Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Teaching at BCAE

So I'll be teaching a Create Your Own Handbag sewing class for all skill levels at the Boston Center for Adult Education. The first class is this weekend - I'm nervous but excited! I hope to meet my students' expectations.

As part of my studies at Salem State, I had to create a Wiki. I decided to make a Wiki which will become an online version of my sewing class at BCAE. It's somewhat of a class tool and marketing tool. Creating the Wiki was very easy, I just hope that it gets used so that my efforts weren't for nothing. I think it's always nice to have one more way to get your message communicated to your audience. But maybe that's just the PR gal in me.

For anyone interested, the Wiki can be found at: http://sewinglessons.wikispaces.com. Registration information and course dates may be found on the Wiki.


Wish me luck on Saturday!

Toddler Literacy

Ironically, I just started this blog and today I received a great email from Isis Maternity about Toddler Literacy.

The email read:
Did you know?
According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, it is vital for parents to read to their babies every day to help stimulate brain development. However, only 50% of babies have parents or caregivers who regularly read to them.

To the library we go
Whether or not your local library allows young children to have their own library cards (some libraries require that a child be able to write her name before getting one), take a trip to the library now and often. Browse the bookshelves in the children's section together, and let your child pick out books that he thinks look interesting. Then, let the reading begin!

Emerging literacy
Many research studies over the last two decades have looked at ways to support children's "emerging literacy"-that is, the early skills that grow into the ability to read well, speak clearly, follow directions, engage in conversations, listen attentively, and excel at school and beyond. The results consistently show that, like verbal skills, literacy skills begin early and begin at home.

Early literacy is not about babies learning to read with flashcards. It is about creating a home environment in which books are familiar friends and reading together is a favorite activity. When a toddler develops with books in her life, she learns important literacy concepts including:
  • Pictures and print are different.
  • Print contains a message.
  • Every word has a meaning, and there are always new words to learn.
  • Pages are turned to continue a story.
  • Stories have beginnings and endings.
  • Both listening quietly and asking questions make the story more interesting.
  • There are objects, places, events, and situations she may not have seen in her own life.
  • Books are special.
Understanding just this much about books and reading prepares children to continue developing in ways that lead to success in reading, writing, thinking, and imagining.
As parents, we are constantly presented with opportunities to teach our children. Taking our children to the library is a great way to to teach our children some fundamental literacy skills.

Text from the Isis email may have come from www.theparentreview.com.

Welcome!

So this is my first attempt at a personal blog. I've written entries as part of group blogs for various work and school projects, but this is my first attempt to entertain and educated with stories from my own life experiences.

To be 100% transparent, I'm starting this personal blogging journey as part of my coursework towards a Library Teacher's certification and a Masters in Education in Library Media Studies. Creating this blog was incredibly easy. I should have started it ages ago.

I just hope that I stick with this and don't bore any readers.