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backyard adventure begins with “The Never Starting Tales”
Backyard adventure begins with "The Never Starting Tales". Really, it does! "The Never Starting Tales" may sound unusual, but these tales are simply a collection of re-interpreted fairytales that were created to inspire families to spend more time adventure-seeking in their own back yards. These stories explore what might have happened if a character never stepped outdoors to actually begin his or her adventure? What if a character instead stayed inside, glued to that … Read More...
Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
Okay, teacher friends, it's time that you got a little fun and pampering! You have worked your tails off this spring, so we've put a little something together for you: a Virtual Summit for Educators! The Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond Presented by Advancement Courses and hosted by Amy Mascott on June 2, 2020 from 9am - 3pm ET And the cost? FREE for TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS! That's right. I joined forces with some really, truly amazing … Read More...
helping kids manage anxiety: one teacher at a time
In my many years of working with students, anxiety is something I have seen manifest in a number of ways. As a parent, I've seen numerous children struggle with anxiety, from toddlers up through teens. And personally, anxiety is something I have battled myself for over 30 years. It's something my kids struggle with. And my husband. And my sisters. So when I saw that Advancement Courses offers a 3-graduate-credit course called Strategies for Addressing Student Anxiety, I knew I had to … Read More...
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 difficult to get our kids outside, right? Sometimes it's hard to get them to use their brains in fun and creative ways. Sometimes it's all we can do to get them to not hurt each other or get into a fistfight over finishing the last of the Lucky Charms. I feel your pain. Really I do. So last weekend, my husband and I put our heads … Read More...
how to make super-easy, beautiful flower pens
It's Teacher Appreciation Week, a time I really believe teachers should get a little love, a pat on the back for all of their hard work, effort, and energy. Though my kids' school has a whole committee who plans a week of total awesomeness for our teachers, the second day of the week is usually reserved for a small note, treat, drawing, or handmade gift from the children. In the past, Maddy, Owen,and Cora have made sweet fingerprint notecards or little storybooks for their teachers. And we … Read More...
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 our dance on. Because why not? Turns out that Cora and Owen's awesome teachers for the past few years had often put on short little YouTube dances for them when they need to get the wiggles out. We found most of Cora and Owen's faves, and we found some more. Not only does moving mid-day help increase concentration and focus (for … Read More...
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 spirit-filled fun! Neighborhood Spirit Week? YOU BET! We don't have to be together to have fun. We can show our unity from the comfort of our homes. Here's the skinny. . . Neighborhood Spirit Week -- Let's Be Together, but Apart, in April It's simple: all you have to do is share this flier with neighbors, and the party's already … Read More...
neighborhood i-spy
Let's play a neighborhood I-Spy game! We're all hanging out at home, so why not make a little game out of it? Let's get those kiddos out and moving, biking, walking, skipping, or scooting. Everyone else (who is up for it!) can display a few easy-to-find or easy-to-make items on their windows, door, driveway, whatever. Here's the skinny. . . Neighborhood I-Spy It's all about being together, but apart right now, right? Right. There are a ton of ways to do just that. And … Read More...
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 Tuesday, so we're really pretty new at this. Last week, I shared my ingenious Homeschooling During Coronavirus Schedule. Did you see it? It was pretty awesome. Let me remind you: It was perfect for elementary, middle, or high schoolers!You could adjust it for your needs! It was colorful! It was adaptable! There was choice! Did I say it … Read More...
everything free and awesome online to do while kids are home: classes, crafts, virtual tours and more
Here's everything free and awesome online to to while kids are home from school thanks to the Coronavirus Outbreak. I'm talking FREE online classes, crafts, virtual tours, free broadway shows, musicals, and meditation. Free yoga and exercise. Free learning resources, games, and more. We're all home from work, school, sports, and extra-curricular activities, so what are we doing? Trying. To. Stay. Sane. Friends--thank you to each and every one of you who have sent me links to cool … Read More...
