Adventure Mystery Book Series Boys--The Three Investigators

Do you have trouble getting your son to read? Boys are more often reluctant readers than girls. I'm a teacher and it's not gender-biased to say that. So how to get them to develop a love of reading? Find books they like. Might I suggest, for tween boys mystery, action, adventure, horror, historical fiction, sci-fi, tech, graphic novels, how-to? Just make sure it isn't boring. Here are some suggestions.  Adventure Mystery Book Series for Tween Boys--The Three Investigators

Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Must Be Not Be Forgotten

January 27 marks Yom HaShoah, Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, Jews around the world honor those lost in the Nazi genocide of World War Two at the hands Germany's Third Reich killing machine.



Those who deny the Holocaust happened, I won't even think about. That monstrous egotism is beyond my ken. But even basically loving people will ask why Jews get to use the term Holocaust, like theirs was the only one. These people then cite other genocides of which sadly there are many. So here are websites with information, stories, archives, virtual tours, movies and voices of survivors to tell us why we must never ever forget.   Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day

Story Starters Get Kids Talking and Sharing

March 21 is World Poetry Day and April is National Poetry Month in the U.S. Teachers, why not celebrate in school by hosting creative writer workshops with students? Parents, you can do with kids at home or make activities part of a homeschool lessons. Here are free printable preschool story starters and picture cue writing prompts to get the ideas flowing.  Free Printable Preschool Story Starters, Picture Cue Writing Prompt

Hanukkah Crafts and Worksheets to Teach Students About Jewish Holidays

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is the Jewish Festival of Light. It begins the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 27,  this year (very early). On the Hebrew lunar calendar Hanukkah is
always the 25th of Kislev. This eight-day feast lands some time late November to early December on the Gregorian calendar.

Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas. The two holidays share nothing except calendar proximity. Hanukkah celebrates the Miracle of the Maccabees, when the temple lights did not burn out for eight days. The festival involves lighting the menorah, feasting, dreidel games and other activities.

I am not Jewish, but I have always followed the festivals. I'm interested to learn about all religious and cultural celebrations around the world. I'm exploring Hebrew holy days more closely this year as our oldest son is dating a Jewish girl. I found some neat websites with printable activities to help Jewish kids express their faith and non-Jews learn more about them.  Free Printable Hanukkah Crafts, Kids Activities

Should Schools Allow Church Sponsored Activities for Students?

I'm in a quandary. Our local school district allows a religious group to meet in various buildings, to proselytize students and come and go during the school day. The group is a cooperative of youth leaders and representatives of local Christian churches (some Catholic, mostly protestant).

Group leaders are allowed to come during lunch, eat in the cafeteria with students and hold Bible based activities after school. In middle school, they may try to get kids to join their after-school programs by passing out candy to attract them. Now I am firmly Catholic Christian. You might think I'd approve. I don't. These activities are neither constitutional nor safe.   Should Schools Allow Church Sponsored Groups?

VANS Culture Grant for School Arts, Music Programs

I'm going to be honest about two things. I both love and dread getting a Causes notification from Facebook. I have an activist's heart and love supporting worthwhile issues. But I don't that some Causes requests feel more like someone's agenda. Some literally spam me with requests. Post on your Facebook wall, but don't flood my email with your pet causes.

They seem to think because we are friends, our perspectives are the same. Even if we share the same beliefs, we may not agree on the manifestation of those beliefs. Sometimes I feel pressured and proselytized.

So though I participate in causes, I rarely send requests. But I just got one that I don't think will be too divisive: an arts education grant program. I doubt anyone will take exception to promoting cultural enrichment.   Facebook Causes, An Agenda We Can All Agree On

Teen Sexuality--What to Be Aware of for Parents

It irks me when people say "teens grow up too fast these days." It particularly irks me when the people saying it are the ones who weren't there for their kids when they were little. Kids have longer childhoods than ever, now. But if adults don't pay attention, they miss it.

Then there are those who stick their heads in the sand. I'm getting mighty fed up with this talk of our "sexualized" culture. Of course teens are sexualized. Hello--they're in puberty, ruled by hormones. Ignoring that fact will not make it cease to be so. What kids need is help navigating, not pretentious hand-wringing.Teen Sexuality--What to Look For

Back-to-School Early Bedtime Transition Tips for Kids

Though most parents and kids prefer school structure, that summer-to-fall schedule transitioning can be tricky. It's especially difficult for teens and tweens who are used to going to be late and getting up late. Here are ways to move into an earlier-to-bed routine. The secret is controlling what happens in that time before bed. Back-to-School Early Bedtime Transition Tips for Kids
 

Step Out of the Job Hunting Market; Think Divergent Employment

Unemployment is decreasing. Jobs are being created and the economy is improving. Or so we hear. I think such optimism premature and fanciful. Personal experience has shown me the way solvency in this quicksand economy isn't job hunting, college or even working a traditional job. Survival requires proactive, divergent thinking. Step Out of the Job Hunting Market; Think Divergent Employment
 

MEAP Scores Show Failing Detroit Schools Are Charter Academies

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder called state and national education systems "broken" in his opening statements at the Governor's Education Summit on Monday. He faults schools for failing to prepare students for the workplace, says the Detroit Free Press. The governor is trying to sell a reduced-price school plan, which looks like a voucher system, reports the Detroit News. But according to Detroit MEAP test scores, charter academies may not be the "value schools" Gov. Snyder touts them as.  Read more