Category Archives: Uncategorized

Growth Mindset Part 3—Model the Skills

Growth Mindset is defined as the perceived ability to grow and change through dedication and hard work. The intent: to encourage students as well as adults that it is possible to learn more and become smarter through perseverance on tasks. The bottom line: growth mindset can be taught. Fixed mindset is especially present and noticeable… Read More »

April Fun Dates

 April Fool’s Day  International Children’s Book Day also, Fun at Work Day  Find a Rainbow Day also, World Party Day  School Librarian Day also, Walk Around Things Day  National Day of Hope  Tartan Day, also Sorry Charlie Day  Caramel Popcorn Day, also World Health Day  Take Your Parents to the Playground Day also, Draw a… Read More »

Wintry World of Ceblebrations

Bodhi Day, Advent, St. Nicholas Day, Las Posadas, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukka, Christmas, Kwanza, Hogmanay, Chalica, Chinese New Year, Sadem, New Years, Malanka, and many more. Many cultures and religions have special days that include ways to brighten Northern Hemisphere’s dark day of winter or to welcome in their approaching new year. Whichever end-of-the-year or beginning-of-the-next-year… Read More »

New Product Announcement

Today I’m looking ahead to the fall and a new school year, I’ve created a new product for educators and assistants. It’s my flipbook, deconstructed! My web person has taken 18 student pages of the flipbook and made each into 8.5 x 11 mini-posters. Each can be used as reminders on our student expectations in… Read More »

Encouraging Concepts

When it comes to helping kids get moving, educationally, these concepts are key: 1. Brainstorm. Spend time picking each other’s brains about possibilities or ideas related to a topic. Dont’ limit yourself to practical ideas; go for creative, out-of-the box thinking. 2. Take a stand. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion different from others… Read More »

Ed Week Blog: Learning Deeply

Opinion EdWeek.com/blogs by Jal Mehta and Robert Rothman In this blog, organized by Harvard education professor Jal Mehta and Washington-based education writer Robert Rothman, students, teachers, administrators, researchers, and policymakers explore the practice and policy issues around expanding deeper learning. « Leaders as Learners: Exploring Equity | Main Five Secrets to Operationalize Deeper Learning By… Read More »

February Days to Celebrate

Looking for a reason to celebrate something? Here’s a list to start your thinking and planning. Have fun! Brighten someone’s life. Go a little crazy. 1  Freedom Day 2  Ground Hog Day 3  15th amendment – Racial Equality Day 4  Rosa Parks Birthday 5  Western Monarch Day 6  Take Your Child to the Library/Girl Scout… Read More »

Thank You Ideas from Y-O-U

While the list of ways to say thank you to volunteers are near endless, the following inexpensive ideas stood out for my followers:  Write a note sharing specific acts a voluinteer has done and thank them for their contribution.  Ask your class to write short thank yous.  Present the volunteer with a small house plant… Read More »

Math Via The Costco Connection

As the school year begins for many families, the Costco Connection magazine is filled with back-to-school items. One article that caught my eye was entitled Math + fun = success. Laura Overdeck, a mother of three from New Jersey, has created a non-profit “that delivers nightly math stories to tens of thousands of parents.” (p.… Read More »