The ideas shared through the Brain-Based Learning videos and the Teaching for Historical Literacy document provided a good review on this very extensive topic.  We are fortunate now to have so much knowledge about how we learn and how our experiences and perceptions have an effect on our learning!  When I began teaching (truly, back in 'the day') the art of teaching was much more 'hit and miss' based very much on our instincts.  As the field of neurolinguistics grew, teachers were startled with the ideas of learning styles -- and that was just the beginning !!!

During Matt Abshear's video, I was struck with his discussion of the importance of Physical Education classes for student learning (recommended daily) as districts struggle with budget shortfalls and consider the elimination of PE classes and many sports activities.  Also, I thought his notion of constant and consistent formative assessments as a way to help alleviate student stress in the classroom was right on target.

Many topics including Pre-Exposure, Assessing Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Using Multiple Texts, and Using Picture Books were well worth reading.  This will be an interesting journey as we tackle more and more instructional ideas.

     Hello.  I am a part of your A New Nation:  Independence through the Constitution staff.  I am here to help you with high level instructional strategies that support the content we explore.
     I am a retired elementary principal and Federal Programs Coordinator for the Midd-West School District in Middleburg.  In addition to helping with this Keystones project, I still do some work with federal programs for PDE.
     Prior to becoming a principal, my classroom teaching experience includes about 10 years teaching grades 4 and 5; 10 years teaching 7th grade reading; and about 10 years as Title I reading specialist, Literacy Coach, Language Arts Coordinator.
     During the course of our June Workshops, you will meet my husband, Tony, who will be doing some Book Arts activities with you.  You will also hear about our twin grandsons, age 5, who live in San Antonio and will be spending a part of their summer with us again this year.