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We're excited about Show What You Know on the MSP!
Many students do not do their best on a test because of unfamiliarity with the format and anxiety. These workbooks and flashcards help students reduce stress, boost confidence, and find out why answers are scored the way they are.
Check out our current specials for a discount.
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Celebrations in March:
2nd-Read Across America
and
Dr. Suess' birthday!
11th-Daylight Savings
17th-St. Patrick's Day
20th-First Day of...
If you need ideas on how to celebrate any of these days come visit us. We'd be happy to help!
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Greetings!
Some tasks just stink! It doesn't matter how much you love your job or your family, there are some things that we just don't like doing. For you it could be completing report cards, preparing for tests, or perhaps cleaning up the shavings left beneath the pencil sharpener? Mine is doing book keeping. My staff knows to steer clear when I'm huddled in the corner, surrounded by receipts, pencil tucked behind my ear, fingers clicking the adding machine and steam puffing from my ears. As much as I dread this monthly task, I am filled with great joy once it is complete, as I have successfully conquered my enemy again. When I have a chore hanging over my head my favorite way to work through it is with a timer. I can do anything for 30 minutes. I set my timer and work diligently for 30 minutes, then I am free to quit. Sometimes I do quit, but more often I smile and say, "I can go another 30 minutes" or "I bet if I keep going I can have this finished in 20 minutes." What tasks do you despise? What are your secrets for conquering them? I would love to hear your comments on our facebook page!
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Common Core Standards
 Adopted in June 2011, the Common Core Standards are a hot topic right now. Whether you love them or hate them (or have no idea what they are) this is the year to become familiar with them. Currently, districts are in phase 1, which means "developing awareness of what standards are and how they differ from existing standards." For a thorough look at what will be required, visit www.corestandards.org and download the standards (pdf file). These standards will be in affect for the 2014-2015 school year. Visit OSPI to read more about the 4 phases of adopting the standards and for other helpful resources.
The purpose of Common Core Standards is to have all states meeting the same educational standards in English, Language Arts, and Mathematics to prepare children for success in work and post-secondary education. The discrepancy between states can be huge, causing children (especially those of military families) difficulty when transferring schools. Along with shared standards, resources and experience will be contributed to benefit all states. If you're interested in the latest information, there are webinars about the Common Core Standards offered on the OSPI website.
Know someone else who could use this information?
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Trivia: pencils down!
 So, as usual, I have found a fascinating history behind an everyday object: the pencil. People had used a burnt end of a stick or a thin lead rod called a stylus before solid graphite was discovered England in the 1500s. Graphite was first wrapped in sheepskin, to keep fingers clean, and string to prevent breaking. In Italy, they began using wooden holders for the graphite rods. Mass production began in 1662 and continued to improve in countries such as Germany, France, the United States, and England. Around 1890, American manufacturers began painting their pencils from China yellow, culturally symbollic of royalty and the best quality. Traditional barrel colors from other countires include black, green, and red. Surpisingly, mechanical pencils were invented in 1822. The pencil has been all over the world, but it may no longer travel in space (Where would a broken pencil lead go?).
Bonus: Does pencil lead conduct electricity? Email the correct answer in the next 48 hours for a chance to win a $5 Learning Tree coupon good on anything in the store! Five correct respondents will be chosen at random.
Congratulations to January's trivia winners Hope, Rebekah, and Janet. The answer is: pie crusts were first commonly called coffyns.
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 Our goal is to make your experience at the Learning Tree a happy one. We receive great joy in hearing how we help you and meet your educational needs. Please let us know how we can serve you better. |
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Sincerely,
Cyndie and The Learning Tree staff
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