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News and updates to http://brains.org and Kathie Nunley's
Layered Curriculum(R) Site for Educators: http://help4teachers.com

~~The NO-MEMBERSHIP-REQUIRED website which blends current
psychology research with education.

You can subscribe to this newsletter at: http://help4teachers.com/newsletter.htm
Unsubscribe & EMAIL CHANGE information link at the bottom of this newsletter
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SECTION ONE: Teaching Tips -
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Teacher Tip # 1: As the year begins, there are many opportunities to
post classroom rules, school policies and other disclosure items for
students and parents. As much as possible, turn the words so that
they express a positive and welcoming climate. Statements such as
"students not suited up for PE will be docked 5 points" can easily be
rephrased as "students earn 5 points for suiting up in proper PE
clothing." If you must list "consequences for not following school
rules" they should always be listed AFTER your list of "consequences
for FOLLOWING school rules." - Kathie

Teacher Tip # 2: When kids forget/lose/break supplies that they need
in the classroom, they can go to my "Borrow Bag". This is a transparent
plastic shoebag...mine has 24 compartments. In each pouch I keep
supplies, e.g. pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks, hole punch, colored pencils,
etc. A student may borrow any item, but must leave a shoe as "collateral".
When they return the item borrowed from my bag, the shoe may be
retrieved. I haven't lost many items over the years. -
Terry Moore, Kokomo, IN

Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
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SECTION TWO: Hot Topics
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All three Hot Topics have the same reference:
Dahl, Ronald - "Adolescent Brain Development: A
Period of Vulnerabilities and Opportunities", Invited address to the
American Psychological Association Annual Conference, August 18,
2007, San Francisco.

HOT TOPIC # 1: In the past century, the period termed
"adolescence" has stretched from what had been a 3 or 4 year
period to a 10 - 15 year period. This is due to earlier onset of
puberty and a shift to delay young people assuming adult
responsibilities. This has left people and institutions who work
with adolescents struggling to deal with this new longer developmental
time period.

HOT TOPIC # 2:: Due to a unique period of brain development, adolescents
are prone to intense emotions that override all logic and reason. This is a
prime period for emotional - motivational learning.

HOT TOPIC #3: Despite the peak of physical health found in adolescence,
mortality rates for this age group increases 200% solely due to behavior
and emotion issues. They have an inconsistent ability to regulate their
behavior.

More Hot Topics at the websites!

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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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******** NEW Edition of the Layered Curriculum® WORKBOOK.*********

The 2nd edition Layered Curriculum® Workbook was released last month.
Twice the material of the 1st edition, I've added significant details for step-
by-step building of traditional Layered Curriculum® units as well as added
examples and directions for project-based units, texts that spiral, heavy
B-layer units, early elementary and units for course that need a lot of
direct instruction. I've also expanded the section on grading scales.
You can order the workbook alone or with the text at:
http://help4teachers.com/books.htm

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NEW SAMPLE Layered Curriculum® UNITS!!
~~Evalee Parker, at North Carolina Central University in Durham
sent several graduate education units.

~~Kathleen Moylan at Worcester Technical HS in Massachusetts
sent 6 new units for social studies including "Slave Trade",
"Reformation", and "WWII and the rise of fascism."

Thanks!! - Kathie

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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Hello Kathie,
I am in a complete quandry as what to do with a student in my
7th grade Science class. She cannot write, nor read and her speech is
very, very limited. I am trying to come up with stuff for her to do that are
Science related but are social and motor exploring. I am really struggling
with finding a place for her to fit in. J. J. - Illinois

========================================
JJ - Just ask yourself, "what HAS she learned, and HOW did she
learn it?" Then try to find strategies that work along those strengths.
It sounds like you need to team up with this girl's special ed learning
specialist. He/ she can probably give you some great suggestions.
- Kathie

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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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The school year is now full speed ahead in nearly all parts of North
America by now. I send my best wishes to everyone for a successful and
joyful year.

Here in New England, Autumn is trying hard to push in from our dog days of
summer. This morning, I had to close all the windows and put jackets on
the kids as they headed out to the school bus. The days are starting to
lengthen. I can tell this by how late "Frank", our newest rooster lets
me sleep in now. (In mid June, his crow comes at 3:50 in the morning -
ouch! - that's early in the summer).

Thank you so much to the teachers in Miles City, Montana; San Juan Capistrano,
and Paramus, New Jersey for the wonderful welcomes you extended me last
week. I so enjoyed meeting all of you and seeing some of the prettier sections
of this country. Next week I'm off to Midland, Michigan to spend a day with
the ARC of Midland and we explore and expand Layered Curriculum®.

We've got new workshops underway for Texas and North Carolina.
Most of the workshops on my calendar are open to outside participants. You
can find the calendar and registration contact information at:
http://help4teachers.com/calendar.htm

If you are looking to schedule a workshop for your school or district, I now have
my spring/ summer 2008 calendar open.

As always, my best to you and yours,

Kathie
=================================================
Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com/workshops.htm
or
call: 603-249-9521
email: kathie@brains.org
Brains.org and Help4Teachers is located at:
54 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031

Layered Curriculum® is a trademark developed by and registered
to Dr. Kathie F Nunley. Usage information available at:
http://help4teachers.com/usage.htm
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum(R) . . . because every child deserves a special education (tm)