national preparedness month: what you need to know | teachmama.com
family lifeparenting

national preparedness month: what you need to know

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

I don’t know about you, but for my family, September is pretty hectic.

We’re all adjusting to new schedules, getting used to new faces, and trying to stay sane.

And we’re all tired.

Really tired.

 

So I’m grateful when I’m told what I need to do, like when someone tells me:

Amy, buy the TI-83 Plus from Amazon because it’s the best price. . . or,

You definitely can’t miss the church picnic because they sell the best empanadas. 

I’m here to share something important with you, my friends. I’m telling you what you need to do and what you need to know: September is National Preparedness Month, and there are some things going on this month that you definitely do not want to miss.

There are things you cannot miss.

Here’s the skinny. . .

National Preparedness Month: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe

Some of you who’ve been hanging around here for a while may remember way back when I wrote about what families in the DC Metro area can–and should–do to prepare for a natural disaster or a weather emergency.

Maybe some of you even remember seeing our family on ABC World News Tonight talking about how our family was not prepared for a weather emergency. (Or maybe you just remember what my kids thought we should pack. Gulp.)

Well, to keep things focused, if you want to keep your family safe in the event of a natural disaster, you need to know three basic things:

  • You need ICE Cards.
  • You need an Emergency Plan.
  • You need an Emergency Preparedness Kit and Go Bags.

Check out a cute, quick video from Save the Children–all about the Prep Step which you’ll learn more about this month:

This month, I’ll share the how-to, the 101, the total lowdown on each of these elements, so definitely stay tuned. 

And as part of a partnership with Save the Children, I’m inviting you to join me to learn more and to share experiences so that we all learn, we all stay safe, and we are all prepared to the best of our ability to keep our families safe in the event of a natural disaster.

The bottom line, my friends, is this: no matter where in the world we are, we need to be prepared so that we keep our children safe. It’s not about lugging an enormous suitcase with us everywhere we go or building a bunker in our back yard. It’s a lot more simple than that.

Believe me.

national preparedness month: what you need to know | teachmama.com

Until then, put these dates on your calendar:

  • Tuesday, September 13, 8 pm ET: HUGE Instagram Loop
  • Wednesday, September 21, 1 pm ET: National Preparedness Month Twitter Event
  • Tuesday, September 27, 1 pm ET: Facebook LIVE Loop

Each event will involve some fun and friendly faces, prizes (yay!), and will be packed to the max with information you will need and can use that very day. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how you can adequately prepare your family for a natural disaster and how others around the country are doing the same.

So join me, my friends.

I look forward to learning with you!

 

fyi: I am so excited to be a Save the Children Fellow this year, along with nine other influencers. Huge and happy thanks for our friends at Save the Children for inviting me to be a part of this group and for doing everything they can to keep children–all around the world–what they need to grow up happy and  healthy.

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easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com
Activitiescrafts

Easy Homemade Stamped Pencils: Plain Pencils Go From Boring To BAM!

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

It’s hard to find ways to send our littles off to school with a bit of love once they become tweens.

So these easy homemade stamped pencils are a super-easy way to make plain pencils go from boring to BAM! (channel your inner Emeril), and they also are a great way to send kids off to the wilds of the week with a little love.

 

Tweens may feel ready to walk to school or the bus stop with their buddies—sans parents.

Tweens may feel ready to pack their own lunches without Mom or Dad’s help.

Tweens may feel it’s too intrusive for family to write notes in their planners or agenda books.

Tweens may feel too rushed to read notes during lunch or snack.

So when I saw these DIY Personalized Stamped pencils from my friend Amy Allen Clark of MomAdvice.com, I was over the moon.

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

I loved how simple these stamped pencils were and how easy they were to make. I loved how they added a really inexpensive bit o’ flair to an otherwise boring school supply.

And I loved that by creating a few stamped pencils for our kids allowed me to send them to school with just a little bit of extra love from home.

All you need are a few things to make these personalized pencils, and honestly, once you have the supplies, I really think you can do a ton of cool things with them.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Easy Homemade Stamped Pencils: Plain Pencils from Boring to BAM!

I love that these are a little way to slip a note of encouragement to my kids during the day. It’s so fun, and you don’t need a whole lot to make them.

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

All you need for these pencils is:

Making these stamped pencils is super easy, and coming up with the words you want to stamp on them is really fun.

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

I wanted to do some pencils with the kids’ names on them, but I also wanted to include some words of encouragement for them. So these are the words I stamped on our pencils:

  • name
  • work hard
  • just breathe
  • learn
  • have fun
  • smile
  • be kind
  • you rock
  • awesome kid
  • love
  • school rocks
  • be you

I really kind of made them up as I went along, and it was easy. You really can’t go wrong. Just dive in and start stamping!

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

All you do to make these easy homemade stamped pencils is:

  1. Choose the words you want stamped.
  2. Place the pencil flat on the table, on top of a few magazines to ease the blow of the hammer and to protect your table or countertop.
  3. Grab the letter stamp and place it on the ink pad.
  4. Position the letter on the pencil and hit it with a few small taps.
  5. Do the same thing with each letter until your message is stamped.
  6. Wipe the pencil with a paper towel or napkin to get rid of the excess ink.

These, my friends, are not perfect. But you get the idea, and your pencils–I promise!–will improve with practice. \

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

easy homemade stamped pencils plain pencils go from boring to BAM! teachmama.com

My kids loved them. They really did.

And I loved watching them put the stamped pencils into their pencil cases as they prepared for the first day. So fun. So cute.

Huge and happy thanks to the amazing and talented Amy from Mom Advice for sharing her idea. She seriously rocks.

 

 

Need or want a few more ideas that may be helpful as you move into the new school year?

Click on the image below:

how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-instagram-teachmama.com_

 

cool-instagram-accounts-for-tweens-and-new-users-to-follow-teachmama.com_

Want a little more back-to-school fun? A few more rockstar resources?

Follow Teach Mama’s board lunchbox love notes on Pinterest.

Follow Teach Mama’s board school & teacher appreciation on Pinterest.
amy @teachmama

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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delaying kindergarten | our experience as parents and educators | teachmama.com
Best Of Teach Mamafamily lifeschool

delaying kindergarten: our experience as parents and educators

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Should I send my 5-year-old to Kindergarten, or should I wait a year?

What are the benefits of ‘redshirting’ my child for Kindergarten? 

Does another year of preschool really make that much of a difference?

What’s the big deal?! It’s KINDERGARTEN!

It’s so funny how often I’ve referenced a piece about our reflections on sending Owen to Kindergarten that I wrote for the DC Moms over five years ago.

Probably a dozen times each and every summer, readers email me with the million-dollar question: Should we send our 5-year-old to Kindergarten or should we wait a year? 

 

I send them a link to my article and say, It’s totally your decision, but here’s what I think. . .

So I’m just going to run the piece here, and honestly, I’d love to hear what you think and what your experience has been.  If your child has a fall or winter birthday, it’s usually not a big deal; it’s a no-brainer. You send your child to school when she’s 6.

But if your child is a late spring or summer birthday, the question sometimes arises: send the child as a young, newly-turned 5-year-old or wait a year until your child is 6?

Here’s what we did:

Delaying Kindergarten: Our Experience As Parents and Educators:

** Originally posted on August 5th, 2011 by amy mascott on the DC Moms **

Our son turned five last August, and he was slated to start Kindergarten here in Montgomery County three weeks after his fifth birthday.

But we decided to wait a year to send him to Kindergarten.

He didn’t go.  We redshirted him, and we couldn’t be happier.

Neighborhood kids who hit the big numero-cinco last summer walked up the street and to the school on August 30, brand new backpacks filled with super-cool supplies, packed lunches, and bellies full of butterflies.

But my son did not join them.

Kids all over the county just days or weeks older than my son—some even younger than he—sat through five hours of lessons, five days a week, for nine months of this year, but not my son.

Instead, my son scooted to and from the elementary school each day to drop off and pick up his first-grade sister, and he went to three days of pre-K—one half day and two full days where he stayed for ‘lunch bunch’ with his buddies.

Instead of going to Kindergarten, my son, my youngest daughter, and I hit parks, hit libraries, hit nature centers, and hung out during the times they weren’t in preschool.  We read books, did puzzles, went grocery shopping, had playdates.  We took the Metro into the city, we went to the zoo, we took our dog to the dog park.  I watched as mathematics and numbers opened up to my son, as his curiosity about the world around him grew and he became a reader.

Instead of beginning his public school career at the ripe old age of five, my son played a little longer.  His Matchbox cars, dinosaurs, and Legos saw a lot of action, ran a lot of races, fought a ton of battles.  He kicked around at indoor soccer. He helped me try new recipes.  We played games.  He played with his sister. Some days they were best friends; other days they fought like strange bulldogs.

Sure, waiting a year to start public school meant that we ended up paying a pretty penny for another year of pre-K, but we did it, and we are glad.  Though it was a decision that we labored over, talked about for months, and really questioned long after plans were firm, it is a decision we felt was necessary and right for our son.

Both my husband and I are professional educators; he is an administrator who taught both elementary and high school, and I am a Reading Specialist and former high school English teacher.  We understand the game, but it doesn’t make a decision like this any easier. It does, however, give us a little more insight as to the demands of school today and what our son will be faced with down the road—not only in Kindergarten but in grade three, six, nine, twelve.

delaying kindergarten | our experience as parents and educators | teachmama.com

Just because I could quite often discern my ‘young’ ninth grade boys from the others because they were a few steps behind socially doesn’t mean it’s the case for every younger student. There’s no scientific proof or compelling data that will demonstrate to us that the decision to redshirt our son was correct.  Maybe there will be down the road, but there’s nothing now. We looked. We researched. We had to go with what we felt would be right.

We might say we understand the public school game in our area because we have experience in this arena; we are, however new at this parenting gig for which there’s no manual, no degree, and no certification.  All we know for sure, as we walk this journey is that everyone we leaned on for advice—every seasoned parent who had to make this same decision—suggested we wait. They advised us to wait a year on Kindergarten because they did the same for their close-to-the-cutoff birthday child, and they felt it was the best decision they could have made—for their child, for them as parents, for their whole family.

I will be sad beyond belief come August when my son, newly six and sporting his own brand new backpack, super-cool supplies, packed lunch, and belly full of butterflies, joins the neighborhood kids on their walk to school.  I will miss him terribly for the long day he’s in that building just steps away from our home. But he will enter that school more ready for Kindergarten than he was last summer.  He will be a more eager learner, a more patient friend, and a more capable student.  And it is our simple wish that our decision to wait on Kindergarten will set him up for a more successful—worthwhile, meaningful, pleasant, and fun–thirteen years and then some.

*********

delaying kindergarten | what we did and why teachmama.com update

And now, as parents of a rising 5th grader, did we make the right decision?:

Owen is entering 5th grade this year. Fifth grade. I cannot even believe it.

Though he is not even halfway through his school career, I think it’s worth stepping back again. If we would have sent Owen to Kindergarten as a 5-year-old, this year our O-Man would be entering the wilds of middle school. Middle school.

And that, my friends, we cannot even imagine.

‘Redshirting’ is a personal decision, made only by totally and completely assessing each individual child and family’s situation. What was right for one kiddo may not be right for another. We all know that. But looking back thus far, was it the best decision for our son?

Absolutely. 110%, yes and yes.

Here’s why:

  • Owen is a bright boy, and he went to Kindergarten feeling confident in himself and in his abilities. He could write his name, read some words, and play with numbers. He grew tremendously in his last year of pre-K.
  • Because Owen excelled in Kindergarten, he immediately became a confident student and boy.
  • Owen was able to help other students which made him a leader in the class and admired by his peers.
  • Teachers challenged him and pushed him to go beyond what he believed he could do.
  • Initially, Owen was a bit on the smaller side, and he has grown into a strong and physically-able young boy, managing P.E. and recess games with no problem.
  • He scored high enough to be put in an accelerated math class which will get him on track to be continually challenged through middle and high school.
  • He has worked through some initial speech issues but has totally become able to communicate effectively with administrators, teachers, and peers.

