Free Printable Secular Easter Cards for Kids to Make and Share

I don't know about you, but I have had it with winter cold. We just got snow on April 13 in Michigan! If you teach or parent kids, you know how difficult a long winter can be. If you need fresh activities to get children through until it gets warmer, here are color-your-own Easter cards to make and share. I've listed websites to print free Easter cards for children to color; these are secular cards so that you can use them in any public or educational setting. Look for my upcoming article on free printable religious Easter cards for your church activities and celebrations also. Free Printable Easter Cards for Children

Catholic Lenten Fasting Ideas for Children

Ash Wednesday began the penitential season of Lent for Catholic and Orthodox Christians. During this 40-day period, we follow Christ's temptation in the desert, ending with Holy Week and passion, death and resurrection at Easter. During Lent we fast in imitation of Christ. Need some ideas to help kids enjoy a prayerful Lent? Here are tips to teach kids why and how we fast. Catholic Lenten Fasting Ideas for Children

Must-Visit USS Kidd Destroyer in Baton Rouge

I'm a former homeschool mom and if there is one thing I know, it's how to sniff out cheap, educational experiences! The kids are grown but we still think that way. On our most recent trip to Louisiana, my husband researched an inexpensive venue that was well-received by everyone. Well, I say "venue" but it was really a boat--a WWII naval destroyer!   Must-Visit USS Kidd Destroyer in Baton Rouge

Free St Patricks Day Lesson Plans and Printable Worksheets

As an Irish Catholic, whose church is under Patrick's patronage, I find the St Patrick's Day kitsch tedious. As so often happens with religious holidays, it's been turned into something completely unrelated. But the children's activities are at least cute. Here are printable worksheets with a St Patrick's Day theme.   Free St Patricks Day Lesson Plans and Printables

World Religion Teacher Skips Pagan, Mythology For Jedi

I'm a scrappy union girl, so solidarity with teachers is important to me. But lazy teaching still irks me. Being certified and unable to find work myself, teachers bungling a job I could do blindfolded colossally peeves me.



Case in point: our daughter's world religion teacher. He taught the major five--Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam. Cursorily and too fast if you ask me--class has only been in session for two months, pock-marked by snow days. Now he has time left, so he polled them on what to end with:



--Greek and Roman mythology

--Norse mythology

--or (are you ready for this? ) Jedi



Save Star Wars for play time; teach classics and real subjects, please.



World Religion Teacher Ignores Pagan, Mythology For Jedi

Children Need Non Imitative Montessori Style Art

 In third grade, my teacher faulted my drawing. I was never comfortable with art afterwards. I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt and I was too sensitive. But art is personal. And it shouldn't be associated with failure.



I began teaching in Montessori. Dr. Montessori wisely advises "follow the child." I liked that non-directive approach, especially in art. Exploring with children, I began to enjoy it again.  Why Children Need Open Ended, Non Imitative Montessori Style Art

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