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learning in the every day | teachmama.com provides the tools and resources parents need to be the best teachers for their children | by amy mascott

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st. patrick’s day BRAIN TEASER scavenger hunt

st. patrick's day BRAIN TEASER scavenger hunt

Even though our lives have changed quite a bit since I started this blog seven years ago, one thing has remained the same: we love to rock it out for holidays. Even big kids like to rock it out for the holidays. So this year, I decided to kick up our traditional St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt just a wee bit.  My kids are quick, and they're smart. So our Scavenger Hunt needs to be tricky and engaging to keep them interested--or at least to stretch our hunt a bit past the … [Read more...]

03 | 12 | 2019

5 reasons to see ‘Gifted’ the movie and discussion guide for families #GiftedMovie

5 reasons to see 'Gifted' | discussion guide for families

Last month, Cora and I were flown out to Los Angeles for a press junket for Gifted, the new movie starring Chris Evans (, Mckenna Grace, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, and Lindsay Duncan. The movie, the actors, the interviews, and the whole experience were amazing. Let me cut to the chase, friends. I have information for you. I know you're busy. So you want to know: Should you see the movie or not? Should you spend you money on it? Should you use your Sunday afternoon or … [Read more...]

04 | 05 | 2017

pokemonGO: what it is and what parents need to know

pokemonGO what parents need to know | teachmama.com

Oh, friends. Those of you who know me know that Pokemon is one of my least favorite things in the whole, wide world. I struggled through Owen's crazy Pokemon stage a few summers ago, trying to learn to distinguish Charizard from Charmeleon and Pidgey from Pidgeotto so that I could try to understand what he was talking about--all the livelong day. Maddy, Cora, my husband and I tried to play Pokemon, flipping cards and talking about evolutions and attacks and CP and EX (probably wrong … [Read more...]

07 | 26 | 2016

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

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

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 … [Read more...]

04 | 04 | 2016

talking about severus snape with kids: in memory of alan rickman

talking about severus snape with kids | teachmama.com

This morning, my sister told me about the passing of Alan Rickman, the man who played (among many other roles) Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. And instantly I wanted to bawl. I did bawl. The thing is, I never met Alan Rickman. I don't know him personally. But I do know his life ended way too soon (he was only 69 years old) and that his calculating, greasy voice made him sound like the ultimate 'bad guy'. I know, too, that he was a stellar actor. And I love what he did … [Read more...]

01 | 14 | 2016

school supply shopping: our NEW way to teach kids to be smart consumers

school supply shopping teachmama.com

  Every year, we try to somehow involve our kids in back-to-school shopping. When Maddy, Owen, and Cora were emerging readers, I created easy-to-read lists that we’d take on our shopping trips. The lists combined words and pictures so that they could more easily find what they needed. As the kids got older, we worked together to find the best places to shop, using the coupons and sales circulars to figure out the best deals. This year, we tried something new. I knew … [Read more...]

08 | 12 | 2015

birdwatching math puzzles: super challenging and tricky

birdwatching math puzzles: super challenging and tricky

This summer as we usually do, I'm trying each week to include some new and exciting math fun. In the form of puzzles or chocolate challenges or number games or just a new spin on old school problem-solving, any way we can pull in Especially this year we've loved the challenging puzzles created by Erich Friedman. These puzzles, you guys, are tough. This week we tried the Birdwatching Puzzles. Here's the skinny. . . Birdwatching Math Puzzles--Super Challenging and Tricky:  The … [Read more...]

07 | 29 | 2015

camp google: ocean, space, music and nature weeks

camp google

Friends. I have been working with National Geographic Kids for some time now, as one of their 'Insiders' and honestly the coolest thing about it is that I get kind of 'behind-the-scenes' information that I can share with you. Honestly. Fab books, cool programs, you name it. And this summer, National Geographic has partnered with Khan Academy, National Parks, and NASA to create some really rockstar at-home 'camps' for kids. Really. It's called 'Camp Google', and of course, along … [Read more...]

