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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
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SECTION ONE: Teaching Tips -
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Teacher Tip # 1:Color code tests by class period. No name, Lawrence, KS.

Teacher Tip # 2: (regarding Tip 1 in last newsletter) A quick, easy cheap
way to make individual "boards" is to put a piece of stiff white paper (such as
index paper) inside a plastic page protector /folder. A marker used on
white boards works and a piece of paper towel will wipe it off. We keep one
in each student notebook. Elizabeth Jones, Itinerant Hearing Impaired Teacher,
Wake Forest Schools, NC.

Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
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SECTION TWO: Hot Topics
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HOT TOPIC # 1: Children entering kindergarten with a knowledge of numbers,
order of numbers, knowledge of letters and basic phonics, are most
likely to be doing well in school by the middle grades. A paper presented in
this month's Developmental Psychology pooled research from a variety of
sources and studies to find that basic math and reading skills at school
entry do predict later school success. Surprisingly, there was no correlation
with social and emotional skills and later school success. The paper
emphasized skills for this age group should be taught through "play" tasks
and other events perceived as fun for the preschooler rather than direct
instruction. Duncan, G. et al (2007) Developmental Psychology, Vol 43(6).

HOT TOPIC # 2: Students show a gradual, but significant decline in both
intrinsic and extrinsic motivation between grades 8 and grades 10. Researchers
looked particularly at the transitional year between junior and senior high school.
Students who showed the greatest decrease in external regulation during the
transition year, were most at-risk for later educational problems such as
absenteeism, intentions of dropping out, and homework frequency problems.
Otis, N. et al (2005). Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol 97, (2), 170 - 183.

More Hot Topics at the websites!

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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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New Layered Curriculum® Sample Units:
Dan Hodges new unit on "The Chemical Nature of Matter" has been posted
at http://Help4Teachers.com/samples.htm

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If you've not visited our Brains.org store, I invite you to do that. We carry
my "recommended reading" books as well as suggested teaching aids like
colored overlays, full spectrum lighting devices and coming this week -
electronic sound curtains.
Featured this month: "The Brain Bundle" - the 3 most requested books on
how a student's brain works - all bundled in one discounted package.
Our store is also where you will find Layered Curriculum® texts and
workbooks at our exclusive direct discounted price. Every order is
handled individually by a real human - and yes, we do take
Purchase Orders. Please visit us: http://brains.org/store/index.htm

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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Kathie - Where can I find sample lesson plans and units for the K-2 Level?
Thank you,
Darenda Bowers, Thomasville Primary School

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Darenda,
If you go to the samples menu page:
http://help4teachers.com/samples2.htm
and scroll down toward the bottom, you'll see the links for the K-5 sample units.
Best, Kathie
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Kathie-- I just have one question for you about your overview of Layered
Curriculum. What's to stop a child from doing his/her best and going for
an A when he does not have the ability? My physics teacher used this
in my 9th grade high school class because many of us were NOT
understanding. I know many high achievers WILL aim for an A, but
what about those others? Debbie Wilson
==============================
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your note. I have never met a student who could not do an
A layer assignment. They may not complete it with enough sophistication
and writing skill to earn the points for an A on the unit, but should still
attempt the assignment. In fact, an important part of Layered Curriculum® is the
expectation that ALL students complete all layers all the time. Critical thinking
is a skill required of everyone in the adult world so it must be taught to everyone
in school.
I hope that helps clarify, Kathie

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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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Welcome to the last weeks of autumn. Looks like winter is already
knocking on the door in many places - including here in New England.
We've had an unexpected early cold spell, so it's been a frantic week trying
to get the chicken coops battened down for the season and finish preparing
the cow shed for our new arrival. (My sweet Jersey cow, Dixie, is due to calf in
December. Poor thing, she's now as wide as she is long, so I'm trying to keep
her comfortable! )

It's Thanksgiving week for those of us in the US. So let me extend "Happy
Turkey Day" wishes to everyone. I do also want to make sure to mention
how wonderful it was to meet so many of you earlier this month in Indianapolis
at the Independent Schools Association of the Central States Conference.
What a terrific conference! I'm anxiously awaiting my upcoming trips to
Lincoln, Nebraska and Durham, North Carolina as well as a mid-December
visit back to Ontario.

If you're looking to join us at a Layered Curriculum® workshop, you can find my
calendar posted at the website: http://help4teachers.com/calendar.htm
And if you are looking to schedule a workshop for your school or district, I now have
my fall 2008 calendar open.

As always, my best to you and yours,

Kathie
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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)