I can't even believe it, but school's almost out for my kids. Though I'm totally psyched to begin our Smart Summer Challenge this year, I'm also always a little sad when the school year ends. It means my kids are getting older and that time continues to move . . . quickly. This year, especially I feel like I'm having a difficult time as Maddy moves into the wilds of middle school leaving Owen and Cora behind in elementary school. It has been a true joy for me to have all three kids … [Read more...]
yoga brain breaks: use fitflow to teach kids yoga moves from fit4Schools
I am a longtime fan of keeping our kids moving and grooving so that they feel better and do better. And now that I'm back in the classroom, brain breaks are my fave. Add a little yoga to the brain break mix, and I'm the happiest teacher of 'em all. Yoga brain breaks? You got it. Thanks to fit4Schools fitFlow cards and their super-cool Slideshow of Yoga presentation, my students and I have been taking yoga brain breaks each day for the past few weeks, and I really think my first … [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...]
teach kids to give back: $250 volunteer grants for students
I am thrilled to be able to share with you some super ways to teach kids to give back to their communities. WeAreTeachers has asked me to help spread the word about $250 grants that teachers can earn thanks to the Allstate Foundation WE Volunteer Now. Friends, if ever there was a blog post to share with your child's school, this is the one! We all know that volunteering--or giving back to our great, big world--has profound effects on all parties involved. Now your child's school can … [Read more...]
what can you do about gun control? start here.
Friends, it's time to stop talking and start doing. No matter which political party you stand with, the gun violence in our country has gotten way out of hand. It's time to really, truly do something. But before I get all nuts about things, I must be clear: this is not about gun control; it's about gun sense. I am by no means trying to take away anyone's 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. That's not my jam. Rather, I'm advocating for better gun sense laws--laws designed to keep … [Read more...]
support your students’ learning differences: micro-credentials for teachers
For classroom teachers, understanding your students' learning differences is important and worthwhile. Think about it: if the adults in a child's life really, truly know how to reach that child--how that child learns best--would't we be able to move mountains? Thanks to Digital Promise's Micro-Credentials for learning differences, educators today can really learn about what makes their students tick. Educators can really learn about and understand their students' learning … [Read more...]
the must-send email to teachers before holiday break (or after!)
Friends. I know for a while, we've all been thinking about gifts and gatherings and getting our families ready for the holidays, and now we're all cleaning up and returning and reorganizing and trying to be good and healthy about everything, but there's something everyone must do now. I've got a must-send email to teachers from parents for you. You need to touch base with your children's teachers. Now. Because there's no better time than now to really know how your child is … [Read more...]
strategies for handling sad, tragic news–as a family
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...]
fun fact lunchbox notes!
This New For Us Friday we're sharing a new-f0r-us lunchbox note--fun fact lunchbox notes! LOVE these!! A few weeks ago, Maddy, Owen, and Cora were totally into an article in the Kids Post about ear wax. Yes, ear wax. At breakfast. And the article promised more equally disgusting (but soooo interesting!) topics in the near future. I could barely swallow my coffee as I read it, but what was strikingly clear to me was that when kids, even little guys, are interested in something, … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
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