Summer enrichment activities: Nature poetry party, creative writing prompts

Summer vacation is almost here and parents, you may be wondering just what in the world you're going to do with your kids for three month. So, here are summer enrichment activities for kids. Host a writers workshop for nature poetry using these creative writing prompts. Or better still, call it a nature poetry party! That way, kids will be enthused about summer enrichment activities and not dread them like summer school (it's all in the wording!) Use these creative writing prompts for National Poetry Month.  Summer enrichment activities: Nature poetry party, creative writing prompts | Examiner.com

Multicultural teen fiction: Middle school books, literature around the world

Homeschool parents and middle school teachers, want to take a free world tour? March is National Reading Month, so why not read around the world of middle school books. Here is a list of multicultural teen fiction and children's literature around the world, from 20 countries and seven continents. These stories best reflect the flavor of each culture--its people, traditions, religion, region, customs, celebrations and values. These children's literature around the world books include teen fiction, historical fiction, poetry, fairy tales, folklore and mythology. Teachers, be sure to note on a map, the places you visit in this literature unit. Multicultural middle school books are coded for age and grade appropriate level--



4 (grades 4 and up)



6 (grades 6 and up)



8 (grades 8 and up, some of these middle school books are PG-13 and may have some mature situations or language)



NB means this children's literature is a Newbery Award book. Newbery Awards are given to literature around the world that describes culture and history through the eyes of a young person.  Read on for Multicultural teen fiction: Middle school books, literature around the world

Shakespeare lesson plans: Middle English, how to read and understand Shakespearean plays and poems

Beware the Ides of March! And students, beware of teachers quoting Shakespeare, or Julius Caesar in March! Teachers adore Shakespeare and the Ides of March (March 15) is their feast day! But students--meh, not so much. Are you struggling with Shakespeare? Do you despise your literature teacher for making you read Middle English? Do you fail to see the appeal of the Bard of Avon? That is perfectly understandable, but don't despair. Here are tips to vanquish that Shakespearean tragedy, parse his sonnets and laugh in the face of the Bard's comedy. Teachers and homeschool parents, use these lesson plans to make Shakespeare more approachable for students.  Shakespeare lesson plans: Middle English, Shakespearean plays for Ides of March | Examiner.com

Expand your vocabulary, exercise your brain, grow your mind

One of the saddest statistics I ever heard is that most people use the same 1,000 or so words over and over and over. Some much less. They must do a great deal of repeating which is a moot point, I know. But it's not just repetition of words and phrases, it's formula thinking, templated conversation, Scariest of all is that saying the same words over and over means one is never having any new, fresh ideas. One's brain is staid, stagnant, atrophied. And we know what happens to sedentary muscles--they cease to function.

How terrifying. That one could, through, repetitive thoughts and words, wear ruts in the brain, like a scratched or broken record. That sedentary thought processing kills brain cells and cripples thinking. There is so much talk about exercising the body--very important, to be sure--but what about the mind? It needs to be ever exploring, sampling, evaluating, applying, analyzing new experiences and data. It  needs to find expression for thoughts, questions, plans, dreams, hopes, fears and all those crazy ideas that area just too crazy for words. Find the words and if you can't keep looking. Try new ones. So you'll make mistakes, pronounce them wrong, use them in the wrong contexts. Don't let that intimidate you. 

So people think you're arrogant if you use "big words?" Big hairy deal. Never make excuses for improving your vocabulary. If they don't like it, they can go exchange those same few hundred sound bytes with similarly conversation-challenged folk. Or they can talk to the wall. Certainly it's important to listen as well as we talk, actually, better. That is true communication. So today, do a little risk-taking with vocabulary, written and verbal. Step outside your comfort "voice" box! 

Be well, my dears and do good work. 

Martin Luther King Jr Day, what's open and what's closed and why

January 19 honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2015. This day is about a man who made cataclysmic changes in incendiary times using non-violence and passive acts of resistance. But all anyone seems to care about is what's open and closed. Do we get mail? Is school closed? Are banks open? Is Walmart shut? Who cares?  Martin Luther King Jr Day, what's open and what's closed and why | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Goat books for kids, children's literature from China | Examiner.com

 Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival celebrates the culture of the Orient. It begins Feb. 19 in 2015 and culminates with a Lantern Festival. What better way to explore Chinese culture in your classroom than with literature? Here is a list of children's books for pre-K to second graders from China. Some books are specifically Chinese stories and others are Japanese Buddhist stories. Chinese New Year encompasses traditional animals of the zodiac so many kids' books in this list are animal-themed. It's CNY Year of the Goat (or Sheep) in 2015. Chinese New Year of the Goat books for kids, children's literature from China | Examiner.com

Catholic Lenten devotional: Easter gospel Bible object lessons with jelly beans

Catholic Christian parents, looking for Lenten devotional to share with your children? Here's a Easter gospel devotional using jelly beans. Ya gotta have jelly beans in a Easter basket, but kids don't usually eat 'em till the chocolate candy is gone. By then, jelly beans are stale and yucky (they weren't too great before they went stale!). So use up those ubiquitous jelly beans that collect everywhere (and mate).in Bible object lessons! It's edible, hands-on, fun, educational and devotional.   Catholic Lenten devotional: Easter gospel Bible object lessons with jelly beans | Examiner.com

Free printable felt board patterns, book stencils, story templates for reading | Examiner.com

March in National Reading Month. To teach emergent readers, preschool educators use felt boards to illustrate books and tell stories. Here are free printable felt board patterns, stencils and felt board reading lesson templates from First Palette. First Palette has free printable stencils and templates of shapes, animals, nature, leaves and trees, flowers, numbers, letters, people, clothing, cars, transportation, food--any pattern you need for any preschool unit! Free printable felt board patterns, book stencils, story templates for reading | Examiner.com