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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education (LI-RTAC). Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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Babysitter from Another Planet vs. a bio of NASA's Katherine Johnson--kids and teachers pick different favorite reads
Every year the International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council compile lists of books that children like best--and of the titles that teachers, librarians and reading specialists think are outstanding. The Children's Choices and Teachers'
Choices lists for 2020 have been published, and guess what? There isn't a single book that appears on both lists.
Approximately 12,500 students from all over the U.S. participated in voting for the Children's Choices list. There are 30 books in the "Beginning Readers" section, and most of them feature an element of humor.
The Babysitter From Another Planet features a sitter that, well, "took some getting used to."
I Am a Tiger is the story of a mouse who convinces other animals that he's a dangerous feline. And
Take Your Pet to School Day results in predictable mayhem.
The Teachers' Choices 2020 Reading List for K-2 has a different spin, and is more geared to "answering important questions prompted by children's experiences as they grow
up." Most of the 10 titles listed are nonfiction, such as
A Computer Called Katherine, a biography of NASA's Katherine Johnson, and
Don't Let Them Disappear, a book about animals in danger of extinction.
Which list resonates the most with you?
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YOUR CLASSROOM
STEM "quick wins" can be carried out at home or at school with stuff you probably already have
From "ice cream in a bag" to "saltwater vs. freshwater" or "toothpick towers," the 45 activities available from The STEM Connection* offer engaging lessons that can be used for Pre-K through elementary grades. Each comes with a video and a one-page explanation that includes background information and suggestions for related books.
"Soap Science," for example, calls for milk, glitter, dish soap and toothpicks. In the accompanying at-home video, teacher Angela Fitzgerald explains microbes and shows her own two preschoolers how glitter "germs" on their hands easily transfer to their faces when they touch their nose. The main activity calls for a small amount of milk in a shallow dish with glitter sprinkled on it. The big question: what happens when you dip a soapy toothpick
into the center of the glitter "germs?"
"Living vs. Nonliving Things" takes kids outdoors. In their own backyards--or a schoolyard--they are asked to examine an area the size of a hula hoop. They can even dig a small hole or two. What do they find that's alive? What's not? Recommended books include
What is a Living Thing? and
Living or Nonliving?
Click here
to access
al
l 45 free, downloadable lessons.
*The STEM Connection is an Indiana non-profit aimed at facilitating "hands-on, minds-on, feet-on-the-ground science."
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EDUCATION IN THE HEADLINES
"Who's caring for the caregivers?" was the cover story in Newsday's Sunday business section. The report described the many difficulties being faced by Long Island's child care providers. "A lot of them have had to close temporarily," Jennifer Rojas of the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. told Newsday. "But what's even worse is
that, because of the lack of income, and the lack of support, many of them--providers who've been in the child care industry for years--won't be able to open again."
"Teachers may have to enforce social distancing, mask guidelines." Yesterday's Newsday ran down the challenges that will face educators when schools re-open. "The State Education Department (SED) released a second set of guidelines to schools Thursday, saying districts should perform health checks, develop plans for social distancing and have plans to isolate ill people until they can be sent home. Schools must also instruct students and staff in proper hand hygiene, require wearing face coverings, and develop cleaning procedures for the building."
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
There are still a few seats left in these free sessions especially for administrators and other program leaders
Strategies to Help Families and Children Transition to Kindergarten in 2020: A Conversation With Program Leaders
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The Process: Developing and Cultivating an Early Childhood Growth Mindset Culture
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
CORRECTION
Last week we shared information about an upcoming two-part series offered by the Long Island Regional Partnership Center at LIU-Post. Unfortunately, we mis-stated the time for the first workshop. The correct information is below.
Family Engagement: Communication and Culture
Dates: Tuesday, August 11, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 13, 2020,
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Registration: There is no fee to register, but pre-registration is required.
Click here or email POST-CCI@liu.edu
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About Us
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Regional Technical Assistance Center, which supports Pre-K and early childhood education on Long Island. The other collaborating partners are the three Long Island BOCES, the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc., the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. and the Family Leadership Network.
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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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