Learning / Parent Resources

Learning at Hawthorn is based on several models, including the Bernstein Artful Learning Model, Understanding by Design, and Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.

• Leonard Bernstein Artful Learning Model
• Understanding by Design
• Howard Gardner Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), formerly National Middle School Association
• Lingo Bingo
• National Dual Language Consortium (NDLC) - http://dual-language.org/resources.htm

Public education is impacted by countless federal and state mandates. The following resources offer information about current topics impacting education.

• Illinois Association of School Boards - http://www.iasb.com
• Illinois Association of School Business Officials - http://IASBO.org
• IASBO Alliance Legislative Report
• ED-RED – http://www.ed-red.org
• Illinois State Board of Education - http://www.isbe.state.il.us

• STEAM: Experts Make Case for Adding Arts to STEM, by Erik W. Robelen, December 1, 2011 posting to online Education Week, http://www.edweek.org.
• How One School Beats the Odds Every Day, by David Markus, November 30, 2011 posting to online edutopia, http://www.edutopia.org.
• Decisions for Life - Part 1 and Decisions for Life - Part 2, November 10, 2011 presentation to Hawthorn Middle North 6th grade students by School Resource Officer Andy Jones. (A similar presentation was provided to all students at Hawthorn Middle North and Hawthorn Middle South.)
• Education trends: The end of the weekly spelling test, by Samieh Shalash, November 14, 2011 posting on Dailypress.com.
• Out With Textbooks, in With Laptops for an Indiana School District, by Alan Schwarz, October 18, 2011 posting on The New York Times/Education (http://www.nytimes.com).
• ‘Screen-Free’ Play Best for Toddlers’ Brains, October 18, 2011 posting on HealthDay (http://www.consumer.healthday.com).
• And Now A Call From the School Nurse, Um Secretary, by Michelle Gerdes, Oct. 12, 2011 posting, The Wall Street Journal (blogs.wsj.com). Please note that Hawthorn schools are staffed with school nurses.
• Sending Kids the Bill for the Mess Left By Wall Street, by Robert L. Borosage, Oct. 13, 2011 posting, The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com). Overview of a report showing the impact of the economy on education.
• Academic Value of Non-Academics: The case for keeping extracurriculars, by June Kronholz, posted in the Winter 2012/Vol. 12, No. 1 issue of EducationNext (educationnext.org).
• CPS students featured in a docudrama addressing cyberbullying, by Maudlyne Ihejirika, Oct. 12, 2011 posting, Chicago Sun-Times (http://www.suntimes.com).
• An Equal Opportunity Educator: Science and math teacher Michelle Shearer, the 2011 National Teacher of the Year, stresses the importance of making rigorous STEM instruction available - and accessible - to all students, by Liana Heitin, Oct. 12, 2011 posting, Education Week Teacher PD Sourcebook (http://www.edweek.org).
• Three Brain-based Teaching Strategies to Build Executive Function in Students, by Judy Willis MD, Oct. 5, 2011 posting, Edutopia.org
• Overzealous parents can ruin kids’ sports, by UPI, Sept. 30, 2011 posting, UPI.com
• Designing Homework to Open the Lines of Communication, by Allison Zmuda, Sept. 19, 2011 posting, ASCD Edge
• What teachers really want to tell parents, by Ron Clark - Sept. 6, 2011 posting, CNNLiving
• Cure for the Cameron Diaz - May 26, 2011 posting, The ASCD Community Blog (Includes references to several education documentaries available for viewing in Summer 2011)
• Galloway Township schools may ban homework over weekends, holidays - May 24, 2011; Press of Atlantic City
• Five myths about America’s schools - May 20, 2011; The Washington Post
• The Overpressured Student - by Richard Weissbourd; Educational Leadership; May 2011/Volume 68/Number 8
• A’s for Good Behavior - by Peg Tyre, November 27, 2010, New York Times - An article on standards based reporting

If your family receives free school lunches, you may qualify for Comcast Internet Essentials, an Internet access package costing $9.95 a month plus tax. More information is available at http://internetessentials.com/ or by calling 1-855-846-8376. Or check the English/Spanish flier for more information.

Other companies may have similar programs. We will provide that information as we become aware of it. Please note that Hawthorn does not endorse nor are we in any way affiliated with Comcast or with any other service provider.

Additional resources are available by clicking on the sidebar on this page. Of specific note are:

• Learning@Hawthorn newsletters,
• Curriculum Info (featuring curriculum guides, homework brochures and more),
• Student Resources (including book lists, study websites and report-a-bully form), and
• Middle School Parent Portal online gradebook.

For more information, please contact Dr. Lisa Cerauli, Director of Teaching and Learning, at 847-990-4251 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).