Now, were there times when we had to meet with the teacher to make sure he wasn’t getting lax in his work or over-confident in his abilities? You bet.

Were there times when we had to talk to him about all of the normal kid-things like acting in respectful ways to peers and adults? Yes.

Were there times when he struggled with homework or assignments and needed support? Absolutely.

Were there times when we had to help him to work through playground challenges with peers? Yepper.

delaying kindergarten what we did and why teachmama.com update fb

Always, no matter who the child is, the open line of communication between the teacher, the student, and the parent is super-important and absolutely necessary no matter how the child performs in school. That’s the key, friends. The key.

Overall, we feel as though our decision–this huge decision–set him up for a solid school career. At least we’re hoping. We’ll check back again in a few years and let you know how things are going.

Until then, we’ll keep knocking wood and hoping–no, praying–that we’re doing the right things. Because goodness knows, this parenting gig is the toughest yet.

Want a little recent research that supports our decision?

Check out a recent study by Standford University. Interesting stuff.

*********

 

What do you think, friends? What has been your experience with delaying Kindergarten?

I’d love to hear it!

 

how to get your child ready for kindergarten: summertime prep

Want a few cool alphabet activities? Check out:

And don’t miss our #raiseareader series on YouTube!

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

 

Follow teachmama’s board LITERACY on Pinterest.


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how to play james bond | card game for families | teachmama.com
family funfamily lifeindoor activities

How to Play James Bond: Fun Card Game for Familes By Cora Mascott

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

This summer has been all about card games over here.

We’ve been doing a lot of card game playing, and I remember doing the same when I was young. We’d go on card game binges almost–playing the same card game for days on end.

 

It’s part of being a kid, I think.

So I’m thrilled to have Cora over here again, guest posting for me and sharing one of our favorite card games of the summer: James Bond.

One of the kids’ babysitters taught them how to play James Bond last summer, but this summer, the kids taught my husband and me to play, and we’ve taught friends and cousins and aunts and grandparents.

It’s a great card game for families.

Here’s the skinny. . .

How to Play James Bond — Fun Card Game for Families, by Cora Mascott:

Object:

The object of this game is to be the first person to get four of one card in all of their piles of four.

How to play:

  1. Shuffle the cards.
  2. Deal 48 of the cards in piles of four evenly among all the players.
  3. The last four cards go face up in the middle of where you are playing.
  4. On the count of three say, “Go!” And all the players pick up one of their piles of four.
  5. The object of the game is to be the first person to get four of the same number cards in all of their piles of four.
  6. If there is one ace in the middle and you have three aces in your pile, you can discard the card that is not an ace and pick up the ace in the middle. Then you put the pile of four off to the side and try to get other piles of four!

Hints:

  • Don’t forget that you can only pick up one pile at a time.  You cannot be looking at two piles at the same time!
  • Maybe you have a 7 in one pile and another 7 in a different pile. You can discard the 7 from the first pile and pick up another card from the middle.  Then in the second pile you can discard and pick up the 7 that you just discarded from the first pile. Then it is  easier for you to get a pile of four matching numbers!

Cora even created a video to help you better understand how to play, since this game is a little confusing at first.

Check it out:

Check out more awesome, fun activities for families on our YouTube channel.

Do you good shows for 8-12 year olds | teachmama.comhave any feedback? Any questions? Ideas?  Have you tried this game? Let us know!

We’d love to hear what you think!

Want more about game playing ettiquette?


Huge and happy thanks to new teachmama.com contributor and overall totally awesome kid, Cora Mascott, for this thoughtful show list.

Cora is 9-years old and spends her time tumbling, cheering, swimming, and diving. Cora is an avid writer who will plans to one day teach Kindergarten and spend summers writing books and working in a candy shop.

Check out Cora’s other posts: 

good tv shows for 8-12 year olds | teachmama.com cora mascott

And check out more posts about games you can play with your family:

how to play bunco with FAMILIES | teachmama.com

minute to win it games for kids and family teachmama.com

musical hearts reading, moving, & crazy-fun kid game teachmama.com

strike it out

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How To Make An At-Home Writing Center
writing

How To Make An At-Home Writing Center

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Writing centers are something that I first created for my kids years and years and years ago.

Though the format has changed slightly (we no longer use the hot pink shower caddy), my kids still have nearly all of their writing supplies close at hand all. The. Time.

at home writing center | teachmama.com

 

If we want our kids to write, my friends, we need to make it easy. Especially for those guys who reluctantly write and will give us any excuse not to put a pen to the paper.

Everything should be together so that whenever we say:

  • Hey Owen, will you make a quick list for me?
  • Will someone please walk through the house and write down the chores that need to be done?
  • Nana isn’t feeling well. Can someone please write her a quick note? 
  • Who wants a playdate? Write your buddy a note and invite him or her over to play!
  • Write down three movies you want to see this summer, and we’ll pick one out of a hat for this rainy day!

. . . kids are quick to jump at the chance to do the job!

Here’s a quick look at writing centers:

Check it out:

 

Like this video? Check out the whole #RaiseAReader playlist and definitely subscribe to our channel!

 

Need — or want–to know MORE about the writing center?  Visit: https://teachmama.com/traveling-writing-centers/ 

 

And here are a few more posts on all things early literacy. . . 

(Click on the image to find the post!)

 

activating schema get kids ready for reading

critical thinking during read alouds

10 tips for read aloud learning

questioning to improve reading comprehension | teachmama.com

 

What burning questions do you have about reading or literacy? I’d love to hear them so that I can (hopefully!) address the topic during one of the videos.

Just leave it below, and I’ll do what I can to cover it.  Looking forward to this!

Follow along wherever works best for you, my friends, with the hashtag #RaiseAReader — 

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

Want a few more early literacy or alphabet activities? Check out:

 

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

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best books for family read-alouds | teachmama.com
read-aloud learning

best books for family read-alouds

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Oh, friends.

So many of you have asked for book lists that I’m going to make it a summer of book lists for you.

Brace yourselves.

One each week.

For the most part, I’ll keep them short and sweet– ten books max– because I know we’re all busy, and I know that’s sometimes all we can handle.

But the coolest part? I’ll have my kids helping.

 

That’s right.

Maddy, who’s 12, Owen, who is 10 now but who will be 11 by the end of the summer, and Cora, who is 9, will be helping me to curate lists. Straight from their nightstands to this lil ole blog.

Of course, I’ll weigh in as well with my two cents’ worth. Because I’m doing what I can to keep up with their reading as well.

So you’ll get a bit from the tweens, and you’ll get a bit from an educator mama.

Here we go!

Best Books for Family Read-Alouds:

Reading as a family is hard. I get it.

We’re all doing different things, and especially as the kids get older, it’s tough to find books that everyone is interested in on top of a time that works for everyone.

Listen, friends.

I’ll give you the books the kids will like. You find the time that works.

These books are some of our favorites. I am betting that soon they’ll be yours, too.

  • Hoot, by Carl Hiassen  
  • Readers will learn to look for the silver lining after seeing how Roy’s experience with a school bully allows him to have the adventure of a lifetime.

  • Wonder, by R. J. Palacio
  • August Pullman is not your ordinary 5th grader; in fact, he’s nothing short of extraordinary. This book is one that every, single child should read.

  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling 
  • Harry is an underdog from the beginning. Readers will love to watch his confidence grow as he learns how to navigate life inside–and outside–the walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
  • One of the most beautiful tales about appreciating the journey instead of the destination, Edward Tulane’s adventures will be unforgettable for young readers.

Grab all of the books here: (click on a book and get it this week with your Amazon Prime!)
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

 

 

And you want to take the read-alouds even a bit further?

You can.

Here’s how you can take your family read-aloud a bit further:

 

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

A few more literacy-related posts worth reading. . . (click on image to read!)
what to say when kids make reading mistakes teachmama.com.png
5 things to never say to emerging reader
literacy terms every parent must know
talk to kids about books
how to help kids choose just right books
Want a little more help with all things literacy?  
Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

 

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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spend save and give jars | money matters | teachmama.com
math

Cool and Interactive Tool For Teaching Kids Financial Literacy

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Oh, friends.

How I wish I were better about teaching my kids to budget, to stay on top of finances, and to save money.

It’s not my thing.

But it should be.

It should be everyone’s thing. A basic necessity.

As I reviewed the cool, interactive tools for teaching kids about financial literacy from PwC Charitable Foundation, this became crystal clear to me.

And because April is also Financial Literacy Month–yes, it really is!— what better time to share this with you than now?

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab 8

Except for our Spend, Save, and Give Jars from way back when, we have not done much in terms of teaching our kids how to save or the importance of being money smart–financially literate.

Sure, we gave our kids ways to earn money with Gem Jars as they got older, but we never really taught them how to budget. How to save. How to plan.

Or why it’s necessary.

I learned a ton from these resources on Earn Your Future Digital Lab, and I’m amazed that they’re available for anyone–any parent or teacher to use.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Cool, Interactive Tool for Teaching Kids Financial Literacy:

This whole thing may sound pretty crazy and complicated, but it’s not.  The Earn Your Future Digital Lab makes things pretty easy and straightforward once you register as a parent or teacher on the site.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a screen like this:

Register.

Register, my friend, to get the fun rolling.

 

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy | teachmama.com

teachmama.com

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com 2

 

Registration is simple and will only take you a minute or two for parents or teachers.

Goodness knows that we’re all so busy we hardly have time to learn one more platform, right? This one, my friends, is easy.

I promise it will take a second.

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab

They’ve made it really easy for you to add a student (or child, if you’re a parent) or to import a class list from a .csv file.

If you’re a parent and you’d rather not add students (like I did above, because I’m a really big nerd), you can simply have your child access the Earn Your Future Digital Lab by clicking on the ‘Launch Earn Your Future Digital Lab’.

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab

Once on the screen, kids can choose either:

  • Level 1 (Beginner): content designed for kids in grades 3-5 [Coming in fall of 2016!]
  • Level 2 (Intermediate): content designed for kids in grades 6-8 [focus: Help them plan for their future and make smart decisions about money.]
  • Level 3 (Advanced): content designed for kids in grades 9-12 [focus: Prepare students for life after high school and a look at careers, income, saving, credit, budgeting, home buying, risk insurance, stock market, and more.]

We only really looked at the Level 2 resources since Maddy is in grade six.

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab

In Level 2, there are seven sections to explore: 

  • Module 1: Mortgage Mystery
  • Module 2: Truth or Dare?
  • Module 3: Can I Afford a Phone?
  • Module 4: Too Good to be True?
  • Module 5: What’s Your Interest?
  • Module 6: #Link2YourFuture

Maddy looked closely at several modules over time, and I think we both learned a lot.

Kids can earn ‘badges’ for each module they complete. You know we all love a little pat on the back when we finish something with success. . . 

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab

cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy teachmama.com | Earn Your Future Digital Lab 8

Each section is interactive and packed with information. I mean packed.

Like any solid lesson or unit plan, the modules contain pre-tests, reminders, mini-quizzes to check for understanding, repetition of material, and engaging, interactive components.

The support and resources available is astonishing. Really.

Each module contains printable teacher guides, introduction videos, related videos, and more. I actually almost couldn’t believe how much support was there–but it needs to be! Some of these topics are pretty confusing for kids — and adults!

earn your future | teachmama.com | financial literacy

The lessons provide a ton of talking points and conversation starters for kids and parents; the PwC Charitable Foundation also includes more related resources on their website.

They’re organized both by topic and age level. You can grab them here: Additional Financial Literacy Resources.

And really, I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: the resources are amazing.

Though this is a late beginning for us as far as raising financially literate children, I’m excited. 

I really am.

I’m excited about these resources.

