Comments on: Two X’s the First Grade http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/ Life is better with the right words. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:26:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Teachers Take Action — Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-9334 Teachers Take Action — Writer Dad Thu, 21 May 2009 19:32:16 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-9334 [...] I posted a video detailing the differences between a tired yesterday and an eager tomorrow. On Tuesday I wanted to look at the dual immersion program our daughter attends, where the majority of her day [...] [...] I posted a video detailing the differences between a tired yesterday and an eager tomorrow. On Tuesday I wanted to look at the dual immersion program our daughter attends, where the majority of her day [...]

]]> By: Jamie Simmerman http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-5833 Jamie Simmerman Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:37:33 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-5833 "Children are sponges, and we should not ever underestimate them, because they will absorb all that we ask." I don't think there's such a thing as a vocabulary"too rich" for children. Perhaps someone with a wonderful passion for writing should write children's books for parents who are intelligent enough to see that. (And to hell with what agents say.) ;=) I have always spoken to my children like adults, and they ask when they hear a new word. We throw in a little Spanish, Italian, and Pig Latin. It creates fluent children who are excellent communicators. Couldn't we all use a few more of those? “Children are sponges, and we should not ever underestimate them, because they will absorb all that we ask.” I don’t think there’s such a thing as a vocabulary”too rich” for children. Perhaps someone with a wonderful passion for writing should write children’s books for parents who are intelligent enough to see that. (And to hell with what agents say.) ;=) I have always spoken to my children like adults, and they ask when they hear a new word. We throw in a little Spanish, Italian, and Pig Latin. It creates fluent children who are excellent communicators. Couldn’t we all use a few more of those?

]]> By: Jamie Simmerman http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-37847 Jamie Simmerman Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:37:00 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-37847 "Children are sponges, and we should not ever underestimate them, because they will absorb all that we ask." I don't think there's such a thing as a vocabulary"too rich" for children. Perhaps someone with a wonderful passion for writing should write children's books for parents who are intelligent enough to see that. (And to hell with what agents say.) ;=) I have always spoken to my children like adults, and they ask when they hear a new word. We throw in a little Spanish, Italian, and Pig Latin. It creates fluent children who are excellent communicators. Couldn't we all use a few more of those? “Children are sponges, and we should not ever underestimate them, because they will absorb all that we ask.” I don’t think there’s such a thing as a vocabulary”too rich” for children. Perhaps someone with a wonderful passion for writing should write children’s books for parents who are intelligent enough to see that. (And to hell with what agents say.) ;=) I have always spoken to my children like adults, and they ask when they hear a new word. We throw in a little Spanish, Italian, and Pig Latin. It creates fluent children who are excellent communicators. Couldn’t we all use a few more of those?

]]> By: Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-5739 Writer Dad Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:04:18 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-5739 Randi: Sorry, I'm on a Mac. I think it might be called the "alt" key on a PC, though now that I think about it, the entire keystroke might be Mac specific. If so, sorry. : > ( Laurie: No doubt. Out here, there's often a separate pay scale for bilingual employees. We are fortunate to have found such a wonderful program for our children. Randi: Sorry, I’m on a Mac. I think it might be called the “alt” key on a PC, though now that I think about it, the entire keystroke might be Mac specific. If so, sorry. : > (

Laurie: No doubt. Out here, there’s often a separate pay scale for bilingual employees. We are fortunate to have found such a wonderful program for our children.

]]> By: Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-37846 Writer Dad Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:04:00 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-37846 Randi: Sorry, I'm on a Mac. I think it might be called the "alt" key on a PC, though now that I think about it, the entire keystroke might be Mac specific. If so, sorry. : > ( Laurie: No doubt. Out here, there's often a separate pay scale for bilingual employees. We are fortunate to have found such a wonderful program for our children. Randi: Sorry, I’m on a Mac. I think it might be called the “alt” key on a PC, though now that I think about it, the entire keystroke might be Mac specific. If so, sorry. : > (

Laurie: No doubt. Out here, there’s often a separate pay scale for bilingual employees. We are fortunate to have found such a wonderful program for our children.

]]> By: Laurie http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-5715 Laurie Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:57:17 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-5715 Having two languages under your belt (especially Spanish) is such an asset. Employers jump on hiring bilingual folks. Besides, the sense of accomplishment that you can communicate to folks when others cannot is such a boost. A duel program sounds great. Way to go! Having two languages under your belt (especially Spanish) is such an asset. Employers jump on hiring bilingual folks. Besides, the sense of accomplishment that you can communicate to folks when others cannot is such a boost. A duel program sounds great. Way to go!

