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PRE-K UPDATE
AUGUST 28, 2019
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Here's the latest news from The Long Island Pre-K Initiative, your source for
expert training and useful resources:
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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Teaching phonics is supported by research--the question is how to approach it. Here are some answers from the ILA
The International Literacy Association (ILA) has published a "literacy leadership brief" that runs down the key characteristics of phonics instruction that's research-based,
efficient and effective
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"Research supports instruction that is explicit and systematic," according to the brief. That means that the relationships between letters and sounds are directly stated to students and that lessons go from the old to the new "in a way that makes the new learning more obvious and easier for students to grasp." Of course, that's not the whole story, and the brief outlines seven aspects of high-quality approaches, including building phonemic awareness and using dictation, beginning in Kindergarten.
Perhaps more interesting, the authors also share 10 common causes of phonics instructional failure, such as too much isolated "skill and drill" and inappropriate matches
between skills and reading materials.
Click here to download a pdf of the 11-page document.
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Is the "achievement gap" really a knowledge gap? Does reading comprehension equal what kids are exposed to?
Author Natalie Wexler* answers "yes" to both these questions. Writing for California Public Media, she tells about preschoolers who were read a book about birds. When researchers tested comprehension, the children from higher-income families did significantly better. "But then they read a story about a subject neither group knew anything about: made-up animals called
wugs. When knowledge was equalized
comprehension was essentially the same. In other words, the low score on comprehension wasn't a gap in skills. It was a gap in knowledge.
Wexler agrees that the "decoding" part of reading needs to be practiced as a set of skills, but thinks it's a problem when comprehension is taught the same way. She writes that there's little evidence to support the theory that "if students read enough, diligently practicing their skills...their test score will improve." Instead, she says teachers need to be aware of building children's knowledge along with their vocabulary. "Kindergarteners in one low-income community had [low reading scores] which reflected their inability to identify pictures showing the meaning of words like penguin, sewing or parachute..."
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"But what are they learning?" How one Pre-K teacher approaches talking about play
Blogger "Teacher Tom" is experienced at understanding what's happening when children are, say, building with blocks. He knows they're testing different approaches--could even be described as performing experiments. And they're practicing relationship skills at the same time ("Can I persuade this person to join me in my vision?").
He's also aware that the minute an adult steps in and asks the children "what" they are learning, the children's explorations are derailed. (
That's why he rarely looks for a definitive answer about what a child is learning "at any given moment," but instead observes what students are doing ("I see her building falling down.") and is comfortable not knowing exactly what is being learned. "There is no test capable of answering that and our guesses are simply that--guesses--and they can only, at best, get at a very narrow sliver of truth."
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Workshops added to "Best Practices" conference line-up focus on new resources for early educators
Three workshops have been added to the program for "Best Practices for Teaching Pre-K & K" on Tuesday, November 5. What's notable: all share vital information about new resources for early educators on Long Island.
An introduction to the New York State Learning Standards--and to new video resources for Pre-K & K
To go along with the recently published Prekindergarten Learning Standards, the New
York State Education Department (NYSED) has created a series of videos demonstrating examples of high-quality environments and instructional practices. At the conference, you'll get a special screening.
Presenter: Meg McNiff, New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office for Early Learning.
Resources and Supports for Special Education: for Teachers, Parents and Children
This workshop will introduce you to a set of new programs that are replacing the Early Childhood Direction Center and the Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC). The presenters will also cover important topics such as the difference between disability, delay, learning differences and cultural differences.
Presenters: Staff from The Center for Community Inclusion, Long Island University
The Leadership Initiative: Developing Long Island Early Childhood Leaders
Making its debut this fall, the Leadership Initiative will support current and prospective early childhood leaders on Long Island. Learn about how you can take advantage of free programs.
Presenter: Claudine Campanelli, New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute at the City University of New York.
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Place: Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(continental breakfast and lunch included)
Registration fee:
- $95 per person "early bird" until 4 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019
- $125 per person after 4 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019
- No online registration after 4 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2019
- Group rate: 10% discount on groups of 20 or more.
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This week's job listings for early ed on Long Island
Full-Time Early Childhood Special Ed Teacher
Developmental Disabilities Institute, Medford and/or Ronkonkoma
Director
Part-Time Lead Teacher (3-year-olds)
Peace Christian Preschool and Day Care, Bohemia
For the Long Island Head Start position listed below
Email resume to humanresources@liheadstart.org or fax to 631-758-2953
Full-Time Teacher Assistant
Full-Time Teacher Aide
Full-Time Teacher/Certified Teacher
Full-Time Teacher I (Infant/Toddler)
Full-Time Family Educator/Home Visitor--Bilingual
Full-Time Family Advocate
Food Transporter
Full-Time Cook Assistant
Long Island Head Start, various locations
Full-Time Program Services Secretary
Speech Consultant
RN/Health Consultant
EHS-CCP Disabilities Services Consultant
Long Island Head Start, Central Administration, Patchogue
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Here's how to add your school's staffing needs to this list:
In the body of the e-mail, include the following information:
For our records:
- Your name
- Your position
- Your e-mail and phone number
For the listing in our e-newsletter
- The name of your school and the town it's located in. You can include your web address, if you have one.
- A very brief description of the position or positions you want to fill. (For example: "Part-time Teacher Assistant" or "Full-time Pre-K Teacher."
- Information about how potential applicants should contact your for details or to apply. (For example: "Call Jane Smith at 631-xxx-xxxx" or "Send e-mail to jane.smith@schoolname.org")
It's important to understand that:
We will not include information about salary. We will not include any descriptions of your school or program, although we can include a link to your school's web site.
We will publish your information a single time. If you still have openings, you can e-mail us again with the details and we will run the information again.
Our e-newsletter is typically sent out on Wednesday mornings. However, it may be mailed on a different day, depending on content or technical considerations.
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative reserves the right to edit information; space in the e-newsletter is very limited.
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About Us
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a grant-funded project that seeks to strengthen partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations and to share information about research, policy and best practices for early learning. Administered by Nassau BOCES, it is supported with expertise from The Early Years Institute and funds from the Rauch and Hagedorn Foundations. Our partners: Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Western Suffolk BOCES, and the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk.
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NASSAU BOCES
71 Clinton Road, Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: (516) 396-2220 Fax: (516)-396-2355
www.nassauboces.org
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