I’m excited about this opportunity.

I’m excited that I get to share this with you, and I’m excited that all of our kids will learn a bit thanks to the Earn Your Future Digital Lab.

And I’m excited that I get to learn a bit, too.

What do you think? Is this something that you will check out with your kids? Might you pass on these resources to your child’s school or teachers?

I’d love to hear it!

 

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with PwCCharitable Foundation, but as always, all opinions are my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.

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think aloud while reading reading tip 9 #raiseareader teachmama.com
comprehensionreading

think aloud while reading — here’s how! reading tip 9 #raiseareader

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Thinking aloud sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it?

Like the only people who would even think about thinking aloud might be a little ‘off’ or something?

Well, friends, here’s the thing: thinking aloud is actually something you want to do because it can help your kids become better readers.

Check it out:

 

 

Check it out:

Like this video? Check out the whole #RaiseAReader playlist and definitely subscribe to our channel!
Need — or want more?

Here you go: (click on the image to find the post!)

 

activating schema get kids ready for reading

critical thinking during read alouds

10 tips for read aloud learning

questioning to improve reading comprehension | teachmama.com

 

What burning questions do you have about reading or literacy? I’d love to hear them so that I can (hopefully!) address the topic during one of the videos.

Just leave it below, and I’ll do what I can to cover it.  Looking forward to this!

Follow along wherever works best for you, my friends, with the hashtag #RaiseAReader — 

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

Want a few more early literacy or alphabet activities? Check out:

 

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

A few more literacy-related posts worth reading. . . (click on image to read!)

what to say when kids make reading mistakes teachmama.com.png
5 things to never say to emerging reader
literacy terms every parent must know
talk to kids about books
how to help kids choose just right books
Want a little more help with all things literacy?  
Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.
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help your child through difficult texts teachmama.com
read-aloud learning

How To Support Your Child Through Difficult Texts

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Okay, so you’re all into reading aloud with your kids, right?

You’ve got a great bunch of books to read, but your child insists on reading one that’s a notch (or two or three!) above her reading level?

It happens more often than not, so don’t be alarmed.

 

If your child’s friends are all reading Harry Potter and she’s still at the Cam Jansen or Amelia Bedilia stage? She’s going to want to read what her buddies are reading.

And that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with striving high and reaching far.

But it means that she’ll need a bit more support than she wants to admit.

So if your child wants to work through a difficult text, you need to establish some SOSS rules.

SOSS stands for: 

  1. State the facts
  2. offer an Opt out
  3. create a Signal
  4. Shake on it

You need to be clear about the reading situation so that the child doesn’t reach a frustration level early on; or, if she does become frustrated, you need a plan.

Because friends, most likely at some point she’ll be frustrated through the text if it’s not at her working, instructional level.

Here’s the thing to always, always remember: reading aloud, at home with parents, should be easy and fun. It should be low-stress and enjoyable. Bottom line.

Reading. Should. Be. Fun.

There are some ways to work through a difficult text together if you, as the parent, aren’t going to do the reading yourself—if your child wants to do the reading.

Here’s the skinny. .  .

How To Support Your Child Through Difficult Texts

1.  state the facts

Say, Okay, this is a little more difficult text than we’re used to, so that means a few things: 1. It means we’re going to run into words we don’t know how to pronounce or words we don’t know. 2. It also means that we may run into ideas we don’t understand.

2. offer an opt out

Say something along these lines:

Knowing that this is a tougher text, you now have a choice: do you want to find a new book, one that’s less challenging, or do you want to work together through this one? You decide.

3. make a signal

If the decision is to drop the book and find another, find another best fit book.

If the decision is to stick with it, say something like:

Cool. We’re sticking with this book, so we need an SOS signal to use whenever we hit a word we don’t know how to pronounce or know the meaning. The SOS signal can be a snap, a clap, a raised arm, a whistle, a hoot, a holler, a whisper, a ‘Help!’, a shimmy shake—anything.

It just has to be easy to do, and you have to be comfortable doing it whenever you need a hand.

Once the signal is decided upon, make sure that the signal is used and that you follow up with: Do you want the word or want me to take over the reading? Either way works for me!

4. shake or slap on it

Like any big business transaction, to seal the deal, you need to shake on it.

But in this case, you can slap five, too. Either way works.

Just make it clear that everyone understands how to proceed. That way, there will be no hard feelings, no upset, and (hopefully) no frustration.

 

Friends, it’s just about letting kids know that as parents, we’re here to help them. And that it’s okay to ask for help.

And that we’re not judging them or grading them while they read—we’re supporting them.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

A few more literacy-related posts worth reading. . . (click on image to read!)

what to say when kids make reading mistakes teachmama.com.png
5 things to never say to emerging reader
literacy terms every parent must know
talk to kids about books
how to help kids choose just right books
Want a little more help with all things literacy?  
Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.
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reading aloud with older kids | teachmama.com
reading

reading aloud with older kids: what parents need to know

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Over the years, I’ve talked a lot about reading, but recently, as I looked back, I realized I haven’t shared too much about reading with older kids.

There are definitely some things parents need to know when it comes to reading aloud with bigger kids.

And since my kids are now 12, 10, and almost 9 years old (gasp!), I thought I’d share.

 

Did you know that the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report shared that 40% of kids ages 6-11 years old said that their parents no longer read aloud to them –but that they wished their parents still did?

I found that figure interesting.

Even though our kids are getting older, it doesn’t mean they don’t want their parents to read to them. I love it.

So friends, let’s do it.

I know it’s hard, though, right? We’re so busy now that our kids are older. We’re schlepping them from activity to activity, doing homework and projects, trying to manage a household and a job ourselves. When can we possibly fit in reading aloud to our older kids?

We can do it. I know we can. We can find time.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Reading Aloud to Bigger Kids — What Parents Need to Know: 

We can find time because it’s that important—and our kids—and we—will benefit from it.

But before you get all excited and find your kid and grab any ole book, I thought I’d share a few things you should know.

1. Kids like funny books.

They really do. And why wouldn’t they?

They’re kids—and they’re silly.

The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report found that more than 91% of kids ages 6-17 say that their favorite books are the one they pick out themselves and the number one thing kids say want when reading for fun is a “book that makes me laugh.” Above all, kids want funny books; this was the top response of all kids at 70%.

So laugh together we will, right?

Here are a few of our favorite funny books that would work great for read alouds with bigger kids:

2. Kids want to know what you think.

They really do. So share what you think while you’re reading by doing just that—thinking aloud.

Thinking aloud sounds fancy, but it’s really not. You simply read a bit, pause, and then share what you’re thinking.

You could comment about characters, settings, or actions. You could make connections, ask yourself questions, or make predictions. You could be serious, snarky, or silly.

Do whatever you’d normally do. Just share what you’re thinking.

You may find that your child comments back. You may find that your child just gives you the side eye. You may find that your child ignores you.

But the important thing is that your child will hear you interacting with the text. Your child will begin to understand and recognize (if he or she doesn’t know this already) that reading is an active process where the reader, text, and context all work together to make meaning.

And eventually if your child starts commenting back—agreeing or disagreeing with you—or adding his or her own thoughts, awesome!

3. Kids like consistency.

Whether you sneak in a few minutes of reading time before school or after school, after dinner or before bed, it doesn’t matter. Just find a time that works for you.

And stick with it.

I’ll be honest: this is where I am a huge failure. I start something and then life gets in the way, and I drop the ball. We’ll read for four days and then an activity will come up, the weekend will follow, and then we totally fall off-track.

But I do know that we’re working on it.

And I also know that it’s okay.

And I also know that even if we drop the ball for a few days, getting back into the book and talking through where we left off is okay. It’s a helpful life skill, too, to think back, look at the text, and reacquaint ourselves with story. Right? Right.

Have something else to add? I’d love to hear it!

Please follow along with our daily reading tips:

 

Seriously, we’re that excited about having everyone #RaiseAReader, we’re shouting it from a mountaintop. If we can do it, you can do it, too!

 

That’s it, friends.

fyi: About The Kids & Family Reading Report — it’s a biannual report from Scholastic and managed by YouGov. Results are from a nationally representative survey with a total sample size of 2,558 parents and children including 506 parents of children age 0–5, 1,026 parents of children age 6–17, plus one child age 6–17 from the same household. The survey was conducted during August and September, 2014. For the full methodology, see www.scholastic.com/readingreport.

 

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

A few more literacy-related posts worth reading. . . (click on image to read!)
what to say when kids make reading mistakes teachmama.com.png
5 things to never say to emerging reader
literacy terms every parent must know
talk to kids about books
how to help kids choose just right books
Want a little more help with all things literacy?  
Follow Teach Mama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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valentine books for middle graders teachmama.com
holidaysvalentine's day

valentine’s day books for middle grade readers

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Confession: Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday.

I think it’s nerdy. I think it’s cheesy. I think it’s unnecessarily stressful.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m all about making homemade Valentines, rocking Valentine’s Day Class Parties and eating fondue as a family; I just think the chocolate and flower gift-giving is annoying.

And I really love chocolate, and I really love flowers.

 

So instead of buying your kids chocolate that they don’t need and instead of buying flowers they don’t want, I have an idea.

How about buying your kids some books for Valentine’s Day?

Or how about heading to the library and picking up a bunch of books for them that they can read this week? This heart-filled, pink and red week?

Add a literacy twist, and Valentine’s Day takes on a whole different spin. In my mind, at least.

So because I have three middle graders under my roof, I thought I’d share some Valentine’s Day books for middle graders. That is, books for the 8-11 year old set.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Valentine’s Day Books for Middle Grader Readers: 

The first three sets are recommended for grades 3-6; the last four are for slightly older readers.

 

valentines day books for middle grades teachmama.com 1

1. Valentine’s Day from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler and illustrated by Jared D. Lee

2. How to Drive Your Family Crazy on Valentine’s Day, by Dean Marney

3. Star Wars: A Very Vader Valentine’s Day, by Trey King

4. The Valentine’s Day Disaster, by Brandi Dougherty

valentines day books for middle grades teachmama.com 2

5. 23 Ways to Mess Up Valentine’s Day, by Valerie Wilson Wesley

6. The Valentine Star, by Patricia Reilly Giff

7. Abby’s Un-Valentine , by Ann M. Martin

8. Valentine Frankenstein, by Maggie Twohill

valentines day books for middle grades teachmama.com 3

9. Candy Apple #22: The Sweetheart Deal Special Edition, by Holly Kowitt

10. Roses Are Dread, Violets Are Boo!: A Vampire Valentine Story, by Michelle Poploff

11. My Weird School Special: Oh, Valentine, We’ve Lost Our Minds!, by Dan Gutman

12. Love Stinks!, by Nancy E. Krulik

valentines day books for middle grades teachmama.com 4

13. Four Stupid Cupids, by Gregory Maguire

14. Heart to Heart With Mallory, by Laurie B. Friedman

15. Candy Apple #7: Totally Crushed, by Eliza Willard

16. The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 7), by Jeff Kinney

valentines day books for middle grades teachmama.com 5

17. Valentine Princess, by Meg Cabot

18. Crush: Stories, by Ellen Conford

19. Mates, Dates, And Cosmic Kisses, by Cathy Hopkins (or get the whole series!)

20. It’s Happy Bunny #1: Love Bites, by Jim Benton

What am I missing? I’d love to hear what Valentines books are your faves for this age group.

Want a few more fun Valentine’s Day ideas? Check out: 

how to throw a rockstar valentine's day party teachmama.com 2

valentine's day class party ideas, 2.0 | teachmama.com

minute to win it class party | teachmama.com

valentines-day-class-party-ideas-teachmama.com_

middle grade vs young adult novels scholastic teachmama pinterest

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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minute to win it class party collage teachmama.com
Best Of Teach Mamaholidaysvalentine's day

Minute To Win It Class Party: Organized, Planned, And Super-Fun

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

A Minute to Win It class party?

