language Archives - Laura Maniglia

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...

Testing a new NAEP delivery system

by Laura Maniglia | Sep 17, 2023 | academic standing, cognitive skills, instruction, language, learning, math, NAEP, public schools, student engagement

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has announced that the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) “will continue to examine transitions to online assessments and using devices that students are most familiar with.” The assessment will...

Still Descending!

by Laura Maniglia | Jun 29, 2023 | academic standing, instruction, language, learning, math, NAEP, parents, public schools, reading, testing

Two years ago, I reported the disheartening results of NAEP, the Nation’s Report card):”Only 35% of the fourth graders test at or above the Proficient level. The math scores were only slightly better, with 41% reaching proficiency” The scores for eighth grade were...

« Older Entries

Handwriting & Early Literacy

Easy as 1-2-3!

A Couple of Punctuation Points

Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

Testing a new NAEP delivery system

Still Descending!

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