Teaching a child to write and to value their imagination go hand in hand. Writing for real begins when children believe that their ideas are important enough to do the work of shaping words on a page that will communicate…

Jasper Johns was born in America, on May 15, 1930 in Augusta, Georgia to be exact. As a boy, he knew he would be an artist one day. So when he grew up, he moved to New York and studied…

It’s the same every year. After the rush of December festivities there is that tiny six-day space to reflect upon the year passing and to anticipate the year ahead. In that small space there’s a certain stillness of mind, it’s…

What did we do for New Year’s Eve? Movie night. Sure, we belong to Netfiix, but we also have an expansive old-school DVD collection. I am happy to report that last night old school won, Between the Folds. If we…

“Mom, how many times have you seen A Charlie Brown Christmas?” I was flooded with memories. Childhood had markers back then, and the Charlie Brown specials were on the top of the list. “Um… thing is, when I was a…

Taking notes is a foundational skill that will accompany your student throughout their entire educational journey, and beyond. Even though there is no “right” way of taking notes, it is important to learn how to extract relevant and pertinent information…

I began the writing workshop with Cuisinare rods and colored pencils. My writers looked puzzled. “Today you’re going to make a Cuisinaire construction and then describe how you made the construction with words on paper so that a reader will…

words, mystery, westing game, ellen raskin, literature, elementary

Q: What do readers like best about Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder? A: The FOOD! Last week I celebrated the end of an era, read the last pages of Farmer Boy with my youngest son, Søren and his literature…

There is always hope, or so they say. I went out to check on my garden after being gone on vacation. I had asked my teens to water while I was away and for the most part they got it…