Back to School Lunches

Back to school means new outfits, the smell of new crayons, and freshly sharpened pencils. But, it also opens up that never ending question.... What should I pack for lunch? And this is a question not only for students! Even I struggle with what to pack each day! I found this article with 27 School Lunch Tips that will help with the planning. Happy Eating!

Back to School Jitters

Getting ready for the new school year can be an exciting process, but sometimes we can get a little case of the nerves too. Here's and article from Scholastic to help ease your child into the new school year. My promise though is always to provide a safe environment for learning and social interactions. I believe if our basic need of safety is met, then it opens the door for students to take risks in their learning and have a more successful year.

Lois Lowry

I love it when authors discuss their writing, and Lois Lowry is one of the greats! Read her comments about the turning of her classic book The Giver into a movie in this New York Times article. I like her view on kid readers and her nonchalant responses to her writing process.

Praise? Yea or Nay?

I came across an interesting article in the Washington Post. Maybe words (of praise) can really hurt you....

Today's Television

There is a large cloud looming over my house right now, and I desparately want rain to fall from it. I think we all wish that! As I am looking up to the sky, I am reminded of a story from my childhood, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. It is an African tale about Kilpat who shoots an arrow that brings rain to his dry patch of land. It was one of my favorites growing up. I especially loved listening to it read by James Earl Jones on the show "Reading Rainbow." So, I just thought, "Why don't I look it up! The internet is bound to have it somewhere." And, sure enough, there it is on YouTube, along with many episodes.

I just watched two episodes, and it got me thinking about today's television.

I heard on the news the other day that a study has been completed to prove that a popular children's cartoon is actually making children dumber. I don't know about the reliability or validity of this study but it made me sad. It is disheartening to think that what children are watching is damaging their intelligence.

Maybe I'm getting old, but to me nothing beats a good book, or a program that promotes good books and reading. So I'm here on my soapbox to promote those shows that intentionally have an aim to enrich. It doesn't get better than reading.

Thanks Kilpat! It's raining. I think I'll curl up with a good book.