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‘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 […]

How introducing your kids to art can ignite a passion for learning

January 30, 2018 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

When young children swipe their paintbrush up and down a blank piece of paper or canvas, scribble with crayons or markers, and cut and paste with scissors and glue, they are doing much more than creating their next masterpiece. Their brains are growing and their senses are sending messages to the brain about how things […]

Thanksgiving meal prep presents a variety of learning opportunities for kids

November 9, 2016 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Thanksgiving Day meal preparation is a crash course in academics, problem solving and social skills and one that children at any age can be involved in, even during the toddler years. From meal planning to grocery shopping to food preparation, each step of the Thanksgiving Day meal involves skills related to the core curriculum classes […]

A lesson in civic engagement

May 19, 2014 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Voters across the state will journey to the polls Tuesday, May 20, to decide on school budgets, capital projects and Board of Education candidates, among other propositions on local ballots. It’s an ideal opportunity to teach our children the importance of community and the value of participating in our democracy. Understanding civic engagement – the […]

Parlez-vous français? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? ¿Habla usted español?

April 14, 2014 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Sophia Hsai knows first-hand the importance of learning a second language. “I came to the United States when I was 14, and I did not speak a word of English,” said Hsai. “That prevented me from communicating with people. It’s hard to get to know the culture when you don’t know the language, because language […]

The first Thanksgiving: Pass the quahogs, please

November 26, 2013 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Last November, some well-meaning soul told my children that the Pilgrims ate popcorn at the first Thanksgiving, after being introduced to it by their Native American friends. That’s fascinating trivia to add to the stories and traditions of one of America’s most popular holidays. Unfortunately, like most of the other trappings of the day, it […]

7 dates in American history every child should know

November 13, 2013 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Creating a list of just seven dates in American history every child should know is a bit of a challenge with so many significant ones from which to choose. “Why seven?” asked my 9-year-old son when I explained the piece I was writing. The intent was not to choose the seven most important events, though […]

Constitution Day is perfect time for historic reflection

September 16, 2013 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

“A free government is a complicated piece of machinery, the nice and exact adjustment of whose springs, wheels, and weights, is not yet well comprehended by the artists of the age, and still less by the people.” — John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, May 19, 1821 You know Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Veterans […]

May 21 matters—10 reasons parents should vote

May 17, 2013 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

With so much at stake, why do so few of us exercise our right to vote on school budgets, propositions and board of education elections? Do we get too busy; do we forget; do we think our votes will not matter? Whatever our excuses, we need to do our part at the polls. If we […]

Hail to the Chief

February 15, 2013 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Each year, we commemorate our presidents on the third Monday in February – aptly known as Presidents’ Day. Presidents’ Day can sort of get lost in the midst of winter break. Kids tend to view it as just another day off, and they may be thinking more about late-night sleepovers, sleeping in and hanging out […]

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