Category:

DUO Education Presents Clarinda Cloud Name Tags

8/6/2014

Hello everyone. It is getting close to the beginning of school. So, I created name tags. Clarinda Cloud has her name tag. She is ready for school.
This is perfect for all the elementary teachers and guidance counselors out there as well as preschool teachers and daycare providers.
However, this is not just a regular name tag. If you have read the book, "Clarinda Cloud," you can also ask children to point to the cloud that shows how they are feeling at any particular moment in the day. It is a great way for a student to be able to show you that he or she is happy, angry, scared, shy, sorry, sad…etc… through out the day in an inconspicuous way.
Never heard of Clarinda Cloud or her books? That is okay. You can find out more information on her website at www.ClarindaCloud.com.
Want to buy one or both of the Clarinda Cloud books?

Available on:
CreateSpace
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com

Available on:
CreateSpace
Amazon.com

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Okay, here is the good news! I will give you a sheet of eight blank name tags for you to download, copy, print, and use for you students as a thank you gift. All you have to do is buy a book, share this post, or help me promote these books, my author site, or DUO Education. Yes, just for sharing, you can get a sheet of eight 3"x2.5" blank Clarinda Cloud name tags. Or, all you have to do is subscribe to this blog by email above. Which ever action you choose to get your thank you gift is fine with me. Just email me, comment below, or contact me in some way to show me proof that you did it. It will be my pleasure to email to get you the free download. (Offer ends December 31, 2014.)

2 Comments

Another Book Giveaway Contest and Fill in the Silly Nouns Sheet

11/6/2013

8 Comments

Hi everyone! Last month I started a monthly giveaway from now until the end of the year. Nobody guessed where Clarinda Cloud was, so I will be donating a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" to a library. By the way, she was at Hartman's Farm Stand in Sheldon, Vermont. (Please stop in, if you are in the area. They have great produce. And, no, I am not related nor do I get paid in anyway for saying that.)
Time for another book giveaway contest! As you can see the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" is Photoshopped into a picture of a waterfall. Which waterfall is it? Do you know? Where in the world is Clarinda Cloud? Please comment your answer for a chance to get a free copy and if you don't know, please just comment the name of the elementary school, daycare, library, or children's counselor in the U.S. where you would want me to donate it if nobody guesses. (U.S. addresses only at this time, please.) Good luck!

Now, for the educational news of the day: LOL! (I can't say that... a chance to win a wonderful activity book focused on identifying and sharing feelings as well as other basic skills is fantastic educational news as well!) I have been creating educational materials and activities lately. Here is one on nouns.
Many times children will enjoy learning if you make it fun or silly! I know I enjoy learning if it is fun... not always when it is silly, but sometimes. This activity is based upon the old "Madlibs" game. It just prompts the child to fill in a noun. The answer is correct if there is a noun on the line. But... you can challenge the student to fill in the silliest noun for the sentence.
The great thing about a sheet like this is that you can use it for multiple purposes. It can be used simply as a language arts lesson. But.... you can also use it as a bunch of writing prompts for silly and imaginative stories. You can use it as a lesson in description. You can also have students draw a picture depicting each sentence. There are man possibilities!
Please feel free to use me as a resource. If there is a particular activity or skill that you want addressed, feel free to comment below or contact me. Thank you!

8 Comments

Common Core is Back in the News

5/1/2013

1 Comment

It seems that Common Core is back in the news. Another state is going through struggles and decisions as to whether or not Common Core should continue to be embraced. This time, it is Indiana.
If I read it right, a group of concerned parents formed an advocacy group that wanted to put a "pause" on the implementation of the Common Core, so that the public, educators, and politicians can discuss it more fully. The bill for the "pause" was passed, but now some politicians are saying that the language is too vague to actually warrant a "pause."

One of the statements which upset me is: “We had some pretty strong forces against us, some corporate interests against us, who quite frankly were disrespectful of my constituents,” Schneider told StateImpact.

Why does corporate interests have anything to do with education? Not only that, but, in the original article I showed a few posts back, the Common Core site states that Common Core is not meant to be as a federal mandated program. Yet, what I can see here, it is such a program.... or at least one that gives states little choice. How do corporate CEO's and politicians who sit in offices in the nation's capital know what is in the best interest of our children and grandchildren educationally? I do not know many politicians or CEO's who have degrees in education. Their area of expertise is in business and politics. Yet, Common Core seems to be drafted by and for them.... not educators or parents who have the knowledge and vested interest in students and their education.
Please go to http://stateimpact.npr.org/indiana/2013/04/27/complex-common-core-pause-bill-passes-indiana-general-assembly/ to read the entire article. Do not take my word for things, but read for yourself. You may have another take on the issue. I encourage everyone to educate themselves and make his or her own decisions on the topic.

A Related Article:

Here is another article that was shown to me this week having to do with Common Core. Please go to http://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-state-standards/ccss-content-issues-reviews/common-core-standards-for-mathematical-practice-part-i/ to read it. This article has to do with the math standards as written by the Common Core.
Are the Common Core standards creating the exemplar learning opportunities that they were meant to create? Read the article to see what it's author has to say. One effect that the article does not mention that is something I foresee is a higher dropout rate.
The Common Core seems to be a "one-size fits all" standard that pushes students above their current level of understanding too quickly. It also dictates how students will learn as if there is only ONE CORRECT WAY to learn. Those two things taken together will lead to a wide spread of discouragement and then to a higher drop out rate.
I have heard parents tell me more than once that "my child knows how to do the work, but gets a horrible grade because he doesn't do it the way they are saying to do it." While sometimes it is good to be able to address problems in more than one way, it is not good when grades, self-esteem, and self-confidence are effected.

For Those Who Missed it:

For those who missed it and for those who are interested in learning more about Common Core, please check out my original post on the subject at http://duolearning.weebly.com/8/post/2013/03/common-core-friend-or-foe.html#.UYFTM6X3AzY. Like I have said, please do not take my word for things. Read all the articles, click all the links, and investigate about Common Core yourself. For a program that seems to dictate things, now more than ever, people need to be empowered to think and learn for themselves... not be dictated to on how to feel.
Please, tell me how you feel on this important subject. And... share this blog with others so they can do the same. Thank you so much for stopping by!