Are you and the kids bored? Looking for something new to do or do you need some fresh ideas? Stuck inside? Take a look at Activity TV for some great ideas!
After you take a look around - come back and share some of your favorites!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Looking for Something to Do?
Are you and the kids bored? Looking for something new to do or do you need some fresh ideas? Stuck inside? Take a look at Activity TV for some great ideas!
After you take a look around - come back and share some of your favorites!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Reflections on the State of the Union:
Reflections on the State of the Union: Rebuilding America, One Student At A Time
A Classroom Teaching Fellow Responds to the President’s Jan. 25, 2011, State of the Union Address
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Help Donate Books to Kindergarten Classrooms
Leapfrog will donate up to 50,000 books.
Your kindergarten teacher nomination will be included in a random drawing for up to 1,000 classrooms, each to receive a set of 50 Tag books.
To enter your kindergarten teacher, email: LikeGiveRead@leapfrog.com with your favorite kindergarten teacher's:
- full name
- school name
- school mailing address
- school phone number
Head over to Facebook and press the "like" button and Leapfrog will also donate a Tag book to a kindergarten classroom!
Your kindergarten teacher nomination will be included in a random drawing for up to 1,000 classrooms, each to receive a set of 50 Tag books.
To enter your kindergarten teacher, email: LikeGiveRead@leapfrog.com with your favorite kindergarten teacher's:
- full name
- school name
- school mailing address
- school phone number
Head over to Facebook and press the "like" button and Leapfrog will also donate a Tag book to a kindergarten classroom!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday Blues?
No way! It's a brand new week. Be happy that you're here to gripe about it or enjoy it. Personally we'll enjoy it! Make it a great week and pledge to help change the life of a child this week and be sure to smile at a stranger. Smiling is contagious! =)
See....made you smile!
See....made you smile!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Educating Our Way to a Better Economy
Secretary Arne Duncan joined Labor Secretary Hilda Solis today to announce a historic $2 billion investment in helping meet the President’s goal of having the “most-educated, most-competitive workforce in the world by 2020″: the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program.
read more...
read more...
We've Got Mail...
"Dear G.Whiz!,
I am the parent of a middle school boy who says his teacher hates him. Normally I'm not the type to just take my child's word for things especially concerning whether or not his teacher likes him or not but I'm starting to believe that she may have something against him. What do you think I should do? Should I go to the principal and express my concern or just let it go?"
That's a tough one. Or at least it can be for some parents. I guess the real question is, do you have a child who tends to exaggerate things or place himself as the martyr? To me it sounds like your son is genuinely concerned and so much so that he has you thinking about it too.
I'd first ask you if you've spoken to his teacher. A good administrator when contacted should ask a parent if he/she has expressed their concerns to the teacher.
If your answer is no, then go to the teacher first. Explain how you feel - and at this age your son should be a part of the meeting. It could be a situation where the teacher has no idea that your son feels that way. Maybe there are some things that the teacher is doing and doesn't even realize it.
If after you've talked with the teacher and things don't change or you feel there are serious issues, then by all means speak to your school's principal. Whatever you decide to do - don't let it go. It could be something serious and you certainly don't want your son thinking that you don't care about his feelings or concerns.
I am the parent of a middle school boy who says his teacher hates him. Normally I'm not the type to just take my child's word for things especially concerning whether or not his teacher likes him or not but I'm starting to believe that she may have something against him. What do you think I should do? Should I go to the principal and express my concern or just let it go?"
That's a tough one. Or at least it can be for some parents. I guess the real question is, do you have a child who tends to exaggerate things or place himself as the martyr? To me it sounds like your son is genuinely concerned and so much so that he has you thinking about it too.
I'd first ask you if you've spoken to his teacher. A good administrator when contacted should ask a parent if he/she has expressed their concerns to the teacher.
If your answer is no, then go to the teacher first. Explain how you feel - and at this age your son should be a part of the meeting. It could be a situation where the teacher has no idea that your son feels that way. Maybe there are some things that the teacher is doing and doesn't even realize it.
If after you've talked with the teacher and things don't change or you feel there are serious issues, then by all means speak to your school's principal. Whatever you decide to do - don't let it go. It could be something serious and you certainly don't want your son thinking that you don't care about his feelings or concerns.
