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Center for Early Literacy Learning Train the Trainers Session - Billings - September 23-24

Center for Early Literacy Learning Train the Trainers Session

MSU Billings College of Education Building - Room 122

In December 2007, Montana was one of eight states selected to participate in a technical assistance grant from the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL). The CELL is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. One of its aims is to provide specialized technical assistance to promote the adoption and use of evidence-based early literacy learning practices for typically developing children and children with special needs. Specialized technical assistance includes statewide training on CELL early literacy learning practices, as well as information sharing events for distance learning and professional development. As requested by Montana, CELL is focusing its Montana initiative on children aged birth to five. Please visit www.earlyliteracylearning.org for more information.

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Education News Parents Can Use - A National Town Hall Meeting with Arne Duncan - September 15th

During the September 15, 2009 edition of Education News Parents Can Use, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will participate in a discussion with parents across the nation by telephone, email, and with a studio audience. This event is one stop along the secretary’s national Listening and Learning tour to gather input on the administration's education agenda, including: early childhood learning, quality schools, parent responsibility, higher standards, teacher quality, health and safety, workforce development, and higher education. For more information, go to http://registerevent.ed.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewer.description&intEventID=233

Early Childhood Reading Web Resource

Link: GRTR!  Get Ready to Read! (GRTR!) is a national program to build the early literacy skills of preschool-age children. The program  brings research-based strategies to parents, early education professionals, and child care providers to help prepare children to learn to read and write. Our goal is to ensure that all children have opportunities to become successful readers. Get Ready to Read! is an initiative of the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

GRTR!'s program vision is that all preschool children will have the skills they need to learn to read when they enter school. This Web site is a part of NCLD's initiative to provide parents, educators, health-care professional and advocated with information to help build early literacy skills by integrating emergent literacy screening and learning activities into routine early childhood education, child-care and parenting practices.

CBC audio: the hurried infant

In 1981 a book called The Hurried Child warned us that children were being pushed too far, too fast. David Elkind’s book became an instant classic. Today it seems the process has only intensified. There are pre-natal stimulation kits to induce fetal learning. Baby Einstein toys. There is also much discussion of how to smart-wire baby’s brain to expand cognitive powers, foster language abilities and improve sleep patterns. IDEAS producer Mary O’Connell explores this new terrain of Super Babies.

Play Audio - 53:05

Link: CBC Ideas