"Go home, get ahead" As It Was by Harry Styles Hi Reader, π Welcome to my 10 new subscribers! π Got a friend who would love this newsletter? Tell them to sign up here. There's a secret I've learned from seasoned parents I want to pass along. Those who have experienced multiple Septembers with overwhelmed kids, emptying their wallets on back to school stuff, and spent more hours in carpool line they they do at home. Quit the extracurriculars in September. Why? Everyone is tired: prioritize...
20 days agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
"You say it best, when you say nothing at all" When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating How's it going Reader? Tis the season of open houses! Open House is such a strange night for everyone. It's the only time you'll see the school sparkling clean, the time your child will guide you around their space, and a new beginning for everyone. As a teacher it was just as strange of a day! Every year I was in leggings and a t-shirt up til the last minute trying to get my classroom perfect. More...
27 days agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
"Like that bottle we've been saving of California wine,We keep getting better with time" Better with Time by Emily Scott Robinson (such a beautiful song!) How's it going Reader? Many people make resolutions in January, but as a student and then a teacher I found my time for reflection and renewal landed in August. As we enter the new school year, your child may feel the same. So let's dive into some simple goal setting for kids. Plan it out: Thinking a year out is hard for adults, but for a...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
"1, 2, 3, 4, tell me that you love me more" 1234 by Feist Hi Reader, If you've ever watched your child struggle with a math problem, you know the frustration is contagious. It's hard to watch and even harder to figure out why they don't understand. βΎοΈ Here's how you help your child solve not just that problem, but every one after it. Watch them closely. When they get to the step where their confidence breaks down, or they make a mistake you've found the target skill π― Work Backwards. Most...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
"The world must come together as one." We are the World by USA for Africa Hello Reader, The Olympics are on through August 11! This is an incredible time to enrich your child's understanding of the world. 3 ways to use the Olympics as an educational opportunity: π Geography: As you watch, locate countries on the map. Ask your child to observe what continent it's on, bordering countries, its capital, and landmarks like seas or mountain ranges. π Flags: When each player's name is shown on tv,...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
"You own it, you better never let it go" Lose Yourself by Eminem Hi Reader, A child's brain goes through a special process called pruning. The same way you may prune a plant, a child's brain prunes synapses that it is not using (synaptic pruning). This is because children learn so much at such a fast pace, it must make room for the newest and most relevant information. This process occurs through your twenties. Why am I telling you this? When you child is on long breaks from school, they are...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
"As we go on, we rememberAll the times we had togetherAnd as our lives change, come whateverWe will still be friends forever" Graduation by Vitamin C (sorry for putting this song ack in your head!) Hi Reader, Congratulations to all my subscribers with rising middle schoolers! This is a big life transition for your child, and a huge milestone for you as well. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, they'll always be your baby. Whether your child is starting middle school now, or in a few years....
3 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
"I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down" Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve Hi Reader, This week marks 2 years since I left teaching. It's very surreal to realize that, because I've changed so much since I decided to leave, and yet I still feel like the same person in so many (positive) ways. β€οΈπ©Ή My first year out of the classroom was for healing πͺ΄ My second year was for growing Here are a few ways I've grown this year: I'm confident in myself. For a long time I felt unsure of...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
"I'm rested and I'm ready to begin" February Seven by The Avett Brothers Hi Reader, *Over the next 2 weeks I'll be sending a few extra emails out to promote the Preparing for Kindergarten course. If you'd like to opt out of these bonus emails, but still stay subscribed to this weekly newsletter, you can click here. Many parents are celebrating the beginning of summer- but for parents of rising kindergartners, it may feel very different...like a countdown has begun. Do they need to know how to...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
"And if at first you don't succeed,Then dust yourself off and try again" Try Again by Aaliyah Hello Reader! π Wishing all my subscribers a very happy, belated Mother's Day! π I had an interesting conversation with a parent the other day. Their first grader was doing well in school all year, no signs for concern. Two weeks ago, they took their NWEA/ MAPs test and BOMBED IT. Now the parents are stressed. Is there child actually ready for second grade? How can an average student perform so...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read