Smart LifeStyles

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - Reading Deficits

Why is it so important for young elementary school age children to learn to read and comprehend what they are reading before they reach the 4th grade?

Statistics show that "Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. The fourth grade is the watershed year."

This is one of the reasons the children's books that I've published in the past and the ones that I am currently working on is targeted to the 3rd and 4th graders. 

"My child reads his or her book to me all the time. How can you say they are struggling?" is a question some parents asked when told their child needs help with their reading.  I am currently working with a student who has no problem reading the words. Yet, when asked what she read; she can't remember.  Memory is connected to visualizing. Unless I can visualize the action or content that I am reading, I have a very difficult time remembering what I just read, said or heard.

I designed the “Aunt Debra", "Matthew Mouse" and "No Nonsense Nathan" in a way that helps the reader focus on the words and then the illustrations; or the illustrations first and then the words.  Although "Nathan" is geared more toward the K thru 1 grade, it also helps the 2-3 graders who lag behind. It is my goal not to completely take away the illustrations from books for the 4th graders. As stated before, if a child is struggling in the 3rd and 4th grade my books will slow them down enough to think about what they are reading.  They have illustrations or photographs to help them visualize the meaning of the words they have just read.

I am thankful for my two year exposure to Lea Community School, a community within Schools program and the Philadelphia Freedom Schools.  I have developed a growing appreciation for the challenges that teachers have today.  It's not that their students don't or can't read because of their lack of desire or ability to teach; it's the lack of understanding by the business administrators whose focused is on the numbers which translate into dollars for the schools.  School Administrators are competing for $$ based on how well their students place on standardization tests. So much time is spent on preparing for the statewide tests the teachers do not have time to focus on the core curriculum.

Also, the influx of families from other countries has caused a strain on communications between the teachers, the students and the parents or guardians.  If the parents are not English speaking or English literate how can they possibly be expected to help their child with their educational challenges. This responsibility falls on the school. How insane is this?

I would be very interested in hearing from teachers and other educational professionals to open a dialogue about statewide testing and it's affect on the day-to-day education of our children.  Please voice your comments on this blog or email me at dsmart@gladstonepublishing.com.  If you have programs that you have developed and would like exposure, please contact me via my email I'd like very much to give you the exposure that you deserve.

Start Where You Are: Lessons 1-10

How many times have you heard that before? If you want to be successful...Start where you are.  If you want to become a Christian...Start where you are.  No matter what your goals and aspirations...Start where you are.

It has been a long, hot, and tiring summer.  Philadelphia Freedom School is over and I am out of a weekly income, for now.  I am not panicking.  I know that I have in my hands everything that I need to build an income producing lifestyle.  It may begin as a trickle, but I envision a river of opportunities flowing my way.

I am currently reading, "Start Where You Are" by Chris Gardner, author of "In the Pursuit of Happyness".   I decided to use this book as a mentoring tool to get myself beyond the level of a "trickle" and up to the level where my bills are covered each week, not each month, but each week. I plan to sustain a savings that will yield a six-month cushion in the event of a catastrophe. 

I have three weeks before I am committed to return to work in the After-School Program in Philadelphia. Follow me as I design and implement my action plan to build a more stable business that will generate a solid and consistent income.  I ask that you accept my transparency as a tool that may help you move beyond the trickle that you may be receiving as an income.  Why is working more than one job the only option our people have to climbing out of debt?

 

The Tree of Life
"I am ready to bear Good Fruit"

Overview: Start with resources you already have.

Lesson One: Pursuit
Use Chris' C-5 Complex ingredients to a healthy plan.

• Be Clear
• Be Concise
• Be Compelling
• Be Committed
• Be Consistent

"Do not operate only by dreams and inspiration."

My personal question: What do I hope to accomplish before September 8, 2009?

1.    CLEAR AND CONCISE GOAL AND ACTION STEPS.

Design and implement a plan to pursue the following:

• Become a bestselling author
• Broaden my publishing network of services

What are my immediate goals?

Goal One: Get Back to Basic Self-Training

Action Steps:

1. Listen to my tapes "Power Publishing" by Lori Prokop & Janet Switzer.
2. Listen to my tapes "by Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield.
3. Re-read my books and articles on marketing and publishing.

Lesson Two: Empowerment

The Power of Choice

Focus on completing my own book because I have the track record as a traditional publisher, co-op publisher and contract publisher.  Empower myself, as well as others, to produce written work.

Definition of a publisher: "A company or person engaged in producing and issuing the work of an author."

Books I have published by other authors:

1. No, Nonsense Nathan! Written and Illustrated by Paula Nolte (1999)
2. Before the Smoke Screen by Dave Goerlitz and Gary LaForest (1999)
3. Matthew Mouse by Iris Calaci Illustrated by David Gonzalez (2001)
4. Animal Talk by Donald Morse (Pre-Publication Phase)
5. *Aunt Debra and My Favorite Things Poster by Debra A. Pedrow Illustrated by Sarah Reynolds (2002)
6. Alphabet Soup a Poetry Jam Edited by Deborah Karper...Collection of Poems written by the first graduation class of Creative Arts High School, Camden, New Jersey.
7. *Aunt Debra and the Snack'n String by Debra A. Pedrow - Illustrated by Sarah Reynolds (2004)
8. Eyes of the Dragonfly ---Poetry by Alonzo McCoy
9. CEO of Your Life by Theresa Dozier-Daniel (New Release - 2009)

*I am happy to share with you Debra Pedrow's personal blog. 

