25 Powerful Quotes on Education

1. My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more intelligent and more educated than college professors.--Maya Angelou
2. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.--Malcolm X
3. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.--Nelson Mandela
4. I don’t think it matters what school you go to, but I think it’s important for parents to be involved. And to know that when school stops, learning continues, and to continue teaching at home. --Erykah Badu
5. Poor people cannot rely on the government to come to help you in times of need. You have to get your education. Then nobody can control your destiny.--Charles Barkley

6. [K]nowing the only way out is education, even if you don't have parents that are extraordinarily wealthy. I understand that I have to be an active participant in [my daughter's] education in order for her to thrive in the world.--Viola Davis
7. We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.--Martin Luther King Jr.
8. Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men.--W. E. B. Du Bois

9. You know, sometimes I'll go to an 8th-grade graduation and there's all that pomp and circumstance and gowns and flowers. And I think to myself, it's just 8th grade ... An 8th-grade education doesn't cut it today. Let's give them a handshake and tell them to get their butts back in the library!--Barack Obama

10. Education is transformational. It changes lives. That is why people work so hard to become educated and why education has always been the key to the American Dream, the force that erases arbitrary divisions of race and class and culture and unlocks every person's God-given potential.--Condoleezza Rice

11. The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.--Michael Jackson  
12. There is no profession more essential than that of an educator, and it’s time for all of us to embrace and celebrate their importance and contribution to America’s children.--Queen Latifah
13. When I was in school, my mother stressed education, I am so glad she did. I graduated from Yale College and Yale University with my master's and I didn't do it by missing school.--Angela Bassett
14. Traditional education is based on facts and figures and passing tests - not on a comprehension of the material and its application to your life.--Will Smith
15. I wish I had known that education is the key. That knowledge is power. Now I pick up books and watch educational shows with my husband. I'm seeing how knowledge can elevate you.--Mary J. Blige  
16. I was really lucky because I went to an all-girl school and that single sex education really helped me because I really learned to bond with women and to not compete with or compare myself as much because we were all allowed to be ourselves and be unique and kind of have our unique strengths.---Kerry Washington
17. Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies.--Desmond Tutu
18. I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line.-- Bo Jackson   
19. Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I'd try to read my lessons, and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter.--James Earl Jones
20. Education is everything - education is your power, education is your way in life for whatever you want to do.--Ciara

21. Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.--Marian Wright Edelman
22. Knowledge is the key that unlocks all the doors. You can be green-skinned with yellow polka dots and come from Mars, but if you have knowledge that people need instead of beating you, they'll beat a path to your door.--Ben Carson,Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
23. The mere imparting of information is not education.--Carter G. Woodson
24. Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.-- Oprah Winfrey
25. Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.--Frederick Douglass

What was your favorite quote from this list? Is there another quote you would add to the list?  Please share.

Originally posted on Baby & Blog

7 Non-Academic Skills Children Need Before Entering Kindergarten

Often times when people discuss whether or not a child is “ready” for kindergarten the discussion is centered around academic skills such as letter recognition or counting. However there are non-academic skills that are necessary for your child to have a successful start in school as well. Some may even argue that they are more important than the academic skills that are often cited.  

1. The ability to focus for 15 minutes--Many teachers have what is called circle time in the beginning of the school day.  This may consist of singing songs, taking turns speaking, hearing a story or another activity.  It requires that the child sit, focus and wait their turn to speak.  Disruptions can throw the whole class off into a different direction.  Take your child to a storytime activity at your local library or book store and observe his or her behavior to see if he or she is able to focus in a group setting.
2. Ability to let others shine--Unfortunately classrooms are overcrowded and teachers and the teacher’s aide cannot focus on every child every moment of the day.  Children need to understand that they will not always be the center of attention.  They will not get called on everytime the teacher asks someone to share, or every time they raise their hand, they will not always get picked to be the monitor.  This may have an emotional impact on children who may be used to more attention.  Discuss letting others shine with your child and let them know that other opportunities will arise and to keep participating in class.
3. Sharing--Students in kindergarten will often have to share supplies like glue, scissors, crayons, space on an art project, ert.  They will also need to take turns with P.E. equipment like bikes and jump ropes.  You can teach this skill to your child while they are playing with a friend or sibling, or during a trip to the park. Teach them the importance of community property at the park, and encourage them to share toys with friends at home.   
4. Controlling Impulses--Children need to know how to keep their hands to themselves and respect others’ personal space.  They also need to control impulses like speaking out of turn and resisting making funny noises or sounds when it is inappropriate. 
5. Independence with self care tasks--Things like zipping up a jacket, tying shoes, buttoning up a shirt, putting away a backpack, bathroom etiquette and cleaning up after themselves are very important.  Teachers and their aides are not always available to help with these tasks and it can be frustrating for a child who is not able to complete them on their own.  Work with your child with these types of activities and resist the urge to help them when they are struggling.  Be patient and wait for them to figure things out on their own. 
6. Respect for authority figures-Children need to be able to respect and follow the directions of adults who are not their parents, such as their teacher, teacher’s aide, cafeteria workers, etc.  
7. Managing separation anxiety-Separation may not be much of an issue if your child has been in daycare and or pre-school prior to attending kindergarten.  But if this is your child’s first experience in a public or private school setting, make sure they are ok with being without you for extended period of time. 
   
