Author Archive
BOOK REVIEW: The Outside Play and Learning Book
October 17, 2011 | 
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This one really came in handy for that outside play time when you just want to add a little structure to it! Some great activities for preschoolers! It’s sectioned into themes, like “The Wonderful World of Make-Believe,” “Wheels, Wheels, Wheels,” “Dig It-Things to do with Sand & Mud,” & much more! And each activity tells what age its appropriate for as well as what materials are needed, what to do, what to do for more, and what they can learn from the activity.
Posted in Book Reviews, Educational Books | 
Tags: activities, outdoors, outside, preschool | 
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BOOK REVIEW: Mudpies to Magnets
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Another terrific preschool curriculum book! This book is divided into topic areas…”Science Center Activities,” “Construction & Measurement,” “Circle Time…” etc…Age appropriateness is mentioned, as well as words to introduce, things you’ll need, what to do, & what to do for more. A good book for bringing science into the preschool classroom! Many of the activities can also be adjusted for older kids, also.
BOOK REVIEW: How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk
This is a fantastic book that is really easy to read! (A must for me!) It even incorporates cartoons to help you to see how the different approaches will solicit different outcomes…and guides you to understanding what really is a better way of communication with kids. There are things in here we’ve all done before, and never thought about how they may be affecting the outcomes of situations with the children in our lives. It makes you stop and think!
Also check out their website.
MinecraftEdu coming soon!!!
I’m so excited! Just got this back from The Minecraft Teacher (I emailed him about the possibility of virtual classes):
Hello there! First some apologies… I apologize that I’m sending you a form letter. And extra apologies if I have not also sent you a personal note before. And extra, extra apologies if you’ve been waiting a long time for my response! Besides all the usual madness at the beginning of the school term, this year I have also been busy setting up a new venture which I’m delighted to share with you.Over the past several months, I have been collaborating with a small team of educators and programmers in Finland. We have been given the incredible opportunity to work with Mojang AB (creators of Minecraft). Our goal is to get Minecraft into as many classrooms as possible, and to give teachers the tools to get the most out of the game! We’ve started a company called “Teacher Gaming” and our main focus will be on “MinecraftEdu”, the name of our various Minecraft-related offerings.In the near future we will be officially launching MinecraftEdu.com, but since you contacted me about obtaining the game recently, I wanted to give you an early heads-up!Here are the basics of what we will be offering:
- Educational discounts on the game – We are able to sell Minecraft at up to 50% off the full price. (see below!)
BOOK REVIEW: Positive Discipline
This is the book we used at the high quality preschool I used to teach at, years ago. I HIGHLY recommend this form of discipline because I’ve seen it work. The main concept in this discipline is RESPECT. Not just children respecting parents, but parents respecting children! Also check out the Positive Discipline website.
This philosophy uses age appropriate expectations in a gentle, loving, non-combative way. Excellent read!
Weekly Challenges, anyone?
I’m still pursuing the educational aspects and project ideas for Minecraft
, as mentioned in one of my latest posts…
But at the same time I’m also pursuing ways to use Lego in our homeschooling…
So far, my Googling is primarily turning up things about Lego Robotics. Something that we don’t own, which is particularly expensive, and which my kids are not particularly interested in. (And a Lego Robotics team just started here locally that my kids had a chance to attend and they were both completely uninterested, sigh.)
What I’M interested in, instead, are project ideas to have my kiddos build something with Legos with certain criteria. I have no idea what criteria, but there must be people out there doing something like this with their kiddos, so I posted on some homeschool forums to see what other people might be able to share with me…
BOOK REVIEW: The Fussy Baby Book
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Yes, another Dr. Sears book…I love this guy! Years ago, this one really helped me to see my fussy baby in a new light…helped me to see the fussiness through the baby’s eyes. Also showed me I did NOT have a collicky infant & that others have it much worse. It was a relief to realize I really didn’t have it so bad. A really good read for those of us blessed with “high need” children.
Minecraft for homeschoolers?
Have you heard about Minecraft? My kids are ALLLLL about this game right now.
I just found this article that has me on fire to make this game a part of our homeschooling. There’s also links to other articles on that page…lots of great info!
Here’s another. And another.
How about this one: The Minecraft Teacher!
So now I’d like to start a discussion about making Minecraft a part of our homeschooling now!
Any ideas?
BOOK REVIEW: The Baby Book
The original Dr. Sears book…attachment parenting guru. Learn all about caring for baby the natural way. Dr. Sears encourages parents to trust their instincts & love their babies above all else. You won’t find any of the harsh practices of “cry it out” or ignoring your babies needs which are prevalent in most mainstream baby books these days. This is the book I would give to a new mom that is needing some guidance.
BOOK REVIEW: Nighttime Parenting
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As always, Dr. Sears (aka attachment parenting “guru”) wrote a very informative & enjoyable book! Very different from the Ferber & Ezzo philosophies…Sears is more of a “gently to sleep” advocate. This book is a keeper! All parents face these issues of sleep with their children…here’s a book that gives you an alternative to the heart-wrenching “cry it out” method. Sears instead tells how to make bedtimes less stressful for all while keeping focused on the most import thing…the well-being of your child. I highly recommend this book to all, but especially to new parents (like me!) It’s so nice to know there are alternatives to the “Babywise” techniques, for those of us who feel we need a different way.