]]> By: Laurie http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-37845 Laurie Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:57:00 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-37845 Having two languages under your belt (especially Spanish) is such an asset. Employers jump on hiring bilingual folks. Besides, the sense of accomplishment that you can communicate to folks when others cannot is such a boost. A duel program sounds great. Way to go! Having two languages under your belt (especially Spanish) is such an asset. Employers jump on hiring bilingual folks. Besides, the sense of accomplishment that you can communicate to folks when others cannot is such a boost. A duel program sounds great. Way to go!

]]> By: Randi http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-5683 Randi Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:24:17 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-5683 Amazing Mia story! She is more fluent after one year, than I was after four! I'll bet Cindy was so proud of her at that moment. And WHAT option key? I have looked over my entire keyboard--no option key. My kb is a loser. Amazing Mia story! She is more fluent after one year, than I was after four! I’ll bet Cindy was so proud of her at that moment.

And WHAT option key? I have looked over my entire keyboard–no option key. My kb is a loser.

]]> By: Randi http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-37844 Randi Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:24:00 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-37844 Amazing Mia story! She is more fluent after one year, than I was after four! I'll bet Cindy was so proud of her at that moment. And WHAT option key? I have looked over my entire keyboard--no option key. My kb is a loser. Amazing Mia story! She is more fluent after one year, than I was after four! I’ll bet Cindy was so proud of her at that moment.

And WHAT option key? I have looked over my entire keyboard–no option key. My kb is a loser.

]]> By: Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/education/two-xs-the-first-grade/comment-page-1/#comment-5674 Writer Dad Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:29:10 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=2282#comment-5674 Trina: I LOVE what you're saying about your child's K-4. Sounds terrific. Many parents do miss the boat. There is no waiting period for music and language. It should be offered to a child from birth forward. Their minds at that age are so hungry for anything they can absorb, there is absolutely no reason to keep them from the very best our world has to offer. Tobias: That's really cool, Tobias! I'd settle for one other language. Unfortunately I have to work really hard on my Spanish. I hope, at some point, to spend several months in Spain. I think I would absorb the language with rapidity if I were surrounded by it every day. Or I could just speak to my children who can learn so much faster than me. Randi: Ha! I have a six year old at the laundromat story too. Mia was there with her mom. We live in a neighborhood that's approximately 80% hispanic. It is assumed you speak Spanish. Cindy was loading clothes into the dryer when this lady came up to her shooting machine gun syllables en español. Cindy was trying so hard to understand, but certainly sinking more than swimming. Mia stepped up from behind and gave Cindy a flawless translation. This, after one year of the immersion program. Why every school doesn't offer SOME TYPE of program like this is just totally beyond me. By the way. You hold down the option key and then press n. Automatic ñ. Patricia: Ah, the last child. I understand. Birth order is a funny thing, I think. Sounds like you're a lot more right brained then left. My grandfather could do crazy math, even in his late 90's, but I don't think I saw him ever read a single time. We are each different, but we share the need to learn. Hopefully the scaffolding of tomorrow's educational institutions will be able to support it. Trina: I LOVE what you’re saying about your child’s K-4. Sounds terrific. Many parents do miss the boat. There is no waiting period for music and language. It should be offered to a child from birth forward. Their minds at that age are so hungry for anything they can absorb, there is absolutely no reason to keep them from the very best our world has to offer.

Tobias: That’s really cool, Tobias! I’d settle for one other language. Unfortunately I have to work really hard on my Spanish. I hope, at some point, to spend several months in Spain. I think I would absorb the language with rapidity if I were surrounded by it every day. Or I could just speak to my children who can learn so much faster than me.

Randi: Ha! I have a six year old at the laundromat story too. Mia was there with her mom. We live in a neighborhood that’s approximately 80% hispanic. It is assumed you speak Spanish. Cindy was loading clothes into the dryer when this lady came up to her shooting machine gun syllables en español. Cindy was trying so hard to understand, but certainly sinking more than swimming. Mia stepped up from behind and gave Cindy a flawless translation. This, after one year of the immersion program. Why every school doesn’t offer SOME TYPE of program like this is just totally beyond me.

By the way. You hold down the option key and then press n. Automatic ñ.

Patricia: Ah, the last child. I understand. Birth order is a funny thing, I think. Sounds like you’re a lot more right brained then left. My grandfather could do crazy math, even in his late 90′s, but I don’t think I saw him ever read a single time. We are each different, but we share the need to learn. Hopefully the scaffolding of tomorrow’s educational institutions will be able to support it.

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