language Archives - Laura Maniglia

What’s the Good Word?

by Laura Maniglia | Jan 16, 2026 | instruction, language, speech, Vocabulary

English is a vibrant, living language. Derived from the Indo-Euorpean family of languages, it has evolved or “borrowed” from a variety of languages, including Latin, German, French, and a host of others. It can also prove a confusing and complicated language for...

The Lowly Apostrophe

by Laura Maniglia | Apr 15, 2025 | instruction, language, parents, Vocabulary, writing

Every year around this time, I ask myself the same question: Why is the lowly apostrophe such an enigma for some people? As I scan cards, signs, and posters celebrating mothers (Yes, that day is fast approaching!), I notice that most people...

Handwriting & Early Literacy

by Laura Maniglia | Mar 16, 2025 | active learning, brain development, Child development, cognitive skills, instruction, language, learning, note-taking, parents, reading, teachers, writing

I have emphasized the many cognitive benefits of writing by hand on a number of occasions. Writing and thinking are inextricably intertwined. For decades, research has demonstrated the connection between writing and learning. “A large body of data supports the view...

Easy as 1-2-3!

by Laura Maniglia | Oct 19, 2024 | active learning, brain development, Child development, instruction, kindergarten, language, math, montessori, NCTM, parents

Introducing children as young as three to “foundational math” has benefits that can extend far beyond preschool to other academic subjects.According to a recent publication by (NAEYC) a national organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all...

A Couple of Punctuation Points

by Laura Maniglia | Aug 20, 2024 | creativity, differentiation, language

Question: Why does the apostrophe cause so much confusion? What is it about this little punctuation point that bemuses so many? Here’s a case in point: People have difficulty differentiating between it’s and its. (The former ALWAYS means it is, while the latter...

Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

by Laura Maniglia | May 2, 2024 | active learning, brain development, cognitive skills, instruction, language, learning, public schools, reading, student engagement, whole brain learning, writing

Incorporating and emphasizing cognitive skills into the classroom are major elements to support learning. Scientific research utilizes fMRI studies that pinpoint the locus of rational thinking in the prefrontal cortex . However, recent neuro- scientific studies have...

What’s the Good Word?

The Lowly Apostrophe

Handwriting & Early Literacy

Easy as 1-2-3!

A Couple of Punctuation Points

Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

If schools were permitted to have just one training, this is the one!