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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On November 26, 1922, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon discovered the tomb of the Egyptian King, Tutankhamen.  As the tomb was intact, this 3000-year-old find is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history.  Explore and find interesting ways to learn world history!

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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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!

On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave his memorable Gettysburg Address.  Considered one of the most famous in history, this 2 minute speech was given at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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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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The Pony Expressed captured the hearts and imagination of people all over the world both then and now.  It improved communication between east and west sides of a growing United States and maintained open communication with California at the beginning of the Civil War.

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History can be fun and exciting. Finding great historical fiction can encourage a love of reading and a love of history. Biographies are a great way to make history come alive through the life and experiences of historical figures. Another important source for learning history, especially for high school students, is through reading primary resource material or the original documents. The University of Oklahoma College of Law website has an excellent list of historical documents vital to learning U.S. History. http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/

September is National School Success Month.  An excellent way to plan for a successful school year is to structure your home as an environment that fosters learning. 

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