eclipse 2017: free resources for families Storyeclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you’re last minute)Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that on August 21, we’ll experience a total solar eclipse. I am going to hit you quickly with everything we’re doing on the big day so that you can do it, too.Learn moreI’m no scientist, believe me, so I have had to do a bit of digging for information about what this eclipse is, what it means, and why it’s such a big deal.Learn more1. …
25 days of kindness, 25 ways to be kind to others Story
25 days of kindness, 25 ways to be kind to others Story25 days of kindness, 25 ways to be kind to othersWhether you’re in school, in the workplace, or at home, it doesn’t matter. Kindness matters in more ways than you may think.Learn moreThe Kindness StudyYoung people who describe their environments as ‘kind’ are more likely to be mentally healthy. That’s true for youth in high schools, colleges, and the work place.Learn more25 Days of KindnessGiven the study results, I think it would really …
how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know Story
how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know Storyhow to get kids to talk about school:what every parent must knowSchool’s in full swing here, and if your house is anything like mine, getting kids to talk about their day is sometimes difficult.Learn more1. direct questions: Most often, numero uno–direct questions–are a complete and utter fail for me. Save for those rare occasions when the stars are aligned, the odds are rarely ever in my favor for this …
3 reasons kids need early reader books with characters they love Story
3 reasons kids need early reader books with characters they love Story3 reasons kids need early reader books with characters they loveIt’s funny that some folks feel so strongly opposed to handing kids books that feature the characters they so love, but I do understand it.Learn morePopular Characters in Early Reader Texts are SUPER High-InterestWe want to provide our kids with as much high-interest reading as possible–that way kids will want to read!Learn moreSo when we give emerging readers …
Advancement Courses teach Team: a look at our events Story
Advancement Courses teach Team: a look at our events StoryAdvancement Courses teach Team:a look at our eventsThe team has been super busy, and over the past few months, we have covered a variety of topics that are super relevant to teachers.Learn moreLet’s take a closer look at each of the events from this past year.Learn moreteACh Team Kick-Off — Facebook Live, March 22Focus: Professional Development for educatorsLearn moreLeading Post-Pandemic — Facebook live, april 6Focus: Leading Post …
5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy families Story
5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy families Story5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy familiesBack-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.Learn moreFamily Camp-InNo matter where in the world you live, the weather’s always perfect for a Family Camp-In. Learn moreYes! DayScheduling–or surprising!–your kids with a Yes! Day before school starts is a ritual that is shared by many of my friends.Learn moreIn a …
christmas eve tradition: family pajamas Story
christmas eve tradition: family pajamas Storychristmas eve tradition: FAMILY PAJAMASChristmas Eve Tradition–Family Pajamas: By Christmas Eve, everything is settled. Everything is ready.Learn moreThis favorite family tradition involves giving a little gift to each other before the big day arrives–before Santa takes a trip down our dirty chimney to bring gifts to our littles.Learn moreIt’s simple, but it’s become a well-anticipated tradition: Family Pajamas.Learn moreBut we are a family who …
support for struggling readers: audiobooks Story
support for struggling readers: audiobooks Storysupport for struggling readers:audiobooksEspecially for our struggling readers, audiobooks add that extra layer of support. And when kids are able to follow along in the text, listen, and watch as words are highlighted, it’s even more of a win.Learn moreYou may have heard of Audible.Audible, Inc. is all about spoken audio. Audio everything: entertainment, information, and educational programming, and all of it’s online.Learn moreScore THREE FREE …
how to make a doll cake (& other sweet fairy party treats!) Story
how to make a doll cake (& other sweet fairy party treats!) Storyhow to make a doll cake (& other sweet fairy party treats!) I’ll start with the Doll Cake, since that’s what Cora asked for ever since she attended a party this summer where the birthday girl had THE coveted Doll Cake.Learn moreDoll CakeYou need two round cake pans. And you need some sort of pan that you can use for the top of the skirt.Learn moreThe Batter Bowl! I had it here in our house the whole time! Who …
words 3 ways: learning sight words for kindergarten Story
words 3 ways: learning sight words for kindergarten Storywords 3 ways: LEARNING SIGHT WORDS FOR KINDERGARTENThe concept of words three ways is simple– children ‘play’ with words in three basic ways.Learn moreWords 3 Ways: Learning Sight Words for Kindergarten:It’s similar to Maddy’s Trace, Copy, Recall for beginning work with spelling words, but catered a bit more toward littler ones. Learn moreCora has been using Words 3 Ways for a few weeks now, so she understands how it works, but when I …
