This is a lesson plan that may be used for grades K -4. The phrase political party has no true definition for them. The fourth graders hear about political parties on television, but they have yet to grasp the significance of a political party. Since the United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election to be held, now is a good time for the students to learn just exactly what a political party is so that they can better understand the political procedures that are taking place now. The next presidential election in the USA will be on November 6, 2012.

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Critical thinking is a fundamental part in making a choice. It occurs when one is choosing the correct answer on a multiple choice test, making a major life decision, or deciding tomorrow’s events. When a child is taught to think critically, he is less likely to make poor choices that could be harmful to himself or others. This child will develop the ability to predict the possible outcomes of his actions. In order to teach a child to think critically, one does not give him facts to memorize but rather trains him to ask question, seek alternative answers, try hypotheses, and consider other viewpoints. Critical thinking helps the child to formulate the right questions, access possible answers, judge the credibility of information and sources, and make solid judgments based on evidence. Critical thinking is the opposite of quick, rash decision. Instead it involves being open-minded and being respectful to those with whom he disagrees.  As teachers and parents, we should include critical thinking skills into all of the components of curriculum.

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Many schools continue to advocate the Whole Word or Sight Word method when teaching a child to read. The child learns to identify the shape of the words and, ultimately, memorizes a list of vocabulary words. Unfortunately, the English language is comprised of approximately 600,000 words. It is impossible to memorize enough words to become functionally literate. Competent readers have a minimum vocabulary of between 50,000-70,000 words.

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Join Kim as she presents "Developmental Age and Academic Success" at the Dayspring Homeeducators Parent Meeting on Jan. 24th, 7-9 pm at White Plains Church in Cary.

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A child’s developmental level, not just the chronological age, is vital to learning success.  Developmental maturity demonstrates that the brain is able to take in sensory information and then process the information in the higher cortical areas of the brain.  We are all meant to be born with certain primitive reflexes established. These primitive reflexes assist the mother and baby through the birth process.  They then allow the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and to begin the process of training the body and the brain to work together.  Typically, these reflexes are inhibited and replaced by more advanced postural reflexes sometime between 6 months - 3 years of age.

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Interactive Metronome therapy is a neuro-motor therapy that assists people in reaching greater functional gains in a much shorter period of time than traditional therapies.  An IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented process that challenges the child to synchronize a range of hand and foot exercises to a precise, computer-generated reference tone which is usually heard through headphones.  The child attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions.

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For homeschoolers, teachers and parents looking for some fun things to do over the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a wonderful theme unit study by Midge Frazel, That's Plymouth Rock?, on the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving which includes resources for the history of the Pilgrims, primary resource materials, facts and myths, activities, homework help and more. Enjoy!

The first meteor shower on record occurred November 12, 1799. This became known as the Leonid shower and occurs annually. The next Leonids will occur on November 17, 2010.  Fun way to study science!

Help your child learn to identify prepositional phrases. Prepositions are words that indicate location. Typically, prepositions demonstrate this location in our physical world. Prepositional phrases help to make a sentence or idea more interesting to read. They also help to clarify a sentence or idea and are often used as sentence openers.

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Are you looking for some great ideas to help celebrate Johnny Appleseed? Check out this website from Midge Frazel for an excellent source of information, great ideas and activities. http://www.midgefrazel.net/appleseed.html  Homeschoolers will be able to utilize this resource for a Unit Study on Johnny Appleseed and Apples. Themed units are an excellent way to bring in lots of hands-on activities for multi-sensory learning and to combine several subjects under one theme.

Parents can use Theme Units as a fun way to supplement school work and practice the reading and writing skills your child is learning at school. Be sure to ask your Creative Tutors tutor to make additional suggestions for fun ways to supplement your child learning experiences at home!