Last week, 5-year-old John Robert Caravella was denied lunch over an outstanding lunch bill. Caravella has autism and is unable to communicate. He attends a special program for children with autism at Cliffwood Elementary School in Matawan, New Jersey.The school made no effort to contact John Robert's parents. John and Silvia Caravella. Instead the teacher … Continue reading School Denies Lunch to A Kindergartener Who Can’t Talk
Lunch Box Police?
A Chicago public school, Little Village Academy has banned lunches from home. The school now requires all students to buy a school lunch for $2.25 a day. The only exemption to the rule is if the child has food allergies. The schools say this is necessary to improve students health. Children's Success Academy in Tucson, … Continue reading Lunch Box Police?
What Where They Thinking
Tanya McDowell, a homeless mom from Norwalk, Connecticut was charged with felony larceny for stealing $16,000 worth of education for her son. When McDowell enrolled her 5-year-old in Norwalk's Brookside Elementary School. McDowell stayed at a shelter in nearby Bridgeport. If convicted McDowell faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $15,000. … Continue reading What Where They Thinking
Using Excel in the Classroom
I taught computer in Christian school for about 8 years. I was responsible for teaching all grades. During that time I the standards being taught were changed greatly. The biggest change was on the Elementary level. Around 2000 our accrediting agency wanted elementary computer classes to focus on learning computer skills. This meant no games … Continue reading Using Excel in the Classroom
The Best Method for Teaching Reading
Editor's Note: This is a piece I originally wrote for HomeschoolBenefits.org. As a teacher, I have used many different approaches for teaching reading: phonics, whole language, literature based, etc. Many workshop instructors attempted me to convince me their program was the best. I have also encountered many people who believe that phonics and sight words … Continue reading The Best Method for Teaching Reading
Fostering Creativity in Children
Originally posted on HomeschoolBenefits.org. Children are naturally inquisitive, imaginative, and creative. Young children have no difficulty being creative. For example a young child has no problem drawing a purple horse, blue sun or pretending that a towel is a cape that gives them super powers. Unfortunately as children grow older many loose this sense of … Continue reading Fostering Creativity in Children
Zero-Tolerance or Zero Discretion?
As an educator one of my biggest frustrations was the unfair enforcement of school rules. I tried to be fair with all of my students regardless of who they were or were not. I have been a supporter of zero-tolerance. However, I think that discretion must also be used when enforcing rules. There are times … Continue reading Zero-Tolerance or Zero Discretion?
The Dee Zone 