For Your Binder
Mirrors and Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
Books are sometimes windows to new worlds; real, imagined or strange. Sometimes books are sliding glass doors we walk through so we can join that world in our imagination. Books can also be mirrors; reflections of our own lives and experiences. This classic article reminds readers of the importance of offering books that provide all three. All of our children suffer when stories only mirror the dominant social group. This article might perhaps a much needed conversation about the contents of your book center! When I first read it I ended up launching myself down a very interesting rabbit hole and spent a fine afternoon reading articles that, albeit very dated, are probably still timely regarding the all white world of children's books. #reading #books #stories #teaching #learning #equity #inclusion #diversity #DAP #language #literacy
The Case for Play: How a handful of researchers are trying to save childhood
When we shortchange children's playtime in favor of "academics" we might actually be inhibiting their development. #play #pushdown #teaching #DAP #learning
Why good teachers allow a child’s mind to wander and wonder
Our educational climate is often inhospitable to instigating a sense of wonder. #teaching #learning #creativity
How Gender Disparities Affect Classroom Learning
If this is a new area of investigation for you, this is a good starting spot! #gender #teaching #learning #equity
All rigor and no play is no way to improve learning
At the heart of this zero-sum game are assumptions that rigorous content requires work, while play is frivolous. #teaching #learning #DAP #play
Government Watchdog Finds Racial Bias in School Discipline
Black students were the only race where both boys and girls were disproportionately disciplined across six disciplinary actions examined, which included corporal punishment, in- and out-of-school suspensions, expulsions and school-related arrests. #implicitbias #teaching #expulsion #equity
Moving up the Grades: Relationship between Preschool Model and Later School Success
Children's later school success appears to have been enhanced by more active, child-initiated early learning experiences. This link will let you access the full article; and it's a good one! #play #DAP #teaching #learning #pushdown
Where are the people of color in children’s books? A retrospective.
The reason I used this link for you is because within it you will be able to access a few other articles that give historical and more recent (2014) context to this ongoing topic. The other reason is because this website as a whole is a fantastic resource for making sure your book area is providing windows, sliding glass doors and mirrors for everyone! #books #stories #DAP #language #literacy #equity #diversity #teaching #learning #reading
When Children Are Not Read to at Home: The Million Word Gap
Conclusion? Home-based shared book reading represents an important resource for closing the word gap. This is a link to the study. #parenting #teaching #learning #books #stories #DAP #reading
Cut Out the Pre-Cuts: The trouble with themes in early childhood education
It's time to draw the line in the sand! #DAP #play #themes #art #creativity #learning #teaching
The Vital Importance of a Strong Foundation: Why early learning matters
In this Not Just Cute blog post, author Amanda Morgan taps into the house metaphor I use in my PLAY book and uses true-to-life language (they were building a home at the time) that invokes both literal and figurative images of the importance of a strong foundation! #play #DAP #teaching #learning #parenting
Behind the findings of the Tennessee pre-K study that found negative effects for graduates
After I read this one I wrote on the top of the page, first do no harm. We KNOW that #play is what needs to be happening. Why do we (not present company "we" but I think you know what I mean!) insist on trying to get different results???? We (the same "we") must stop dismissing data because we don't like the results! #DAP #teaching #learning #Vanderbilt #Tennessee
