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,...
by Laura Maniglia | May 11, 2022 | attention & focus, cognitive skills, instruction, language
The United States is becoming increasingly bilingual. As of 2021 approximately 20% of Americans spoke more than one language. Studies show that being bilingual has cognitive advantages.Data from 63 studies indicated that bilingualism is associated with...
by Laura Maniglia | May 3, 2022 | academic standing, active learning, attention & focus, cognitive skills, creativity, learning, mindset, non-cognitive skills, parents
Providing music training to children has positive associations with brain development. An important distinction exists, however, between simply listening to music and engaging in music practice. In 1993, a study called “The Mozart Effect,” asserted that simply...
by Laura Maniglia | Apr 27, 2022 | academic standing, Admissions, students, testing
More than 1300 colleges and universities have instituted test-optional policies since 2020. Most of these institutions accept about 64% of the applicants. Prior to the pandemic, MIT’s admission acceptance rate was 7%, making it the most selective college in the...
by Laura Maniglia | Apr 18, 2022 | active learning, attention & focus, cognitive skills, instruction, language, learning, student engagement, teachers
Cognitive skills are crucial for success in life. “Comprehending and producing language are among the most complex of human cognitive skills.” Being able to produce effective, clear writing requires the writer to understand the language rules. This...
