Thank you to who?Comics for sponsoring this post and encouraging my child to read biographies in comic book form! Please click here to learn more about the app. And follow who? Comics on Twitter for updates. Remember when a teacher assigned a book report? About a week after the assignment went out, you had to bring your book to school for approval, right? I wonder how things are changing--do the kids bring their Kindles, Nooks and iPads to school? Recently, Big has been hooked on biographies. … [Read more...]
Should I send my child to Kindergarten or wait a year?
January 19, 2012 By 8 Comments
As a former teacher who is active in education, I'm asked this question, a lot. There are several factors to consider, as each child needs to be considered individually. In-other-words, I can't give you an answer for your child, only for mine. And I opted to hold both of my August-birthday boys back a year by placing them in pre-Kindergarten, aka "red-shirting." Questions to ask yourself when considering Kindergarten vs. Pre-Kindergarten will my child be the youngest or the oldest? How do I … [Read more...]
How to study, learn and teach spelling words
November 30, 2011 By 3 Comments
Practicing spelling words each night can be boring. What eight-year-old gets excited about writing each word three times or listing them in alphabetical order? Here are a few creative alternative activities to spice up spelling to help your child study and learn spelling words. Create a word search Print out a sheet of grid paper and place the words strategically inside, then fill the empty boxes with random letters. Have your child find the words. Alternatively, have your child create … [Read more...]
How to teach children to save money
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
At around age seven or eight, kids start wanting big things. This is a prime opportunity to teach our children the value in saving money. Big, especially, is learning about saving versus spending. After our hard lesson (for all of us) last fall, Big asked for a wallet so that he could start saving. The hardest thing for kids is to prioritize the value of saving. We all recognize the excitement in instant gratification as an adult--it's often more exciting as a child. This makes it the … [Read more...]
Sexual abuse links
November 10, 2011 By 4 Comments
Our world has been rocked with news of the scandal at Penn State, but the lack of attention on how to help these children is astounding. I've gathered a few resources: Don't Be an Enabler -- When a Child Is Abused, Here's What to Do was written by Michael Reagan, President Ronald Reagan's son. He's not afraid to share his opinion, and he tells it like it is. Because, unfortunately, he knows. "Finally, don't you ever use the "benefit of hindsight" excuse! I've armed you with the foresight to do … [Read more...]
Behavior Management, Goal Setting and the Marble Jar app
November 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My first classroom experience was in special education. We had 13 students. I was a paraprofessional--a teachers' aide. This was my job while I was in grad school, earning my Masters in Education and my teaching certification. My first day, I knew nothing of what to expect. My head teacher placed charts on every child's desk. Each child had his own goal. Some were academic. Others were behavioral. When the children succeeded in their goals, they received a stamp. A part of my job was "stamper." … [Read more...]
