A consistent schedule for home and school tasks is a key to establishing life-long work habits. This includes: * setting up meaningful jobs (emptying the trash, setting the table for family meals, feeding pets,carrying dishes to be washed, straightening bed covers, etc.) Individual value increases when all members of the family unit contribute to the family’s… Read More »
4 National Tips We’re all busy these days, but there are a few 5-15 minute projects that can be done to support schools without leaving home. Just turn on your computer to learn what is happening in education that affects your family and community. Then make your voice count. Send out your ‘take’ on the… Read More »
All grade levels can use current events as part of their social studies and/or their morning opening. Here are a few types of news that fit into school curriculum and into family meal time discussions. 1. On this Day in History – a calendar related reference to mark an important or interesting event. 2. Weather-… Read More »
One way to enhance subjects is through mini courses, special brief presentations that focus on one aspect of a topic. Teachers, parents, community volunteers and business owners are invited to present their topic. It is expected the presenter will provide visuals as well as hands-on materials and will address their topic in accordance with the teacher’s expectations.… Read More »
I remember my first day as a classroom assistant working in my own kids classrooms. I had a decade or more teaching experience, but I still felt shy and unsure of myself. What did the teachers want me to do? Where was I to work? How would the kids, and mine in particular, react to… Read More »
It’s the time of year to buy school supplies and clothes to fit your growing child, right? It’s also time to organize your child to take on the responsibility for the school-to-home-to-school information, books and such. I hope you have a school place near the door that your child uses to leave for school. If… Read More »
Each year students grow and change. Their homework space needs to keep pace. It may mean a taller chair and a larger desk, new reference materials or situating the workspace closer to the family computer to accommodate more online tasks. Regardless, now is a good time to start looking around and honoring your child’s changing needs.… Read More »
It’s a busy world and, those everyday contacts you make might be overlooked as a source of interest and information. To know, you need to stop and think as you move through your day. Every one has a story and something of interest to share. We need to ask and listen to learn, assuming there… Read More »
I love to keep track of ‘what happened on this date’ events. When I taught, I added one or two events to my morning calendar activity to give us an event to discuss related to history and the math of how long ago it took place. Since then, I check events monthly as a way… Read More »
How young is too young to start using facts in discussions? The new Common Core States Standards (CCSS) uses arguments and facts for all grades K and above. At first glance that appears to be a typo, but it isn’t. The new standards suggest that the change is needed to help students process more clearly.… Read More »