Can you imagine scanning the brain of adolescents while they watch a video clip of their moms' criticizing them? Neither could I. But, this research might offer some clues to parenting adolescents. 1 This week find articles covering three of our top 10 learning concepts--10,000 hours, language dancing, and background knowledge. 2 3 5 Top education policies covered this week include common core, accountability, and teacher effectiveness. 4 6 7 Do you know any young kids who are fascinated by weather events? Here's an app that will engage their interest. It's called Marco Polo Weather. 8
Parenting
Can You Turn Screen Time Into Family Time? - Michelle Miller, Joan Ganz Cooney Center
Parents Told: Use iPads to Get Reluctant Boys to Read - Graeme Paton, The Telegraph
1 The Teen Brain “Shuts Down” When It Hears Mom’s Criticism - Christian Jarrett, Wired
Being an 'Elephant Mom' in the Time of the Tiger Mother - Priyanka Sharma-Sindhar, The Atlantic
Talking About Racism With White Kids - KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times
Flex Time Doesn’t Need to Be an HR Policy - Scott Behson, Harvard Business Review
Learning
Why Physical Activity During Childhood Matters - Society for Research in Child Development
2 Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect - Nathan Collins, Scientific American
3 How Baby Talk Gives Your Child the Best Start in Life - Aviva Rutkin, NewScientist
Why Students Avoid Academic Help - Max Nisen, The Atlantic
Education
What Every School Can Learn From Preschools - Anya Kamenetz, nprEd
Neuroscience Improves Early Childhood Education Quality - Ellen Galinsky, HuffPost
Is the U.S. Focusing Too Much on STEM? - Alexandra Ossola, The Atlantic
4 Common Core Has No Better Alternative - William J. Bennett, CNN Opinion
5 Prior knowledge: Can we really level the playing field? - Tim Shanahan, Common Core Watch
Education Isn't the Problem—Inequality Is - Matt Phillips, The Atlantic
12 Questions for School Reformers Who Say One Thing, Do Another - Anthony Cody, WashPost
6 Should the U.S. Make Standardized Tests Harder? - Mikhail Zinshteyn, The Atlantic
7 Principals Reject ‘Value-Added’ Teacher Assessment - Valerie Strauss, Washington Post
Resources
8 Marco Polo Weather – A Fun App About Weather - iPad Apps for School
What to Read Next: Kids' Holiday Books for December - Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media
Data-Driven Parenting App Gives Personalized Tips for Every Kid - Kyle Vanhemert, Wired
GeoToys: Smart Playtime Plus a 20% Off for GeekMom Readers - Laura Grace Weldon, GeekMom
“High School Story” Wants To Make SAT Prep Fun - Catherine Shu, TechCrunch
5 Hot Tech Toys for Kids in 2014 - Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media
Read a few articles each week, and gain parent cortical mass! If you enjoy our weekly article roundup, please email it to a friend, or share on social media. Thank you!