Childhood Education articles from March 2009

Childhood Education archives from March 2009

Student voices and teacher choices: selecting chapter book read-alouds.(Case study)
March 22, 2009... Sean: Should I go get the Sea of Trolls? Michael: Yes, go get it. Nick: Can I get Charlie Bond Emily: Can I get Molly Moon? It's in my backpack. Teresa: Do you have the first one, Emily? Hannah: What about The Thief Lord?...

Getting to know you: cross-cultural pen pals expand children's world view.(Case study)
March 22, 2009... Innovative approaches to teaching children about the broader world are especially important for urban children because of their limited exposure to international topics. A pen pal project could respond to this need by addressing such issues as...

Beyond the page: peers influence pre-kindergarten writing through image, movement, and talk.(Case study)
March 22, 2009... When students write at the beginning of the year in Ronda Jackson's pre-kindergarten classroom, they don't use words. Instead, they use images, movement, and talk to convey messages. For readers, their messages are difficult to decipher because...

Click, clack, moo: designing effective reading instruction for children in preschool and early primary grades.(Report)
March 22, 2009... For almost a decade, educators have striven to implement the recommendations found in the National Reading Panel report (2000), which concluded that reading instruction in grades K-3 must effectively address the following five essential...

Preparing for change: a case study of successful alignment between a pre-K program and K-12 education.(Case study)
March 22, 2009... Policymakers across the globe have taken an increased interest in the expansion of early childhood education and care services; with this interest, policies that further define and regulate the fields of early education and care have...

Revising the ACEI Constitution.(A Message From the Executive Board)(Association for Childhood Education International)
March 22, 2009... Dear ACEI members: ACEI has a long and proud history of serving childhood education professionals and of advocating on behalf of children. While we shall never forget our prior achievements, in order to survive in the 21st century, we must...

Convention on the rights of the child.(From the Executive Director)
March 22, 2009... In 1979, the United Nations began developing an international treaty that would protect the rights of children everywhere. The United States was an active and prominent participant in the development phase of what is now known as the United...

Book characters' choices: helping students interpret their actions.(Classroom Idea-Sparkers)(Report)
March 22, 2009... The process of helping students interpret the choices made by fictional characters can be enhanced through various strategies, such as a graphic organizer. Although teachers cannot reliably predict how their students will respond to text...

Earth Day 2009: hope.(Peace Education Network)
March 22, 2009... Last year, full of hope, we dedicated the Spring issue of our column to Earth Day 2008. In the past year, the degradation of our environment has accelerated at a frightening pace. Reports were issued by global environmental groups on even more...

Reaffirming human rights for all.(Advocacy in Action)(Conference news)
March 22, 2009... The 61st Annual Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) Conference was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, from September 3-5, 2008. The meeting commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Universal...

Why do you belong?(Memberandum)(survey on Association for Childhood Education International)(Brief article)
March 22, 2009... The Decision To Join, a publication of ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) & The Center for Association Leadership, has enlightened me as I begin work as Director of Membership Services for ACEI. Subtitled "How Individuals...

Update of events for the 2009 ACEI Annual Conference in Chicago.(Public Affairs Update)(Association for Childhood Education International)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 22, 2009... It will soon be time for the 2009 ACEI Annual International Conference and Exhibition, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois. The Public Affairs Committee is planning two sessions for the conference: a Global Forum and a Committee-Sponsored...

Puttin' for the kids.(Chapters in Action)(West Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International)(Brief article)
March 22, 2009... The West Tennessee ACEI joined in with the community leaders of Jackson, Tennessee, to support the 6th Annual Old Hickory Imagination Library Miniature Golf Tournament. The event took place at the Jackson Bowling and Fun Center. Beth Halley,...

Hong Kong and Macau Chapter.(Chapters in Action)(Association for Childhood Education International)(Brief article)
March 22, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Hong Kong & Macau Chapter has established a solid relationship with ACEI-Philippines. When ACEI-Philippines members came to Hong Kong, they toured schools, the Hong Kong Institute of Education, and...

