There are many fun holiday activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of holiday activities and events happening around the Boston area and have a wonderful holiday season! 29th Annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature When: 11/27/24 through 1/1/25 Where: 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA Age: all ages Cost: $20 adults, $10 children This annual family-focused event celebrates children’s books and a love of reading…
Critical thinking is one of the most crucial life skills to have; it not only builds a strong character, but also creates a savvy and successful adult. Schools can only do so much to nurture critical thinking abilities due to a standardized syllabus, but you as a parent can encourage your children to think critically with some activities you can do at home. Here are some examples of activities to teach children critical thinking. 1.…
A word wall is a visible display in a classroom that features a collection of words that the students are currently studying. Word walls can focus on high-frequency words, word study examples, academic language, or words that are being introduced in classroom content. They can be used to support phonics, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and more. Word walls have long been a useful strategy for helping younger students process words over the duration of the…
Team building games for kids serve a variety of purposes, but most importantly, they help children develop essential social skills. By participating in team activities, kids learn to work together, understand the importance of collaboration, and develop empathy towards others. Moreover, these games promote communication skills, as kids are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas with their teammates. Through team building games, children become more aware of their role within a group, learning to…
Now is the time to remember those in need! As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, food banks and other charitable organizations all over Massachusetts are now accepting donations. Please consider getting into the spirit of giving and help those who really need it. You can make a monetary donation or collect food to drop off at a food bank to give back to your community. Recommended donation items include cereal, oatmeal, rice, beans, low sodium soup and…
When students learn about and celebrate Veterans Day, they learn more than historical facts. Celebrating this holiday teaches patriotism and empathy while allowing children to honor and show gratitude to the men and women who fight for our freedoms and protect our nation. Teaching students about Veterans Day develops character in other ways by teaching the value of sacrifice, loyalty, and commitment to the greater good. These values will turn them into active community leaders…
November is Native American Heritage Month, which was recognized federally for the first time in the United States in 1990. Native American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to reckon with our past and to reflect on the treatment of Indigenous people throughout American history. During this month long event, it is important not just to celebrate the legacy that Indigenous history makers have left, but also to celebrate those who continue to shape our society, lead…
Kids love the magic of a Happy Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. To help ensure adults and children have a Happy Halloween, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards. All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant If children are allowed out…
El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirits. The tradition of the Day of the Dead is rooted in Indigenous and Spanish Catholic ritual customs. Today, this celebration has…
Observed each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or “NDEAM,” we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM’s purpose is to confirm our commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year. Let’s hear from an educator on how we can bring disability history and disability employment awareness into the classroom. A few years ago, curriculum specialist Richard Cairn showed…
