BOOK REVIEW ‘Together We Can Make a World of Difference’
Author: Charlene Sutter Arvizu Bookstand Publishing |
www.bookstandpublishing.com | $25.95
It’s not often you pick up a book filled with coloring pages,
curriculum ideas, form letters to parents and homework as- signments all under one cover. “Together We Can Make a World of Difference” is a kindergarten/elementary teacher’s dream manual; written by a kindergarten teacher herself (and teacher of the year for Santa Clara Valley, Calif., in 2006), Arvizu takes readers through a series of suggested writing exercises, month-by-month curriculum ideas and student activities. Her book offers step-by-step instructions for what works
with kindergarten-age students in such an easy “teacher-like” format that a person new to the classroom could use the in-
formation to draft a virtual lesson plan for the entire year. While this book is indeed geared towards primary teachers and even parents, it is a
great example of what could be created for this same age group with school transpor- tation, safe bus ridership practices and young child methodology in mind. Te school transportation industry is filled with training manuals for drivers, but rarely do those resources have the actual mind and learning capacity of the young rider in mind. Te first part of the book is dedicated to teaching the teacher about the new student enter-
ing kindergarten, offering orientation ideas and ways in which to welcome new students to a new school year and classroom. For kin- dergartners, this is often the first “classroom” experience in a school setting. Having this same type of instruction and
“idea packet” for drivers and new bus rid- ers would not only be easy but would be worth the preparation time to welcome our youngest riders to the bus in addition to a new classroom. Ideas for school bus orien- tation for our newest school bus passengers or even “free bus rides” before school starts could certainly help with some of the begin- ning of the year jitters…for parents, too! In addition to suggested hands-on,
classroom activities and lesson plans, Ar- vizu includes monthly, suggested learning strategies such as assignments, role play- ing, reading lists and teacher resources. Te mind of a kindergartner needs constant vari- ety and distraction, and varying the teaching methodologies helps
the young learner
grasp concepts without losing interest. Tis is very true of the young bus rider, and
Because Repeatability Matters!
• Computerized cutting provides repeatability for the best fit and finish in the industry. • Large distribution network. • Passenger securement systems.
Arvizu’s ideas for the classroom are a perfect platform for building school bus rider cur- riculum. Coloring pages, activities to do with parents and siblings and even books to read specific to safety and the school bus can bring home the school bus safety message. Even using this book’s concept of a month- by-month focus could be easily transferred to the school transportation world — es- pecially during those months where there is already a set theme such as back to school and School Bus Safety Week. Tere is no question that the school
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bus is an extension of the classroom, but it is often challenging to educate young/ first-time passengers. Using the strategies set forth in Charlene Arvizu’s “Together We Can Make a World of Difference” can prepare school bus riders to make that connection and help school bus drivers who make a difference on a daily basis.
— Alexandra H. Robinson, M.Ed., CDPT and NAPT President-Elect
3/3/10 4:20:39 PM
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