Several years ago, I wrote about how to make the school year a smashing success, or. . . actually how to make the school year as successful as humanly possible. It included 10 easy steps that any family could follow in order to start the school year off on the right foot. I just looked back at it, and I decided it's totally worth sharing again, because, well, with a little prep and a little thought, every family can start the school year off on a positive note. Every one of us wants the … [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...]
Online PD for teachers: Advancement Courses
This year, I'm thrilled to be partnering with Advancement Courses, courses designed to be more engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable-- with real feedback and application in today's K-12 classroom. Continuing education can be one of the biggest challenges for us as teachers today. I feel like I'm always asking: Where are all the relevant, meaningful courses? Where are all the courses approved by my school and the state? Where is the professional development that fits my schedule? Where is … [Read more...]
5 ways parents can show thanks for teachers and schools
Between Election Day, parent-teacher conferences, and field trips, it always seems like things get nutty in November. The novelty of the new year has worn off, and kids—and parents—start slowly slipping into the mid-year blues or pre-holiday anxiety. And if things are crazy for our family, I can only imagine how difficult things can be for our teachers. So November is a great time for us all to step back and extend a bit of thanks to those teachers with whom our children spend hours and … [Read more...]
halloween class party: 10 quickie activities for that extra 10 minutes
Planning class parties can be a real struggle, especially when you're rolling solo as the Room Parent. But for years now, I've made it my goal to share as much as was humanly possible so that no one's stuck trying to figure out what to do with 30 kids eager for a good Halloween par-tay. If you need a full-fledged Halloween class party, you can check out: Halloween class party ideas MORE Halloween class party ideas for the whole deal. But if you just need a quickie 10-minute activity … [Read more...]
Ward’s Science: grants, lessons, products and more
This week, Owen and I had an absolute blast taking a look at some of the fab science kits that were sent to us from our friends at Ward's Science. Ward's Science is seriously an educator's one-stop shop for all things science, and it has been for years and years. They've got tons and tons of products, resources, lesson plans, and support for helping students connect to science and to really make science come alive for them. And the coolest things about this company are the history … [Read more...]
5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy families
Friends. There's no denying it. Back-to-school season is in full swing, so I thought I'd take a minute to share a few fun back-to-school rituals for busy families. I Here's the skinny. . . 5 Fun Back-to-School Rituals for Busy Families Family Camp-In No matter where in the world you live, the weather's always perfect for a Family Camp-In. A Camp-In is the opposite of a Camp-Out, of course! A Camp-In takes place in your house, in a room large enough for the whole family. And though you … [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...]
room parent 101: 3 tricks to make the year rock (and free tools to stay organized!)
So, you're a room parent this year, huh? Whether you've been roped into it or whether you chose to take on this important role on your own free will, there are some things you must know: You will have a lot of fun. Really, you will. The kids are so cool. They are. And the parents appreciate you! You will be organized. From right now until the end of the year, friend, you must stay organized. You will need a team. So starting now, you may be the room parent, but you will have a … [Read more...]
back-to-school deals at staples that families don’t want to miss
This past weekend, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I did our annual Back-to-School Supply shopping extravaganza only at Staples. But this year was a wee bit different than other years. And? It was an absolute blast. This year, we went to Staples, and we shared our school-supply haul live on Facebook--and we were live on Instagram. If you joined us, thank you. If you missed it, no problem. I have it all here, and I'm highlighting a few of our fave deals--deals that families don't want … [Read more...]
hello teacher notes: let kids connect with teachers
Hello Teacher Notes are a quick and easy way to make back-to-school a tiny bit less stressful. This is another one of our fave back-to-school traditions, and this one involves a little bit of writing, some decorating, and a wee bit of walking. Not much walking, really. Just to the mailbox or up to the school, depending on where you live. For the last few years, we've rocked Hello, Teacher Notes to ease the transition from summer break to school year just a tiny bit easier for Maddy, Owen, … [Read more...]
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