Every summer while I was growing up was spent with my grandfather quizing my cousins and I on our history facts. He would ask us the captials of states and information about other countries. He would often bring out the atlas and have me search for places in it. My grandfather was a history teacher. As I was growing up he instilled a love of history in me and none of it was from a book. Read more...

Experimenting at home is a way to expand what kids are learning at school while spending some quality time together. Science is one school subject that naturally exciting to most kids because it is hands-on and fun!! Toy stores are chock-full of chemistry sets and science kits, but it’s easy to create science experiments at home, even without the fancy equipment. Plus, it’s cheaper! Read more...

I have to admit something. I have never liked math. I always struggled with math and in high school I really gave up on it. I majored in something that require a lot of math. You get the picture? Once I became a teacher, I started to hear how so many girls often don't feel adequate in math and so they shut down to it. The take on the, "I can't" mantra. It opened my eyes what I had done for so long. Read more...

This is the time of year that many teachers call "crunch time." We are trying hard to get all the curriculum in so that when it comes time for the yearly test, our students are ready. Sometimes the pace in class quickens and it can be a little overwhelming for 2nd and 3rd graders. This is also the time of year that I try to really remind parents that "They're Just Kids!!!!" Read more...

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an education reform bill this week that will allow California to vie for federal 'Race to the Top' grants. The State of California stands to gain up to $700 million dollars from federal gov. for reforming their educational system. Great right? I am not so sure and very interested to hear what you think. Read more...

2009 was an incredibly tough year for me. I am so happy to be moving on to a new year. Every culture seems to have a "New Year," a time where they clean house and take note of all the things they are blessed with. I admit that I don't often take count of all my blessings. I am hoping in 2010 to do this more often. Read more...

I haven't gotten my Leapfrog goodies to pass along to my adopted family yet so I am not armed with photos to share! I do know thought that my 4 year old has been learning about the gift of giving this season already. Read more...

This past weekend I mentioned to my 4 year old that we ought to go through her toys and find some to give away to make room for the new toys she would be getting for Christmas. She burst into tears, not able to fathom getting rid of any of her beloved toys. I had a talk with her about how not everyone is lucky enough to get toys and how some families can't afford new toys for Christmas. I suggested we could pass along some of her gently used toys to some children that might not have many. Being only 4, she didn't quite grasp the concept but I want to instill the importance of giving from a young age. Read more...

When I was married 8 years ago, my amazing mother in law (yes, they exist) hand wrote personal letters to each of our wedding party inviting them to our rehearsal dinner. It was very touching to me that she took the time to speak to each one of them and tell them why they were important to us. One of my bridesmaids told me that it is one of the most touching letters she had ever received. To this day my mother in law is an avid letter writer but because of technology, letter writing seems to be a dying art. Read more...

In the United States, this is a day to give thanks. I supposed that every day you should really think about what you are thankfully for right? Many favorite memories of Thanksgiving are staying in my jammies all morning while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The amazing food was just the side to the parade for me. This is a great time of year to teach your 2nd and 3rd graders about gratitude. Life is about so much more than conventional education right? Read more...