Teaching and Reacting
to Haiti's Earthquake
On January 12, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, killing as many as 200,000 people and leaving about 1.5 million people without homes. Such an event is shocking to behold, and it is important for children hearing about the disaster to learn about it with guidance and also be encouraged to empathize.
One major effect of the earthquake is the disruption in students' education due to loss of school facilities and staff. Many schools in Haiti have just reopened Monday, February 1, and schools in Port-au-Prince will not resume activity for at least a month. Some children will now be forced to beg on the streets to help their wounded families instead of studying. They realize that their career dreams will now be put on hold or even lost. (AP article, 2-1-10)
We all want to help, so here are a couple of ways that you and Playbooks® can help together!
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Participate in our Reader's Theater Fundraiser to donate to UNICEF's fund for helping children affected by the earthquake in Haiti. How to get started ...
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Raise awareness in your classroom by having students participate in our Reader's Theater writing contest with a theme of understanding the recent natural disaster in Haiti. The top 10 contestants will win a fun Sparkle Microphone prop. Enter here ...
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Taming the End of Grade Test:
Advice from Teacher of the Year and
Reading Specialist, Gregory Brown
Author of Playbook® story, Questionella
and the Fairy Tale of Multiple Choices
When I was a kid I remember being really scared of two things: sleeping in total darkness and taking standardized tests. The first could easily be solved by any trusty nightlight. The second problem … well, there was just no easy solution for that one.
To some of us, taking a test is like jumping out of an airplane. We know we have a parachute (we’re familiar with the test content) and that should be enough. Still, we wonder if that parachute will open at the right time. We worry that the test will “win” and we will lose. It can really affect our ability to think and remember what we know. Add in the fact that many standardized tests have a certain time limit for completing, and you have just served up a very unhealthy dish for kids (and grown-ups) to swallow. How many students have I literally seen in tears on test day?
My sister, Kimberly Brown, and I have each taught school for twenty years. We have both witnessed that look of fright and uneasiness in the eyes of our students when EOG test time rolls around. It’s a teacher’s least favorite part of the job. Still, assessment is a very important part of education and it is not going to fade away. What is one to do?
Kim and I decided to pool our talents and the "Multiple Choice Rap" was born. Using my knowledge as a reading specialist and my sister’s expertise in music education.....
(Read on)
News release on Questionella and the Perfect Prince....
View the Multiple Choice Rap and learn more.... |
Rosa Parks
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Reader's Theater Exercise 26: Identify African American Accomplishments and
Practice Reading With Expression
February is Black History Month, celebrated to recognize the cultural and social contributions of earlier generations of African Americans to our country, and the significant effect their history has had on all other aspects of American life. In observance of Black History Month, our Reader's Theater Exercise for February will help your students learn about the accomplishments of various African Americans while also practicing reading with expression.
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You students will have a blast acting out the roles of famous writers, scientists, politicians, and more while their classmates try to identify the person based on their knowledge of African Americans' achievements in history. The activity features inspiring and well-known quotations.
Get this month's Reader's Theater Exercise with an African American History theme.
Don't forget to look at our Featured Story of the month shown below, The Great Rhyme Travel Machine II: African American Heroes, which also provides a platform for celebrating Black History Month and discussing relevant issues in your classroom. |
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