A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. Quote by: George S. Patton ************* So, as we begin to say goodbye to 2007 and look forward to 2008, I wish you health, happiness, and a good plan for today! If you would like to shop for more inspiration, [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 30th, 2007 | No Comments »
Watching me fill balloons with helium at my school supply shop, a customer asked the price. “It’s a dollar per balloon,” the cashier said. The customer complained, “It used to be fifty cents.” Another customer concluded, “Well that’s inflation.” (**************) I’m hoping your holidays are filled with fun activities. If it’s snowing or raining and [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 28th, 2007 | No Comments »
Subject: Geography; World CultureGrades: 4-6 OverviewThis lesson uses food as an “appetizing” introduction to six different countries in the world. Students practice basic map skills identifying the location of these six countries and comparing their geographic features to states in the United States. ObjectivesStudents will:· Use a map of the world to identify six different [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 27th, 2007 | No Comments »
Sensory Awareness, Small Motor Skills, Observation & Discovery Put two ice cubes in a sandwich-sized resealable plastic bag and place it on your child’s high chair tray. Leave the bag unsealed, letting her explore the ice and the bag. She can take the ice out and hold it, or put it on the tray. Create [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 26th, 2007 | No Comments »
Pre-Reading, Letter Recognition, Handwriting Write a letter on your child’s back with your finger. After he figures out the letter, encourage him to think of a word that starts with that letter. Once your child gets the hang of this, you can try writing short words as well. Variation – Use your finger to write [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 26th, 2007 | No Comments »
I rushed my thirteen-year-old son, Eric, to the emergency room with a terrible cough, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and 102 degree fever. The doctor did an exam, and then asked Eric what bothered him the most. After thinking it over, Eric said with a scratchy voice, “I would have to say getting an ‘F‘ in [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 21st, 2007 | No Comments »
I spent the better part of my morning at Nathan Davis Middle School on Chicago’s southwest side reading to a group of feisty seventh grade students. I am a volunteer in our city’s Real Men Read program. Real Men Read is a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) program that brings men into our schools to read [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 20th, 2007 | No Comments »
Subject: English, Vocabulary Grade(s): 7 and up “Is there ever a good reason to prevaricate?” Ask that question among a group of your students and there’s a good chance it will elicit a lively debate — at least among a few. . Some will say, “Absolutely not. Veracity is golden.” (Give that student an A.) [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 20th, 2007 | No Comments »
Imaginative Drawing, Visualization Activities A drawing is easily visualized in our mind’s eye, but can that picture be translated directly from mind to paper without using our physical eyes as a guide? As a way to further explore this mind-body connection, encourage your child to try to draw a picture while blindfolded or looking away [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 19th, 2007 | No Comments »
Visual Discrimination, Language Skills Use household items to teach your child the concept of sizes — big and small. Bring out two or three differently sized spoons. Lay them before your child and talk about which is the biggest and which is the smallest. Shift the spoons around and then encourage him to pick up [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 19th, 2007 | No Comments »
