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teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
home / family life

family life

family life: time together, traditions, parenting, organization, foundations, and more

FREE super bowl bingo & party games for all fans

Football fans everywhere are prepping for the big game this weekend by gathering food and friends to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. While it's …
Read moreFREE super bowl bingo & party games for all fans
buddha board with designs

help kids focus and relax with the buddha board

If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day. The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and …
Read morehelp kids focus and relax with the buddha board
woman and man holding a book

Storyworth review: best gift for parents, grandparents, loved ones

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Last year, we gifted my parents and my in-laws Storyworth, and it has been something they've talked about …
Read moreStoryworth review: best gift for parents, grandparents, loved ones
learn about daylight savings

learn about daylight savings time: turn and tell clock

If ONLY our littlest ones knew and understood Daylight Savings Time. We love that the Turn and Tell Clock makes learning to tell time a LOT easier …
Read morelearn about daylight savings time: turn and tell clock
zulily promo image with shipping boxes on bottom of photo

how to shop on zulily (and save big money)

I have recently discovered the AWESOMENESS that is Zulily. That's not to say I am new to Zulily. I am not. I've been a Zulily shopper for years …
Read morehow to shop on zulily (and save big money)

get organized with 1Thrive

It's always a good time to get your family organized. We, as humans, thrive with habits, systems, and predictable processes. We do better when we …
Read moreget organized with 1Thrive

super-duper deals on learning resources

Any time of the year is a good time to get kids' brains moving and growing. So when I find really awesome deals on learning resources, I must …
Read moresuper-duper deals on learning resources
successful school year

how every family can start the school year off right

Several years ago, I wrote about how to make the school year a smashing success, or. . . actually how to make the school year as successful as humanly …
Read morehow every family can start the school year off right

fun at-home activities for bored tweens and teens

Who isn't looking for fun, at-home activities for their kids? And who doesn't want cool things to do for their bored tweens and teens? Aren't …
Read morefun at-home activities for bored tweens and teens
raclette meal on table

how to do a family raclette dinner: make it fun, special, memorable

ICON_PLACEHOLDEREstimated reading time: 9 minutes Because we are huge fans of family fondue nights, when I heard about Raclette, I knew I had to …
Read morehow to do a family raclette dinner: make it fun, special, memorable
us capitol building blue sky

how to talk to kids about politically-charged violence in dc

Today, January 6, 2021, has been a devastating, embarrassing, confusing day in our nation's history. How do we wrap our heads around what happened …
Read morehow to talk to kids about politically-charged violence in dc

the learning match: connecting families with educators

The Learning Match simply connects families with educators. That's it. In this crazy, uncertain time we are all in, we all need help. So …
Read morethe learning match: connecting families with educators

get siblings outside, thinking, and working together

This free Get Out & Move in the 'Hood activity will get kids--siblings, even!--outside, thinking, and working together. Promise. Sometimes it's …
Read moreget siblings outside, thinking, and working together
YouTube dances for kids: fun indoor moving and grooving to get the wiggles out

YouTube dances for kids: fun indoor moving and grooving to get the wiggles out

We just got another boatload of snow, so on Sunday morning, when we were snowed in and couldn't even get out of our house to make it to mass, we got …
Read moreYouTube dances for kids: fun indoor moving and grooving to get the wiggles out

neighborhood spirit month: let’s be together, but apart in April

How about we join forces with the people in our neighborhood for a Spirit Month? Let's get everyone together--but apart--this month for some …
Read moreneighborhood spirit month: let’s be together, but apart in April

how our first week of homeschooling REALLY went

Week One of School at Home is officially in the books. Kids have been here, all up in my "office", every day this week. They saw friends up until …
Read morehow our first week of homeschooling REALLY went

get kids to cook: weekly meal plan sheet

Kids are all home from school for who knows how long, so let's get kids to cook this week, friends. It's a perfect time to get kids in the kitchen, …
Read moreget kids to cook: weekly meal plan sheet

homeschooling schedule during coronavirus school closings

Here is our official homeschooling schedule during the current Coronavirus school closings. School at home. Here we go! Since we are in an official …
Read morehomeschooling schedule during coronavirus school closings

free hand washing posters: coronavirus 2020

We may have three 'big kids' in our house, but we all still need reminders to wash our hands, especially during the 2020 Coronavirus …
Read morefree hand washing posters: coronavirus 2020
gifts that give back: ideas for kids and family | teachmama.com

gifts that give back: ideas for kids and family #givingtuesday

Did you know that today is Giving Tuesday? It's a really simple concept: give. Any way you are able, to anyone. Give. The concept of giving is …
Read moregifts that give back: ideas for kids and family #givingtuesday
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Hot off the presses!

I've been working CRAZY hours because I'm prepping for a launch in the next two weeks. G U L P!

I'm SUPER excited, and I know you will be too.

Read more here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#linkinbio #teachmamatake5 #bestoftheweb #take5 #coolestclubintown
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Loving my new St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 tee and eyeing about 5 others I totally want!

Remember—the more we can get our kids reading, the better! 

So find a fun and festive shirt for everyone in the fam and teach kids phrases like: 

🍀 Saint Patrick’s Day sparks JOY

☘️ Happy Go Lucky

🍀 Team Irish

☘️ Lucky Charm

🍀 Irish I was a little bit taller

☘️ Here for the shenanigans 

🍀 Lucky mama

☘️ A wee bit Irish 

and more!

