As a parent or a teacher you may find yourself in situations when you need to “kill time.” One tool that I like to use is, “Chat Pack for Kids.” You can find versions of this from different companies, but I really like this one because it is reasonably priced, the cards are small, and … Read more
I despise routine, mundane activities. My daughter inherited this attitude, unfortunately, so we often find ourselves at an impasse when neither one of us feels motivated to do something that needs to be done. She rides a shuttle bus from her magnet school each day, and her responsibility is to text me when the bus leaves … Read more
“The Making of the Maker” is an article in Parentage magazine by Sarah Virginia White. White interviewed 10 young people about the things they make, what inspires them, and how their parents help them. My favorite quote is from 8-year-old Annabelle Armstrong-Temple, “The secret sauce is time and space to let kids get creative: a lot … Read more
For many families, the second week of Winter Break is when boredom kicks in. New gifts and games have lost their luster. No one wants to return to school or work – but lack of structure is beginning to feel less like freedom and more of a chore as everyone tries to find ways to fill … Read more
Our classroom just received a 3D printer through Donors Choose. It has been amazing, and I am certain that it will be getting a lot of use for our Genius Hour projects. During this entire week, I have been planning to recommend this printer in my “Gifts for the Gifted” series because it has impressed me … Read more
Around this time of year I post a gift recommendation each Friday as part of a “Gifts for the Gifted” series. The title is a bit misleading, as it might imply that the gifts are only for children who have been endowed with the label, and that is certainly not true. Just as with any … Read more