I've found five books for the middle school gamers in your life. Have a middle schooler (or high schooler) who just can't seem to tear himself (or herself) away from the screen? I get it. Believe me, I get it. But I am willing to bet big Pokédollars that at least one of these books will catch your gamer's fancy. Here's the skinny. . . 5 Books for the Middle School Gamers in Your Life First and foremost, my suggestion to you is that you read these books before or along … [Read more...]
raise a reader gift idea
This is the must-have gift for anyone who wants to raise a reader. THE gift for new parents who want to raise a reader. THE gift for grandparents who want to raise a reader. THE gift for aunts, uncles, and Godparents who want to raise a reader. THE gift for caregivers who want to raise a reader. THE gift for early childhood educators who want to help their students' families raise readers. It's super-simple, and it's surprisingly affordable. This raise a reader gift … [Read more...]
holiday note gift idea for families: unique, thoughtful, and FREE
These holiday notes may turn out to be one of your family's most coveted and meaningful traditions! It's so easy for our little ones (and even adults sometimes!) to lose sight of what the holiday season is all about. So in 2008, when I saw this idea on a late-night, dvr'd Oprah, I knew I wanted to use it. With a little prompting, my family tried out Holiday Notes with both sides of the family. Even though some interpreted the exchange a little differently, it was a success overall. Most … [Read more...]
gifts that give back: ideas for kids and family #givingtuesday
Did you know that today is Giving Tuesday? It's a really simple concept: give. Any way you are able, to anyone. Give. The concept of giving is especially important at this time of the year, and lucky for us, many organizations have made it super easy--and so meaningful!--to give at holiday time. Looking at my kids' bedrooms and our playroom, I see we need very little. So I'm encouraging all of our family members to do something this year that packs a bit more of a punch: buying gifts that … [Read more...]
5 ways parents can show thanks for teachers and schools
Between Election Day, parent-teacher conferences, and field trips, it always seems like things get nutty in November. The novelty of the new year has worn off, and kids—and parents—start slowly slipping into the mid-year blues or pre-holiday anxiety. And if things are crazy for our family, I can only imagine how difficult things can be for our teachers. So November is a great time for us all to step back and extend a bit of thanks to those teachers with whom our children spend hours and … [Read more...]
halloween class party: 10 quickie activities for that extra 10 minutes
Planning class parties can be a real struggle, especially when you're rolling solo as the Room Parent. But for years now, I've made it my goal to share as much as was humanly possible so that no one's stuck trying to figure out what to do with 30 kids eager for a good Halloween par-tay. If you need a full-fledged Halloween class party, you can check out: Halloween class party ideas MORE Halloween class party ideas for the whole deal. But if you just need a quickie 10-minute activity … [Read more...]
free fire prevention resources and games
This is a post sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and Sparky.org. It's October, which means I get to share all about the free fire prevention resources and games from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Woo-hoooo! The resources for educators and families that NFPA provides are totally amazing, and it's something that everyone, whether at home or in school, needs to know about. Here's the skinny. . . Free Fire Prevention Resources and Games First, … [Read more...]
Ward’s Science: grants, lessons, products and more
This week, Owen and I had an absolute blast taking a look at some of the fab science kits that were sent to us from our friends at Ward's Science. Ward's Science is seriously an educator's one-stop shop for all things science, and it has been for years and years. They've got tons and tons of products, resources, lesson plans, and support for helping students connect to science and to really make science come alive for them. And the coolest things about this company are the … [Read more...]
tuition insurance: not even kidding–3 reasons you NEED it
It’s crazy, all of the things we need to think about as parents, isn’t it? Healthcare, school community, family dynamics. Vaccinations, online safety, and friendships. It can be so much. So, when I come across something that is recommended to me by a reliable source or good pal, I tend to go with it. I didn’t have the bandwidth to do the legwork and research needed to find an orthodontist, so when we realized that Maddy was in dire need of some teeth-straightening, I … [Read more...]
online PD to fit your busy schedule
I have been writing about the importance of meaningful learning for over ten years, and whether you’re in the classroom or not, I cannot stress enough the importance of continuing to learn--no matter your age! The problem is that often, as busy parents and educators, we just cannot find the time for it. We’re running on steam as it is, so how can we add one more thing to the list, even if we know we need it? Even if our certificate needs to be renewed or if we know we need to learn more in … [Read more...]
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