Right now on Zulily you can grab tees, hoodies, dresses, pj sets, tank tops, slouchy tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and more starting at under $20!

Check them out: zulily.gfpv.net/rnegED

#stpatricksdaydecor #linkinbio #saintpaddysday #familyfun🍀 #irishkids #zulilypartner #raiseareader
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If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day.

The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and honestly every family could use one.

I would do anything some days to bring a little big of peace and calm–and zen–to our home. 

With a Buddha Board always out on a shelf, we are always just minutes away from unplugged focus and relaxation.

Have you tried one? 

Here are the deets:
https://teachmama.com/help-kids-focus-and-relax-with-the-buddha-board/

#linkinbio #buddhaboard #calmyourmind #mindfulmoments #unplugged
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Doesn’t it seem like time has become a crazy mashup of virtual-hybrid-normal-life, scattered with the *occasional* bright spot—with an overload of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty? Like it’s hard to pinpoint what happened exactly last spring or the summer before last or even last fall?

It’s all kind of a jumbled mess?

It feels like that for me. 

But I know this for sure: spending time with these women is truly good for my soul. It’s what my heart needs. Time slows down. I can breathe. 

And it’s what I’m betting everyone needs right now—some time with good friends—sister bffs—friends like family. 

No matter what is going on in the world, these women ground me, help me feel more centered, and fill my heart with so. much. joy. 

I walked Louie this morning with what felt like lighter steps and a bigger smile on my face, and I know it’s because I spent time with beloved friends last night. 

Friends, listen to me: It’s EASY to want to hole up right now and not do much of anything—it’s dark by 5pm, it’s freezing out, it’s grey and gross outside, and we are all so tired. But one night this week or next, call a pal. 

Make plans for coffee or a meal together, and just RECONNECT with some friends. Put on a little lipstick. Dust off that bottle of perfume. Wear a big sweater over a tee shirt and leggings and put on fun earrings. It’s not that hard, but it makes a difference. 

I guarantee it will be exactly what you need and you will move forward the next few days with a brighter spirit. 

Love you, @jessicamcfadd @justicefergie and @sandie_chen so, so, SO MUCH. And love Evie too!! 

Let’s get another date on the calendar stat. 😉😍

(Of COURSE we made beautiful @eve.mcfadden pose with us last night after her dance class because we are her bloggy aunties and have known her since she was 2yo and we love her like our own.)

#wwh #bff4life #ogbloggers #sisterfriends
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Thank you @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen for meeting with Maryland @MomsDemand volunteers to discuss how we can work together to end gun violence in our communities. 

JOIN US at our next event by texting READY to 644-33 to get involved in your community!

#MDGA22 #MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere #DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange
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As a @MomsDemand volunteer, I just met virtually with my #MDGA22 legislators to work to keep our state safe from gun violence. 

I told @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen that:

- In 1999, I was teaching English at Wilde Lake HS in Columbia, MD when the Columbine HS massacre took place. I vowed then that I would do everything I could to prevent something like that from happening again. I thought: There is NO WAY this will happen when I have children in school. Laws will change. Surely we will protect our children better.

- In 2007, I had just had my 3rd child, and a month later, the VA Tech shooting took place. I watched the news in horror and thought, please, please, PLEASE let smart people make laws to prevent this from ever happening again. PLEASE. 

- In 2012, I had three kids in elementary school--K, 1st, and 3rd grade, and my husband was an admin at a different school. That same year, 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook ES. I joined @sandyhookpromise as soon as it was created. I thought: THIS will be the last one. No more senseless, preventable deaths.

- In 2022, just last week, at Magruder HS, where I once taught English and where my husband coached soccer, there was another shooting. This time with a ghost gun. Every day, I send my 3 children off to high school 10 minutes down the road from Magruder HS, and every day, I plead, pray, and beg God to keep them safe. 

They should not fear for their lives when they walk into school each day, nor should ANY child, any teacher, any administrator, or support staff. Schools should be safe places.

Today, we asked #Maryland lawmakers to prioritize legislation to prohibit the manufacture & sale of ghost guns: do-it-yourself weapons that can be downloaded or purchased online, bypassing the background check system that keeps us all safe. 

Please do the same. Join your local @momsdemand or @studentsdemand 

#UseYourVoice #DoSomething
#MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere
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Although I can’t be in Annapolis today, this Maryland @MomsDemand volunteer stands with those there in urging my legislators to protect our state from ghost guns. #MomsAreEverywhere #MDGA22 #MDpolitics

Want to get involved? 

❤️ visit momsdemandaction.org

❤️ share ANY and ALL @momsdemand @studentsdemand or @everytown posts

❤️ share any and all #MDGA22 #MDpolitics posts 

❤️ join this movement and make a difference!

#DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange #EndGunViolence
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🔥 Hot off the presses 🔥

Take 5: here's what happened to me, and here's where we're going. . .

Excited about big things happening over here in 2022. 

Things may look a little different as we release and share, but if you want to stay ‘in the know’, subscribe here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#herewego #thescoop #herearethedeets #linkinbio
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Time for your New Year’s Family Interview! 

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s OKAY. We are all feeing a little bit behind already this year. 

Be good to yourself. 

Love your people well. 

Head over and grab your *new and improved* New Year’s Family Interviews here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/new-years-family-interview/

#newyearinterview #familyfun #easytraditions #linkinbio

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