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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: I attach magnets to laminated "boy" and "girl" die
cut-outs that have individual students' names on them. These now go
on my magnetic white board. Student's put their own one up upon
arriving in class so attendance is done. We use them all year for
class graphs - students can move their cut-out to the appropriate
category. Gladys Kielar, 1st grade, Wayne Trail School, Maumee, OH.

Teacher Tip # 2: For every phone call I make to the parents of a struggling
student, I make sure I make a positive call to the parents of a successful
student. No name, workshop participant.

Teacher Tip #3: Use Alpha Box organizer for Novels. Beside each letter,
(A, B, C, D, etc) is a space for students to show a concept or relationship
in the story. Peggy Cummings, Lincoln Middle School, Abilene, TX.

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: By middle school, the majority of children living in
inner-cities in America have had first-hand experience with murders,
stabbings and other violent crimes. It's no surprise that this exposure
has a significant effect on school performance and social adjustment.
Children who are exposed to community violence do have lower GPA's,
lower achievement test scores and a lower motivation for academic
performance. Swartz, D. & Gorman, A. (2003). Journal of Educational
Psychology, Vol 95(1), 163-173.

HOT TOPIC #2: Bullying and the subsequent victimization is a topic
of keen interest in US education. Approximately 14% of adolescent school
children are considered "bullies" - a percentage that is similar to other
countries. About 18% of this age group are considered passive victims
- a percentage higher than many other countries, and about 5% are
considered aggressive victims. Both bullies and aggressive victims tend
to be highly emotional and lack self-control. This often leads to alienation
among peers. Bullies tend to befriend other bullies whereas aggressive
victims tend to have few or no friends. Having friends and being well-liked
by peers protects victims from continued bullying. Boys tend to use
more physical aggression and will bully both boys and girls. Girls tend
to use more relational aggression. Pellegrini, A. et al. (1999). Journal
of Educational Psychology, Vol. 91(2), 216-224.

More Hot Topics at the websites!

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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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******From HELP4TEACHERS.COM********
New Layered Curriculum® Sample Units:

Three new High School Science samples are posted as well as the four
elementary math units are now up. Thanks so much to everyone who
sends units to share. http://Help4Teachers.com/samples.htm

Remember if you have an Layered Curriculum® units you have designed,
please share them with us! Just email them to kathie@brains.org.

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********From BRAINS.ORG: ***********
Our Brains.org Shop has a great selection of my most recommended
books and teaching aids. New selections this month include
"Teaching the Male Brain: How boys think, feel, and learn in
school" and Marilee Springer's new book: "The Developing Brain:
birth to age eight".

Our shop always carries Layered Curriculum® texts and workbooks at our
exclusive direct discounted price. You'll be happy to know that each
order is charged and processed individually by a real human - and yes,
we do take Purchase Orders. We always appreciate your business.
http://brains.org/store/index.htm

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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Kathie - I wanted to see if you could help us with a definition of
differentiated instruction. Our staff this year has been doing
follow-up training. We are really liking the Layered Curriculum
model and the choices it gives us for all of our students. Any
assistance you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks.
Ann B., Lawrence Public Schools

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Hi Ann,
Generally "differentiated instruction" refers to any teaching
methodology that offers students choice in how they learn an
objective and / or how they demonstrate proficiency.
Layered Curriculum® is one type of differentiated instruction.

It's important to separate DI from teaching methodologies that
just use a variety of teaching strategies (lecture, hands-on,
group work etc) done as whole class work. In other words, having
everyone do a lab on one day, group work on another day,
and sit through a lecture on the 3rd day is NOT differentiated
instruction. I hope that helps. --Kathie

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Kathie,
I just wanted to say thanks to you for Layered Curriculum. I manage
a 5/6 grade classroom and have used LCs to support my students in
their Science & Social Studies learning. I handed out their new
curriculum today and they all CHEERED!! It was wonderful to see
how excited and motivated they are!!!
Thanks!! Deanna Duray, Arvada, Colorado

====================================
Deanna,
Thank YOU - for sharing your experience and enthusiasm. You made my day.
- Kathie

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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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Happy mid-February everyone. Is winter ending soon?? Gee I hope so, as
it's been a mighty long and snowy winter for us here in New England.
The days are getting a bit longer and I take heart in the early spring
song birds I'm seeing this month. Another week or so and the "sugar
shacks" should be popping up around here with their large cauldrons
and maple sap tubing - a sure sign that spring is approaching.

I want to thank the wonderful teachers in E. Peoria, Illinois this week for
their warm welcome to me on what was a very sad day for all educators,
but especially for those in Illinois. Our hearts were saddened by the
news out of Northern Illinois University, but we realize the need to carry-on
as educators. We are the most important influence for world change.

Tomorrow I head to Toronto for a return visit to the Toronto District School
Board. This time we'll be doing a full day workshop on Differentiating the
High School Classroom - I look forward to another terrific Canada welcome.

New workshops are in the making for Idaho, Arkansas and Texas. As
details are worked out, all workshop and registration information is posted
on my calendar page: http://help4teachers.com/calendar.htm

I now have my fall 2008 calendar and early spring 2009 calendar open,
so please let me know if you need to schedule a workshop.

Also, a reminder that the deadline is fast approaching for our April
Training of Trainers on-line seminar. The course is open to anyone
who has attended one of my Layered Curriculum® workshops and
has experience designing and implementing units in your own classroom.
More information and an application are available at:
http://help4teachers.com/onlinetrainingapplication.htm

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)