Considerate Text

Want to know what to look for when choosing a textbook?  Look for "considerate text."  Click on the "Considerate Text" title above for a good, short but concise description of what this is. 

The Importance of Literacy and Books in Child Development: Intellectual, Affective and Social Dimensions by Denise von Stockar

Click on the above link for a great article on the importance of literacy.  Learning to read is learning to really see and listen.....most importantly to really think. 

LD OnLine :: The Importance of Reading Widely

I often have students who bring in only one kind of book (all fantasy, all nonfiction etc.) Reading from a variety of genres widens the reader's world, their vocabulary, and their general knowledge. Click on the title above for an easy list to refer to when you go to the library or book store, to make sure that your child does not get "stuck."

LD OnLine :: The Importance of Reading Widely

Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development

Great resource: Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development

Spark Notes Twitter Pages

Does your teen use Twitter? Here are some helpful links they may want to follow:

info on Spark Notes

a "word of the day" for SAT prep

a grammar expert

What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are part of the public school system. They are founded by parents, teachers, or others and they usually have a special focus (the arts, leadership, etc). Although public, charter schools are run independently, free from many procedural requirements of other public schools. They are required to have a system of accountability in place for yearly student progress. As with any placement decision, the unique needs of your child must be kept in mind. For Massachusetts residents, here is a good link for more information: Massachusetts Charter Schools

Get Creative! Semantic Mapping is...

With my students, I can't stress enough the importance of pre-planning their writing by "mapping." The "simplest" semantic map is a descriptive web - a circle in the middle, categories coming off of it, and organized with details.

These charts, also called "mind maps" benefit people of all ages, including people in corporate think-tanks. It helps you organize your thoughts, whether you are writing a paragraph or a book.

Today I want to share this link with you on the "Top 10" mind maps. Please check this out to see how creative this process can really get: Top 10 Mind Maps from the blog Mind Map Inspiration by Paul Foreman.