You bet.

We have been all about Minute to Win it this year after we rocked out a Minute to Win It Family Game Night a few months ago, so when I asked Owen what he wanted to do for his Valentine’s Day class party, without hesitation, he said, Minute to Win It!!

 

So I started thinking about how we could make this work for a classroom filled with 24 fourth graders.

It definitely would be vastly different from our little, at-home 10-person family gathering.

I wanted to make sure that with our short amount of class time that the kids not only had time for Minute to Win It games, but they also had time to deliver and open Valentines and eat their snack.

I thought and thought. Researched and conferred with Maddy, Owen, and Cora, and I think we figured out how a Minute to Win It class party can really work.

Do you want to buy the whole Minute to Win It Class Party as a download? It’ll make your life tons easier! 

buy now button

Here’s the skinny. . .

Minute to Win It Class Party — Organized, Planned, and Super-Fun:

The most important thing is to have every little last bit of the party planned out so that there’s little to no confusion on party day.

Before anything, talk to the teacher. 

You want to make sure that you and the teacher are on the same page and that you know his or her expectations, ideas, and party requirements. Talk about the Valentine’s Day Class Party Letter you need to send home with all of the kids, and share a draft before you make copies.

You can grab what I’ve used in the past here: How to throw a Rockstar Valentine’s Day Party.

Then develop a plan. 

minute to win it class party | teachmama.com

If you’re Room Parenting solo, then you brainstorm the plan. But if you’ve got a co-parent, then work together to figure out what will work best.

And write it down.

There’s nothing worse than going into a classroom for a class party and having no idea what’s going on.

A plan keeps everyone informed and on top of what’s happening.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”HBVTgBch” upload-date=”2020-02-01T21:51:18.000Z” name=”Minute_to_win_it_Val” description=”A Minute to Win It class party?

You bet.

We have been all about Minute to Win it this year after we rocked out a Minute to Win It Family Game Night a few months ago, so when I asked Owen what he wanted to do for his Valentine’s Day class party, without hesitation, he said, Minute to Win It!!” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Here are our ideas for the Valentine’s Day Minute to Win it Class Party:

If you want this whole party as a quickie download, grab it now!

Supplies needed:

Now what? 

Divide class of 24 students into 6 groups of 4 using heart stickers. 

minute to win it class party

This is really the way to go.

If you want to keep score, have students fill out score sheets as they go. I really think this works better than having the scores posted so the whole class can see them, but some people think that’s the fun part.

Do what works best for the group!

And then make sure you have a parent at each station. 

Here are the cards we’ll use at each station.

minute to win it class party cover teachmama.com

minute to win it class party cover teachmama.com

Kids will pick a tiny heart sticker from a bowl before we get started, and that’s how we’ll organize groups.

The back of each station card will have the order of group rotation.

Our Minute to Win It Games

minute to win it class party: organized, planned, and super-fun

Station 1: need tiny conversation hearts, 4 sets of chopsticks, sandwich bags, bowl in center and 4 plates

Tiny Heart Chopstick Race: Players work individually to move as many tiny hearts from a central bowl into their own plastic cups, using only a pair of chopsticks.

Winner moves the most hearts to his/ her plate.

When finished, students put all hearts into sandwich bag.

Station 2: need Nila Wafer cookies and sandwich bags.

minute to win it class party cookie face

Cookie Face: Players have a Nila wafer cookie on their foreheads and have one minute to move that cookie from their forehead and into their

The winner is the player who moves the most cookies from forehead to mouth in one minute’s time!

Students put cookies into sandwich bag when time is called.

minute to win it class party bracelets

Station 3: need Fruit Loop cereal, pipe cleaners, plastic plates, sandwich bags.

One-Handed Bracelets: One minute to thread as many fruit loops onto a pipe cleaner as

And then–here’s the clincher–the player has to make that pipe cleaner into a bracelet. Using one hand.

Winner has the most Fruit Loops on pipe cleaner.

When finished, students put Fruit Loops and pipe cleaner into sandwich bag.

minute to win it class party: organized, planned, and super-fun

Station 4: need big conversation hearts, 4 plastic plates, and sandwich bags

Big Heart Towers: Players have one minute to stack as many big hearts with one hand as they can. It’s harder than you may think!

The winner is the person who has the highest stack after one minute.

Students put their hearts into a sandwich bag when finished.

minute to win it class party: heart race

Station 5:

Heart Race: need 50 paper hearts, 4 serving spoons, 4 plastic bowls

Students stand across from a partner, about 10 feet apart. Each person has five paper hearts on a serving spoon and has to walk quickly to the other person and drop as many hearts as possible into a bowl. When the hearts are dropped, the partner can then walk quickly to the other side and drop his/ her hearts into a bowl.

This continues until time is called.

The winning person has transferred the most hearts from one side to another!

minute to win it class party: heart race

Station 6: need 36 bathroom cups for each student (about 150 total) 

Stack Attack: Players have 1 minute to completely stack and unstack 36 bathroom cups into a pyramid.

Winner is first to complete the task.

Please remember: Class parties should be fun, easy, and low-stress for all kids. Maybe instead give one point for every beanbag that hits the target. 

Keep it light!

Do you want to download this whole awesome Minute to Win It Party Plan? You got it!

buy now button

buy now button

Let us know what you think! We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!

minute to win it class party | teachmama.com
Want a few more fun Valentine’s Day ideas? Check out: 

how to throw a rockstar valentine's day party teachmama.com 2

valentine's day class party ideas, 2.0 | teachmama.com

 

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how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe | teachmama.com
digital literacy

How To Set Up Iphone For Family Sharing So That The Whole Family Stays Cyber Safe

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

It’s hard to decide whether or not to give your child a mobile device.

It’s hard to decide when your child may be ready to have his or her own iPhone.

It’s hard to decide whether or not to give your child a tablet, old phone, an iPod, iPad, or computer.

I’m not here to tell you the exact when or where–that’s up to you and depends wholly on your family’s situation.

But I’ll tell you this: you’ve got to think through the decision–the whole thing.

Because, my friends, it’s a different time, and if you don’t 110% think through the decision, you will be sorry. Though there’s so much good out there–there’s also so much bad. Gross, awful, and nasty.

And it’s our job as parents to help our kids walk gracefully through–or past–it.

I’ll be honest: I struggled to figure out how to properly set up our devices most safely. It took time, but I am hoping it’s worth it.

Hoping that my sharing here will save you some serious time.

Here’s the skinny. . .

How to Set Up iPhone for Family Sharing:

Our family has a mad mix of both Android and iOS devices.

Many of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the item, teachmama.com gets a teeny, tiny percentage of the sale which helps us keep this website and all of its resources free for everyone. 

how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe | teachmama.com

 

Here’s the breakdown: 

We also have:

I’ve talked about our Screen Time Tickets — the system of managing Maddy, Owen, and Cora’s screen time so that we wouldn’t go crazy. It worked for us for a long, long time.

But they’ve definitely aged out of it.

Maddy is 12, Owen’s 10, and Cora is 8 years old, 9 in just three months.

We used Gem Jars for a while, and we tied gems into screen time. But they’ve aged out of Gem Jars a bit, too.

how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe | teachmama.com

So we’ve moved more toward a relaxed system where we:

  • have one day a week totally and completely unplugged- our ‘unplugged Wednesday’;
  • allow kids to come home and get on devices for 15 minutes after school, to wind down and relax a bit. Owen usually checks his Fantasy Football, Maddy and Cora check email;
  • give the kids time to be online. After homework, I may say, Okay–you have until 5pm to be online. After that, you’re off.  And honestly, it works pretty well. At one of our last Family Meetings, the kids requested that we try this system, and it’s been working well.
  • charge all of our devices in one happy, little spot each night: the Satechi Charging Station Dock with a few Android micro USBs and Apple micro USBs.

I finally decided on setting up iOS Family Sharing for several reasons:

  • I can monitor the kids’ whereabouts with the iOS Find Your Friends feature;
  • We all have our own iCloud accounts but can share music, photos, movies, and books;
  • I like that each person can create his or her own contacts that will then follow them on whatever device they log into;
  • I wanted each child to be able to use and practice iMessage on the iOS platform–and because many of the kids’ aunts, uncles, and grandparents use iOS, I know we can all be in group chats together;
  • I wanted the kids’ friends to be able to Facetime them;
  • We have 5 iOS devices in the house, and Maddy just got an iPhone;
  • With WebSafety, I can even more closely monitor what happens on each device, with each child.

Is Family Sharing for you? Check it out. Learn more. Decide–because it’s got to feel like a good fit.

**********

Here’s how we have set up Family Sharing for our iOS devices and how you can too:

Believe me, it’s a bit time-consuming, but you can–and should–set aside an hour to do it for your kids’ safety.

1. Log into your iCloud account on your device. If you don’t have an iCloud account, create one: www.icloud.com.

2. Make sure you have a payment method set up in iTunes. You may have to put in your credit card. It’s annoying, but just do it.

3. Now, set up iCloud account for each child.

how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe | teachmama.com

Head over to your child’s device and log into your iCloud account.

  • Go to SETTINGS -> ICLOUD -> click on FAMILY
  • ADD FAMILY MEMBER -> Create an Apple ID for a child
  • Enter BIRTHDAY -> AGREE to Parent Privacy Disclosure ->
  • Verify Payment Method by entering the 3-digit security code on back of card ->
  • Enter child’s name ->
  • Create Apple ID (I used the same as the kids’ gmail address) ->
  • Create Apple ID password ->
  • Create Security Questions ->
  • Ask to Buy: YES ->
  • Share Child’s Location with Family: YES ->
  • Terms and Conditions: Agree

4. Set up your child’s email on the device. If your child has a gmail account, you want to merge the gmail account with the iCloud account. That way, all friends who have the gmail account can very easily connect with the child using that account.

  •  Go to SETTINGS -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars ->
  • Go to iCloud.com on your browser.
  • Sign into your child’s iCloud account.
  • Go to Manage Account.
  • Go to Account -> Edit.
  • Add an email address.
  • Click Done and sign out.

how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe | teachmama.com

5. Set up Messaging and Facebook on your child’s device.

  • Go to SETTINGS -> GENERAL -> MESSAGES -> SEND & RECEIVE and make sure that iMessage is activated for your child.
  • Remove any accounts you do not want on this device. (My own account was on several iPads, so I removed it!)
  • Go to AUDIO MESSAGES and VIDEO MESSAGES and make sure they never expire.
  • Go to SETTINGS -> GENERAL -> FACETIME and make sure that Facetime is activated for your child.
  • Go to SETTINGS -> PRIVACY -> LOCATION SERVICES and make sure that you have Share My Location enabled.

6. Go to the APP STORE and search for WEB SAFETY (WebSafety for Android / WebSafety for iOS).

  • Download the WebSafety app onto the device.
  • If you haven’t created a Web Safety account for yourself, do that now. It’s free. And awesome.
  • Log in and register your child on your child’s device. That means, you’ll log into your WebSafety account and choose either ‘Protect this device and track activity’/ MY CHILD OR ‘Provide me notifications about my children’s protected devices’/ PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
  • If you choose MY CHILD, you’ll add your child to this device.
  • We have WebSafety added to Maddy, Owen, and Cora’s phones and iOS device that they use. It’s not because we don’t trust them; rather, it’s because we want to be aware of their online activities and because we love them and want them to be safe.

7. Almost finished! Promise. Now, go to iCloud -> SIGN OUT of your iCloud account on your child’s device.

8. Now, on that child’s device, sign into your child’s iCloud.  This will mean that the child will kind of ‘own’ the device.

9. Enable Restrictions on the child’s device. (This. Is. HUGE.)

Go to SETTINGS -> GENERAL -> RESTRICTIONS.

