Best Pencil Sharpener Ever!

The X-ACTO School Pro Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener is my absolute favorite! As an educator with over twenty years of experience, many sharpeners have come and gone.  This one is heavy duty, durable, and designed specifically for classrooms.  It's also quiet and reliable.  Click here to purchase. 

   

What is Ready4K?

Ready4K is an evidence-based family engagement curriculum delivered through text messages. Each week, caregivers will receive fun facts and easy tips on how to promote child development by building on existing family routines – like pointing out letters on the cereal box at breakfast, counting the number of steps while walking to the car or bus, or making feeling faces in the mirror after brushing teeth. This approach has been shown to increase child development by 2 to 3 months over the course of a school year.

The activities are appropriate for children from birth through grade four and can be used by parents and educators. Click here to register.

Not Every Street is Like Sesame Street

Sesame Street and CNN aired a town hall Saturday morning to help kids and families understand the protests on racial injustice taking place nationwide. “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism” showed favorite Sesame Street characters explaining racism in America and answering important questions from children across the country.

The program delved into how people of color, especially in the Black community, are being treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. We are all responsible to teach children to love and respect one another.  We all want to do our part to end racism. This is a great teaching tool for explaining difficult topics to young children. Click here to watch the full program.

The Chalk's Cyber Sale

Who doesn't love a sale? Stop by The Chalk Store for a discount on absolutely everything in my store.  Save up to 28% with PROMO CODE CYBER2016.



Creating A Network of Support: Have You Heard About Ben Franklin Circles?

What good can I do today?  That is the question Ben Franklin asked himself daily.  Franklin gathered a group of likeminded people committed to mutual improvement.  The group met weekly to discuss ways in which they could support one another by answering guiding questions and discussing thirteen virtues Franklin believed were important.  Many civic innovation projects began as a result of the Ben Franklin Circle including the lending library, the volunteer fire department and the post office.  This video explains the concept of building capacity within a peer group to encourage and empower.  As educators, we organically develop support systems.  Participating in Ben Franklin Circles will help educators focus in on initiatives that will impact more students, teachers and the community.

 

Enjoy!



Autism Awareness Activities

Light It Up Blue! April is National Autism Awareness Month. These posters and activities are a perfect way to promote Autism Awareness and begin the dialogue with young children.



Let's bring awareness to the cause by spreading the word.

Enjoy!

Using Kagan Structures to Engage All Students

This introductory video on Kagan Structures highlights how many students opt out when not engaged.  I've been using  Kagan Structures in my educational leadership program and they work.  Everyone is actively involved.  Check back soon for more student engagement activities.





Enjoy!