school Archives - teach mama

positive classroom experience for all: Staples + Lady Gaga = Staples for Students

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the role of kindness in the classroom. And when I was approached by the good people at Staples about the partnership between Staples and Lady Gaga and all of the awesome that they're creating with Staples for Students, you better believe I was game to share. Do you ever wonder: What role does kindness have in the classroom today? What is the correlation between kindness and overall well-being among students? How can we empower … [Read more...]

teacher appreciation gifts for all of your kids’ teachers

Friends. Teacher Appreciation gifts can sometimes break the bank, and I know that can be hard. But being a teacher myself, I can tell you that really, sometimes simple and heartfelt is a much better way to go. Teachers appreciate hearing 'thank you' any day of the week. Really and truly. Having three kids in school and about a million teachers to recognize, I know it can also get super expensive to give gifts to these important people in your children's lives. Here's a sweet and … [Read more...]

make summer learning ROCK with free bookmarks and Summer Brain Quest

Oh, friends. You know that I am obsessed with continuing the learning for my kids over the summer, right? Every, single spring I do a little happy dance, just knowing that summer is around the corner and that I get to have Maddy, Owen, and Cora to myself every, single day. I love it. And I love having a ton of fun ways to keep my kids reading, thinking, creating, and playing with numbers during the long summer months. Anything to avoid the summer slide. Really and truly. This … [Read more...]

talking to tweens about drugs: it’s time to start now

Sometimes when I actually stop to think about the fact that we have a 12, 11, and 9 year old in the house, I cannot even believe it. I absolutely cannot wrap my head around it. I can't believe that in two years,we'll no longer have a child in elementary school. I can't believe that in four years, we'll have a middle schooler and two high schoolers. I can't believe that in less than ten years, we'll have three kids in college. I honestly can't believe that all of those 'big' … [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...]

pat on the back notes for kids who are trying their best

Let's face it, friends. Life for kids can be pretty tough. It's hard to be a kid these days--harder than it was for us. School was hard enough for me way back when, even without all the new pressures of social media. I can't even imagine how the presence of Instagram, Snapchat, Musical.ly, and everything else would have colored my middle school or high school experience. I don't even want to think about it. So honestly, any time we can give our kids a pat on the back for trying … [Read more...]

say something week: prevent violence or suicide in YOUR child’s school

Did you know? When it comes to violence, suicide and threats, most are known by at least one other individual before the incident takes place. In 4 out of 5 school shootings, the attacker told people of his or her plans ahead of time. 7 out of 10 people who complete suicide told someone of their plans or gave some type of warning or indication. I had no idea. Really and truly. But it makes sense. Imagine how much tragedy could be averted if these individuals said … [Read more...]

make free ICE [In Case of Emergency] cards for your kids

Friends. I've shared that this month is National Preparedness Month. Have you checked it out? Have you created your Emergency Prep Kit? Your Go-Bags? Your ICE Cards? It's okay. I know you're busy. We all are. But take two minutes today and create ICE [In Case of Emergency] Cards for your kids. ICE Cards are super easy to make, and the whole purpose of them is to keep your kids safe. Thanks to Save the Children's site, you can make these cards in two minutes. Two … [Read more...]

save money and time this school year: 7 classroom hacks for teachers

Back-to-school season isn’t just for students, my friends. As thousands of schools have been opening their doors, teachers have been working tirelessly setting up classrooms, preparing lesson plans and printing materials for their students. In a school spending survey, almost 80% of teachers say they use their own money on material supplies in what amounts to a $1 billion annual spend for their classrooms. That is a LOT of money. And many teachers don’t have the extra to … [Read more...]

how to make back to school fun for kids: 10 tips from a 12-year-old who knows

This week marks the official end to summer, but if your kids are unusually cranky, maybe it's not all because of the school bell. Maybe it's because you, as a family, neglected to do one of these ten 'must-do' things. (I'm kidding. Kind of.) According to Maddy, my now seventh grader (unbelievable!), these ten things are what kids really want. And they're what she believes will make back-to-school totally awesome, top-notch, and fab for kids. Because that's what we want, right? … [Read more...]

teachmama fab finds: back to school clothing steals for kids & mom

It's Friday, friends! We made it. We rocked the first week of school, and we finished smiling. Not to say that this first full, five-day week was easy. No, ma'am. It was not easy. It was difficult, and we're tired. But I thought I'd round out the week by sharing some things that make me really happy: steals and deals on back-to-school clothing for kids and mom. Here's the skinny. . . Teach Mama Fab Finds -- Back-To-School Clothing Steals for Kids & Mom: You definitely … [Read more...]