Hands are not for Hitting!

This is one of my favorite books to read when children are having a hard time keeping their hands to themselves. In case you do not have the book or you can not find it here is a video of me reading the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8stcoX5mKrk

Some activities that you can do with this book :

• Have the children write what hands are for on a cut out of their hand. 
• Have the children trace and cut out their hand also helps with fine motor skills! 
• Make a classroom chart about what hands are for and what hands are not for. 
• Use this books to talk about our friends feelings and how they feel if they get hit. Etc. =) 

Books Books Books

With the new year right around the corner I plan to get back onto YouTube!  I will be posting activities and lessons that accompany different children's books.

The video will have me reading the book aloud in case you don't own the book or cannot find it.

Feel free to requests books =) 

PA Common Core

Common core standards... a very common and hated phrase to many. As an education major this phrase came up.... A LOT! 

What are these standards?

These standards are  a state-led effort which is coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) & the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). 

These standards were created with teachers, school administrators, and other education experts.The Common Core Standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

I asked some teachers, parents and people becoming teachers what their feelings on the PA Common Core:

• one parent said "It's to confusing and complicated. In addition to that ... As a parent we can't help because we don't know it either. The teachers seem just as confused at times"
• Another parent who's child is not in school yet looked it up and said "Oh lord it looks scary"
• A Student teacher said " I think they limit creativity and doesn't allow students to learn in ways other than the way they outline."
• A teacher said " I think they are helpful but I don't think they should be the only thing that is taught. Like PA doesn't teach money at all until second grade because it's not common core. 

What are your thoughts?