Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

So, as Thanksgiving approaches, I wonder about the appropriateness of holidays in the classroom. How do we remain culturally sensitive and include all families? I have been taught that it is best practice to exclude holidays from the center, unless teaching in a faith based program. I still believe that- except when it comes to Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. I think that they are the all American holidays and should be celebrated everywhere as part of a citizenship and morality curriculum. Thoughts?

October, Halloween, Elections

Hi friends-
I haven't written in a while, busy, busy, busy. Hope fall semester is going well for everyone. I am interested in your thoughts about Halloween and young children. I also want to urge everyone to vote! Please research the candidates' positions on children and children's issues, education and health care. What do you think?

Happy to be at COD

Wow! After a whirlwind summer, I am beginning my first classes at COD on September 2nd. I will be starting with two fast track classes that meet for four weeks each. Should be a fun and exciting challenge. For those students from MSJC who will be attending Chapman's new program, I look forward to seeing you there soon. I will be teaching the literature class in October. I am also embarking on a PITC training plan in Murrieta. I am still around and look forward to hearing from you all about how things are going. I miss my MSJC students and want to know how things are going with you all. Email me. donaverde@gmail.com
Love ya-
Donna

Freedom Writers Dispute

When teachers try to make a difference and work hard to help students connect to literature, should districts have the right to censor them? What do you think? I for one, am outraged at the district leadership.

Happy Summer

I hope you are all enjoying the break. I have posted grades and am taking a short break until June 23rd when my next class starts, before and after school care. The class is full with a short waiting list. Still room for more. I have exciting and great stuff planned. See you all soon. Donna

Finals and Summer Reading List

Hi all-
As we head into finals, like most of you, I am excited for summer to begin. I will be working parttime and will be teaching at MSJC on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I hope to see some of you there. I wanted to share my summer reading list, let me know what you are reading too! Here it is-
Last Child in the Woods- Richard Louv
Generation Me- Jean Twenge
Brain Rules- John Medina
Standardized Childhood- Bruce Fuller
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards- Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff
and lot's of novels.

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, as the semester winds down, I am crazy busy grading papers and still found a few minutes to read the "Brain Rules" book by John Medina. It is excellent!! I highly recommend it for summer reading. Every teacher, parent, and boss should read it. I got it from Amazon.com, it also comes with a great DVD that illustrates the Brain Rules.
I have some good news, the Mid-County Child Care Council and the College are setting up a Trash for Teaching workshop to be held in June. Micheala and I are working out the details and should have flyers to you before the end of the semester. Hope to see you there. More details to follow.
Final good news, Kathy Turner will be the Program Director for the Child Development Centers at the College starting in July when Linda steps back into the classroom for the fall semester. Kathy, as you all know, has been at the college for many years and has watched the program grow from one tiny center at the San Jacinto Campus to the large centers that both campuses have now. She will be an excellent leader for the staff.
Okay, off to grade more papers.
Donna

The Word is Out

I will be teaching at College of the Desert this fall and not at MSJC. I will miss you all, but am excited for the new adventures awaiting me. I will be continuing my blog and my podcasting, please keep up with me via these links. I am teaching the summer class and will be at MSJC through the summer. See you soon. Donna


Here is the video I tried to share in 103- Brain Rules and Exercise.

Summer Courses

Hi everyone. Summer classes are open for enrollment. I am teaching CDE 137 Before and After School-Aged Care. Please join us for some fun. See you this summer. Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Menifee Campus.

Interview with Amanda Wilcox-Herzog Part 2

Please enjoy more of our discussion about preschool settings.

WOYC Celebration

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make our booth such a success. We used up over 500 paper plates and children loved playing with bubbles, listening to music, and getting a great image painted on those little faces. I am still nursing my minor sunburn, as I am sure many of you are- but it really turned out great. See you all next week.

Tongue in cheek article about overprotecting children

Thanks to Cassandra who sent this to me and said: "I stumbled onto this article while researching for my health, safety, and nutrition class. It's from The Onion, so of course it's a sarcastic peice based on real events. Hearing it written this way, really made me reevaluate the way we overprotect children and prevent them from learning self-regulation skills. Anyhow, just thought I'd share it. "
Cassandra is one sharp student. Thought I would share it as well- what do you all think about it?

Child-Safety Experts Call For Restrictions On Childhood Imagination

Interview with Amanda Wilcox-Herzog

I did it! Please enjoy.

Starting Fresh- Monday, Monday

So- I still don't know how to publish my Podcast interview with Dr. Wilcox-Herzog, but I am learning. Have you all seen the article by Lilian Katz about successful environments? Very interesting reading. If you read the article and think back to our 101 (Principles and Practices) observations, she really states that exactly what we have you look for are the criteria for a quality program. I should have dates for the screening of "Where do the Children Play?" by the end of this week. Look for them soon. I am reading "The Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. Excellent book about free play and nature. I am hoping I can get an interview with him for my Podcast. Wish me luck. Don't forget, the Celebration of the Young Child is this Saturday,the 26th, at Freedom Crest Elementary in Menifee. Those of you who are coming and want to carpool over need to be at my house by 8:00 am. Coffee will be ready by 7:00, feel free to come by early and have a sip. See you this week. Donna

Blogging 101

So, I am very new to this and am just trying it out. If all goes well, I will be using this as a way to get news and discussion topics to all my students. Next week is the celebration of the young child at the Menifee Campus. I will be looking for you all there. I am working on setting up a viewing of the movie "Where Do the Children Play?" At both the Menifee and the San Jacinto Campus. I will let you know as soon as I have the dates and times set.
Watch here for the lastest news from Donna.