations dissemination of its list of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) makes information about ACEI more available, international interest in ACEI is growing. This week, for example, I received an E-mail from a...

ACEI branch in Kenya, East Africa.(Branches in Action)
June 22, 2004... In August 2003, ACEI member Tata Mbugua traveled to Kenya for two purposes: to conduct research on early childhood education in Kenya and to establish an ACEI Branch. The latter effort would complete a process that had been initiated a year...

New state branch in Tennessee.(Branches in Action)(Association for Childhood Education International)
June 22, 2004... The newly created Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International (TACEI) state Branch began during the summer of 2003. However, the process was initiated at earlier meetings, which were attended by ACEI members Carrie Whaley, Resa...

Stuttering and the bilingual child--new ways to help.
June 22, 2004... What should parents of a child who stutters do if their child speaks more than one language? According to speech-language pathologist Rosalee Shenker, Ph.D., of the Montreal Fluency Centre, "Many treatment programs suggest that when young...

Calendar.(Calendar)
June 22, 2004... * June 20-25, 2004: 28th Annual Quality Infant/ Toddler Caregiving Workshop, Syracuse University, New York. For additional information, contact Syracuse University Continuing Education Inquiries, 700 University Ave., Syracuse, NY 13244-2530;...

Is my child really too young for Kindergarten?(For Parents Particularly)
June 22, 2004... Anita Ede Anita Ede teaches English language learners, grades 3-5, Kerr Elementary School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many years ago, as the parent of a child deemed "too young" for kindergarten, I dutifully accepted the advice of the...

Do as I say, not as I do: a personal odyssey.(Teaching Strategies)
June 22, 2004... This is the final article in the series we have edited for this column. We have presented a variety of viewpoints and teaching strategies across the continuum of age groups, from early childhood to graduate education. The authors have included...

Bray-Moffat, Naia Ballet School.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Bray-Moffat, Naia BALLET SCHOOL. Photography by David Handley. ISBN 0-794-9228-8. New York: DK Publishing, 2003. 48 pp. $12.99 (first American printing). This colorful, oversized book follows a group of beginning dancers as they learn the...

Gerstein, Mordicai The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Gerstein, Mordicai THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Il. by author. ISNB 0-7613-1791-0. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press, 2003. 34 pp. $17.95. This wonderfully illustrated account of Philippe Petit's tightrope walk between Manhattan's...

Krull, Kathleen M is for Music.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Krull, Kathleen M IS FOR MUSIC. Il. by Stacy Innerst. ISBN 0-15-201438-1. New York: Harcourt, 2003. 56 pp. $16.00. Some scientists believe listening to classical music enhances memory and learning skills. Experiments have shown that young...

Kuklin, Susan All Aboard! A True Train Story.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Kuklin, Susan ALL ABOARD! A True Train Story. Photographed by author. ISBN 0-439-45583-9. New York: Orchard Books, 2003. Unp. $16.95. Author and photographer Susan Kuklin captures the industrial beauty of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge...

Lessem, Don Dinosaurs A To Z.(Brief Article)(Young Adult Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Lessem, Don DINOSAURS A TO Z. Il. by Jan Sovak. ISBN 0-439-16591-1. New York: Scholastic, 2003. 224 pp. $22.95. The ultimate dinosaur encyclopedia, this fascinating reference book provides an exciting and complete resource for those who are...

Miller, Debbie S. Artic Lights, Artic Nights.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Miller, Debbie S. ARTIC LIGHTS, ARTIC NIGHTS. Il. by Jon Van Zyle. ISBN 0-8027-8856-4. New York: Walker & Company, 2003. 32 pp. $16.95. How do animals sleep in the summer if it's always light outside? Debbie Miller describes the captivating...

Peterson, Cris Wild Horses: Black Hills Sanctuary.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Peterson, Cris WILD HORSES: Black Hills Sanctuary. Il. by Alvis Upitis. ISBN 1-56397-745-1. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2003. Unp. $16.95. This is an ideal quick read for young people interested in horses. Beautiful language captures the...

Quinlan, Susan E. The Case of the Monkeys that Fell from the Trees and Other Mysteries in Tropical Nature.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Quinlan, Susan E. THE CASE OF THE MONKEYS THAT FELL FROM THE TREES and Other Mysteries in Tropical Nature. Il. by author. ISBN 1-56397-902-0. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2003. 171 pp. $15.95. Why are the skilled tree climbers falling from...

Shapiro, Karen Jo Because I Could not Stop My Bike ... and Other Poems.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Shapiro, Karen Jo BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP MY BIKE... and Other Poems. Il. by Matt Faulkner. ISBN 1-58089-035-0. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2003. 32 pages. $15.95. A sophisticated reader will have recognized that this book's title pays...