improve fluency: slow down speedy readers Story
improve fluency: slow down speedy readers Storyimprove fluency: SLOW DOWN SPEEDY READERSI’ve said before that one of the things that you never want to say to a reader is Slow down! You’re reading too fast! or. . .Learn more. . . You’re reading waaaaay too slow. C’mon, pick up the pace so we can get through this, Honey.Learn moreIt’s just not helpful, and no one feels great saying these things or hearing them.Learn moreThe awesome news there are a few other really worthwhile, constructive …
room parent 101: 3 tricks to make the year rock Story
room parent 101: 3 tricks to make the year rock Storyroom parent 101:3 tricks to make the year rock (and free tools to stay organized!)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:Learn moreYou will have a lot of fun.Really, you will. The kids are so cool. They are. And the parents appreciate you!Learn moreYou will be organized. From right now until the end of the year, friend, you must stay …
halloween joke lunchbox notes Story
halloween joke lunchbox notes Storyhalloween joke lunchbox notes:spooky, fun laughsIt’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 throwing in lunchboxes this month. . .Learn more. . . something a little creepy (not really), a little spooky (just a teeny), and a lotof funny: Halloween Joke Lunchbox Notes!Learn moreHalloween Joke Lunchbox Notes:My pal, Kristen, who hit me with the super-fun Fun Fact Lunchbox Notes last …
top 10 ways to talk to kids about books Story
top 10 ways to talk to kids about books Storytop 10 ways to talk to kids about booksHere are the top 10 ways to talk to kids about books so you have them in one happy place for your summer reading pleasure.Learn more1. Make connections. Make connections between kids and characters in the book. Make connections between what happens in the book and what has happened in your life.Learn more Make predictions.Get kids thinking about what will happen in the book before they …
HOW TO DO A FAMILY RACLETTE DINNER Story
HOW TO DO A FAMILY RACLETTE DINNER Storyhow to do a family raclette dinner: make it fun, special, memorable We made our raclette meal super simple, and honestly, with kids, simple always seems to be better. Learn moreWhat we love about this meal is that every, single thing is catered to individual people—you can eat whatever you like!—and there’s a lot to choose from.Learn moreHow to Do a Family Raclette Dinner — Make it Fun, Special, and MemorablePart of the surprise was that I …
thank you delivery people: free printable for families Story
thank you delivery people: free printable for families Storythank you delivery people: FREE PRINTABLE FOR FAMILIES When I saw my sweet and smart friend Danielle Smith, of Pretty Extraordinary, take a minute to say “thank you” to the delivery people, I stopped and smiled.Learn moreThank You Delivery People — Printables for FamiliesIt’s a simple “thank you” that you can leave on your doorstep for the people from the USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, or any delivery company.Learn moreYou can put …
learn to read app for kids 3-7 Story
learn to read app for kids 3-7 Storylearn to read app for kids 3-7: Duolingo ABCDuolingo ABC is a free app that teaches children ages 3 – 7 how to read.Learn moreIt’s developed by learning scientists. This app includes over 300 fun, mini- lessons that teach the alphabet, phonics, and sight words.Learn moreDuolingo ABC — Learn-to-read app for kids 3-7I am saying, as a Reading Specialist and educator for the past 20 years, that I am really impressed by Duolingo ABCLearn moreFirst, a little …
Check out these cool Advent Calendars for Teens Story
Check out these cool Advent Calendars for Teens StoryCheck out these cool Advent Calendars for TeensJust because our kids are now teens, it doesn’t mean that all of our fun family traditions, like the holiday Advent Calendar, need to end!Learn moreInstead, we just need to slightly change and adapt our favorite traditions to meet the needs of our ‘bigger’ kids.Learn moreCheck out these cool Advent Calendars for TeensLet me know which works for your crew!Learn moreLEGO Harry Potter Advent …
talk with kids about emotions: ‘inside out’ mini-book and card game Story
talk with kids about emotions: ‘inside out’ mini-book and card game Storytalk with kids about emotions: ‘‘inside out’ mini-book and card gameIdentifying emotions is a lot easier for some kids than others–which is no surprise for any parent reading this, I’m sure. Learn more1. First of all, we watched Inside Out.If you haven’t heard, Inside Out is kind of an interesting, unusual movie. It takes place in the ‘command center’ of 11-year-old Riley’s mind.Learn more2. We created the Inside Out …
how to teach summary writing Story
how to teach summary writing Storyhow to teach summary writing: the 1-hand summarySummarizing is a skill that must be explicitly taught. And it’s a skill that must be modeled.Learn moreHow to Teach Summary Writing–The 1-Hand Summary:My goal with this was to have it work for anything Maddy chose–a news article, a magazine article, anything. And for the most part, it works.Learn moreHow I beganI started with the very article that Maddy chose for her homework–a piece from The Washington Post …