I've talked a lot with my kids about the importance of making green choices. They know all the terms ("Mommy! We should Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!") and try to remember not to leave things on or running. But when I ask why, they become stuck. "To help the Earth" is an easy reply. "To keep our place clean." "Great answers, kids, but why?" I remember taking a teaching writing class. We were instructed to ask our students: What? So what? And so I asked them: What? "Be green." So what? "It … [Read more...]
Earth Day… week… month… year…
April 22, 2011 By 2 Comments
I wasn't going to write a post about my thoughts on Earth Day. Not this year. Not after two posts last year that, pretty much, explain it all. But. Here's the thing. I still think about it. Earth Day still bugs me. You can read about my thoughts on Earth Day. And you can read about more of my thoughts on Earth Day. And, because Earth Day bugs me, I hesitated to work on a bunch of campaigns this year, celebrating Earth Day. But, I did. Why? Because whether I write about it today, tomorrow, … [Read more...]
Standardized Testing: The option to opt out
March 27, 2011 By 16 Comments
It's no secret that I take issue with standardized testing. Many teachers and parents do. The problem is that most of the population believes they are required, mandatory tests and that, because they're government run, there's nothing we can do about these Standardized Testing "requirements." Most of the population doesn't realize that parents can research and choose to opt out of standardized testing. The population is wrong. There is an option to opt out of standardized testing. In the … [Read more...]
Introducing Smarty Ants & the Phonics Pup, with another Giveaway!
November 19, 2010 By 28 Comments
About two weeks ago, I was asked if I'd be interested in reviewing a new company and product. Honestly? I'm swamped. But when I clicked through out of general curiousity I knew, without a doubt, that I had to make time for Smarty Ants. Middle and I are thrilled Idid. Middle and I signed up for our free trial of Smarty Ants, a downloadable software phonics program created for children ages 4-7 by the creator of LeapFrog, to teach basic reading skills through first grade. I am still so impressed … [Read more...]
Should schools and PTOs be encouraging children to eat fast food?
October 21, 2010 By 10 Comments
Image by Downing Street via Flickr Last week, I heard of an elementary school fundraiser entitled McTeachers. It seemed that teachers would be working the registers at a local McDonald's and "a percentage of all sales" would go directly to the school. (Note the word "a", and not a number. We have no idea if this was 50% or .25%). In a time when Jamie Oliver is hosting a top television show teaching families to eat healthy and changing our schools to serve non-processed foods, and schools and … [Read more...]
Outraged! Philanthropic Fundraising at a Public School
September 17, 2010 By 9 Comments
A flyer came home from school in my first grader's backpack today, asking for donations to support Leukemia and Lymphoma research. Every child who has $1 donated in his name will have a balloon with his name on it posted in the lobby at the school. I am a huge supporter of Leukemia and Lymphoma research. I support and make donations on my own. I have no problem sending $1 to school. I will send $1 in my son's name, for my son's sake. Why the outrage ? The kids are now going to be looking … [Read more...]
