Tag: making
Making Words Dance
Kwame Alexander and Chris Colderley explain why we need to read and write more poetry in (and outside of) the classroom I tried to do the same thing for her when I was twelve. I hadn’t saved my allowance so I couldn’t purchase a Mother’s Day card, let alone a gift. I decided to write a poem instead. It wasn’t great....
Making Angelenos Well-Read en Español
On May 15 through 17, the Los Angeles Convention Center was packed with families and readers of all ages for the fourth LéaLA, LA's Spanish -language book fair. This free event is organized by the University of Guadalajara and not only promotes literacy in the Spanish lanuage, but also offers a venue for celebrating Latin American and Latino culture...
Making the Most of Playtime
Stuck for a last-minute gift? Consider these educational toys and games ChineseCUBES: Where Characters Are Center Stage Students and teachers will tell you that there’s a ceiling many learners face at some point while learning Chinese — learning the beautiful yet difficult and elusive written language, Chinese characters or hanzi. For many, learning to speak is good enough. Chinese characters are...
Phonics Making a Positive Impact on Literacy
A new study suggests children taught to read using phonics techniques can achieve a reading age up to two years above their expected level. Results from the study conducted by educational psychologist Marlynne Grant display high levels of progress and achievement from methods of systematic synthetic/blended phonics. Introduced into UK schools in 2010, the method teaches children to read...
Making Multilingual Movies
Nile Stanley and John Ronghua Ouyang encourage teachers to use the new literacies to inspire the next generation of multilingual filmmakers Most prospective teachers and the pupils they will teach have been surrounded by constantly evolving information and communications technology (ICT) — computers, email, social networks, smartphones, and digital cameras — since preschool. The internet is this generation’s defining context...
Making Education More Than a Grade
Anne Paonessa assesses the impact of service learning on English language learners While the current focus in our field is on increased academic vocabulary and overall college and career readiness as driven by the Common Core, I believe we must proceed with caution. Potential dangers include English language learners (ELLs) experiencing increased academic frustration based on their current English...
Cutting to the Common Core: Making Vocabulary Number One
Dr. Kate Kinsella offers strategies for prioritizing vocabulary for competent text analysis, discussion, and constructed response Shifts in Text Emphases and Response Tasks The Common Core State Standards (CCSS, 2010) call upon students to tackle increasingly complex informational and narrative texts and articulate their comprehension using academic register. Beyond the primary grades, developing readers must digest detailed concept- and data-driven passages...
Making Spanish Work
Michelle Buehring offers advice on instituting a workplace Spanish program A direct outgrowth of diversity training in the workplace, the desire to learn Spanish for work is slowly finding its way into the corporate psyche. The benefits of workplace Spanish seem to be well worth the effort since efficient communication on the job is critical with Spanish-speaking employees or clients...
Making Learners Click with Digital Storytelling
Nile Stanley and Brett Dillingham see the value in connecting learning literacy, language, and technology through storytelling What Is Digital Storytelling? Storytelling is the oldest form of teaching and probably the best way to learn. Recent research indicates our brains are actually “hard wired” to remember information in storytelling format (Willingham, 2004). Storytelling has received a wealth of support as an...
Making Dreams Come True
A Dream Deferred… See April 2009 Editorial for more on the DREAM Act Each year, thousands of promising students go to school eager to achieve their dreams of success, only to realize at some point along the way that their immigration status prevents them from reaching their full potential in American society. Among them are gifted scholars, dedicated community members,...