Some teachers are turning to infographics in the classroom because the way students experience literature is changing. Web writing, advertising, YouTube, Snapchat, and Vine are condensing the story, and increasingly short pieces dot the student landscape. Whether they’re reading, predicting, or decoding a piece of classical literature or writing and producing short bits for their YouTube channels, the craft of story is still critical. Good stories have universal themes that can apply anywhere with the…
Looking for things to do with your kids in October? Check out our list of October weekend events for 2017! Full Moon Barnyard When: Fri 10/6/17 Where: Chip-In Farm, 201 Hartwell Rd, Bedford Time: 5:30-7:30 PM Age: 5 and up Cost: $22 per child Parents, take the night off! Bring your kids to the farm for the evening for some barnyard fun, and take a night to yourselves. Kids will help the farmers feed the…
Teaching is certainly rewarding work, but many people don’t realize that it is also time-intensive and can be emotionally exhausting. As the daughter of a public school teacher, I will often hear my mother’s non-teaching friends express envy over an “easy” work schedule, ending at 3pm every weekday, and annual summer vacations from “glorified babysitting.” These misinformed comments regarding the teaching profession can go a long way toward devaluing what teachers actually do on a…
We would like to take some time today to speak about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student of the Year program, an exciting leadership development and philanthropy program in which high school students participate in a fundraising competition to benefit LLS. For motivated high school students, this program ensures they stand out among their peers when engaging with colleges and/or future employers. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at LLS they will make…
Learning a new language can be a challenge, especially for older children and adults, since forming the necessary cognitive frameworks is easiest for young children. Utilizing modern technology can help! Here is our list of the top six language learning apps currently available at the app store. HelloTalk–the messaging app. This app is unique because it covers a vast array of languages (over one hundred), and also because of the teaching style. With HelloTalk, you…
Some students begin counting down to break time as soon as a new school year begins, and even the ones who enjoy school are often excited to take an extended hiatus from their studies. As a parent, you may wonder how you can sneak in some learning during summer break. Balance summertime fun with educational activities this summer by trying the ideas below. Bring a Book Leave the iPads at home and encourage kids to…
In my previous post, I stressed the importance of teaching empathy to children in school and at home in an effort to prevent bullying. Empathy, as opposed to sympathy or compassion, is a starting point for understanding both ourselves and other people from the inside out. In that vein, here are some wonderful books that can help teach your child about empathy. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that,…
Bullying is such a prevalent part of life that almost everyone can say that at some point in their lives, they have either been bullied, bullied someone else, or witnessed bullying. According to our government, bullying is defined as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” One out of every five children report being…
It’s hard enough to be a kid these days, but English language learning students get an extra level of challenge. Research shows that reading comprehension in English Language Learners gets a boost when students have access to culturally relevant books, however. Candis Grover, director of literacy and Spanish development at educational website ReadyRosie, says, “Story is both individual and collective. Students need more than just a few scattered stories; we need to give them a large…
Since books are such a great way to help those affected with mental illness to feel like they are not alone, here are some more examples of young adult novels that deal with issues of mental health especially well. To view our previous post on this topic, click here. Wintergirls Author: Laurie Halse Anderson Reading level: ages 14 and up Issues discussed: depression, eating disorders, self-harm Laurie Halse Anderson is known for writing powerfully moving books…
