This post is sponsored by TextNow As we return to a season that feels more like the ones we enjoyed pre-pandemic lockdowns, it’s more important than ever to unplug to enjoy the holidays. We’ve realized how much we’ve missed time in-person and being with the ones we love. 5 Ways to Unplug to Enjoy the…
Education
2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Teachers You Adore
The links in this best gifts for teachers post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Believe me when I say nothing about teaching this year is easy. While students and teachers are glad to be back together and learning in person,…
2021 Gift Guide: Best STEM Gifts for All Ages (PreK-Tween)
The links in this best STEM gifts post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Some items below were provided for review purposes. STEM is a field with more jobs than people to fill them so toys that foster curiosity are always…
7 Favorite Resources for Teaching Digital Safety to Kids
Every year I’m asked to speak to our school PTA about digital safety. Teaching digital safety to kids isn’t easy, especially when cell phones, laptops, and tablets provide convenience and connectivity that we need. We want our kids to be connected to us through their cell phones if they need us but that also means…
3 Tips for Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher
This post is sponsored by TextNow After spending so long learning virtually, being back in school is a welcome change. Kids are adjusting to the new normal of in-person learning during a pandemic and settling into familiar routines. As parents, we’re relieved. We’re so glad our kids are in the presence of caring and capable…
Talking to Tweens About Sexting: How to Prepare and Keep the Conversation Going
This post is sponsored by Thorn for Parents and all opinions are my own. Online safety and sex top the list of uncomfortable topics for parents to address with kids, but have you talked about sexting and nudes yet? We’re aware of the implied safety risks of digital devices in our children’s hands but often…
The New Normal of In-Person Learning During a Pandemic
I start every class period at the door, smiling behind my mask as I greet students with a pump bottle of hand sanitizer. My students know hand sanitizer is required for admission to our computer lab. This is just part of the new normal of in-person learning during a pandemic. Some of my middle schoolers…
How to Prepare for a Return to In-Person Learning
This post is sponsored by TextNow Back to school season is here and while we’re excited for the return to in-person learning, this year comes with a mix of emotions. Our kids may seem happy and well-adjusted but living and learning during the pandemic has been stressful. We can’t expect our kids to remember everything…
5 Ways to Teach Tweens to Say No to Underage Drinking
I’ll never forget the day that my 9 year old daughter asked me for a beer when we were at a ballgame. I could have been shocked that my elementary schooler tested me with such an outrageous question in public, but I turned it around into a teachable moment. Having the knowledge to provide a…
NASA TechRise Student Challenge Invites Schools to Advance Space Exploration
As a middle school computer science teacher, I’m always looking for ways to connect what my students are learning about programming to the real world. As a parent, I’ve championed STEM learning in my own community by forming SilverSat. I know hands-on project based learning is one of the best ways for students to learn…
