Podcasts

Listen to IDRA’s Classnotes Podcast about Using Semillitas de Aprendizaje

Geometry in Early Childhood – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 139

Often, we think of preschool children learning their shapes rather than learning geometry. But of course that is what they are doing. But we can make that learning of geometry so much deeper through the use of storytelling. In this podcast episode, Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., an IDRA senior education associate, describes how storytelling can help students make observations, apply that knowledge to real-world experiences and build critical thinking skills. She uses one of IDRA’s bilingual Semillitas de Aprendizaje stories, Dos Pollitas Listas ~ Two Smart Chicks, as a model to show how the stories go beyond literacy development to make connections to STEM learning.

Readers Theatre in Early Childhood Ed – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 134

It’s never too early to engage children in exploring science and math. And in bilingual classrooms where children are learning English, science and math can be deliberately integrated to support language learning. In this Classnotes episode, Rosana G. Rodríguez, Ph.D., IDRA director of development, and Juanita García, Ph.D., an IDRA education associate, talk about how early childhood teachers can weave activities grounded in inquiry that develop bilingual skills and oral language in bilingual classrooms by simultaneously introducing mathematics concepts at very young ages. Using a story from IDRA’s Semillitas de aprendizaje supplemental curriculum Rosana and Juanita demonstrate how teachers can use Readers Theatre to engage students in developing oral fluency, a critical factor necessary for reading comprehension.

Bilingual Stories for Young Learners – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 80

IDRA has developed a unique bilingual (Spanish/English) set of early childhood materials that is based on the art of storytelling. Semillitas de aprendizaje focuses on literacy development and has culturally-relevant materials for 3- and 4-year-old children. Juanita García, Ph.D., an IDRA education associate, and Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., an IDRA senior education associate, describe the first set of theme-based materials that is available, 10 big books, and how they’ve been used with teachers to align with Head Start competencies and Ellen Galinsky’s seven life skills every child needs.

Bilingual Stories for Young Learners – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 80

IDRA has developed a unique bilingual (Spanish/English) set of early childhood materials that is based on the art of storytelling. Semillitas de Aprendizaje focuses on literacy development and has culturally-relevant materials for 3- and 4-year-old children. Juanita García, Ph.D., an IDRA education associate, and Nilka Avilés , Ed.D., an IDRA senior education associate, describe the first set of theme-based materials that is available, 10 big books, and how they’ve been used with teachers to align with Head Start competencies and Ellen Galinsky’s seven life skills every child needs.

Early Childhood Classrooms of Excellence – April 4, 2007

A Classroom of Excellence is a place where all young children thrive and are ready for school. IDRA has developed this model for creating early childhood classrooms of excellence and has been implementing it in several centers in San Antonio. Research is showing dramatic results among participating children. José L. Rodríguez, M.A., an IDRA education associate, and Josie Cortez, M.A., an IDRA senior education associate, share highlights of the model and transformations that have occurred in classrooms for children, teachers and families.

Hear other Classnotes Podcasts on these and other related topics.