   
   
   
   
   

8 Fun Ways to Teach Your Child Phonics

There is constant debate over how to teach children to read. Some experts say that learning sight words supersedes phonics, while others argue that true reading comes from learning phonics because learning sight words is simply rote memorization. I am of the opinion that you need to teach and learn both. There are many words that do not follow traditional phonetic patterns, and they do need to be memorized. I wrote a post on fun ways to teach your child sight words. Then there are many words that do follow a phonetic pattern, and once you learn how letters and blends sound, it will be easier to learn new words that come up while reading. Teaching phonics beginning with learning the sound that each letter makes. Once your child learns the alphabet, teach them the sounds that each letter makes. You can use all the activities listed here to teach both letter recognition and letter sounds. Once the know each letter sound you can introduce them to CVC (consonant vowel consonant) words. These are words like, hat, bat, run, and fun. The activities below work great with CVC words as well as words with blends and various word families. Enjoy 8 fun ways to teach your child phonics.  

1. Legos/Mega Blocks or similar toy Materials: Legos or Mega Blocks, Sharpie Directions: Write one letter on the single block. Write word ending on the longer block. Have your child sound out each letter as he or she moves the smaller block across the longer block.

 


2.Coffee Filters Materials: Coffee filters, colored markers, eye dropper or spray bottle Directions: Write a group of words that belong to a word family on a coffee filter. Use a different color for each word. Have your child read and sound out each word as they spray or drop water on the coffee filter.
 

3.Plastic Cups Materials: Two plastic cups, marker or stickers. Directions: Write one letter on one cup and the end of a word on the other cup. Have your child twist the cups to make new words and sound them out as they read.  

4.O Shaped Cereal Materials: O shaped cereal, worksheet. Directions: Print out a worksheet like this one with words that have a double o. Have your child place the O shaped cereal over the letters and sound out words with a double oo. 

 

5. Clothes Pins Materials: Clothes Pins, paper plate Directions: Write a letter on a clothes pin. Write word ending on a paper plate. Have your child move the clothes pin across the paper plate to sound out each word.

 

 6. Refrigerator Magnets Materials: Refrigerator magnets Directions: In the morning before breakfast set up incomplete CVC words, like ox and at to the right and place a few consonant letters to the right. Have you child match the letters on the left to the ending sounds on the right and read the words as they sound it out. 

 

7. Upcycled Medela Breastmilk Labeling Lids Materials: Medela Breastmilk Labeling Lids, Bottle, Sharpie Directions: On the outer part of the lid, write the ending of a word, ie) -an, -at, -un, -ar. Then on the inner part of the lid, write begging letters like p, t, c, or r. Rotate the lid and have your child sound out each CVC word.
   


8. Paper Bag Peek a Boo Materials: Paper bag, marker or letter stickers. Directions: Using a paper bag, write a word or a blend, on the part of the bag near the fold. On the inside of the bag complete the word. Have your child make the beginning sound then open the bag to reveal the rest of the word.
 

Have you ever tired to teach you child using phonics? What methods did you use? What activities would you add to this list? Share in the comments below

Back to School Night is Approaching! Here Are 10 Key Questions to Ask At a Parent Teacher Conference

School is in session for some and will be in session soon for others.  While most parents are preparing their children for the new school year, many teachers and administrators are preparing for Back to School night.  Back to School night, is generally a time to get to meet your child's teacher(s) and get an overview of their class(es).  While Back to School

 night is not the time to sit down and talk for hours with your child's teacher, it is a time to think of some good questions you will want to discuss when you have a parent teacher conference.  Most schools have a scheduled time for parent teacher conferences, however they can also be scheduled any time of the year at the discretion of the teacher and parent. 

Whether your child attends a public or private school, parental involvement in education is key. Parent teacher conferences are a vital tool for understanding how and what your child is learning, but if you don't ask the right questions, it can be a wasted opportunity. Here are 10 key questions to ask during a parent teacher conference.

1. Ask to see samples of your child’s work and discuss it with the teacher. Did it meet or exceed the standards? What can be done to make it better?

2. Have the teacher give you a copy of a rubric they use to grade student work. Teachers may have a different rubric for each assignment, but it is a good idea to get a copy of at least one so you can see how they determine the student grade.

