family names: reading and writing the ones we love Homework time is still a really important part of our day, especially now that Owen’s in Kindergarten and Maddy’s second grade work is …Read morefamily names: reading and writing the ones we love
new for us friday: LeapFrog Story Time Pad (& giveaway!) This New For Us Friday, I’m totally excited about a new product from LeapFrog designed especially with younger kiddos in mind. And I’m not …Read morenew for us friday: LeapFrog Story Time Pad (& giveaway!)
how to use halloween candy for (sneaky) fun learning There may only be a few more days left until our Jack-O-Lanterns turn into lunch for the squirrels (if they haven’t already!), but the candy …Read morehow to use halloween candy for (sneaky) fun learning
boo! it’s halloween GHOST bingo! Yeeees! It’s here. It’s creepy, it’s crazy, and it’s a little bit spooky (not really). It’s for everyone, it’s …Read moreboo! it’s halloween GHOST bingo!
leafy, outdoor alphabet letter hunt It’s very leafy over here. With tons of huge trees dropping leaves at about a million per minute, our yard and house is covered. But before I …Read moreleafy, outdoor alphabet letter hunt
new for us friday: leapfrog LeapPad (& giveaway!) We are indeed a LeapFrog family. (And that’s not really New-For-Us-Friday news, I know. . . ) We are a LeapFrog family because waaaaay back …Read morenew for us friday: leapfrog LeapPad (& giveaway!)
halloween joke lunchbox notes: spooky, fun laughs It’s almost Halloween! And of course, I’ve got googly eyes in my back pocket at all times, but I’ve also got something I’m …Read morehalloween joke lunchbox notes: spooky, fun laughs
outdoor play: good for everyone’s mind, body, and soul Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit …Read moreoutdoor play: good for everyone’s mind, body, and soul
halloween class party ideas: help for classroom parents It’s almost Halloween time, which means that all around the world, Classroom Parents will soon be a-scramblin’ for Halloween party …Read morehalloween class party ideas: help for classroom parents
learning during read-alouds: print referencing Some days, it takes every ounce of energy in my being to keep my tired eyes open during the time I’m reading books with Maddy, …Read morelearning during read-alouds: print referencing
magazine hunt: reading and rockin’ it This New For Us Friday I’m sharing a new-for-Cora activity and a new-for-us event: the fab, super-fun magazine hunt and Highlight’s State …Read moremagazine hunt: reading and rockin’ it
window writing: spelling word and letter practice Who knew that window writing would be so much fun? Maddy has been window-writing for the last few weeks to study her spelling words, and Cora has …Read morewindow writing: spelling word and letter practice
mom’s homeroom: ideas, advice, videos, crazy-cool blogs I am over the moon to share some exciting news: I’ve been working with MSN and Frosted Mini-Wheats for the last few months, writing as a …Read moremom’s homeroom: ideas, advice, videos, crazy-cool blogs
fabulous, fancy game to practice tricky sounds: s, t, r, l It’s Cora’s Sparkle-icious Game. That’s what she calls is. But I don’t care what she calls it because all I know is that she …Read morefabulous, fancy game to practice tricky sounds: s, t, r, l
learning during read-alouds: oral language development Sometimes, simple is better. Sometimes, more choices make us more confused. If Maddy, Owen, and Cora were shown an amazing pallet of face paints and …Read morelearning during read-alouds: oral language development
new for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!) Nearly every parent I know wants to do what he or she can to support early learning for their children. We all want to see our kids grow to enjoy …Read morenew for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!)
trying tapas: rockville restaurant week (& giveaway!) For the last few days, Cora and I have read Susan Middleton Elya’s Bebé Goes Shopping more times than I can count. In the story, Mamá y Bebé …Read moretrying tapas: rockville restaurant week (& giveaway!)
fun with food: learning in the kitchen with kids Over the last few years, we’ve had a ton of fun with food over here. I love food, my kids love food, my husband loves food, and we all really …Read morefun with food: learning in the kitchen with kids
learning during read-alouds: making back-to-school connections Today I sent the big O-man off to Kindergarten and Maddy off to second grade, and I absolutely cannot believe it. If I think about it too much, I …Read morelearning during read-alouds: making back-to-school connections
meeting new teachers: hello, teacher notes! Today we spent a few minutes doing one of our favorite back-to-school activities–one that gives my kiddos a chance to say a little …Read moremeeting new teachers: hello, teacher notes!