Yolen, Jane Least Things: Poems About Small Natures.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Yolen, Jane LEAST THINGS: Poems About Small Natures. Photos by Jason Stemple. ISBN 1-59078-098-1. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, 2003. 32 pp. $17.95. Some of nature's smallest creatures are celebrated through beautiful photographs,...

Bright Paul Quiet!(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Bright, Paul QUIET! Il. by Guy Parker-Rees. ISBN 0-439-54512-9. New York: Scholastic, 2003. Unp. $15.95. It is morning naptime for Baby Leo. Mama and Papa Lion want all of the animals in the jungle to remain quiet so that Baby Leo will not be...

Bunting, Eve The Wedding.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Bunting, Eve THE WEDDING. Il. by Iza Trapani. ISBN 1-58089-040-7. Waterford, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 2003. Unp. $15.95. Miss Brindle Cow helps a comical crew of stranded wedding participants navigate a wooded path. Miss Brindle Cow...

Collins, Suzanne Gregor the Overlander.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Collins, Suzanne GREGOR THE OVERLANDER. ISBN 0-439-43536-6. New York: Scholastic Press, 2003. 320 pp. $16.95. When 11-year-old Gregor attempts to save his 2-year-old sister, Boots, from falling down a grate, both he and Boots end up...

Duffield, Katy S. Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Duffield, Katy S. FARMER McPEEPERS AND HIS MISSING MILK COWS. Il. by Steve Gray. ISBN 0-87358-825-8. Flagstaff, AZ: Rising Moon, 2003. Unp. $15.95. Charming illustrations complement a humorous tale about a herd of witty and adventurous cows....

Fleming, Denise Buster.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Fleming, Denise BUSTER. Il. by author. ISBN 0-8050-6279-3. New York: Henry Holt, 2003. Unp. $15.95. Buster the dog leads a wonderful life with everything he could ever want. Then his owner, Brown Shoes, brings home a kitten. Buster is afraid of...

Kimmel, Eric A. Three Samurai Cats: a Story from Japan.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Kimmel, Eric A. THREE SAMURAI CATS: A Story From Japan. Il. by Mordicai Gerstein. ISBN 0-8234-1742-5. New York: Holiday House, 2003. Unp. $16.95. In this clever retelling of a Japanese tale, the daimyo, a powerful feudal lord, is distressed...

Korelitz, Jean Hanff Interference Powder.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Korelitz, Jean Hanff INTERFERENCE POWDER. ISBN 0-7614-5139-0. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2003. 142 pp. $15.95. Meet Nina Zabin, a typical 5th-grader who dreams of taking singing lessons. After failing her social studies test, however, Nina...

Myers, Tim Tanuki's Gift.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Myers, Tim TANUKI'S GIFT. Il. by R.G. Roth. ISBN 0-7614-5101-3. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2003. Unp. $16.95. This Japanese tale, beautifully illustrated, is about a priest and a furry tanuki (a raccoon dog). On a cold winter night, an old...

Myers, Walter Dean The Beast.(Brief Article)(Young Adult Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Myers, Walter Dean THE BEAST. ISBN 0-439-36841-3. New York: Scholastic, 2003. 170 pp. $16.95. Anthony Witherspoon (Spoon) leaves his Harlem home to attend an exclusive prep school in Connecticut. When he returns for a holiday visit, nothing in...

Spinelli, Jerry Milkweed.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Spinelli, Jerry MILKWEED. ISBN 037-5813-3748. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2003. 224 pp. $15.95. Imagine stuffing a book into the seat of your trousers, asking a friend to hold you upside down by your feet, and then begging another...

Sandin, Joan Coyote School News.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Sandin, Joan COYOTE SCHOOL NEWS. Il. by author. ISBN 0-8050-6558-X. New York: Henry Holt, 2003. 45 pp. $17.95. Monchi and his siblings attend the Coyote School in this story set in 1938 in southern Arizona. Monchi and his classmates write for...

Swift, Fran Old Blue Buggy.(Brief Article)(Young Adult Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Swift, Fran OLD BLUE BUGGY. Il. by Carol Thompson. ISBN 0-525-45766-6. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2003. Unp. $15.99. This is the story of an old blue baby buggy and Henry, the child who rides in it. The buggy is also used for such...

Thompson, Pat Drat That Fat Cat.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Thompson, Pat DRAT THAT FAT CAT. Il. by Ailie Busby. ISBN 0-439-47195-8. New York: Scholastic Press, 2003. Unp. $15.95. This humorous tale of a big hungry kitty, a fat cat that hasn't met a creature he does not like to eat, will delight young...

Woodruff, Elvira The RavenMaster's Secret. Escape from the Tower of London.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Woodruff, Elvira THE RAVENMASTER'S SECRET. Escape From the Tower of London. ISBN 0-439-28133-4. New York: Scholastic Press, 2003. 225 pp. $15.95. Like most 11-year-old boys, Forrest longs for adventure; as the Ravenmaster's son, however, he is...