3. Find out the areas your child is strong in and where he/she excels. Often teachers save good comments for “good kids” and bad comments for kids that annoy them. But it is important for teachers to be able to speak praise of all students and look for areas of improvement for even their favorite students. Sometimes it takes a parent's inquiry to bring this to the table.

4. Find out the areas your child needs to improve in. If they are struggling in math or language arts, ask about any supplemental services that may be offered at the school.

5. Ask for recommendations on how you can help your child with schoolwork at home. Find out what you can do at home to best support the teacher's lessons in the classroom. Your child will learn best when you and the teacher are doing your best to support each others vision for your child.

6. Find out if your child is performing on grade level. Is the curriculum taught in the classroom below, at or above the grade level standards? Unfortunately not every teacher grades the same way, sometimes students may receive high marks, because they mastered the material in class, but if the material in class was not grade level material they may still be behind.

7. Ask how your child is assessed and how often assessments are given. Are there more multiple choice exams, are they expected to write, give oral presentations, do research? For years I taught high school and I always required my students to give an oral presentation. I was disappointed at the amount of students who informed me that my class was the first that required them to get in front of the class and speak. So many teachers are inundated with standardized exams that the focus gets clouded.

8. Ask about the social behaviors of your child. Although academics are the primary reason for classroom time, social behavior is also very important. Is your child distracted during lessons, using a cell phone during class, do they get along well with their peers, etc.

9. Share any information you want the teacher to know about your child, so they can better serve his or her needs. Remember that the teacher does not know any background information regarding your family. Sometimes providing information helps the teacher understand your child’s unique needs.

10. Find out the best way to communicate with the teacher. Does the teacher prefer to be e-mailed, called on the phone, do they use social media? 


Do you feel your parent teacher conferences go well? Are there concerns you have with your child's teacher that go unanswered? What questions would you add to the list?  

Originally posted on Baby & Blog 

25 Educational Quotes to Get School Started Off Right

1. My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more intelligent and more educated than college professors.--Maya Angelou
2. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.--Malcolm X
3. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.--Nelson Mandela
4. I don’t think it matters what school you go to, but I think it’s important for parents to be involved. And to know that when school stops, learning continues, and to continue teaching at home. --Erykah Badu
5. Poor people cannot rely on the government to come to help you in times of need. You have to get your education. Then nobody can control your destiny.--Charles Barkley

6. [K]nowing the only way out is education, even if you don't have parents that are extraordinarily wealthy. I understand that I have to be an active participant in [my daughter's] education in order for her to thrive in the world.--Viola Davis
7. We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.--Martin Luther King Jr.
8. Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men.--W. E. B. Du Bois

9. You know, sometimes I'll go to an 8th-grade graduation and there's all that pomp and circumstance and gowns and flowers. And I think to myself, it's just 8th grade ... An 8th-grade education doesn't cut it today. Let's give them a handshake and tell them to get their butts back in the library!--Barack Obama
10. Education is transformational. It changes lives. That is why people work so hard to become educated and why education has always been the key to the American Dream, the force that erases arbitrary divisions of race and class and culture and unlocks every person's God-given potential.--Condoleezza Rice

11. The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.--Michael Jackson  
12. There is no profession more essential than that of an educator, and it’s time for all of us to embrace and celebrate their importance and contribution to America’s children.--Queen Latifah
13. When I was in school, my mother stressed education, I am so glad she did. I graduated from Yale College and Yale University with my master's and I didn't do it by missing school.--Angela Bassett
14. Traditional education is based on facts and figures and passing tests - not on a comprehension of the material and its application to your life.--Will Smith
15. I wish I had known that education is the key. That knowledge is power. Now I pick up books and watch educational shows with my husband. I'm seeing how knowledge can elevate you.--Mary J. Blige  
16. I was really lucky because I went to an all-girl school and that single sex education really helped me because I really learned to bond with women and to not compete with or compare myself as much because we were all allowed to be ourselves and be unique and kind of have our unique strengths.---Kerry Washington
17. Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies.--Desmond Tutu
18. I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line.-- Bo Jackson   
19. Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I'd try to read my lessons, and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter.--James Earl Jones
20. Education is everything - education is your power, education is your way in life for whatever you want to do.--Ciara

21. Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.--Marian Wright Edelman
22. Knowledge is the key that unlocks all the doors. You can be green-skinned with yellow polka dots and come from Mars, but if you have knowledge that people need instead of beating you, they'll beat a path to your door.--Ben Carson,Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
23. The mere imparting of information is not education.--Carter G. Woodson
24. Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.-- Oprah Winfrey
25. Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.--Frederick Douglass
Mommies, what was your favorite quote from this list? Is there another quote you would add to the list?  Please share

Originally posted on Baby & Blog