Parents and educators around the world are still feeling the negative outcomes of the global pandemic and the effect it has had on how kids learn. It's no surprise that the pandemic has taken a toll on our ability to concentrate and remember things successfully.  The ability to hold information and focus is called working...Read More

Last week, I introduced the topic of background knowledge and how important it is to kids reading and learning success.  This week, I will share some engaging strategies parents can try to support kids in expanding their knowledge base. But, I have to warn you…these tips might turn your kids into VORACIOUS knowledge seekers! If...Read More

Last week, we began a two-part blog series on Summer Slide, which refers to the loss of academic skills and knowledge that can occur over the summer break. Parents can play a crucial role in preventing summer slide.  In Part 2 of this series, I will share more strategies parents can employ to help prevent...Read More

Whether it’s a cozy corner in your living room, a special spot in your child’s bedroom or under your favorite tree in your backyard, creating a unique reading spot for your kids will motivate them to read and make diving into books even more fun. In our latest blog, I will share three ways that...Read More

The school year is quickly coming to an end, the weather is getting warmer and kids are getting restless!  For parents, the last few weeks before summer break can feel like a marathon trying to keep kids from completely checking out mentally.  In this blog, I will share a few tips that parents can do...Read More

Kindergarten is an exciting time for kids and brings many big changes!  For some kids, it’s their first time in a formal school setting.  For others, they are transitioning from a small preschool classroom to a big room with many more classmates.  The way that kids respond to these changes also vary.  Some kids embrace...Read More

Spring is getting closer…the days are getting longer…and standardized testing is right around the corner.  Yes, it’s THAT time of year again.  It’s standardized testing time!  This can be a very stressful time for our kids.  In this blog, I will share a few ways parents can help relieve test anxiety, stress and pressure.  So,...Read More

Our school recently hosted a Spelling Bee for our 4th through 8th grade students.  I sat in amazement watching these brave students stand in front of their peers and parents and spell words ranging in difficulty.  Some of the words the students had to spell I hadn’t even heard of…and I consider myself a proficient...Read More

Sharing a meal with our families is not only a time to fuel our bodies and connect with our loved ones…it can also be a time for learning!  In this blog, I will share a few games you and your children can play together at dinner. Don’t worry, no pencil or paper is required!  The...Read More

There was a reading unit when I was teaching third grade where the vocabulary word, perseverance, was introduced.  I loved teaching my students about this word!  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, perseverance is “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”  The act of persevering is so important to instill in...Read More