"Don't confuse desire to please people with desire to empower them."

Lesson #3: Attitude

"Maintain hope at all times"

Have a Can Do, Take Charge and Self-Reliant attitude.

Inventory

Where am I personally, professionally, emotionally, and physically?

1. Personally - doing fine with the help of the Holy Spirit who guides my every step; and forgives my mis-steps.
2. Professionally - not quite working at the level that brings in financial stability.  Nevertheless, I enjoy what I do.
3. Emotionally - balanced and stabilized by my Father who blesses me everyday.
4. Physically - I need to get back to my Tahitian Noni regiment and daily exercise.

"You have dominion over your mind, your beliefs, and your attitudes."

"The most important weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
Steve Bilko, South African Freedom Fighter

"The Habits of thinking often take longer to change than behavior."
Chris Gardner

Lesson #4: Ingenuity

"What's in your hand?" God asked Moses.

"The story of Moses illustrates that we should not place limitations on ourselves because of perceived lack of skills or resources, or we feel we are not at a high station to dare to do great things." Page 38

For years I lacked confidence because of my limited college education. For ten years off and on, I took courses in the evening while working full-time to get my associates degree in Business Management.  I knew I wanted to have my own business and only focused on business and marketing courses.  I didn't see the relevance in the liberal arts courses, plus I didn't have the funds to continue my college education. I had been laid off in 1985 and could only afford the two remaining classes in 1986 to graduate from St. Joseph's University in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia.  In spite of the fact I had been self-employed, worked with Fortune 500 and top corporations throughout the Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC areas and published nine (9) books; it wasn't until 2005 that I finally accepted my abilities and skills. 

Now, I have gotten into the habit of seeing what resources I have available before I move forward with an idea. It's amazing the gifts and skills you accumulate over the years.  Remember, your brain is a storage facility.  Tap into it.

Lesson #5:  Purpose

"Baby Steps Count Too."

"You may not see the entire staircase, but it is important to take that first step."
Dr. Martin Luther King

Stick-to-it! Remember the greatness of your purpose.  Page 45

My sense of purpose came to fruition after completing the six-day Philadelphia Freedom School Training Course in Maryland Eastern Shores University outside Baltimore and my role as Servant Leader Intern, teaching the six week PFS Program at Lea Community School in West Philly. 

Lesson #6: Instigation

1. Stop Hesitating
2. Take Action Now

"I have what I need to move forward.  I will write and follow a concise and clear plan of action."

Lesson #7: Inspiration

1. Who inspires me to move forward?

            a. Father, Son and Holy Spirit
            b. My husband-Willie
            c. My Pastor - George Holland
            d. My passion to serve

    2.    What inspires me to move forward?

            a. The Bible - 2 Timothy 3:16
            b. Biographies
            c. Well-written movies and books

Lesson #8: Perspective

"Peace be Still" Mark 4:39 (KJV) Page 56

"Take time to calm yourself and rediscover your strength, passions, and establish new goals.  Pray and wait for the clutches of anxiety to peal away."

Excerpt from Page 59:

To overcome despair, maintain perspective and make your way to solid ground.

Tips:

• Remove yourself from the crisis.
• Take a brisk walk or drive.
• Pray and meditate in a quiet spot.
• Journal your thoughts and feelings.

Lesson #9: Research and Development

Action Step:

Traditional Publishing Resources

1. Bowker
2. PMA
3. Library of Congress
4. Baker and Taylor and other distribution resources
5. Local bookstores
6. National bookstore online programs

Self-Publishing Resources

1. Onine Services
2. Distribution Services
3. Marketing Services

Lesson #10: Passion

When you find your passion, accept it fully and completely.  Be confident in your pursuit.  Never stop researching and developing new projects.

Goal: Fuel my passion for writing daily.

Action Step:

1. Talk to at least one writer a day.  Their enthusiasm for their projects will keep me fired up and focused.
2. Write one article each morning.
3. Work on my manuscript in the morning.
4. Work on client projects in the afternoon or early evening.

Post note:

I began reading "Start Where You Are" yesterday afternoon around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.  I knew immediately that it was the tool that would help me get back on track.  I love writing and I love working with people who write.  Experiencing a birth of a book or website is an awesome experience.

I began this post at 9:00 this morning and it is now 2:30.  Even though I am ending today's post, as soon as it's published, I'll take a short break.  I will then begin reading Chapter Two which covers Lessons 11-19. 

So until next time, identify your passion and start where you are.  Start today.

Your comments are welcomed. Please let me know if this post was of value to you.