Tennessee ACEI goes east.(Chapters in Action)(Association for Childhood Education International)(Conference news)
March 22, 2009... "Tennessee is a really long state. It takes forever to travel from one end to the other!" exclaimed Robert as we were driving along the way. I agree wholeheartedly. However, after making my cross-state trip to Greenville, Tennessee, to attend...

Help wanted: seeking the critical confluence of minorities in teaching.(issues on education)(Report)
March 22, 2009... The teaching force in the United States is facing an impending crisis, one that Scherff (2008) describes as a "perfect storm," due to massive retirements, increasing impractical mandates related to the No Child Left Behind Act, and an...

Educating Latino children: international perspectives and values in early education.(review of research)(Report)
March 22, 2009... Cultural values are inherent to educational processes. When young children go to school family and societal values may be either reinforced or challenged as children are socialized. As the ethnicities and cultural backgrounds of students and...

Gender, racial, and ethnic misrepresentation in children's books: a comparative look.(review of research)(Report)
March 22, 2009... How children's books portray various groups is very important for educators to consider. In many literate cultures, values and attitudes are transmitted through storytelling, often involving the use of children's books (Kortenhaus & Demarest,...

Time here, time there, time everywhere: teaching young children time through daily routine.(teaching strategies)
March 22, 2009... The children in a kindergarten classroom are anxiously waiting to perform a puppet show. They have been practicing for weeks and have invited the class next door to watch their performance. The class next door is supposed to join them for the...

Cali, Davide: Piano Piano.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Cali, Davide PIANO PIANO. Il. by Eric Heliot, translated by Randi Rivers. ISBN-13: 978-1-58089-191-2. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2007. (First published in France by Editions Sarbacane, 2005.) 28 pp. $15.95. Every day it's the same: Marcolino...

Connor, Leslie: Waiting for Normal.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Connor, Leslie WAITING FOR NORMAL. ISBN 978-0-06-089089-6. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. 290 pp. $17.89. Twelve-year-old Addie knows her life is not normal, but she hopes it someday will be....

Friedman, Laurie: Love, Ruby Valentine.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Friedman, Laurie LOVE, RUBY VALENTINE. Il. by Lynne Avril Cravath. ISBN 978-1-57505-899-3. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books (a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.), 2006. 32 pp. $16.95. Roses are red, violets are blue, Ruby Valentine is...

Godwin, Jane: Falling From Grace.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Godwin, Jane FALLING FROM GRACE. ISBN 978-0-8234-2105-3. New York: Holiday House, 2007. 187 pp. $16.95. Hide-and-seek has never been more exciting, or dangerous, than it is for 12-year-old sisters Annie and Grace as they play with their dad...

Henkes, Kevin: Kitten's First Full Moon.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Henkes, Kevin KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON. Il. by author. ISBN 0-06-058828-4. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2004. 34 pp. $15.99. Kevin Henkes won the 2005 Caldecott medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. This is his 34th book; his others include...

Lamstein, Sarah Marwil: The Letter on the Wind: A Chanukah Tale.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Lamstein, Sarah Marwil THE LETTER ON THE WIND: A Chanukah Tale. Il. by Neil Waldman. ISBN 1932425748. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2007. 32 pp. $16.95. In this retelling of a Jewish folk tale, beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations...

Levine, Ellen: Henry's Freedom Box.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Levine, Ellen HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX. Il. by Kadir Nelson. ISBN 0-439-92878-8. New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. 42 pp. $16.99. Written as historical fiction, this 2008 Caldecott Honor Book tells the true story of a slave in the 1800s, Henry...

MacLachlan, Patricia, and Emily MacLachlan Charest: Fiona Loves the Night.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... MacLachlan, Patricia, and Emily MacLachlan Charest FIONA LOVES THE NIGHT. Il. by Amanda Shepherd. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-057032-3. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2007. 32 pp. $17.89. When "half a moon shines through her window," Fiona wakes up to...