Heart Fragrance Diffuser
Make a Heart Fragrance Diffuser
Show your child how to make a pleasantly-scented Valentine's Day present for a friend or relative! This fun project, modeled after the fancy fragrance diffusers often sold in expensive boutiques, is an easy way for your child to craft a remarkable homemade gift. Your child will enjoy designing his own unique blend of essential oils and topping the diffuser off with a Valentine's Day-themed creative touch!
What You Need:
- Small glass jar (found at craft or home goods stores)
- Essential oils (any fragrance, enough to fill up an inch of the jar)
- Five or more reed sticks or wooden skewers
- Two red or pink pipe cleaners
What You Do:
- The gathering of materials for this project is the hardest part; once the right materials have been collected, the project can be finished in just a couple simple steps! Visit craft, home goods, or gardening stores to find materials that both you and your child are happy with.
- Have your child add the essential oil or blend of oils to the glass jar. Remember: The combination of oils should only fill the glass jar about one inch full.
- Ask your child to add the reed sticks or wooden skewers to the jar, so that the ends are submerged in the essential oils. Before you know it, the sticks will begin soaking up the fragrance and filling up the room with its fantastic scent!
- Invite your child to add the finishing touch to his project by bending the tips of the pipe cleaners into small heart shapes. He should leave the bottom part of the pipe cleaners straight and place them in the jar next to the wooden sticks.
Special Valentine's Day Handprint
Special Valentine's Day Handprint
Conversation Hearts, those little heart-shaped candies with messages on them, were first made by NECCO in 1902. The messages on the candies may have changed over the years, but kids still love them. Make a special handprint project using these candy hearts.
NEED:
- Computer, typewriter (optional)
- Pencil, pen, crayons, or marker
- Construction paper or poster board
- Candy conversation hearts
- Glue
How to make it:
- Type or have your kids print this poem on a sheet of paper. This isn't just any handprint, as you can plainly see. For it is a special handprint, made with love by me. Along with the handprint I send hugs and kisses your way, And wish you a very "Happy Valentine's Day!"
- On a heavy sheet of construction paper or poster board, either trace with a crayon or press your child's hand with paint.
- Write your child's name and date next to her handprint.
- Now, invite your child to glue on conversation heart candies as fingernails.
- Proceed to attach the written poem to the cardboard print with glue (trim it to size if necessary).
Love Bug Pin
What you'll need:
- Plastic spoon
- Plaster of paris
- Small wiggle eyes
- Paint (assorted colors)
- Pin back
- Clear acrylic spray or glaze
- White craft glue
- Newspaper
How to make it:
- You will need one plastic spoon and pin back per pin.
- Lay out the plastic spoons on the newspaper.
- Mix the plaster of paris in a small bowl per instructions on the container.
- Place the plaster into the well of the spoons and level with a butter knife. (See image.)
- Let them stand for a minute or two, then gently press/place pin back (or magnet) into the plaster. Let dry completely (a minimum of 30 minutes, longer is better). (See image.)
- Pop plaster out of spoons by pressing the outer edges of the spoon. With butter knife, smooth the edges of the form. Place on to the newspaper.
- Paint bugs however you like and let dry.
- Glue wiggle eyes on to your bug, let dry.
- Spray with acrylic sealer or glaze.
Tips:
- Allow smaller children to paint with cotton swabs while older children use paintbrushes.
- Pin to a silk flower to give as a gift.
- Plaster of paris is available at your local craft supply store and makes a LOT of projects!
Kids NEED Recess!
Why Kids Need Recess and Exercise
Researchers, educators, and parents are realizing that not only is exercise good for kids -- it is crucial. Find out why
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Expecting Perfectionism?
The problem with perfectionism comes when we expect that from children. You might say to yourself "what parent or teacher for that matter, expects perfectionism?". Trust me, there are plenty of them out there. When we do this is places unnecessary pressure and poor self esteem issues on our children. They're children - they're going to mistakes, just like adults. But remember - they are NOT adults. They don't have life experiences to guide them. They are just gaining theirs.
More than likely the need for perfectionism isn't resonating from parents and teachers. You probably see these cases stemming from the children themselves. Maybe it is in your home or your classroom. I know I have seen it. There are always one or two students in a classroom who tend to be extremely hard on themselves. We've seen anything from crying fits, temper tantrums, banging heads on desks, silent tears, to making ones self sick and more.
Maybe you have a little perfectionist at home. Maybe they exhibit those same behaviors. All in all, it's really not healthy.
