by Laura Maniglia | Aug 29, 2022 | academic standing, grading system, homework, instruction, learning, math, student engagement, students
A previous blog discussed grade inflation and its consequent effect on college admissions. Over the last decade, a new version of grade inflation is entering the halls of academia: the “no zero policy.” The argument against the use of zero on a 100 point scale was...
by Laura Maniglia | Aug 12, 2022 | active learning, attention & focus, cognitive skills, creativity, instruction, language, learning, math, mindset, whole brain learning
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published an article that questioned the widely held view that a person’s left or right brain dominance determines a way of thinking and his/her personality. “Left-brained”...
by Laura Maniglia | Aug 1, 2022 | active learning, attention & focus, instruction, learning, reading, student engagement
A previous blog compared paper-based books with digital books for reading comprehension and concluded that the former had advantages over the latter. Evidence from the past 20 years shows the advantage of paper based comprehension. (The exception: narrative-only...
by Laura Maniglia | Jul 25, 2022 | academic standing, active learning, attention & focus, cognitive skills, homework, instruction, language, learning, math, PISA, reading, student engagement
A previous blog presented the advantages of introducing math concepts to preschool children not only for promoting math ability but also for reading as well. While domain specific skills such as counting, number fact knowledge, and calculation skills are...
by Laura Maniglia | Jul 12, 2022 | classroom management, differentiation, instruction, learning, parents, public schools, student engagement, students, teachers, waldorf Schools
Looping is the process in which a group of elementary level students remains with the same teacher for several years. An Australian educator, Rudolf Steiner, instituted the practice in the 20th century, maintaining that a teacher who remains with the same class “is...
by Laura Maniglia | Jun 30, 2022 | academic standing, Admissions, enrollment, testing
In March MIT announced that it would reinstate its requirement that applicants submit scores from an SAT or ACT for admission. The reasoning behind the decision: “To predict student success at MIT.” So, they have resumed merit-based admissions. Currently, no...
by Laura Maniglia | Jun 17, 2022 | active learning, classroom management, instruction, learning, math, public schools, reading, students, teachers, Tutorial
As defined by the National Institute of Direct Instruction, this method emphasizes “well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks.” Initially developed in the 1960’s to...
by Laura Maniglia | Jun 9, 2022 | active learning, cognitive skills, interpersonal relations, language, metacognition, mindset, speech
Intricate connections exist between language and mind/body. Research has demonstrated that an individual’s thoughts manifest themselves on a person’s physiology. Dr. Paul Vishton stated in a lecture in Great Courses: “Language is a central...
by Laura Maniglia | May 31, 2022 | academic standing, active learning, attention & focus, cognitive skills, exercise, goal setting, homework, instruction, metacognition, student engagement, study skills
Failing to plan is planning to fail. How many times do well-intended goals fail? How many keep their New Year’s resolutions beyond the first week or the first month? How often do study hours evaporate? How many reports are late? How many diets fail? Countless...
by Laura Maniglia | May 23, 2022 | academic standing, Admissions, enrollment, NAEP
The 2019 report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAPE), the “nation’s report card,” confirmed what many suspected: grade inflation is a reality. Compared to 2009 statistics, student transcripts reflect an increase in the number of course credits,...