Stewart, Paul: Beyond the Deepwoods.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Stewart, Paul BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS. Il. by Chris Riddell. ISBN 0-385-75068-4. New York: Random House Children's Books, 1998. 278 pp. $14.99. In Beyond the Deepwoods, Stewart and Riddell begin their Edge Chronicle series and capture the reader...

Adler, David A.: Heroes for Civil Rights.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Adler, David A. HEROES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. Il. by Bill Farnsworth. ISBN0-8234-2008-7. New York: Holiday House Books, 2008. 32 pp. $16.95. Adler's book presents short, one-page biographies of people whose actions were pivotal in changing America...

Ball, Heather: Astonishing Women Artists.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Ball, Heather ASTONISHING WOMEN ARTISTS. IBSN: 1-897187-23-8. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 2007. 112 pp. $10.95. Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Through their artwork, artists present their own unique visions of the world....

Fournel, Kelly: Great Women from Our First Nations.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Fournel, Kelly GREAT WOMEN FROM OUR FIRST NATIONS. ISBN: 978-1-897187-25-8. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 2007. 84 pp. $10.95. This text tells the story of 10 outstanding, independent, and determined women from First Nations communities in...

Purmell, Ann: Maple Syrup Season.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Purmell, Ann MAPLE SYRUP SEASON. Il. by Jill Weber. ISBN: 978-0-8234-1891-6. New York: Holiday House, 2008. 30 pp. $16.95. In Maple Syrup Season, the Brockwell family engages in the northern winter tradition of making syrup. Readers follow the...

Rubin, Susan Goldman: Andy Warhol's Colors.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... Rubin, Susan Goldman ANDY WARHOL'S COLORS. ISBN 0-8118-5721-2. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2007. 26 pp. $6.95. This board book is unique in that the text is framed around the art of Andy Warhol, most famous as the pioneer of American Pop...

Literacy Leadership in Early Childhood: The Essential Guide.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... LITERACY LEADERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD: The Essential Guide. Dorothy S. Strickland & Shannon Riley-Ayers. New York: Teachers College Press, 2007. 113 pp. Paperback, $18.95. The development of pre- and early literacy skills in early childhood...

Storytime: Young Children's Literary Understanding in the Classroom.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... STORYTIME: Young Children's Literary Understanding in the Classroom. Lawrence R. Sipe. New York: Teachers College Press, 2008. 305 pp. $34.95. The title of Lawrence Sipe's new book is a deceptively simple one. The term "storytime" evokes images...

Why We Teach: Learning, Laughter, Love, and the Power to Transform Lives.(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... WHY WE TEACH: Learning, Laughter, Love, and the Power To Transform Lives. Linda Alston. New York: Bright Idea Scholastic, 2008. 144 pp. Paperback, $15.99. Why We Teach is an inspiring array of anecdotes involving actual students in classroom...

Children's Language: Connecting Reading, Writing, and Talk.(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... CHILDREN'S LANGUAGE: Connecting Reading, Writing, and Talk. Judith Wells Lindfors. New York: Teachers College Press, 2008. 121 pp. Paperback, $22.95. Judith Wells Lindfors, well-known for her research and writing in the area of language...

What Your Preschooler Needs to Know: Read-Alouds to Get Ready for Kindergarten.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... WHAT YOUR PRESCHOOLER NEEDS TO KNOW: Read-Alouds To Get Ready for Kindergarten. Edited by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. and Linda Bevilacqua. Bantam Bell (a division of Random House), 2008. 199 pp. $15.00. This book is for parents and teachers of...

Why Is Math So Hard for Some Children?: The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... WHY IS MATH SO HARD FOR SOME CHILDREN?: The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. Daniel Berch and Michele Mazzocco, editors. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing, 2007. 457 pp. Hardcover, $36.46. This book...

