DUO Education is starting a new feature. It is going to post a "problem of the day" on the DUO Education Facebook page. Join me in trying to check your educational skills every time a new problem is posted. They will be in various subjects at a variety of skill levels. Have fun with it!
 Hello everyone. You may have noticed that I have not blogged in a couple of weeks. Life has thrown me for a loop. However, I am back. I may have to change things around a little and prioritize the use of my time a little more. Yet, I will tell you more, as I know more. I am applying for some teaching positions in the lower grades. One is for a preschool teaching position. So, I thought that it would be fun to include some preschool and kindergarten learning pages. Today, I am sharing an activity page on basic shapes. I think there is so much that you can do with basic shapes. Here is an activity page that makes a car from basic shapes. Children can color the page. They can count the number of various shapes. Also, it may be fun to give children some shapes and see if he or she can copy the design with the given shapes. If you want to get more creative, give children shapes and have them design their own cars with the shapes. This is a great way to teach shapes, creativity, and fine motor skills. I know I used to enjoy creating things with shapes. Well, sometimes I still enjoy creating things with shapes. LOL! Enjoy! Please, check out more of the activity/learning sheets at DUO Education on the "Sample Educational Activity Sheets" page.  Please don't forget to get your chance to win one free hour of online tutoring! Click here for details. Thank you!
 Hello everyone! You have all seen me write about how learning should be fun…and it definitely should be. What do children enjoy more than spending some quality time with a beloved adult? Not much! You can teach young children in just the way you speak or do things.
It doesn't take much to turn every day experiences into a wealth of learning for a youngster just starting out on his or her learning journey. Counting plates or cups while setting the table can be a great way practice counting skills. Asking questions like, "We put out a cup for your sister and your mom, how many more do we need?" can help with early addition and subtraction skills as well. If a child doesn't know the answer to the question, maybe say something like, "Hmmm. What can we do to figure that out? Ah! What do you think about counting the places at the table that have plates, but don't have cups?" One can help children learn colors by using the color names in everyday speech. Saying things like, "Oh, look at the blue car" or asking, "Would you like to wear this green shirt or that yellow shirt?" are great ways to "teach" colors. Some of us have experienced a child asking a mountain of questions. Every time you turn around it is, "why is this…, or how do you…, or what is this... or why is that… ." Sometimes those questions come at the most inopportune times too. But, don't squelch the questioning. Encourage it! And, not only encourage the questioning, but model it. Questioning is a great way to learn and facilitate the awe of learning. Learning letters and letter sounds can be practiced by saying things like, "Look at the McDonald's sign. That looks like a great big M!" Something like, "Will you please go get me some Kool-aid? What is that first letter you will be looking for again? Oh, yes, I know. It is a K!" would also be effective. Or, something like, "Hmmm. Ball starts with a /b/ sound. (Maybe pretend to dribble a ball and say the /b/ sound every time you pretend to dribble.) What else starts with a /b/ sound?" is wonderful for beginning sound practice. Yet, making these things a sit down discussion is not preferred and unnecessary. Have these discussions as part of your every day activity. The knowledge will be more apt to be integrated and enjoyable if the teaching is more integrated and enjoyable. I am sorry that I did not get the blog post out on time today. I have had a hectic week and was doing it at the last minute. Then, of course, I ran into some technical difficulties. So, my original post along with this one, will be on the feed on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Not only that.... my original post was not a "normal" post. I generally do not post anything that isn't at least in part education-related. However, today, I did post about my Liebster Award nomination and my nomination of others. I hope you didn't mind the slight side-track from normal blogging. I would also like to take this time to offer a hodge-podge of notes, since this week is not like most weeks. I do have quite a few snippets of things to post. Notes: I am excited to say that the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" is due to be released soon! I ordered the proof today! I can't wait to get it in my hands! That is one of the most rewarding moments of writing/creating... holding the finished product in your hands for the first time! Anyway, "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" is based upon my picture book, "Clarinda Cloud." However, the activity book can stand alone. It can be used with or without the picture book. It addresses basic skills for ages 2-6 such as: coloring, tracing, letter finding, color recognition, drawing, counting, mazes, etc. It also, like the "Clarinda Cloud" book stresses the concepts of colors and feelings. I am still looking to build a network of people interested in education. I am thinking about adding a puzzle, math problem, or brainteaser of some sort at the end of each blog post...something to get thoughts and comments. What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions? Please tell the schools, teachers, childcare providers, parents, grandparents, and librarians in your life about this site! I would appreciate it greatly! I want to help! Also, I would love input from the people who may benefit from it the most and who may have some valued resources and input of their own!  Don't forget the importance of summertime learning, please! Whether you provide your children or grandchildren with educational activities at home, sign them up for a summer program at school, go to a library or museum, or sign up for individualized tutoring here... it is so important! DUO Education currently offers online tutoring in math, reading, writing, and study skills.  I want to thank all the authors and illustrators who are still connecting with me and showing interest in the Storyteller's Tale webinar series. I am gathering a list of authors and illustrators now. I hope to begin these in the fall once the next school year gets going. So, please let your local schools, teachers, and librarians know about this wonderful service! Imagine: authors and illustrators from around the country and beyond "visiting" your school or library via the Internet. It would be just as if they were their in person...only online. A great learning experience and a wonderful way to interact with these talented authors and illustrators! I hope to be adding some polls/questions to generate more response and input as well. I hope to hear from you! - See more at: http://www.micropoll.com/a/saveMicroPoll.do#sthash.FIB2Bayl.dpuf |
Jodi DesautelsJodi Desautels is a wife and mother. She is a life-long learner, educator, author, illustrator, crafter, creator, and photographer. She lives by two rules: "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love." 
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