As the PreK-3rd movement picks up steam in Seattle and around the country, schools need examples of what works, and Early Ed Watch has excellent overviews of some initiatives that are showing good returns in New Jersey and a link to its more in-depth policy paper.

The paper describes how New Jersey built a robust, diverse provider system to deliver high-quality universal pre-K in the Abbott districts, took steps to expand pre-K services for at-risk children in the state’s other 560 districts, and has done more than perhaps any other state in the country to link these early learning investments with early literacy reforms in the K-12 system, creating a seamless, high-quality PreK-3rd early learning experience for the state’s most disadvantaged youngsters. – “PreK-3rd Models in New Jersey: Panel at Ed Trust Conference.” 11/16/10. (You can read the in-depth policy paper here.)

Head over to Early Ed Watch to check it out.

The Greatness of Gratitude: If you are looking for reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving, read about the benefits of gratitude on the Wall Street Journal’s lifestyle blog, The Juggle.

Recent studies have shown that adults who often feel grateful are more energetic, optimistic, happier and have more social connections than those who do not. What’s more, grateful people earn more money, sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly and have greater resistance to viral infections, Beck writes. Meanwhile, kids who regularly give thanks tend to be less materialistic, get better grades, set higher goals, complain of fewer headaches and stomach aches and feel more satisfied with their friends, families and schools than those who don’t, (WSJ reporter Melinda) Beck adds. – “Gratitude: The Wonder Drug.” The Juggle. 11/22/10

You also can also read the entire story: “Thank You. No, Thank You: Grateful People Are Happier, Healthier Long After the Leftovers Are Gobbled Up.”