Virtue of Education

I recently got a chance to listen to Geraldo Rivera speak on CNN about his new book,  The Great Progression: How Hispanics Will Lead America to a New Era of Prosperity. Seems like an interesting read that explores the contributions of the hispanic community to America’s culture and economy. I particularly enjoyed his comments on the importance of instilling the virtue of education in children to ensure we have hard-working & law-abiding citizens. Geraldo Rivera spoke  about parents needing to assume responsibility for their children’s success and cannot simply blame inner city schools .  Yes, many factors have now created a perfect storm for a crisis in public education especially the “vulnerable” children.  However, one basic and guaranteed practice to achieve success is for parents to help their children with their homework. Study after study proves that the link between the parent and school is crucial and an important factor in success.  As I have mentioned in earlier posts, parents are vital partners in their children’s education.  We inspire our students to create a better world and we nurture the love of learning every day.  Research shows that parental involvement plays an important role in their child’s academic success.   Volunteering in the classroom or school  is a great opportunity for parents to be more directly involved in their children’s education.  Some of the other ways to become more involved:

• Parents Advisory Committees: Parents are encouraged to participate in their school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC). http://bccpac.bc.ca
• School Planning Councils:  Parents, teachers and principals on School Planning Councils (SPC) develop school plans to improve student achievement. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/spc/
• Speaking Up! : A guide to advocating for students in public schools by the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC).http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/UserFiles/File/Advocacy%20Resources/SpeakingUp_2008_May%20Final%20(2).pdf

Online resources for parents & teachers

General Resource: Not ESL Specific Resources:

www.nytimes.com/learning

www.bookbox.com

www.visuwords.com

www.lyrics.com

www.dawel.com/search.asp

www.nfb.ca/education

www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas

www.teacherplanet.com

www.softschools.com

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/writingfun/writingfun.html

www.readingonline.org

www.abcteach.com

www.usingenglish.com

www.westcoastreader.ca

www.eduplace.com

Raise a Reader

As a teacher I’m always looking for great read aloud storybooks and novels to fill my classroom library. There is a lot of value in reading mystery, biography, science fiction, fairy tales, folktales, humor, poetry and plays. Books are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting your child’s imagination and creativity while helping their reading and writing skills. Books can offer boys and girls the opportunity to escape to a new world filled with adventure or learn about something new. The knowledge they gain from literature is powerful. It’s important that boys and girls are exposed to a variety of literature (fiction and/or non-fiction) so that they can connect and enjoy. Stocking a home library is important. Today many bookstores have recommendations for different age groups so it’s easier to pick the right book that fits with the child’s interests. A excellent resource for teachers and parents is “The Read-Aloud Handbook”: by Jim Trelease. This all-time bestselling guide is highly recommended by universities. My colleagues and I use it as a reference. Jim Trelease’s website explain’s the components of this book perfectly:

It’s divided into two parts: the first half contains the “ways” and “whys” of raising readers; and the last half consists of an annotated bibliography (The Treasury) of almost 1000 children’s books for reading aloud, from picture books to novels and anthologies, with synopses on hundreds of the stories and guides to the age of the audience for which it was written.

I found it was a very useful guide because it advocated the benefits of reading to children.  Also, it helps me find appropriate storybooks for young children. In doing so, this helps children see books as their friends.

Here’s a list of my favorite places to shop for children’s books:

• Chapters Bookstore
• Scholastic
• Kidsbooks

Parents and Teachers Partnering in Children’s Education

Parents and teachers working together.

The home and the school connection is vital. By working together, we can play an important role in your child’s development as a reader and writer. As many schools get underway to start the school year, focus on building connections and partnerships with parents is vital. Each school has a PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) that usually meets once a month to support the school. Parents are a valuable resource to the school system and we want to make parents feel valued, welcome and comfortable. Many schools hold “Meet the Teacher Night” early in the year to set the stage for proactive interactions between the home and school. At this time, parents get a chance to meet their child’s new teacher and see the classroom. Teachers introduce themselves to parents and encourage communication throughout the school year to promote student success.

It’s very important that parents take advantage of this valuable opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and talk about their child and the grade level expectations. In this way, parents see how they can play a role in their child’s education.If you can’t attend the “Meet the Teacher Night”, I do encourage you to schedule another day and time that would work for you. Throughout the school year, parents are always welcome to visit and discuss their child’s progress. Recently, I read this poem and I think it highlights my belief of parents and teachers working together to raise a child.

The Importance of Partnerships

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watched two sculptors there.

The clay they worked was a young child’s mind,

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher, the tools she used

Were books and music and art;

One a parent with a guiding hand,

And a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day the teacher worked,

With a touch that was deft and sure,

While the family also did their part,

And polished and smoothed it o’er.

And when at last the task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought,

For the things they had moulded into the child

Could neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed they may have failed

If each had worked alone,

For behind the teacher stood the school,

And behind the parent, the family home.

-Author Unknown