  • Enter a passcode that only you will know.
  • Create restrictions for all that you want to manage. This is what we ALLOWED:
    • Safari
    • Camera
    • Siri & Dictation
    • Facetime
    • AirDrop (on newer devices)
    • iTunes store
    • Apple Music Connect
    • iBooks Store
    • Podcasts
    • News
    • Installing Apps
    • Deleting Apps
    • DID NOT ALLOW In-App Purchases
  • ALLOWED CONTENT:
    • Ratings for: US
    • Music, Podcasts & News: CLEAN
    • MOVIES: PG
    • TV Shows: TV-PG
    • Books: RESTRICTED
    • Apps: 9+
    • Siri: RESTRICTED (did not allow Explicit Language / DID allow Web Search Content — but you may change this)
    • Websites: LIMIT ADULT CONTENT
    • Password Settings: REQUIRE AFTER 15 MINUTES
  • PRIVACY: (This is a big one!)
    • Location Services: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES / Share my Location: YES from THIS DEVICE with family / Go into each App that uses Location Services and modify accordingly. If it’s a device that will mostly stay home, then turn off Location Sharing for most Apps.
    • Contacts: ALLOW CHANGES (I allowed this so that the kids can add their friends.)
    • Calendars: ALLOW CHANGES
    • Reminders: ALLOW CHANGES
    • Photos: ALLOW CHANGES (I allowed changes here but removed photo-sharing from many Apps and games.)
    • Share my Location: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Bluetooth Sharing: ALLOW CHANGES
    • Microphone: ALLOW CHANGES (I allowed changes here but removed from many Apps and games.)
    • Twitter: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Facebook: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Advertising: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
  • Allow Changes
    • Accounts: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Cellular Data Use: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Background App Refresh: DON’T ALLOW CHANGES
    • Volume Limit: ALLOW CHANGES (But if kids are young maybe not)
  • Game Center
    • Multiplayer Games: ON (My kids like Minecraft and play regularly)
    • Adding Friends: OFF

10. Now, create a Family Media Agreement. 

family media agreement | teachmamacom

And talk to your kids regularly about online safety, being online, and being a responsible cyber-citizen.

Talk about communicating effectively online. Set up texting groups with family members.

Monitor, monitor, monitor.

Use WebSafety.

 

One of the best ways I’ve found to stay connected and on top of things?  Being online myself.

If you want or need a start, here:

how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-instagram-teachmama.com_

 

cool-instagram-accounts-for-tweens-and-new-users-to-follow-teachmama.com_

This post is part of our Digital Kids series: 

digital kids | teachmama.com

Read more about raising digital kids:

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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gift guide best books as gifts | teachmama's picks | teachmama.com
reading

best books as gifts for everyone on your list

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

 

Books are all over our home, all of the time.

Tons of books–books from book fairs, from yard sales, from the library, from school, from friends, from publishers–you name it.

We are a book-loving family through and through, and for that I am grateful.

So which books out of the sea of millions, should you pick up for your kids this year? We’ve got them right here. And if you need more ideas, definitely look at our Best Books as Gifts post from last year. They’re both perfectly usable. Books don’t go out of style.

And really, I’m often about a year (or five) or so behind on books, so there’s that.

 

Anyway, here is our biggie–the list for which I am particularly proud this year, since (eeeeeeee!) my book (yay!!), of course (yippppeeeee!), has made the cut (I still can’t believe I wrote a book!!).

Here’s the skinny. . .

Best Books as Gifts:

If you need something slightly younger, check out our Preschool Gift Guide or even our Toddler Gift Guide, and if you need something a little older, check out our Elementary School Gift Guide or our Middle School Gift Guide. Phew. We’ve been busy.

Click on the image or click on the link; they’ll both take you where you can quickly grab the product, and we even found a few great deals for you.

Many of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the item, teachmama.com gets a teeny, tiny percentage of the sale which helps us keep this website and all of its resources free for everyone. Yay! 

Best Books as Gifts for the Littler Guys

teachmama gift guide pen teachmama gift guide chengdu teachmama gift guide waiting
teachmama gift guide little tree teachmama gift guide book of who teachmama gift guide yoga
teachmama gift guide why teachmama gift guide lakota teachmama gift guide busy day
 teachmama gift guide manners  teachmama gift guide birds teachmama gift guide motorcycle

My Pen, by Christopher Myers — How I love this book! Christopher Myers’ black and white illustrations and share what his pen does, where it takes him, and what worlds it can open. The big message? ‘So if you have a pen, see what you can do–Let those worlds inside your pen out!’

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep, by Barney Saltzberg — My kids often have a tough time falling a sleep, so this book made us all smile. Little Chengdu’s wide eyes at night, when they should be shut, remind our difficult-sleepers that sometimes sleep is hard for everyone to find.

Waiting, by Kevin Henkes — A new book by our beloved author, Waiting is different–it’s subtle, it’s simple, and it will certainly leave even our youngest readers thinking.

***

Little Tree, by Loren Long — I totally heart Loren Long, so I knew when I picked this book up, I’d love it immediately–and I did. It’s a sweet story about learning to let go. Everyone needs this book.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Who, by Jill Esbaum — Every, single person that everyone should know is covered in this book. Well, almost. In typical National Geographic Kids’ publication style, bright colors, varied fonts, and eye-catching graphics will help kids appreciate and love this text.

I Am Yoga, by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds — As a woman who needs yoga to maintain her sanity on a day to day basis, I love this book because it’s a great way to show children the powerful benefits of yoga pracitce.

***

National Geographic Kids WHY?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything, by Crispin Boyer — My kids–and most kids I know–can get lost in a book like this for hours and hours and hours. Tons of fun facts. Tons of answers to questions they have. And fab photos for everything.

A Friend for Lakota: The Incredible True Story of a Wolf Who Braved Bullying, by Jim and Jamie Dutcher — Similar to the style of Sams and Stoick, A Friend for Lakota uses natural photos of animals to tell a real story that will definitely resonate with children.

One Busy Day: A Story for Brothers and Sisters, by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Jessica Meserve — A little sister just wants to play with her big brother.

***

Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior, by tons of famous illustrators, like Tedd Arnold, Adam Rex, Judy Schachner and Bob Shea — Kids will love this mash-up of manner posters, each created for a different location by a different talented artist.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse, by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Hadley Hooper — I have had my eye on this book for a long time now because the illustrations are beautiful, and it gives us a tiny glimpse into the life of one of our masters. Kids will enjoy this one.

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude, by Kevin O’Malley and illustrated by Carol Heyer and Scott Goto — A girl and boy struggle to collaborate when telling a story, so readers get a little bit of princess and a little bit of motorcycle dude.

***

Best Books as Gifts for the Bigger Guys

teachmama gift guide magnus teachmama gift guide norse teachmama gift guide percy jack
teachmama gift guide greek heroes teachmama gift guide diary of wimpy teachmama gift guide shark
teachmama gift guide harry potter teachmama gift guide wonder teachmama gift guide 365 days of wonder
 teachmama gift guide out of my  teachmama gift guide water teachmama gift guide malala

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Book One, The Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan –This is the newest series by Rick Riordan, and it. Is. Awesome. Unlike the Percy Jackson series (also awesome) which deals with Greek gods and goddesses, Magnus Chase focuses on Norse mythology. Bring on the Vikings!

A Treasury of Norse Mythology, by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Christina Balit — A perfect companion to the Magnus Chase series, this extraordinary book will keep kids reading–and learning–along with a series they love! Read it and also check our our Norse Mythology 101 post.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book Set, by Rick Riordan — My kids went nuts for Percy Jackson this summer. I mean nuts. Owen and Maddy zipped through the series in no time flat–the books are that good. Percy is a likable, easy to love character, and young readers especially connect with his school challenges and honest. Check out our 10 Cool Ways to Read the Percy Jackson series post.

***

Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes, by Rick Riordan and illustrated by John Rocco — My kids were obsessed with this series this past summer, and Owen and Maddy literally devoured anything and everything I put in front of them that had to do with Greek Gods or Greek Heroes. The Greek Heroes is the newer book, but Greek Gods is equally as good. My hope is that when our kids hit The Iliad and The Odyssey in high school and their classics units, they’ll rock it.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 10–Old School, by Jeff Kinney — The latest and greatest from everyone’s favorite–Jeff Kinney. Our book fair delivered like four boxes of this book, and nearly every one of them was sold.

Shark Whisperer and Shark Rider, by Ellen Prager — These two are part of the Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series, and Maddy loved them. She said they were kind of like an underwater Harry Potter.

***

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition, by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay — I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. What I have seen is amazing. What I have read about it say

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio — Seriously the best book I’ve read in ages, I believe that every child should read this. Perfect for a nighttime read aloud.

365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts, by R. J. Palacio — A little bit of Wonder every single day. Yes, please.

***

Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper — A beautiful and heart-wrenching story about a young girl whose physical disabilities cause her tremendous challenges. And she can’t speak. But her mind is sharp, which makes it all harder to take. Another one that all kids should read.

A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park — Two different people telling a similar story about the difficulties of life in Sudan, this is based on a true story. Maddy loved, loved, loved this, and I cannot wait to read it.

I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education And Changed The World (Young Readers Edition), by Malala Yousafzai — We shared our love for Malala and her awesomeness earlier this fall, so I highly recommend that this book finds its way to every, single home. Kids need to read this.

 

Best Books as Gifts for Families

teachmama gift guide rock star reader teachmama gift guide humans teachmama gift guide tidying
teachmama gift guide coloring crush
teachmama gift guide hp coloring 1		 teachmama gift guide forest
teachmama gift guide nature teachmama gift guide photography teachmama gift guide global edu
teachmama gift guide books fringe  
teachmama gift guide science		 teachmama gift guide ivan

Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love of Reading, by Allison McDonald and me (yay!) — This is the book for anyone who cares for kids. It’s jam-packed with 75 quick tips that parents can do today to help their children develop a love of reading. For real. I teamed up with Allison McDonald to share every awesome tip you need to raise readers. You’ll love it. The feedback has been awesome, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases for Reading and Teaching Materials. For real. Free resources to use alongside the book. Written in everyday language that everyone can understand. Nothing too stressful–kind of like you and your bff chatting over coffee about cool things to do with your kids.

Humans of New York: Stories, by Brandon Stanton — It’s no secret that I’m a little bit of a Brandon Stanton fan; every time we’re in New York City, I have all three of my kids scan the streets for him. I love Humans of New York (HONY) and follow the accounts on just about every social platform. What I love most about HONY is the stories. I love the look inside total strangers’ lives–the sharing of big and little moments of their life; I truly believe that it makes this big, wide world that much smaller, knowing that we all share similar struggles. Is this for every ‘big kid’? I would use your judgement for sure. Much of the content can be heavy–but I do think it sparks meaningful conversation between kids and parents.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo — I cannot wait to share the love I feel for this book (let me get through the holidays first!), but until then, just get it. It really is life-changing.

***

Coloring Crush, by Klutz — Coloring in the coolest new way. Beautiful designs. Relaxing. New.

Harry Potter Creatures Coloring Book or Harry Potter Coloring Book, or even Harry Potter Magical Places and Characters, by Scholastic — Really? How could you go wrong with this?

Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest and Coloring Book, by Johanna Bastford — A bit of a game alongside coloring, and I think my kids will really like this. Cannot wait to see their faces when they open these beautiful books!

***

Nature Poetry: More than 200 Poems With Photographs that Float, Zoom, and BOOM!, by J Patrick Lewis — Poetry alongside photos? National Geographic style? I’m all for introducing your kids to different genres, and often poetry gets a backseat. Not with this book.

National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography: Tips and Tricks on How to Be a Great Photographer From the Pros and Your Pals at My SHOT, by Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths — With mobile devices at every child’s fingertips, everyone’s a photographer. This book is a quick and easy read, and kids can open the book to any page and grab a tip they can use that very day. Super-cool book for every digital kid.

