Literacy cut a costly error

Victoria Times Colonist: 2009 December 18

Yes, it might seem silly reading a book to a newborn, a baby who cannot say any words and might not actually understand a thing you are saying. Get over it. Research has shown that talking, singing and reading to newborn babies helps their young brains develop.

The Book Seer

The Book Seer

You have to play with this.

Val Hamilton

Metatexts For Kids

National Post: 2009 December 12

The digital age has prompted developments in children's literature consistent with the changing forms and formats, changing perspectives and changing boundaries that readers of all ages are experiencing. Described in terms of Radical Change theory by Dr. Eliza Dresang, a professor at the University of Washington, some of these changes within books are evident in the five picture books shortlisted for the 2009 Governor General's Award for children's literature (illustration).

 

 

Christy Clark and the FSA: No propaganda mule

Report Card: 2009 December 1

Christy Clark is a lively talk-show host, no doubt about it . . . especially when she turns her attention to education, a subject she knows well given her experience as education minister.

I missed her Friday show on CKNW when she interviewed Susan Lambert, vice-president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF), about the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). She challenged Lambert to produce evidence to back the union's claim that standardized tests have damaged the B.C. education system. The tests have been around for 10 years, but B.C. students continue to perform well in national and international tests, Clark noted.

Lambert wasn't able to point to results showing diminished performance but said science teachers and teacher-librarians have produced evidence that standardized tests are" wreaking havoc" on schools. Furthermore, she said students might be doing even better on international tests, if not for those FSAs...