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Learning Can be Fun with Every Day Conversation and Activity

3/26/2014

2 Comments

 
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     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.

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Videos, Songs, and Humor are Often Used to Make Learning Fun

3/12/2014

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     Hello everyone.  I am always talking about making learning fun.  Everything is easier when you can make it fun.  Learning is no different.
     So, "how do you make learning fun," you might ask.  Well, in today's 21st century learning world, many educators will call on games, videos, songs, and humor.
     I have used the DVD and book to this first video.  The video is not sung by the original artist.  However, it is sung very much like the original and it has the words on the screen.  "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" is an alphabet book and song by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault.  It is illustrated by Lois Ehlert.
     My students used to enjoy listening to the story and hearing the song.  They would even chime in.  We would get up and kind of dance along as we sang.  It has a catchy tune.  So, it made learning fun!  (It is things like this that made teaching kindergarten really fun.  Well, most of all, I enjoyed the awe and wonderment of the children.)

     Yet, kindergarten students are the only ones who enjoy catchy learning songs.  This second video is called, "50 States That Rhyme Song."  I wouldn't use it for a rhyming lesson.  I didn't really get any rhymes in the video.  However, it did have a catchy tune and it listed the states in alphabetical order.  Also, when the states were listed, you could visually see where they are on the map.  It is a neat little cartoon. It would be great for a geography lesson for a class studying the location of the 50 states.
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     And, just so you don't think that I would leave us older students, adults, and lifelong learners out… I came across this video titled, "Bloom's Taxonomy according to Andy Griffith."  It uses humor to "explain" Bloom's Taxonomy.  It was an extra treat, because I enjoy the "Andy Griffith Show."
     I learned Bloom's Taxonomy in college when I got my degree in education.  It categorizes the different levels of thinking and learning.  

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Yes, I have some announcements today.


*I am trying a new idea in hopes to get more interaction.  Please check out the educational discussions page.  I hope to have various discussions on educational topics.  (I would love to know what you think of this new feature on DUO Education.)


*I have made some changes on the site.  Please take a moment to explore it.  Also, I would love to hear what you think of the site and the changes.  I welcome any ideas, suggestions, and questions as well.  


*My books, "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" will be free on Kindle today and tomorrow.  I hope you will take advantage of this and pick up your copy.  Both books have some great reviews already.  If you enjoy the books, please consider leaving one as well.  Thank you.

2 Comments

Where in the World is Clarinda Cloud?

10/9/2013

4 Comments

 
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     Hi everyone!  I am going to do something a little bit different today!  Everyone likes a contest, right?  And, everyone likes to get something for free, right?  Well, I am going to try this  contest monthly for the rest of the year and see what happens.  I know what you are saying, "but this isn't educational and you only write about educational things."  Right? Well, this is educational!
     Treasure hunts and asking probing questions about text or images are effective ways of educating people.  Also, they are fun strategies to use in education.  I am just modeling this technique.  LOL!  Also, the books that I am featuring ARE EDUCATIONAL!  So, there is education all over this blog post!  LOL!
     Okay.  Here is how it works.  I will post pictures each month of a book featuring Clarinda Cloud and ask "Where in the World is Clarinda Cloud?"  (That is the name of the contest.) For the first person who comments where it is, I will send a copy of the book featured to the elementary school, library, daycare, or child counselor of your choice.  (Only U.S. addresses at this time.)
     Want to win the book yourself, that is fine too!  Please make your comment on my author blog here!  Yes, DUO Education will be competing with my author site, located at www.authorjodidesautels.weebly.com.
     Don't know the answer?  Comment anyway!  If nobody guesses the correct answer, I will put all the suggestions from DUO Education and from my author site in a hat and send it to the elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor of your choice.  When you make the comments here, please also tell me one thing you think I could do to make this site more effective.  Thank you!
     I think this is a great educational activity and a great way to get some awareness for Clarinda Cloud and the books in which she is featured.  Speaking of Clarinda Cloud, have you gone over to check out her new site yet at www.ClarindaCloud.com?

4 Comments

Tangram Puzzle A and Keeping Your Brain Exercised

6/5/2013

2 Comments

 
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     Are you looking for a simple summer time activity?  Why not a homemade tangram?  They are relatively easy to make and take strategy to solve.
     This one is of a rectangle.  I just drew the rectangle and split it into other shapes by drawing lines from place to place.  Then, I cut out the shapes and taped them on a piece of paper so I could scan it onto my computer and upload it here.  (You wouldn't need to do the last couple of steps if you are doing for someone at home to solve.)
     I like this activity, because it has so much learning potential. For little ones, you can make tangrams with fewer pieces.  It is also a good way to talk about shapes and sizes.  For example, you might say, "Which piece are you going to start with: this big triangle or maybe that medium sized rectangle over there?"  Or, you might ask as your child touches a shape, "What shape do you have there?"
     For older children, maybe make a game of it.  Show them how to create tangrams and have them create one for each other.  That way, they can see who solves the tangram first.  Or, have them create one for you, so you both can be working on tangrams together.  It is a nice way to spend some quality time with your children.  It is also an activity that can help the child (or adult) keep their brain active.
     Activities like this have been shown to curb the onset of things like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  So, it is a wonderful idea to get children interested in keeping their brains active early in life and keep doing brain activities like this into adulthood.  Work on them together as a family.  You will all be better off because of it.  Do what you can to make it exciting! 

     Feel free to print this tangram out and try it!  Let me know if you want the solution!  But... then, try your own!  Keep exercising your brain! 

Summer Time Tutoring

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     Speaking of keeping your brain exercised, please remember that DUO Education is now offering online tutoring.  It is a great way to keep your child's brain exercised during the summer!  Summer time learning helps in many ways.  Don't miss out! 

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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi 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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