The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners, by Homa Sabet Tavanger and Becky Morales — Everything a parent or teacher needs to know about teaching their children about global education. What’s ‘global education’ you ask? Teaching children about inclusion, tolerance, cooperation, appreciation, and really, how to change the world. Love this. Looooove this.

***

The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, by Jessica Turner — I’ve shared my Fringe Hours love this year, and so if you don’t yet have this book, it’s time to treat yourself. For moms, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, neighbors. We all need this.

The Curious Kid’s Science Book: 100+ Creative, Hands-On Activities for Ages 4-8, by Asia Citro — Tons of really cool, manageable, and well planned science activities, from one of the most creative women I know. This is worth picking up, friends, out of all the science-y books out there. Great ideas for preschoolers, for weekends with elementary schoolers, or for playdates.

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate — I cannot even begin to express what a beautiful book this is. It’s sad, yes. It’s very sad.  But also? It’s happy. Every child should read it.

 

I am so very, very, very excited about these items, and I think you will be, too.

Need a few more great ideas?

Here are our 2015 gift guides:

teachmama gift guide toddlers | smart products for smart families

**************

teachmama gift guide best gifts for preschoolers

**************

best gifts for elementary schoolers | teachmama's gift picks | must-have games for learning and fun

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best gifts for middle schoolers | teachmama.com | teachmama's picks

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gift guide best books as gifts | teachmama's picks | teachmama.com

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Want a few more holiday-inspired gift ideas or activities?

Click on the images below: 

must-have-gifts-for-kids-and-families-teachmama.com_

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best books as gifts for family teachmama.com

********

gifts that give back: ideas for kids and family | teachmama.com

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gifts for sunday school teachers or CCD teachers | teachmama.com

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kids-and-family-gift-guide-cover

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teachmama-gift-guide-2012-cover-400x400

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holiday-gift-guide-teachmama.com_

 

 

Follow Teach Mama’s board christmas ideas for kids and family on Pinterest.

 

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com
Best Of Teach Mamachristmasholidays

handmade gifts for the whole family

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

 

Friends.

You know I’ve been doing some work with Klutz lately, and it’s been a blast.

A few weeks ago, we held a twitter event filled where the main focus was to share ideas for handmade gifts for the whole family. What was shared was amazing. Honestly. I’m ready to clear off the table and get my craft ON.

So I thought I’d share a bit from that event so that if you weren’t able to make it, you’d still get the info. And? You can even win all FIVE of the books I share here. For real. So that your family can make handmade gifts this year, too! Woot!

Because we all know how handmade gifts are loved by the whole family, right? Right!

Here’s the skinny. . .

Handmade Gifts for the Whole Family:

These are gifts that kids can make–because we of course want them to have a hand in gift-giving and also know how important it is to give gifts that come from the heart.

From our twitter chat, folks came up with fabulous handmade gift ideas:

  • photo books filled with memories;
  • personalized holiday cards with Stencil Art;
  • time–helping someone in need fold laundry, clean, or do household chores;
  • practical items for teachers like small shelves (have your child decorate them!);
  • themed gift baskets;
  • homemade soap;
  • homemade taco seasoning (or other spice or extract);
  • gift card with handwritten note;
  • Design & Dye totes for teachers;
  • reusable photo tote bag;
  • photo ornaments;
  • mugs with hot cocoa or tea to de-stress;
  • homemade cookies or candies;
  • whistle with a handmade laminated name tag for a coach;
  • handmade coupon book for babysitters;
  • decorated notepads with pen holders;
  • handpainted frame with inspirational quote;
  • anything food related with ingredients to make it all in one bowl;
  • simple, heartfelt thank you notes (especially for teachers!);
  • reusable fabric giftbags;
  • salt dough with a child’s handprint;
  • personalized kitchen towels;
  • the ideas go on and on!

We also talked about the best ways to master gift-wrapping, how to get kids involved in gift-giving. Check out some of the super cool ideas by following #KlutzHandmade on twitter!

And now check out our fave picks for handmade gifts for each member of the family:

Mom & Grandma:

best handmade gifts for mom grandma teachmama.com

Charm Bracelet Studio makes it super accessible for anyone to make gorgeous pieces of jewelry.

Each design is outlined in simple, step-by-step instructions, making the designs manageable to create.

craft and wear charm bracelet studio teachmama.com

These bracelets are seriously beautiful and so easy to make, and they’ll stand out among Mom or Grandma’s current arm candy. They’ll be the talk of every book club, PTA meeting, office event, or lunch date.  Right?

No matter where they’re worn, they’ll put a smile on Mom or Grandma’s face.

Not only will kids love taking the time to create these charms, but anyone who receives a charm bracelet will wear it with pride.

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Dad & Grandpa:

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

String Art is the perfect handmade gift for Dad and Grandpa!

Whether you create a piece of String Art for home or the office, it will definitely bring a smile to Dad or Grandpa’s face.

The coolest thing is the possibilities with String Art!

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

Consider creating a String Art:

  • Framed photo of you or the family;
  • Favorite team mascot;
  • Pet-inspired item;
  • Set of three similar designs for a wall;
  • Sports themed masterpiece;
  • Design made with Dad or Grandpa’s favorite colors!

Want to take a little look at our experience with String Art? Definitely check it out: Best Tween Birthday Gifts.

 

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Sisters and Friends:

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

Shrink & Link Jewelry may be one of the coolest things we have seen in a while.

Shrink & Link Jewelry is just that: shrinky pieces linked together! Sounds crazy, but it’s not. The finished pieces are beautiful, bright, and stylish.

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

The Shrink & Link book gives jewelry creators so many options that there is definitely something for every, single sister or friend.

Consider making a:

  • Keychain;
  • Backpack bling;
  • Necklace;
  • Barrette;
  • Best friend or sisters forever bracelet;
  • Zipper charm;
  • Matching sets;
  • School mascot or team-colored pieces.

So many options! And really, they are a blast to create!

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Brother:

best handmade gifts for brothers teachmama.com

Star Wars Folded Flyers  shows you step by step how to create replicas of the Star Wars flyers. Really.

And the coolest thing is that you can do a number of things with these little planes:

  • Put them all together for a Star Wars mobile;
  • Stick them onto a black canvas for a Star Wars work of art;
  • Gift them solo or in bunches;
  • Add a folded flyer to the top of a Star Wars themed gift!

best handmade gifts for brothers teachmama.com

The possibilities are endless. All I know is that Star Wars fans–whether it’s a brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, parent, or friend–will love these folded flyers!

****

Handmade Gifts for Teachers: 

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

Window Art is so much fun to make, it’s crazy. 

It’s addicting. Kids love it.

And teachers, who spend hours in their classrooms every day, will absolutely love to have some handmade Window Art from their students!

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

If a teacher isn’t in a classroom with windows (believe me, it sounds awful, but for so many this is the case!), then Window Art still works on the glass panes of a door or closet.

Really get creative with Window Art! Consider:

  • Making a holiday-themed collection;
  • Giving your teacher a new window art creation each month (like a subscription service!);
  • Creating his or her name in Window Art;
  • Making the school mascott;
  • Creating a themed series: animals, flowers, sports, etc.

 

 

——————————-

Do you want to sneak a peek at our Klutz blogger event? It was so fun, and you’ll I’m sure see some familiar faces! (And you’ll see the Klutz studio in NYC!)

Check it out:

 

Check out our other posts filled with Klutz books love:

5 cool handmade gifts tweens love to make | teachmama.com

best gifts for tween girls cover | teachmamacom

craft and wear cover teachmama.com

______________

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Klutz, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my personal experience as a parent and educator–and, of course, my three little crafty-crafters.

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.

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5 cool handmade gifts tweens love to make | teachmama.com
christmasholidays

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

Let’s face it: we’re all busy–even our kids.

As they get older, they’re juggling homework, activities, sports, lessons, chores (ahem. . . ), and friends, so when our kids carve out the time to create a handmade gift, it really means a lot.

Believe it or not, friends, now is an ideal time to start thinking about the holidays.  So we’ve got some cool handmade gifts that tweens will love to make. Really.

Huge thanks to my friends at Klutz who just keep designing these cool books that tweens truly adore. Clear directions, illustrations, and examples will make it so easy for kids to learn these crafts.

And that means our kids will keep their hands busy gift-making while they watch Descendants for the millionth time.

We also have a fun way for you to get your hands on some of these books as well, because I don’t just want you to read about them–I want you to have them!

Here’s the skinny. . .

5 Cool Handmade Gifts That Tweens Will Love to Make:

Create Pop Collage Bookmarks!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make pop collage bookmarks teachmama.com

These little fun and fab bookmarks take no time at all to create, but they take time to dry because of the Pop Collage glaze you put over top.

You can pretty much Pop Collage anything, but making bookmarks as little gifts is a fun and inexpensive way to make something really useful for a friend or loved one.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

My kids have always loved small things, so these Pop Collage Bookmarks bring the fun of Pop Collage to a smaller scale.

And bookmarks encourage more reading, right? It’s a win.

If you want to download the bookmark template, you can do that right here: blank bookmarks teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

For gift-giving, consider:

  • name bookmarks for cousins;
  • photo bookmarks for friends;
  • bright bookmarks for older friends;
  • a set of holiday-themed bookmarks;
  • book-inspired bookmarks along with the book that matches!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Try some Finger Knitting!

Finger Knitting is so fun–and a lot easier than it seems!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make finger knitted fringe teachmama.com

Maddy. Loves. Finger. Knitting.

And the things she has created in no time flat are amazing.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

The Finger Knitting book comes with enough yarn to create over a dozen projects, but the cool thing is that kids will really take this where they want to go, on their own.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Maddy made an amazing fringe necklace in one afternoon, just by knitting two long pieces, about 18″ each.

She wove them together, and then she added a fun fringe.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make finger knitted flower teachmama.com

She also made a beautiful flower that adds a totally fun flare to just about anything. She can use it as an add-on to her backpack, to brighten up a black carry-on, or as a bracelet or pin.

So fun and so pretty.

But best of all? It’s a one-of-a-kind piece!

For gift-giving, consider finger knitting:

  • scarves;
  • boot toppers;
  • hats;
  • flower barrettes or pins.

The possibilities are endless!

Make Mini Pom-Pom Pets!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make pom pom pet teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Not even kidding, Mini Pom-Pom Pets are totally addicting to make.

And they’re easy. And these are super for tweens to make for their friends or little cousins. They can create whole Pom-Pom Pet families, put them in a tiny bag, and cousins will love them.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

We made tons of these little fuzzy pets this summer during a crafty playdate with friends, and each little animal was cuter than the next.

The girls made mice, ducks, chicks, and a fox.

They made bunnies and kittens.

Frogs and fish, bears and some we weren’t really sure of.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

 

For gift-giving, consider:

  • a little animal family–cats or dogs are easy!
  • tiny monsters with googly eyes;
  • creating pets for dolls;
  • making a mini-farm or zoo;
  • making animals to accompany a book!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

 

Make some Personalized Friendship Bracelets!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make bracelet teachmama.com

These Personalized Friendship Bracelets take a little more time to create, but they are beautiful.

And once kids get the hang of it, they’ll be able to pound these out in the span of one afternoon ‘hangout’ (because tweens don’t have playdates anymore–they ‘hangout’).

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

The Personalized Friendship Bracelet book shows you in clear, simple steps how to add letters, shapes, and a whole lot of awesome into those knotted bracelets we all used to make when we were younger.

I know that we topped out at the simple back-and-forth stripes; this book gives you directions on how to make letters, shapes, emojis, you name it. It’s all about bringing something simple up to a whole new level.

I’m 100% sure that once moms see this book, they’ll want to get in on the fun, too. And before you know it, they’ll be Personalized Friendship Bracelet-Makers, too.

For gift-giving, consider:

  • name bracelets for cousins;
  • initials for friends;
  • hashtag bracelets;
  • favorite team or school colors!

