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

us capitol building blue sky

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 today? How do we explain to our children that our government building--the US Capitol--was broken into by fellow citizens? How do we discuss the terrorism we experienced today? How do we approach the fact that the law enforcement officers handled Black Lives Matter demonstrations much differently than they handled today's … [Read more...]

01 | 06 | 2021

family volunteering on martin luther king, jr day

family volunteering on martin luther king, jr day teachmama.com

Four years ago was the very first year we volunteered as a family to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. But it will not be the last. Already, we're looking for other ways we can give back to our community this year to celebrate the life of this great man. Family volunteering on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is easy, thanks to a handful of really awesome organizations designed to make finding volunteer opportunities the easy part. Not even kidding.   It takes five … [Read more...]

01 | 14 | 2018

strategies for handling sad, tragic news–as a family

talking to kids about scary news

Originally published on Dec 15, 2012 in response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School but republished today because it's a message many need to hear. Today, my heart is heavy with the news of the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and though I am not at all close to the area and though I do not have friends or family directly affected by the tragedy, I am having a hard time knowing what to do--as a mother, as a person, and together as a family. I really want to ball up in … [Read more...]

10 | 02 | 2017

circle round: new storytelling podcast for kids #circleround

circle round: new storytelling podcast for kids | teachmama.com

I've been on the hunt for great podcasts for kids for a long time now, and I think I hit the jackpot. Actually, I know I hit the jackpot. And I cannot wait to share. The podcast is called Circle Round, and it rocks. Circle Round is a new storytelling podcast for kids ages 4-10, but I really think kids even a bit older--through middle school--would appreciate these stories. Each episode tells carefully-selected, diverse folktales from around the world which are adapted for … [Read more...]

09 | 27 | 2017

how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know

how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know | teachmama.com

School's in full swing here, and if your house is anything like mine, getting kids to talk about their day is sometimes difficult. I want to know everything: Who did they sit with at lunch? Who did they play with at recess? How do they like their tablemates? What book did they start in Guided Reading? Who hosted the morning tv show? But it's hard. The kids are tired at 3pm, they're even more tired at 7pm, and the last thing they want to do is talk to boring old Mom about … [Read more...]

09 | 09 | 2017

hear poems read by poets: 4 free, fab resources

hear poems read by poets: 4 free, fab resources

I've been chatting up poetry all month long, since April is National Poetry Month. I've hit you with a few ways to make poetry rock for your kids. I've shared some of my favorite poetry books. I've even told you why kids need to hear sounds in words.. Honestly, more than anything, I'm thrilled to share some really awesome poetry-related resources with you--resources I truly believe will help bring poetry to life for your kids. It's one thing to read poems, but it's another to … [Read more...]

04 | 20 | 2016

live focused: may is the month for YOU — get started with these ideas

live focused in 2015 self teachmama.com

      Friends, it's taken me a bit to get to this important post this month, but here it is. All year long we've been focusing on living with intention, making our time on this earth really count. We've covered organization, friendship, clarity, and growth, and now, mid-year, we're looking at ourselves. Here's the skinny. . . Live Focused--May is the Month for YOU: (Here I am, enjoying my very first butterbeer. . . a dream.) We're all busy, this I know … [Read more...]

05 | 20 | 2015

how to have a family meeting: what works for us

how to have a family meeting: what works for us

  Oh, friends. How things change as our kids get older, right? After years of doing what we can to give our kids choices, listening to them, doing all we can but ultimately having the final say--our kids have expressed to us that they want more of a voice in our family. I get it. So we've been having Family Meetings. We have only recently begun to have regular Family Meetings, and though they are not perfect, I do think they help.' We're still learning. Aren't we … [Read more...]

03 | 20 | 2015

read across america day EVERY day of the year

celebrate read across america every day | teachmama.com

This post was originally published on March 1, 2013 but we're republishing because it's that important.      It's Read Across America Day!  Only something that everyone's been talking about for days and days and days and days now, but don't worry if you're already in your pj's or missed the boat altogether. Don't worry if this is the very first time you're hearing about it and now you feel like  you're the only kid not invited to the party. TO-tally not so!  Everyone's … [Read more...]

03 | 01 | 2015

something has to change and it must start here–with you and with me

if we want change to happen it must start here | teachmama.com

  I rarely write posts like this.  And this one took me much longer than I'd like to admit. But yesterday I realized something. Something big. It's this: if I want change to happen, it has to start here. I'm a mother of three kids, 10, 9, and 7 years old, and if I want change to happen, it must. Start. Here. With me. With my family. Because I know that though I am only one person, my voice makes a difference. And so does yours. Yes, you.  No matter whether you are … [Read more...]

11 | 19 | 2014

noticing your kids: little observations mean a lot from parents

noticing your kids: little observations mean a lot from parents

originally published 9/17/09 but republishing now because it's worth it--   Lately, I've felt overwhelmed by Cora's 'two-year-old-ness'. Her fiery temper; her constant movement; her unceasing energy; her smiles, hugs, songs, and cuddles; her high high's, and her low low's. Some days we enjoy this roller coaster ride, and others, we all want off. But what I've also realized is that as a parent, I'm more experienced than I was when Maddy was two, but I'm not in the fog of fatigue … [Read more...]

09 | 04 | 2014

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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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