When School Reform Goes Wrong.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... WHEN SCHOOL REFORM GOES WRONG. Nel Noddings. New York: Teachers College Press, 2007. 93 pp. $19.95. Nel Noddings's eight-chapter book is a commentary on the school reform agenda with a focus on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation....

Issues related to family and culture.(among the periodicals)(educational issues)(Brief article)
March 22, 2009... Current ideas and practices in the field of education related to the family and culture are constantly changing. For this iteration of Among the Periodicals, three of my colleagues have reviewed articles that address issues related to family...

All in the Family: Connecting Home and School With Family Literacy.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... ALL IN THE FAMILY: Connecting Home and School With Family Literacy. Crawford, P., & Zygouris-Coe, V., Early Childhood Education Journal, 2006, 33, 261-267. As schools move from deficit models to strengths models in working with children and...

Constructing the Big Picture: A Working Class Family Supports Their Daughter's Pathways to Literacy.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... CONSTRUCTING THE BIG PICTURE: A Working Class Family Supports Their Daughter's Pathways to Literacy. McTavish, M., The Reading Teacher, 2007, 60, 476-485. Families of all socioeconomic levels contribute to their children's literacy...

Socioeconomics in Reading Trajectories: The Contribution of Family, Neighborhoods, and School Contexts.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... SOCIOECONOMICS IN READING TRAJECTORIES: The Contribution of Family, Neighborhoods, and School Contexts. Akins, N. L., & Barbarin, O., Journal of Educational Psychology, 2008, 100, 235-251. When the topic of socioeconomic status is injected into...

Real Life Calls for Real Books: Literature to Help Children Cope With Family Stressors.(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... REAL LIFE CALLS FOR REAL BOOKS: Literature To Help Children Cope With Family Stressors. Roberts, S. K., & Crawford, P. A., Young Children, 2008, 63(5), 12-17. Today's children face many family stressors, ranging from parental unemployment to...

A Kotex and a Smile: Mothers and Daughters at Menarche.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... A KOTEX AND A SMILE: Mothers and Daughters At Menarche. Lee, J., Journal of Family Issues, 2008, 29(10), 1325-1347. Lee explores the first period stories of 155 women, 18-21 years of age. The study addressed two key aspects of the onset of...

When Child Care Breaks Down: Mothers' Experiences With Child Care Problems and Resulting Missed Work.(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2009... WHEN CHILD CARE BREAKS DOWN: Mothers' Experiences With Child Care Problems and Resulting Missed Work. Usdansky, M. L., & Wolf, D. A., Journal of Family Issues, 2008, 29(9), 1185-1210. The results of the first national multivariate analysis of...

2008 Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture: The Centrality of Culture to the Scientific Study of Learning and Development: How an Ecological Framework in Education Research Facilitates Civic Responsibility.(Book review)
March 22, 2009... 2008 WALLACE FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED LECTURE: The Centrality of Culture to the Scientific Study of Learning and Development: How an Ecological Framework in Education Research Facilitates Civic Responsibility. Lee, C. D., Educational...

DVD/video.(The Character Chronicles Programs 4: The Fairness Connection)(The Character Chronicles Program 5: The Caring Connection)(The Character Chronicles Program 6: The Citizenship Connection)(Video recording review)
March 22, 2009... Children's character development, of lack thereof, is frequently a heated topic of discussion among educators and the public alike. Many wring their hands and compare the character of today's children with that of the children from "their day."...

Pretend play in the early childhood classroom: this column presents and summarizes recent resources related to pretend play in the early childhood classroom.(ecap report)(Recommended readings)
March 22, 2009... Books CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Olivia N. Saracho & Bernard Spodek, Eds., 2003. 195 pp. (Available from: Information Age Publishing, Greenwich, CT; www.infoagepub.com/products/list.php?id=cat004.) This...