Zemach, Kaethe Just Enough and not too Much.(Brief Article)(Children's Review)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... Zemach, Kaethe JUST ENOUGH AND NOT TOO MUCH. ISBN 0-439-37724-2. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books: An Imprint of Scholastic Press, 2003. Unp. $16.95. A delightful story of human nature and one's desire to accumulate things. Simon the Fiddler...

Violence Goes to School: Lessons Learned from Columbine.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... VIOLENCE GOES TO SCHOOL: Lessons Learned From Columbine. John Nicoletti, Kelly Zinna, and Sally Spencer-Thomas. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Service, 2002. 213 pp. $24.00. Although I opened this book with a feeling of foreboding, I...

Teaching Goodness: Engaging the Moral and Academic Promise of Young Children.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... TEACHING GOODNESS: Engaging the Moral and Academic Promise of Young Children. Joan F. Goodman & Usha Balamore. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2003. 206 pp. $26.25. This remarkable text is based on the premise that teaching is both a moral and an...

Increasing Student Learning Through Multimedia Projects.(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... INCREASING STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS. Michael Simkins, Karen Cole, Fern Tavalin, & Barbara Means. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2002. 140 pp. $21.95. "There is no frigate like a book...

Rules in School.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... RULES IN SCHOOL. Kathryn Brady, Mary Beth Forton, Deborah Porter, & Chip Wood. Greenfield, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children, 2003. 262 pp. $19.95. Beginning teachers often complain that they are not fully prepared to address student...

Black Students/Middle Class Teachers.(Black Student/Middle Class Teachers)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... BLACK STUDENTS/MIDDLE CLASS TEACHERS. Jawanza Kunjufu. Chicago: African American Images, 2002. 164 pp. $15.95. This book on the miseducation of black youth by middle class teachers is primarily written for professional educators, although a...

Ability Profiling and School Failure: One Child's Struggle to be Seen as Competent.(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... ABILITY PROFILING AND SCHOOL FAILURE: One Child's Struggle To Be Seen As Competent. Kathleen M. Collins. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003. 232 pp. $24.50. This interesting study dramatically illustrates Kathleen Collins's artistry in research...

Designing a virtual field trip.(Technology in the Classroom)
June 22, 2004... When I ask my preservice teachers to think back to their fondest memories of teaching social studies at the elementary or middle school level, they usually tell me about how teachers made history interesting and fun through hands-on activities....

Shaping the Future of American Youth: Youth Policy in the 21st Century.(Special Publications)(Shaping the Future of American Youth: Youth Policy in the 21st Century)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN YOUTH: Youth Policy in the 21st Century. Anne Lewis, Editor. American Youth Policy Forum, 2003. ISBN 1-887031-650. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the American Youth Policy Forum, 14 of...

Stand by Me: What Teachers Really Think About Unions, Merit Pay and Other Professional Matters.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... STAND BY ME: What Teachers Really Think About Unions, Merit Pay and Other Professional Matters. Steve Farkas, Jean Johnson, & Ann Duffett. Public Agenda, 2003. ISBN 1-889483-82-6. This research summary reports on the views of 1,345 randomly...

The Twin Challenges of Mediocrity and Inequality: Literacy in the U.S. from an International Perspective.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... THE TWIN CHALLENGES OF MEDIOCRITY AND INEQUALITY: Literacy in the U.S. From an International Perspective. Andrew Sum, Irwin Kirsch, & Robert Taggart. Educational Testing Service, 2002. This monograph is the first report ever published about the...

Understanding Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Delinquency.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... UNDERSTANDING CHILD MALTREATMENT AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. Cathy Spatz Widom, with John A. Tuell. CWLA Press (an imprint of the Child Welfare League of America), 2003. 53 pp. ISBN 0-87868-860-9. This monograph documents the relationship between...

Healthy Sexuality Development: a Guide for Early Childhood Educators and Families.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... HEALTHY SEXUALITY DEVELOPMENT: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators and Families. Kent Chrisman & Donna Couchenour. National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2002. 85 pp. ISBN 1-928896-05-7. Although most teachers of young...

No More Islands: Family Involvement in 27 School and Youth Programs.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... NO MORE ISLANDS: Family Involvement in 27 School and Youth Programs. Donna Walker James & Glenda Partee. American Youth Policy Forum, 2003. 152 pp. Research on how family influences student success supports the view that families can enhance...

Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (revised edition).(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... INFANT/TODDLER ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALE (revised edition). Thelma Harms, Debby Cryer, & Richard M. Clifford. Teachers College Press, 2003. 56 pp. ISBN 0-8077-4299-6. The Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised Edition (ITERS-R) is a...

Helping Children Learn Mathematics.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2004... HELPING CHILDREN LEARN MATHEMATICS. Jeremy Kilpatrick & Jane Swafford (Eds.). National Academies Press, 2002. 52 pp. The major purpose of this document is to establish new goals for mathematics learning and define a course of action to achieve...