07 | 13 | 2015

fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises

fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises

Week two of tabletop surprises is in the books, and it was a blast! Because my crew was busy fighting off some pretty awful summertime colds, we did a bit of re-arranging with our tabletop surprises calendar this week. But you know what? That's the awesome thing about it: you can do what you want. When you want. And the freebie 10 week resource guide includes a whole bunch of awesome extra ideas to use if one day doesn't work for you.  This week, we drew, built, wrote, and … [Read more...]

06 | 27 | 2015

matchstick math: patterns, puzzles and critical thinking

matchstick math teachmama.com

    The matchstick math activity we did last week for tabletop surprises was a real hit. I had an inkling that the activity would be a favorite of Owen's but really all of the kids were into it. And when we didn't bump the table, making the matchsticks fall all out of place and go everywhere, it was all good. It was super-simple, and I thank the good folks who write Matchstick Puzzles blog for their ideas. Here's the skinny. . . Matchstick Math:  Really, I had … [Read more...]

06 | 25 | 2015

coral reefs of Palau: The Nature Conservancy free virtual field trip and learning resources

coral reefs of Palauvirtual field trip teachmama.com

    Right about now a lot of us are thinking about sun, sand, and surf. I know I am. School's almost out, and over here, we're all ready for summer to begin. But before school lets out for the year, there's still a bunch of learning to be done. And for those of us who are heading to the shore this summer, those of us who are planning on dipping our toes in the ocean, it might be cool to learn a bit about life underwater--the interconnected city of life in the … [Read more...]

05 | 07 | 2015

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How to get kids ready for reading and wanting to read! Parents and teachers can help our little ones pull from their growing schema so that they can better understand and appreciate the texts we’re reading to them in read-alouds. #teachmama #reading #activitiesforkids #teaching #learning #elementary #education #literacyWe're all at home (or most of us, anyway!), so let's keep things light and as fun as possible for our children. Let's play Neighborhood I-SPY! No one has to even come close to one another for this game. Simply share the flier and tally sheet, and pass around on your Facebook groups, your neighborhood listserves, you name it. Then choose a date, and start putting the items in windows and on doors. Then let families walk or drive around to hunt for the items!
I like to use some fun hands on learning activities to teach my kids some of the basics and this alphabet activity does just that! Let’s go on an Alphabet Hunt right here in our backyard for things that begin with each letter. #teachmama #alphabet #earlylearning #toddler #preschooler #toddleractivities #abc's #earlylearning #literacy5 super-smart keys to success when it comes to getting kids in the garden!   These are tried and true tips, sure to surprise even the most green-thumb family.   And? Grab a FREE Garden Plan and Harvest Record, which serves a few purposes: 1.) help track of the plants that we are cultivating this year 2.) keep track of the weather this summer 3.) count the number of plants we yield 4.) evaluate the taste of each plant  SUPER cool and actionable tips for you to use today!Have a little one that's ready to start kindergarten and ready to learn to read? This sight word Go Fish game is the perfect way to take the beginning reading phase and the interest in reading and words with a fun educational word game! #learning #kindergarten #reading #literacy #earlychildhood #teaching #words #preschool #kindergarten #activities
Want to raise readers? Here are some top insider secrets top for motivating your kids to read. These tips for moms and teachers will help you to motivate your kids or students to read if they are a bit reluctant! #literacy #reading #education #teaching #kids #readers #learning #tipsFriends, I’ve had the chance to really take a look at @duolingo ABC app over the past few days, and we LOOOVE IT!  In this app—in the form of games and mini-lessons, kids learn: phonemic awareness, fluency, phonics, comprehension, handwriting, sight wordshow to teach kids the ABCs: 5 fun ways  to play with the letters of the alphabet -- some cool, easy ways that take little to no prep at home--> tried, tested, and parent and teacher approved!  Great post to share with parents for some extra at-home support and early literacy learning !
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