Independence Day Lessons for Children

Most Americans have a basic understanding of why we celebrate Independence Day. July 4 is the day our country celebrates our independence as a nation. While the official date was designated as a holiday in 1948, the tradition of celebrating the signing of the declaration of independence goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. The first annual celebration of independence occurred on July 4, 1777, and has continued to be celebrated annually…

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6 Ways to Prevent Summer Slide

The summer slide is a decline in a child’s academic skills that occurs over the summer vacation when school is not in session. Summer slide goes by a number of names, including the summer learning loss and the summer brain drain, but in essence, they all mean the same thing: over the summer vacation, children are likely to forget a lot of the information and knowledge they have picked up over the past academic year. Summer…

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July Activities in the Boston Area

There are many fun activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area in the month of July. Check out our list of July activities and events happening in the Boston area and have a great month! Boston 4th of July Events, Activities & Parades When: Monday 7/1/24 through Thursday 7/4/24 Where: Boston, MA Age: all ages Cost: free Residents and visitors are invited to view the City of Boston’s official commemoration, enjoy the Boston…

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Juneteenth Lessons for All Ages

Juneteenth, which is short for June Nineteenth, marks the day that U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. They went to ensure that all enslaved African Americans were freed. Black history is essential and integral to American history, and Juneteenth lessons are an opportunity to emphasize this in the classroom. Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the legal end of slavery in the United States. On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation…

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7 Strategies for Summer Reading

Just because school’s out doesn’t mean books should be returned to their shelves! Reading routines are an essential part of your child’s development, and summer is the perfect time to make reading strategies a regular part of the day. Think about it–without the pressures of a curriculum, homework, and after-school activities, your child has plenty of free time to explore the topics and genres they really want to read about. Here are our top summer…

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Immigrant Heritage Month Ideas for Students

June is Immigrant Heritage Month, which was established to help celebrate the contributions of immigrants to the United States. One challenge many young people struggle with is crossing the bridge from empathy to action. What are authentic ways they can make a positive difference? Here are some ideas for student action. 1. Engage in dialogue. Students can initiate and participate in respectful dialogue about immigration issues. By engaging in conversations with classmates, teachers and community…

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7 Summer Activities to Boost College Applications

Your summer vacation is the perfect time for college prep and to explore potential careers. All summers in high school are important, especially the summers after sophomore and junior year. Check out these ideas for summer activities that will make admissions officers take notice. 1. Start your SAT or ACT test prep. Summer is a great time to explore the ACT vs SAT , practice for the PSAT , or ramp up your study schedule.…

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Accessible and Adaptive Activities for the Summer

Adults and children of all abilities can have fun in Massachusetts this summer. In addition to having a number of special needs events scheduled, Massachusetts also has accessible spray pools, beaches and parks with ramps, wheelchairs that navigate sand and/or can float in the water, adaptive activities, and much more. Check out this list of fun summer events, adaptive activities, and resources that are accessible and include everyone! 1. Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks.…

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How to Support LGBTQ+ Students at School

A 2022 national survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ youth, ages 13-24, paints a clear, distressing picture of the trauma endured by LGBTQ+ students in America. Nearly three-quarters reported symptoms of anxiety, 58 percent reported symptoms of depression, and 45 percent said they had seriously considered committing suicide within the past year. However, the survey also shows that educators can make a very big difference. High school and college-aged LGBTQ+ youth who found their schools and…

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Guide to Boston Spray Parks and Wading Pools

Summertime in Boston means it’s time splash in spray parks! There’s plenty of free water fun to be had all around the city, and we’ve rounded up some of the best spots. Frog Pond, Boston Common—Beacon Hill From the opening day festivities in late June through Labor Day weekend, children ages 12 and under can cool off in the Frog Pond Spray Pool, open daily at 11 a.m. Rose Kennedy Greenway — Chinatown Parks, Wharf District Parks,…

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