Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Newsweek-Indiana U.-recognized for info.tech.

Four years after being named times magazine's College of the Year, Newsweek has recognized the univ. for its emerging technologies.
Editor Jay Matthews states, "Intel ranked it first among U.S. universities for wireles connectivity." This college is creating a buzz for its success.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Blogging

Professor,
Thank you for introducing our class to BLOGGING. I liked researching topics on the subject of reading. I have learned from the researched articles, therefore blogging is beneficial for knowledge and sharing your knowledge with others.
Norine

Edison School,NJ honored for reading program

The newspaer article mentioned above was in the HNT on 6/17/2008. The Martin Luther King School was placed on the state list for warning for lack of language arts skills in their school. The teachers implemented The 180 Reading Program, which was successful in improving passage of the state test. Every child in the Read 180 program--all students who had struggled in reading--passed the state test. The school district now has Read 180 at 4 of its 11 elem., all four middle and both high schools. The school was recognized htis past week as a "Platinum Performer" for its success in raising test scores.
This program via the computer targets the individual strengths and weaknesses of each student through self-directed software and small group instruction. Teachers assist the students when necessary for instruction. The teachers stay after school and analyze each child's performance.
Bravo to these dedicated teachers!

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Big Question: What is the best way to teach reading...?

According to this website, it is still controversial whether to teach reading phonetically or by whole words. This November, 2007 article also considers what is the right age to implement reading to our youngsters.
Some believe that decoding the language will speed up reading, but it is questionable regarding students' understanding/comprehension. Others believe whole word reading should be discarded.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-big-question-what-is-th

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Rutgers U. summer reading ed./double reading speed

Rutgers Univ. Summer Reading Development Programs
The program gives students the opportunity to IMPROVE all components of reading skills. Students double their reading speed, improve comprehension and vocabulary, and learn strategies to enhance their full potential.
This in particular program for 6th-8th graders meet once a week on Saturdays for 2 hours for 5 weeks. Tuition is $329.00, 6/21-7/19.
I searched for a near location for this blog--St. Thomas School, Old Bridge, NJ
I would like to learn the results of this program, so I may check with the above school.

The Reading Crisis

According to Dr. Jeanne S. Chall, the great Harvard researcher, in her book, The Reading Crisis - Why Poor Children Fall Behind, wrote "The needs of low income children are not essentially different from those of children from middle class homes." Her text reflects that every child is responsive toward a rich program of science, geography and the arts. Students in inner city to those in privileged schools respond similarily to real things and absorb new knowledge such as castles, glass making, early civilizations, and so forth.
Chall suggests, "What they want is to be exposed to real knowledge and new ideas with which to furnish their minds."
http://www.ednews.org/articles/16886/1/

Grasping at Educational Straws

Small schools vs. large schools? Small classes vs. larger classes? Central organization vs. decentralized organization? Charter schools vs. neighborhood public schools?
"All these controversies reflect a misguided understanding of the educational mission. Research is mixed on all the above questions."(Rose) According to Rose, the most important aspect comes down to a good curriculum and a qualified teacher, all else is unimportant.
http://www.ednews.org/articles/16886grasping-at-educational-straws-ma
I researched this article on 6/1/2008, typed for professor