An article about Carol Dweck's mindset theory, applied to talent, asks how a growth mindset can impact creative achievements. ● Does sharing family meals together have a positive effect on children? Two studies draw different conclusions. ● There's surprising news on language dancing, and the “30 million word gap” discovered by Hart and Risley more than a decade ago. In “unprecedented scope and audacity” Providence, RI plans to use the entire city to test the theory. Read how. ● A joint statement, made by Randi Weingarten and Vicki Phillips, Ed Director at Bill Gates’ Foundation, on teacher evaluations, caught eduwonks off guard. Diane Ravitch responds. ● Get informed on ability grouping, school report cards, vouchers, and the unlikely political alliances against the common core. ● Don’t miss the giant Mindcraft map, the size of Los Angeles!
Parenting
A Parent Guide to Teachers’ Unions - Paula Bolyard, PJ Media
Families May Want to Create a Mission Statement - Bruce Feiler, New York Times
Is the American "Boy Crisis" Fictional? - Judith Warner, Time
The Many Myths About Mothers Who 'Opt Out' - Nanette Fondas, The Atlantic
Myth of Family Meals in Parent-Child Bonding Gets Debunked - Carrie Arnold, Scientific American
Family Dinners Boost Teens’ Mental Health - Cynthia Lee-McGill, Futurity.org
The Touch-Screen Generation - Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic
Learning
What Research on Babies and Pointing Reveals - Nicholas Day, Slate
Children Should Be Allowed To Get Bored, Expert Says - Hannah Richardson, BBC News
Scientists Unravel How Kids Learn Math, 1st Grade Is Key - Lauran Neergaard, Washington Post
Mindfulness Improves Reading Ability, Working Memory, and Task-Focus - Science Daily
Talent Isn’t Fixed and Other Mindsets That Lead to Greatness - Jocelyn K. Glei, 99u.com
How to Increase Our Stamina to Learn - Annie Murphy Paul, Time
Education
Providence, RI Plans to Shrink 'Word Gap' with $5M Grant - Ben Zimmer, Boston Globe
Left, Right Unite Against Common Core - Andrea Neal, Indianapolis Star
Let's Go Back to Grouping Students By Ability - Barry Garelick, The Atlantic
Parents Relying on School Report Cards Can Be Confused - Michele Molnar, Education Week
BYOT: Some Schools Urge Students to Bring Their Own Tech - Matt Richtel, New York Times
6 Steps to Effective Teacher Evaluations - Vicki Phillips & Randi Weingarten, New Republic
Weighing in on the Weingarten-Gates Article - Diane Ravitch, Diane Ravitch's Blog
With Vouchers, States Shift Aid for Schools to Families - Fernanda Santos & Motoko Rich, NYT
Good News about Low-Income Students - Caroline M. Hoxby, Brookings Institution
Resources
Here Comes Peter Cottontail, Like You've Never Heard It (Free Music Download) - coolmomtech
How Fans Recreated Game of Thrones in a Minecraft Map the Size of LA - Laura Hudson, Wired
How Do I Get My Kids Started on Minecraft? A Parents' Primer. - coolmomtech
Sylvia Plath's Little-Known Vintage Children's Book - Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
Ten Tips for Selecting Great Games - Stevanne Auerbach, Huff Post Parents
