CONNECTIONS

It’s a big world out there. And if you’re not keeping in touch with what’s new, ado and adapting, you could find yourself in catch-up mode for a long time. Please don’t get me wrong. I’m really not trying to use fear as a motivator, here. We’ve all seen how well that’s working. I do [...]

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– Cindy Mann, Children’s Author & Kindergarten teacher
Public School Education is facing a crisis. And don’t bother calling Dr. Suess, or Dr. Phil or Dr. McDreamy…it’s gone way beyond that.
I know, I know. Yada, Yada, Yada. Heard it all before. Next!
In case you hadn’t heard…
Reflecting the yes-it’s-a-recession, no-it’s-not-a-recession times we live in at present, [...]

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It’s a big world out there. And if you’re not keeping in touch with what’s new, ado and adapting, you could find yourself in catch-up mode for a long time. Please don’t get me wrong. I’m really not trying to use fear as a motivator, here. We’ve all seen how well that’s working. I do [...]

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– Cindy Mann, Children’s Author & Kindergarten teacher
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle waged inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, worry, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and [...]

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– Cindy Mann, children’s author & Kindergarten teacher
Question: Are we well on our way to becoming a society without manners? Are our children being brought up to believe that the universe actually does revolve around them? Are manners deteriorating with each new generation?
Answer: From a teacher’s perspective, YES.
Put the Brakes On
“Please” and “thank you” are [...]

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– Cindy Mann, children’s author & Kindergarten teacher
Used in an educational context, the word “inclusion” refers to the practice of educating all or most children in the same classroom, including children with physical,mental and developmental disabilities. Inclusion classes often require a special assistant to the classroom teacher.
A.K.A. Mainstreaming
This practice, also known as “mainstreaming” has [...]

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– Cindy Mann, children’s author & Kindergarten teacher
Today’s Kindergarten is definitely not what it used to be. Actually, it’s First Grade. California State Standards mandate that all children, upon leaving Kindergarten, will have mastered:

Recognition of upper and lower case letters
Beginning and ending sounds of all consonants and short vowel sounds
Instant recognition of 35 sight words
Number [...]

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