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Top Educational Gift Ideas (Updated for 2018)
It is the gift giving season! What gifts can you give a child to ignite learning? I have found with my children that the right toys inspire learning. So together, with other Kent ISD consultants and parents, I have populated a list of educational gifts that we have seen engage our children and students. I…
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Improving Literacy: Essentials Documents In Action
Written by Lisa Brown, MDE Improving literacy is part of Michigan’s strategic plan to become a top 10 in 10 State. While it will take a multi-faceted approach, beginning with quality tier one, instruction is key. The Early Literacy Task Force (ELTF), a subgroup of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA), General Education…
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Connecting MTSS and Third Grade Reading Law
Written by: Mark Raffler, Kent ISD The Kent ISD Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team has been working for the past six years to develop the understanding and capacity of local districts to balance the behavior and academic demands put forward by the State of Michigan. The latest legislation put into place, focused on academic…
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Focusing on Read Alouds: K-3 Literacy Essentials
Written by: Christi Gilbert, Literacy Coach/Kent ISD Essential #2 states: “Read Alouds of age-appropriate books and other materials, print or digital” Why read alouds? There is a STRONG research consensus that supports literacy development through read alouds. Children learn about reading and writing from read alouds. They also increase their vocabulary hearing new words during a…
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Literacy- Making Every Minute Count
Written by Melissa Buurstra, Early Childhood Specialist Do you ever wonder about the time at school children spend waiting for their turn to use the bathroom or another class to finish in the gym? In Kent County’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms, we do wonder about this time. We have a name for it…
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Top Educational Gift Ideas
It is the gift giving season! What gifts can you give a child to ignite learning? I have found with my children that the right toys inspire learning. So together, with other Kent ISD consultants and parents, I have populated a list of educational gifts that we have seen engage our children and students. I…
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10 Instructional Literacy Practices for K-3
Time is of the essence! In education, your daily schedule is filled to the brim. You’re planning your next meeting or instructional focus on the drive between sports practice, dinner, and the parent-teacher organization meeting. Sometimes, a few professional “grab and go” options would assist in focusing energy and solidifying next steps. Often times in…
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Kent ISD and PNC Bring Early Childhood Resources to an Upcoming Family Fun Event
“Almost one-quarter of children under five years old receive child care from someone other than a parent” –americanprogress.org A newborn’s brain is only about one-quarter the size of an adult’s. It grows to approximately 80 percent of adult size by three years of age and 90 percent by age five. (zerotothree.org) Children’s earliest experiences in…
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Ways to Give to Children this Holiday Season
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, The Night Before Christmas…are all favorite books in my house this time of year. At bedtime, we have a ritual of reading a few stories as a family and my children (and I) love this special time together. But I wonder
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Have you heard of STARS?
Research is clear, birth through three years of age is when the brain has the most growth! This tells us that childcare providers, whether in a home setting or center are essential to our children’s growth and potential. The STARS program (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, Support) is a state wide initiative to promote and…