September 1, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 13 �������������� This week, Will Richardson will the implementation of instructional present the keynote address at the Mid- technologies: specifically, the tools of land Park public school district’s open- the Read/Write Web in schools, classing day staff convocation. Richardson rooms, and communities. A former ����������������������������� school educator for 22 years, will appear in an interactive virtual public capacity from Alberta, Canada. Richardson’s own Weblog (Weblogg������������ The keynote speaker is known inter- ed.com) is a leading resource for the nationally for his work with educators creation and implementation of Web �������������������� and students. Richardson focuses on 2.0 technologies on the K-12 level, and Richardson to deliver keynote address at convocation his is a leading voice for re-envisioning learning and teaching in the context of the fundamental changes these new technologies are bringing to all aspects of life. His critically acclaimed, best-selling book, “Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms” (second edition, July 2008, Corwin Press) has sold over 50,000 copies and is already being used by tens of thousands of teachers to reinvent their practice. His keynote speeches, presentations, and workshops to audiences in China, Australia, Europe, and throughout North America communicate a fresh and inspiring vision of what schools can and must become. Through the Powerful Learning Practice Network, which he co-founded with Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, Richardson works with schools and teachers around the world to re-envision their learning cultures and communities. He is also a national advisory board member for the George Lucas Education Foundation, a member of the 2010 Horizon Project advisory board, a columnist for District Administration Magazine, and has published dozens of articles in various professional and mass market journals and magazines. Will lives along the Delaware River in western New Jersey with his wife, Wendy, and his children, Tess and Tucker, all of whom are bloggers. ������������������ (NAPSI) A study by Purdue University has found that hands-on learning is more likely to engage students and boost comprehension in certain subjects. These tips from Patrice McCrary, an inductee into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, for encouraging hands-on learning at home can help prepare your child to shine in the classroom. Arts: Create a collage box for your child. Suggested items include ribbon, stickers, colorful papers, sequins, and markers. Give your child a pair of scissors and a glue stick and watch the creativity begin. The variety of materials helps your child go beyond the limits of an ordinary coloring page. Social studies: Your children can create their own city, farm, or community using empty boxes. Very easily, a tissue box becomes a school or an oatmeal box a skyscraper. You may be Hands-on learning boosts students’ comprehension amazed at how much vocabulary children gain as they become the architects of their own world. Mathematics: Math concepts are more easily understood when items are manipulated. Place magnetic tape on the back of poker chips and write a number on each chip with a permanent marker. Leave several chips blank. The numbered “chips” can then be used on metal cookie sheets to demonstrate addition, subtraction, place value, and more. Reading: Research shows that children with 1,000 hours of lap-time reading from birth to five years are much more prepared to read than children with little or no exposure to books. Have your child decorate a storage box and label it “Books I Want to Read.” Bring it with you to the public library and be sure to have at least four or five books in the bin at all times. Will Richardson ������������������������������������� ������������������������� �������������������������������� �������������������� � ��������������������� ��������������������� � ���������������������� ���������������� ��������������������������� ����������������������������� ���������������� ��������������� ����������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� �������������������������������� �������������������������� �����������������