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Archive for 2018

Non-material gifts to give this holiday season

Non-material gifts to give this holiday season

December 20, 2018 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, Middle Years

Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that are unexpected, come from the heart and are homemade. This holiday season, instead of buying a gift from an overheated crowded store, consider these inexpensive, non-material gifts instead. Time Time is the one thing we all wish we could have more of. We are all busy, and […]

Getting Children into the Spirit of Giving

Getting Children into the Spirit of Giving

December 5, 2018 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

With the holidays fast approaching, your child might be perfecting their gift lists, and giving might not be a thought in their head. Perhaps they weren’t exposed to it, or they don’t understand the concept of it, but the holiday season is a perfect time to teach your children the power of giving. To help […]

‘A great time to be a government teacher’: Teaching civics at the midterms

‘A great time to be a government teacher’: Teaching civics at the midterms

November 9, 2018 | Posted in: High School, Middle Years

As the dust settles from the midterm elections, one of the stories that emerged was the massive turnout of young voters. The Atlantic reported that young-adult turnout “surged by 188 percent” in early voting, compared with 2014, with more than 30 percent of voters ages 18-29 casting ballots on Nov. 6. That’s a strong showing […]

Connecting with your tweens and teens is tough, but rewarding

Connecting with your tweens and teens is tough, but rewarding

November 6, 2018 | Posted in: High School, Middle Years

I never thought it would happen, but it did—I signed up for a SnapChat account just so I could stay connected with my kids. I’m not proud of the fact that I sometimes use a bunny-eared filter to start a conversation with my son and daughter. But if that’s what I need to do in […]

Does your child need more help with schoolwork: How about a tutor?

Does your child need more help with schoolwork: How about a tutor?

November 6, 2018 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

I try to help my fourth- and sixth-grade sons with their math, but I often find myself saying, “I have no idea.” Their teachers have been a wonderful resource and very patient with our questions, but as I watch the almost nightly struggles with homework, I wonder whether I should seek additional help outside of […]

Fun activities to help your child learn a new language

Fun activities to help your child learn a new language

October 15, 2018 | Posted in: High School, Middle Years

French or Spanish: Those were the two languages my son was torn between choosing for his sixth-grade language requirement. He really liked one of the Spanish teachers he met in fifth grade, but I had studied French when I was school. He saw both as advantages. I have to admit, I nudged him a bit […]

Making the transition to kindergarten a success

Making the transition to kindergarten a success

October 10, 2018 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

I’m standing at the end of the driveway, waiting with my five-year-old daughter, Ava, for her first bus ride to school. “Are you coming Mommy?” she asks. Her eyes widen as I shake my head and force a smile. “No love, not this morning” She turns to my husband. “Daddy, are you coming?” As he […]

Bringing the lessons of restorative justice home

Bringing the lessons of restorative justice home

October 4, 2018 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Ask most children what will happen if they break the rules, and you’re likely to get an answer along the lines of, “I’ll get in trouble.” But for educators like Pete Mody, the question is, “Will that really help?” Mody, who is the principal at South Glens Falls High School, is one of many educators […]

Let them play: Encouraging youth sports in the helicopter parent era

Let them play: Encouraging youth sports in the helicopter parent era

October 3, 2018 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

You can see them in communities across the country. There are two in one of the older parks my family frequents. Branches from aging trees have nearly grown into the tops of the metal-mesh canopies. What were once diamond-shaped dirt lanes have long since gone to grass. When was the last time anyone actually played […]

10 educational apps for the modern family

10 educational apps for the modern family

September 17, 2018 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Sometimes, it’s hard to believe the iPhone was introduced only 11 years ago. Whether you are an Apple fan or a Samsung fan or have any one of the many other brands, smartphones and, to a lesser degree, tablets, have made profound changes on our daily lives. They put the world at our fingertips. But […]