Latest Posts
Be Internet Awesome—free resources to help keep kids internet safe
Friends, if you and your family are not talking openly and often about internet safety, then you really must start doing so now. What better time to start than on Safer Internet Day, February 5? Safer Internet Day is geared toward making sure all people join together and do what they can to make the internet a safer place for everyone—especially for our younger users. But how do we do this? We barely understand the internet, right? So how are we supposed to help our kids be … Read More...
valentine’s day class party ideas, 2.0
For many years now I've been roped into being Room Parent for my kids' classes, and though I do love the opportunity to meet other families from the school and to get to know the kids in the class, it's a lot of work. More than once I've wished that there was a secret site that gave me all of the Valentine's Day class party ideas I needed--the letters to send, the snacks to serve, crafts to make and the games to play. But knowing that such a thing doesn't exist and that each class party is … Read More...
the kid who would be king: review & free printables
Looking for a fun family movie this weekend? We found a great one for you: The Kid Who Would Be King. And I've got some cool printable quotes notes—and mini posters!—for you, too! The Kid Who Would Be King is a modern-day adaptation of the King Arthur story and the legend of the sword in the stone, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I loved this film. It's a fun mix of Goonies and Harry Potter. Not only did we have a chance to see an advanced screening of this new film in NYC this month, … Read More...
valentine’s day water bottle labels: get kids reading jokes!
I love any reason to get kids reading--that's no secret. And I love a good joke. That's really no secret, either. So I made these Valentine's Day joke notes to put on plain-Jane water bottles, over the label. I love them. Valentine's Day water bottle labels will not only give your kids--or students--something refreshing to drink, but it'll give them something to laugh about as well. Here's the skinny. . . Valentine's Day Water Bottle Labels -- Get Your Kids Reading … Read More...
from a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope: #NationAtHope
For the last two years, I've been a member of the Aspen Institute's Parent Panel for the National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, and finally—finally!—today our report is released into the world! The Nation At Hope Report: What You Need to Know It's called From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope, and it's a work that reflects decades of research and thousands of hours of work from dozens of incredible people. Remember years ago, the “A Nation At Risk” … Read More...
thank you delivery people: free printable for families
This time of the year is insane. We're moving so quickly, our to-do lists are nuts, and often we're totally forgetting to breathe. At least I am. So when I saw my sweet and smart friend Danielle Smith, of Pretty Extraordinary, take a minute to say "thank you" to the delivery people, I stopped and smiled. This is so simple. But it can really make someone's day. Here's the skinny. . . Thank You Delivery People -- Free Printable for Families It's a simple "thank you" that you can … Read More...
top 5 must-read books for kids: babies through teens
Over the years, many readers and friends have asked me the about the must-read books for kids. Every few weeks, I get asked the million dollar questions: What books should my kids read? What are the best books for 5-year-olds? Which books will my 12-year-old love to read? Please tell me how to spend my book money--which are the must-have books for kids? We're heading to the library. Which books should I pick up? I've had the conversation over and over and over again. So … Read More...
national youth science day: code your world kit giveaway
Have you heard? You can celebrate National Youth Science Day all month long! HughesNet (America’s #1 provider of satellite Internet and a supporter of 4-H) is doing something totally awesome in celebration of NYSD. Something you don't want to miss. 4-H has turned National Youth Science Day into a month-long celebration this year, with a challenge called Code Your World, which invites kids to get involved in computer science through hands-on doing. And we are giving away 12 Code Your … Read More...
Have outstanding student loan debt? Debt forgiveness is available to you.
Did you know that if you're a teacher, the US Government offers programs that can lower your monthly payments and even provide a path for debt forgiveness? The problem—like so many government sponsored programs—is that they're often difficult to understand and a total challenge to complete the necessary filing paperwork. TrustRight Student Loan Services has proprietary software that clearly explains all the options available to you along with a system that completely simplifies the … Read More...
STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens
As a teacher and parent, I am always, always on the hunt for free, hands-on STEM activities for kids and teens. It's always been my goal to raise confident, curious kids--children who question the world around them and want to learn how and why things work the way they do. So whenever we've had questions about things, we researched the answer together. I was recently introduced to an incredible resource that I'm thrilled to share with parents and educators--it's totally free, it's … Read More...