Coffee Coasters (made with Potholders And Other Loopy Projects book)

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make coaster teachmama.com

Cora had a blast making these–what we called Coffee Coasters–and she’s really just beginning her loopy bonanza.

I remember making potholders when I was young, and these feel the same way I remember them.

But this Klutz book is so packed with cool and creative new ways to use loopy projects, it’s awesome.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

For gift-giving, consider these loopy project ideas:

  • a set of coasters for grandparents;
  • school colors for teachers;
  • sewing coasters together to make hotplates;
  • tic-tac-toe boards!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Seriously–How cool are these books from Klutz?

 

Want to check out a few other crafty crafts from our friends at Klutz?

craft and wear cover teachmama.com

best gifts for tween girls cover | teachmamacom

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy. 

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halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com
halloweenholidays

halloween bookmarks: make your own

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

post contains affiliate links

 

 

 

I’m always looking for quick and easy Halloween crafts, ones that are perfect for class parties and playdates.

And this year, since we’re doing a little something different with our class party (more on that later!), we only have a few short minutes for a hands-on activity.

No crazy pumpkin match games like last year. No super cool game stations. No GHOST Bingo. No spooky treats.

Not for grade four.

This year, the kids will make some Halloween Bookmarks–they’ll make their own using stickers and stamps. 

And it’ll be the perfect activity to pair with Halloween Word Search after the kids finish their snacks.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Halloween Bookmarks– Make Your Own!

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

All you need for Halloween Bookmarks are a few simple things:

halloween bookmark printable | teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks blank teachmama.com

Download the Halloween Bookmark printable by signing up below:

 

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

Cut out the bookmarks and punch a hole in the top over the circle.

Allow kids to grab the color they want and let them loose on the stickers and stamps!

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

Encourage kids to design their bookmarks freely.

goodness knows they don’t get enough time to craft and create on their own terms!

But if kids need an idea–or if you want to make some samples–consider:

  • Boo!
  • Happy Halloween
  • Reading Rocks
  • Spooky
  • Trick-or-Treat

 

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

 

When kids are finished decorating, tie a ribbon through the center hole, and you’re finished!

Just my kind of activity–no glue, quick and easy, and super-fun for kids to personalize. Sure, there’s a bit of prep–in printing and cutting the bookmarks–but relatively speaking, this is a pretty easy craft.

And parents will love this kind of treat, especially considering the amount of candy kids will come home with after Trick-or-Treating is over.

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

 

halloween bookmarks make your own teachmama.com

 

Need some more? Got a whole other party planned for you here:  

 (No joke. . . you can thank me later! Just click the picture!)
halloween party ideas for kids and classrooms | teachmama.com

Want a few more fun halloween party ideas?

 

fyi: Affiliate links are used in this post, which means that every time you purchase something using one of our links, we get at teeny, tiny percentage of the sale. so. . . thank you for using them, friends!

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raise a reader | book | amy mascott
reading

Raising a Rock-Star Reader: sneak peek and pre-order!

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

post contains affiliate links

 

 

 

I cannot even BELIEVE that today is here, friends, but it is.

I have co-written a book–a lifelong dream of mine–and to say I am excited is an understatement.

I am completely and totally thrilled.

Over the moon energized and elated, dance-around-the-room happy.

The fabulous and totally rad Allison McDonald of No Time for Flashcards and I wrote this book. Allie and I are longtime buddies, and we co-anchor the Scholastic Parents Raise a Reader blog, so we put our heads together and put a lot of our most popular content and teacher-insider tips together in this book.

RAR promo pinterest rockstars

But we’re both busy, working, over-stretched, and always tired parents, so we wanted to really make this work for parents and caregivers just like us.

We all want to do the best for our kids, but we often don’t know how or where to begin. This book is a great place to start.

It’s published by Scholastic. It releases on November 10th. Eeeeeeeeeee! So, so, SO Excited.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Raising a Rock-Star Reader–Sneak Peek and Pre-Order:

I do have to clarify: this book is for every person who cares for kids. Every, single parent, aunt, grandparent. Every caregiver, babysitter, neighbor, friend of children.

And it’s not about shoving books in your kids’ faces every single second of the day. No way.

It’s about raising kids who love to read.

So we called it: Raising A Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips to Help Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love of Reading.

RAR promo

And that’s just what it is–a book that you can throw in your purse, diaper bag, or backpack, pick up whenever you get a chance, skim through and find a quick–but meaningful–activity that you could use right there and then with your child.

And these aren’t activities to simply pass time or aimlessly fill afternoons, my friends; these are activities that will allow you to spend meaningful time with your child, helping him or her develop important reading and literacy skills. Little things that you can do whether you are at the park or in your playroom, in the car or on the sidelines, whether you have five minutes or twenty-five.

RAR promo pinterest everyone

All the same kinds of things I’ve been sharing here on the ole bloggy blog for the last eight years. Activities that empower parents to be the best teachers they can be for their children. Because really, we are our kids’ first and most important teacher!

Okay, so I cannot tell you everything now, but I’ll tell you this:

raise a reader -book order

 

RAR blog tour

 

  • You will get a sneak peek before the November 10th release! 75 awesome and amazing influencers will be sharing their take on our book for 30 days leading up to our book launch (75 tips, 75 influencers–get it?), and Allie and I will be sharing that info too. We are so grateful for these guys and gals, and we want you to see how awesome they are, too!

RAR promo instagram header 830

 

  • You will get a rock-star reading tip each day on Instagram #RaiseAReader — so follow along and share! Share your tips and let us know what you think. We know you all have tons of advice and tricks up your sleeve, too!
  • You can ask questions and get up close and personal with Allie and me on Periscope. We’ll let you know the deets, but we’re going to be doing a bunch of ‘scoping in the next few days and weeks!
  • you rockYou will not believe what’s coming. We will have an insane giveaway to announce on November 10th. Think big, friends. I mean really, really big.

 

A million, trillion thanks for walking this walk with me and for being around for this exciting time. Your support and encouragement is more appreciated than you will ever know.

Have any questions? Any comments or ideas? We’d love to hear them!

 

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show kids how to study | teachmama.com
Best Of Teach Mamafamily lifeschool

show your kids how to study: 5 easy ways

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

 

One thing I have come to realize, after years of teaching and tutoring, is that kids really don’t know how to study.

We may tell them to study before a test or quiz, but that doesn’t mean they know what that really means.

Their teachers remind them to study, but that doesn’t mean that kids really will.

Kids may believe they know how to study, but I’m willing to bet that they honestly have no clue.

It’s time, with the start of a new school year, that parents actually sit down with their children and talk to them about what studying really means and how to do it.

show kids how to study teachmama.com

Grab a pen or paper. Grab some Post-it® Super Sticky Notes. Grab a highlighter.

Review these strategies yourself, and then grab your kid and share with him or her.

Here are five easy ways that parents, today, can show their kids how to study.

It’s not rocket science, but it’s worth repeating.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Show Your Kids How to Study–5 Easy Ways:

Did you know that in a Back-to-School STEM Research Study, recently conducted by the Post-it® Brand, it was reported that 79% of parents believe their students’ homework is harder now than it was when they were in school?

Is that true for you? Do you believe that homework is harder now? If that’s a fact, then our kids need more help than we got. Let’s give it to them.

1. Re-write notes.

When students re-write notes in neater, more easy-to-read bits, it helps them to better understand the concepts they’re learning.

Oftentimes, students’ notes are a mess and are taken in haste in class.

Start by gathering all of the papers with notes on them. Read over them to get a sense of what was discussed, and highlight or circle the main points.

Consider grabbing a Post-it® Flag–how fun are the bright colors of the World of Color Rio de Janeiro collection?!–and use them to easily mark each important point.

Then re-write the notes on a fresh sheet of paper in a more organized way. It will help!

show kids how to study teachmama.com

2. Make a concept poster.

A concept poster is just that–a poster all about a certain topic.

Start again by gathering all of the papers and handouts on the topic. Write the main concept in the middle of the poster, and then add information about it all around, much like a brainstorm web but more organized and specific.

show kids how to study teachmama.com

show kids how to study teachmama.com

Once the poster is complete, use Post-it® Super Sticky Notes to cover areas with details. Then test your knowledge on a topic by trying to remember the information that is covered. It’s a great way to practice and learn!

Another finding from the Post-it® Brand Back-to-School STEM research study found that 54% of parents think that students learn most easily by touching or participating in a hands-on activity. The creation of this poster during studying will certainly help bring the concepts to life.

______________________________

3. Re-teach. It’s undeniable that students learn by doing.

Reading over notes and having the student re-teach concepts to a parent or sibling is a super way for the student to show their level of understanding.

Have students review notes first and then take the mic.  Write key vocabulary words or concepts on Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, place them on the refrigerator or wall, and have the student explain them to you.

You may be surprised at what you learn!

 

4. Make flashcards–and use them!

It’s one thing to make flashcards, but it’s a whole other thing to use them.

Make flashcards by cutting a piece of paper into eight small sections. You can do this easily by folding an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet in half, in half again, and then in half again. show kids how to study teachmama.com

show kids how to study teachmama.com

Write key vocabulary words or concepts on one side of the paper and the definition on the other side.

Or if you just need a way to study specific words on the go, write each word on a Post-it® Super Sticky Note and stick them together. Students can flip through the pages anywhere and any time for a quick review!

learning on the go | collage | teachmama.com

If you decided on making flash cards of any sort, here are a few ways to actually use them:

  • Quick Quiz: Put all of the cards in a pile with the word facing up.  Have the student say the definition of the word then check for accuracy. Put all of the cards the student got correct in one pile, under a Post-it® Super Sticky Note with ‘yes’ or a smiley face and the incorrect ones in another pile, under ‘no’ or a sad face. Review the incorrect ones until they are all answered correctly.
  • Speed Write: The parent holds the cards and shows a card to the student. The student then writes the answer or definition on a white board or chalk board. The parent checks for accuracy, and the goal is to answer as many correctly in a certain timeframe as possible.

show kids how to study teachmama.com

show kids how to study teachmama.com

show kids how to study teachmama.com

  • Reverse It: Put all of the cards in a pile with the definition facing up.  Have the student determine the word then check for accuracy. Put all of the cards the student got correct in one pile and the incorrect ones in another pile. Have the student review the incorrect ones until they are all answered correctly.
  • Game Show: The parent reads the definition of the word, and the student writes the correct word on a Post-it® Super Sticky Notes then places the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes on the wall. Once the student has gone through all words one time correctly, there should be quite a collage of words on the wall! As extra review, the parent reads the definitions again, and the student simply points to the correct word.

5. Comic strip your notes.

Some kids learn best by drawing, so this method is for him or her.

In fact, another finding from the Post-it® Brand Back-to-School STEM research study found that 86% of parents think the best way for their students to learn STEM-subjects is through visual learning, like reading or seeing pictures.

show kids how to study teachmama.com

show kids how to study teachmama.com

Have the student review class notes and handouts. Then, using either the comic strip concept review here or Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, allow the student to draw out concepts!

It may sound difficult or even impossible, but the act of reading information and transferring it to doodles or pictures will help the student ‘own’ the information and remember it in a new way.

If you want to download the comic strip concept review, you can do so here: comic strip concept review _ teachmama.com

Post-it Brand BTS STEM Study Infographic FINAL

Studying is not easy, friends. It’s really not. But hopefully these few ways will help your child learn how to master a skill necessary for success in school from here on out!

Want all of this information in a happy little printable? Sure you do.
Print it and share it with your child. Keep it on hand for the school year. You’ll be glad you did.

If you want to download the How to Help Your Kids Study sheet, you can do so here: 5 ways to study _ teachmama.com

 

Want to grab the fun supplies we’ve used in this post? Sure you do.

We used the Post-it® Brand World of Color, Rio de Janeiro collection.  Visit Post-it.com for information on where you can grab these for yourself.

