When I think "children's dictionary," I think large type and dumbed-down simple words and definitions. Well, I'm glad that I actually took a look at it, because the Scholastic Children's Dictionary (2010 Edition) is anything but. It's a 799 page hefty reference tome with simple, yet complete definitions of a lot of words. It also includes reference sections: a thesaurus, a few maps, a guide to the U.S. presidents, and flags of the U.S. and the world. I love dictionaries. I admit that I often go online to check a word if I'm writing I'm on my computer, but I like using "real" dictionaries as well, and I definitely encourage my children to go "old school" with these types of things. Although this is "just" a dictionary, I can see children being ...
Category Archives: Learning
Summer Bridge Activities 2010
The days are being counted down in my family until our oldest child will no longer be calling himself a fourth grader, and the call of summer vacation is ringing LOUDLY in his ears. If he were to call the shots for how his time would be spent for the next two and a half months, I'm confident (and hugely proud!) to predict that he would opt to read for a good part of each day, but I also know that television and Wii time would be at the top of his wish list, too. Summer break plans left to children may not always translate into continued learning opportunities, experiences, and retention of the school year's lessons. So, this summer, we're going to do some things the same- lots of family reading time, regular trips to the neighborhood pool ...
Some resources for the college bound
I have officially entered what has to be one of the more surreal stages of parenthood, a stage marked by nearly daily letters from various prospective colleges, a stage with its own unique vocabulary comprised of words and acronyms like “ACT,” “GPA,” “dual enrollment,” and “AP.” Yes, you guessed it: in a short two years (far shorter than you moms of preschoolers could ever imagine), my boy, my number one son, will join the ranks of the college bound. It’s a stage not easily navigated for newbies like ourselves. Happily, we’ve discovered 1) that we’re not alone and 2) there are some great resources available. Here are a few resources for students and parents wanting to make the best possible decision in regard to the maze that is the college application process: Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College ...
Love in a Time a Homeschooling
When I started school in the fall of 1979, my parents gave very little thought to where I would go. I went to the nearest public school, just like everyone else. We lived in a small town with only one private, Catholic school, so around 98% of the kids attended public school. Today, many parents consider a range of options. There are public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools (religious and secular), homeschooling, and even combinations of public or private schools with homeschooling. When my son started kindergarten three years ago, I struggled with this decision. We have an excellent public elementary school nearby, but I seriously thought about homeschooling as well. In the end, we chose public school...for now. Every year, I rethink this decision, and I wouldn't ...
I Love God’s Green Earth
I love I Love God's Green Earth: Devotions for Kids Who Want to Take Care of God's Creation. I know there are a variety of opinions out there about how we should be caring for our planet, but I think Michael & Caroline Carroll presented a great devotional book teaching children how to approach the issue in a reasonable and balanced way. If you've been wanting to talk about the issue of conservation with your children, but weren't sure how much you wanted to steep your family into the discussion, this might be a great book for you all to tackle together. I Love God's Green Earth is a new release from Tyndale House Publishers and ...
Mandy and Pandy Teach Kids Chinese
Kyle's Kindergarten teacher is fluent in three languages (English, Spanish,and Portuguese). Before teaching in his school, she taught English as a second language. Because of her interests and gifts, she incorporates a lot of fun and educational language activities. Kyle has learned many songs in other languages, including Jingle Bells in all three of the languages she knows. Each week the class learns to say "Good morning" in a different language. As a result of these fun activities, Kyle has taken an interest in foreign languages that I want to encourage as much as I can. Mandy and Pandy Play Sports is a fun book I've found to expose Kyle to yet another language. Read my full review of this book and CD at 5 Minutes for Mom, and enter to win ...
Scribble & Doodle
As the mom to two preschool aged children, I try to be prepared with time fillers when we get ready for situations that involve waiting- the doctor's office, restaurants, the seemingly never ending line at the post office. Little race cars and animal figures work wonders for my young 'uns, but they also are increasingly interested in drawing, which makes ALEX Toys' activity books just perfect for us. They are currently happy to bring along their Scribble & Doodle books with us when we venture out, but they're also just as happy sitting at their play table with them as well. These spiral bound drawing books, with 50 partially printed pages in addition to 25 blank pages, come with eight triangular shaped crayons that fit on children's fingertips and are unique and inviting. I say ...
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Jennifer Donovan
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