Certainly children should strive to be their best but without feeling so down and out when they don't accomplish what they wanted. Doing your best doesn't equal perfection. That is inhumanly possible, I don't even know a perfect machine.
You're probably not just seeing this in academic areas but also in other areas of life such as sports and looks. Girls often suffer from a need for perfection in appearance but let's not forget that boys are often even more silent sufferers from poor self esteem issues concerning their appearance.
It's important to help children to understand that trying their best doesn't mean that they can't fail or have flaws.
Start by offering praise and encouragement - but not only when they are feeling their lowest, but also during times of great achievement. What you're doing by doing this is, is telling them that they're worthy and successful even when they hit those "potholes".
Set some realistic goals. When we set unrealistic goals (even as adults - you know that diet you went on to lose 60 pounds in 6 days), we often miss the goal and miss out on the satisfaction of achievement. Instead we dwell on what we didn't do. Have them set goals that are appropriate for their age and personal development.
You don't have to do something quickly to be successful.
Teach children to say "it's okay". It really is okay if that didn't go the way they wanted or expected. Teach them to say "I'm good and I'm okay" and to believe it. Sometimes it's not enough when we tell them that. They need to be able to communicate that to themselves.
....and finally.....stop comparing them to the next child. As educators, hopefully we have learned that the students in our class are not the same. We have been educated to know better.
As parents, this happens to be one of our biggest challenges. Your best friend's son started walking before yours - did it mean that your child never learned to walk? Of course not. Your brother's kid learn to go potty before yours - now your child is 15 years old - did that mean your child was never potty trained? Of course not. That same theory applies to most things in a child's life.
If you have more than one child that doesn't mean they are the same and no it doesn't matter that they are twins.
There is no such thing as perfection.
Boogie Board
Oh no no no, not that thing you see people clambering into the ocean with! We're talking about a pretty cool looking LCD tablet from Improv Electronics.
One thing you'll learn about us over here at G.Whiz! is that we LOVE technology and we're all about green living too.
Kids can scribble, doodle, journal, practice math facts and everything in between with this tablet. We totally love the idea of no paper involved. The price is pretty good at only $39.95.
We sure would love to review this gadget and offer it as a giveaway. When we build up our followers we'll see what we can do about that!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Barnes & Noble Kids Club
Have you signed up yet? This is a great way for parents and even teachers to save money on the books you're buying for your children.
Here are a few of the perks when you join:
*30% off list price on any one kids' book or toy for your children
*$5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores
*Free cupcake from our café for all your children's birthdays
*Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com
*Monthly email newsletter featuring even more savings
*25% off every day on books created by your child on Tikatok.com
Sign up now!
If you've never heard of Tikatok.com be sure to visit them too - it's a great way to publish your child's books and a fairly priced project for your classroom.
Donors Choose
Are you a teacher? Are you a parent? Are you a person who cares about education?
Then check out Donors Choose. What a great way for teachers to receive donations for their classroom and educational ambitions and an even better way for others to show their support for education.
Consider donating just a dollar and I promise it will make a difference!
Then check out Donors Choose. What a great way for teachers to receive donations for their classroom and educational ambitions and an even better way for others to show their support for education.
Consider donating just a dollar and I promise it will make a difference!
"Most of the parents..."
So here's our first question from a reader:
"Most of the parents at my child's school wish there was more technology in the school. When the principal is approached he says he has no money in the budget. Do you think that could be true and what other way could we get technology in the school?"
Technology is the wave of the future and unfortunately many are still afraid to use it or don't know much about it. In your case it seems like you all know what you need and even your principal knows what is needed so that's a positive thing.
I absolutely believe that it is possible that your principal's budget is very limited. Schools all across the country have been hit hard with the economy as well. One of the simplest ways to get money for things is to ask your school's PTA. Hopefully you have a strong one. If not, try to get that going. A school's PTA is an invaluable resource to parents, teachers and students alike. Ask your PTA to sponsor some of the equipment you want.
Another solution is grant writing. A lot of grants out there don't require you to have to be a pro at grant writing and many offer standard templates to use.
Welcome
Welcome to G.Whiz!. We are just getting started but stay tuned for lots of informative chatter. Product reviews and giveways.
Stay awhile - we promise you won't regret it.
As with any new endeavor, it takes time to become successful. All we ask is that you bear with us through the bumps.
Stay awhile - we promise you won't regret it.
As with any new endeavor, it takes time to become successful. All we ask is that you bear with us through the bumps.
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