Go ahead and get connected with the great folks at Post-it® Brand: Twitter  | Instagram | Facebook  | Pinterest

 

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Post-it® Brand, but as always, opinions and ideas are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator. 

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what I wish I knew before middle school | teachmama.com
family lifeschool

Everything I Wish I knew Before I Started Middle School: A Letter To My Rising 6th Grader

by Teach Mama
written by Teach Mama

 

Maddy,

I have a hard time believing it’s time to send you off to the wilds of middle school, but here we are, my friend.

It seems like just yesterday your aunts and I sat on the back porch with you, making felt flowers and blinging out your backpack for kindergarten.

Sending you into the building that first day, watching your little pink backpack bouncing down the hallway, was one of the hardest things I did up to that point.

But you were ready.

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

You were prepared for the adventure, eager to start that next chapter.

And like most everything you do, you rocked it.

Just like you’ll rock middle school.

But this time, instead of sending you off with homemade flowers, I’m sending you off with advice from some friends.  Our friends. Tons of great people we know from near and far.

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

Tons of people who have walked this walk before and who were willing to share what they wish they knew before they started middle school. So instead of hearing a boatload of advice from your boring old mom, you can take it from a bunch of other smart, cool, super-wise people.

Pretty much everything they said holds true for your dad and me, too.

So here’s what I wish I would have known before I started middle school.  (And here’s what we all want you to know):

  • You are smart and funny, caring, thoughtful, beautiful and brave. You have always been compassionate insightful and responsible. Just bring those things and everything else you have to share and you will be just fine. Middle school is big and fun and new, exciting and kind of confusing sometimes. Some big changes ahead. Lots of new friends, teachers, activities, choices. Guess what? Everyone around you is growing and changing at different paces and experiencing a lot of the same things as you, so don’t worry, you are not alone! Make new friends (but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold) that are as awesome as you and talk about what you are feeling and going through…I bet they can relate! Keep your chin up.  Three important things I learned from my three awesome older sisters before starting middle school: 1. Be kind even when those around you are not – you won’t be sorry. 2. Go with your gut; if something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not & may get you in trouble. 3. Don’t bother with boys who act like jerks even if you think they are cute. When in doubt, call an aunt. You rock, and you are so incredibly loved.  -Aunt Katie

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • There will be kids that make fun of other kids and try to ‘seem’ cool and try too hard to fit in — they are usually missing something in their life. Don’t change who you are for anyone. Always be true to yourself. -Uncle Will
  • I wish I hadn’t ‘ditched’ my little sister in favor of school friends during middle school. God had given me a built-in BFF! – Stacey Ferguson, JusticeFergie.com
  • There will be moments that your world may seem like it’s ending. It’s not. These years are but a blip in the awesomeness of your life that is to come. -Erin Lane, AParentingProduction.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • Kids can be mean. Stay strong and no matter what–Be Yourself. -Teri Edwards
  • I wish I had known that some of my friends would pull away from me when we got into middle school, and it was going to hurt. Alot. And sometimes middle schoolers can be just plain mean….which is especially hard when the meanness is coming from some of those former friends. I wish I had known that the meanness was more about them and not so much about me. I wish I had known that if I could just hold on, that things would be brighter and get better. And I would find new, wonderful friends…many of whom would still be my friends when I am old and gray! -Lauri Black

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

 

  • Find a passion outside of school. I didn’t have a great group of friends in middle school–they were flakey and fickle, but I did have a lot of success with sports. I didn’t put all my energy into maintaining social relationships–I worked at other things and got a sense of fulfillment from my work on the soccer field and lacrosse field. I didn’t judge my worth by what my friends thought of me. I’d like to think the current WORLD CHAMP TEAM USA GIRLS felt the same. They probably had little time for time-sucking social dynamics. Find something outside of school (could be church, music, acting, collecting fossils) that makes you feel vibrant and happy. If you wait on others to validate you and make you feel successful it could be a very, very long wait. Oh, and don’t buy shoes thinking you’ll break them in–you never will. You’ll just get blisters and miss out on the fun. -Nicole Feliciano, CEO Momtrends Media.
  • Teenage boys will say anything VERY convincingly to get what their crazy stupid hormones want. And your crazy stupid hormones will want to believe it. Don’t. – Bon Crowder, MathFour.com
  • Don’t get a radical hair cut. You will never regret standing by a friend, but you will always regret NOT doing the right thing. Remove yourself from drama, and have friends outside of school. -Rebecca Levy, KidzVuz.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • These next few years you will be faced with a lot of change; you, your friends, expectations, school, etc. The person sitting next to you will be faced with similar challenges. You are never alone. Talk with someone who will listen and be there to support you. -Christine Quinn
  • The only thing I really remember about middle school is that I was tiny, a late bloomer and had no idea what the more developed girls were talking about half of the time. I longed to be cool and taller! I only wish I would have known I would grow taller than everyone else a few years later. LOL! So maybe my input would be, no matter where you are in the girly development phase… we’re all in the same boat together soon enough. Enjoy your childhood years as long as you can! There’s nothing wrong with taking your time to grow up. Just be confident and act like you know what’s going on… even if you really don’t:-) FYI – I still take this advice. Half of the time, I don’t know what I’m doing. ha! -Amy Locurto, LivingLocurto.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

 

  • Be nice to your teachers! They are moms, dads, sisters and brothers who have feelings too. -Meredith Gordon Donate
  • Always remember that you’re never too old for a kiss and a hug to your mom and dad before and after school. -Audrey McClelland, MomGenerations.com
  • Be YOU! The next few years those around you in middle school will be discovering just exactly they think they are. Friends will get closer and friends will pull away sometimes even within the same day. Stay true to the person you know you are and how your parents have raised you to be. Find ways to express your talents an discover more about yourself through clubs, school projects, volunteering and activities outside of school. Always know that your Mom and Dad believe in you and think you a rockstar! -Kim Vij, The Educators’ Spin On It

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

 

  • Drink lots of water and get into a beauty routine that involves washing your face before bed…. puberty might make your skin a hot mess for the next few years, just know you’re not alone! also…. call your AUNTS at ANY TIME of ANY DAY for ANY REASON whatsoever…. I promise we’ll be here for you. -Aunt Jenny
  • I loved elementary school.  What I didn’t realize and I wish someone had told me is that I would love the middle school years even more!
    -Grandpa
  • It’s a tough time in your life not sure what you are feeling and why. Talk to your parents about those feelings . They can help and do understand for they were once your age. Be yourself!! -Sara Collins Carlson

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • Later, when you talk to people about middle school, you’ll be surprised at just how many of them felt awkward and uncomfortable and like they didn’t fit in. Even the “cool kids.” You are not alone in whatever you’re feeling. -Christie Matte, QuirkyFusion.com
  • Don’t dwell on people that don’t like you, instead, remember that there’s plenty of people out there that will like you for who you are. In addition, I wish I’d participated more in school activities. And last, have a code with your parents so that you can tell them anything and you won’t get in trouble. -Jackie Silver Confrey, Amazing Life Lessons With Jackie

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • Don’t worry about what other people are thinking about you. They aren’t! They are only thinking about themselves. -Candice Kilpatrick, MomMostTraveled.com
  • Consider a pen pal. Perhaps a friend that moved away or a childhood friend you trust. Someone who may not go to your school but who you can be open and honest with. If not to someone, perhaps to a diary. Write about the little things that excite you or that bother you. The littlest of things may just be the biggest to you at the time. Sharing your experiences with someone you trust can help with the journey. -Liz Deery

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • I wish I had known what a great resource teachers could have been. My friends bonded with some of our teachers and got a lot of support, but I was always too shy. Also, don’t assume it’s going to be awful! There’s a danger of the self-fulfilling prophecy with so many people talking about how awful middle school is. (Coincidentally, I have a Maddie entering 6th grade in the fall, also!) -Kakki Reynolds Lewis, KatherineLewis.com
  • The kids who are cool in middle school are rarely the kids who are cool as grown ups. Doesn’t make it any easier I know, but your day will come!!! -Danica Kombol, Everywhere Agency
  • Try your best to be nice… Even when it feels hard …be a loyal friend… Don’t keep secrets from mom and dad and follow your heart. Fitting in isn’t as important as being yourself, although that’s hard to understand now. Being you is the best part about being you! -Jennifer Flamish Lang

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • 1. You are loved.
    2. You have boundaries because you are loved and we want the best for you. Experience is “a” teacher, not the “best” teacher.
    3. Choose friends wisely. It’s takes time to make “good” friends. Don’t rush it. Watch a “friends” behavior over time.
    4. Be a good friend. Stand up for what is right even when it’s not popular.
    5. Stay connected to family (including siblings).
    6. Mommy and Daddy are praying for you everyday. You are smart. You are kind. You are beautiful.  -Kinta Jones, Mom of 3 (rising 9th grader, 7th grader, and 5th grader)
  • To not worry about being in with the cool crowd- look for friends who are your friend for you and stand by you! -Melissa Northway, DandelionMoms.com
  • Yes, you will meet new friends, but it won’t be a chore. Yes, there will be be the popular crowd, which my children never strived to be in. It all comes in time! You will meet good friends. They will be friends throughout high school. – Jodi Siarkas, JodiSiarkas.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • Learn everything you can about hormones because they are about to RUN YOUR LIFE. Pray for yourself and your momma too! -Donne´ Allen
  • When you kiss someone for the first time it will be wet and awkward. Afterward, your heart will flutter a bit. It is normal. Boys and girls can be mean. Sometimes boys say mean things because they think you are cute and don’t know what to say. Girls tend to be mean because they are insecure. It is difficult to understand this when you are experiencing it, but true.-Christine Quinn

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

  • Friendships may wax and wane. Your best friends, or your whole circle, may change, or not. Don’t be afraid to reach out and make new friends, or try something new. A new school offers a great chance to do that. What seems normal for everyone else may not be normal for you. The other kids are rarely what they appear to be anyway. They just look like they have it more together from the outside. Most people have the same insecurities and just want to be liked. People will remember your kindness, and you will be rewarded for it. (Having had a child enter middle school, high school and college, this is pretty much the advice I have given and that has been acted upon. It holds for every transition.) -Suz Lipman, Slow Family Online

what I wish I knew before middle school teachmama.com

middle school advice _ teachmama.com

  • Remember that you’re a team–mom and dad are all going to Middle School for the first time. .Good friends can be males or females. Girls tend to be more wicked in MS than at any other time in their lives. Boys need a friend who’s a girl to let them know when they’re being gross. .Be nice to the caf ladies–It may mean some extra fries.. A please and thank you will go a long way! Always pack your things the night before. Even plan what you’ll be wearing the next day. Getting up in the morning is difficult enough! The last thing you will want to do is be running around looking for things in the morning! Don’t make your parents have to bring something you forgot into school! Don’t be afraid to be a leader. Sometimes, you may need to be a follower. Never, ever, ever follow, when you know you should be leading! Be nice to the custodians… They are the ones who’ll open your jammed locker. If you see a piece of paper on the floor, pick it up! Be nice to the secretaries. They will lend you lunch money if you forget your money on the kitchen table! Just be nice to everyone. Just enjoy school and your life! As it is said, ” You’ll never pass this way again.” – Carolyn Roman, Spanish teacher 38 years

Maddy, you’ve totally got this.

We’re proud of you and we love you more than you will ever know.  Always remember that no matter what, as long as the stars shine and this great, big world turns, you will have an army of friends and family and behind you, ready to catch you when you fall and give you a high five when you rock it.

You are prepared for this adventure, and we are all excited for you to start this next chapter.

Let the fun begin!

xoxo

mom & dad

 

Huge and happy thanks to my many friends and family members who helped write this post. I couldn’t have done it without you. 

Do you want to download all of this awesome advice and print it out for your little love? I don’t blame you.

You can download it here: middle school advice _ teachmama.com

And if you choose to share it–which we hope you do!–please link to this post instead of the attachment page. Thank you!

 

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