Sally Said:

What do you want in a book?

We Answered:

I like books that have an interesting plot, just when I think everything has been straightened out something else happens. I also like fascinating characters that I can relate to in some way. They don't have to be like me. I just like to be able to say, "Yes, I've done that," or "Yes, that's just like so and so."

I don't like books that belabor a point, keep telling me the same thing over and over in a different way, but there are books other people think are good that do that, so perhaps that's just a personal whim of mine. I don't like books that ramble, making them difficult to follow.

Claudia Said:

I need help with CDA classes?

We Answered:

I can relate. I am currently in the education program at a local university and have 20 lesson plans due soon for one of my classes. I would suggest that you decide on a topic for each age level. Then try a brainstorming web session to come up with ideas that you can work from. Think of topics that that age child would be interested in and can relate to. I'm using shapes for my topic. This can expand into things such as identifying basic shapes by sight then with appropriate vocabulary, shapes in the environment (shape hunt), sorting shapes (after discussing characteristics of those chosen), drawing shape outdoors with sidewalk chalk, grading shapes by size, patterning with shapes, using shapes to create art, etc. Another topic with lots of potential is colors. Children also like to learn about animals. I would support any unit with a good book too. I would discourage using a web site because you really need to be able to figure out how to do this on your own so that you really know how to do your own lesson plans later. Good luck!

Mitchell Said:

Writing a song to teach children about slavery. Will you give me feedback?

We Answered:

No offense, but that sounds like some sinister lullaby a clown from my nightmares would sing. Seriously, childhood memories destroyed right there. And I'm well past 4th grade. I would not recommend singing that to your students, slavery's a heavy enough topic as it is. It would be best to abandon the song format in its entirety here. Seriously, you don't hear creative teachers going around singing "Adolf Hitler gassed some Jews, EIEIO, Burned their corpses in pairs of two, EIEIO, With a smoke smoke here and a scream scream here, Here a smoke there a smoke everywhere a scream scream...". That's grossly offensive, now that I read it back.

Anyway, just describe it to them like a normal teacher would. There you can get all the information out in the right tone, with the right respect and censor it for your 4th graders. That way you don't have to follow the confines of a song, and risk offending someone's parents or something.

Hope this helps, and apologies for my crap songwriting skills.

Zachary Said:

How are television jingles created?

We Answered:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingles
This is a start