You know what I think of when I think of the first day of school? It's the optimistic odour of freshly sharpened pencils. Sharpened pencils standing at attention in recycled jars, along with chairs tucked under child-sized desks, and a chalkboard that says, "Welcome" in perfect … [Read more...]
A Teacher’s Story: From Special Ed to the Honour Roll
By: Cayla from Running, Recipes, and ReadingI have a new Facebook friend. Her name is Katie. We became friends last week on her 18th birthday, the age I tell my students I can honour their friend request. But Katie isn't just any friend, she is my all-time favourite student.I met … [Read more...]
Learning about Learning Styles
Ever have difficulty helping your children understand their homework? Do your children ever try to convince you that it's easier to study with the TV or music blaring? Or with friends over? Well ... they may be right! It all depends on their learning style. You likely already know something about … [Read more...]
Learning to Remember
How would you rate your memory? Excellent? Good? Fair? (Or perhaps you've already forgotten the question?!)Every day many demands are made on your child's memory--be it learning the sounds letters make, new words, math facts, or perhaps even difficult scientific formulas. For some, this complex and … [Read more...]
Be Firm, Fair & Consistent
As a teacher and parenting coach, I am often asked to share tips on how parents can control their one or two kids as effortlessly as many teachers manage a class of twenty-five or thirty. Although setting limits and boundaries is a necessary part of teaching and parenting, it isn't always … [Read more...]
Tips to Support Struggling Learners
As a parent you hate to see your kids struggle--be it physically, emotionally, or academically. Luckily for them (and you) most of these times are likely short lived and your children soon forget. But what if struggle has become part of their daily lives .. especially at school? This month I'd like … [Read more...]
Helping Children Master the Basic Facts
Do you or your child still struggle with your basic facts? Does the thought of adding or subtracting two numbers in your head make you cringe? Every teacher knows someone who still counts on his/her fingers, or guesses when asked to calculate a simple addition or subtraction question. But it doesn't … [Read more...]
Classroom Secrets: Tips to Support Struggling Learners
As a parent you hate to see your kids struggle--be it physically, emotionally, or academically. Luckily for them (and you) most of these times are likely short lived and your children soon forget. But what if struggle has become part of their daily lives ... especially at school?This month I'd like … [Read more...]
5 Tips to Nurture Improved Thinking Skills
While the teaching of content such as math facts, grammar rules, and capital cities has always been part of the school experience, there is now a greater emphasis to also focus on the development of thinking skills. After all, learning how to analyze, evaluate, and come up with creative … [Read more...]
What’s my Motivation?
Why does getting your child to do something for you one day seem so simple, yet another day seem almost impossible? The good news is that educational researchers from around the world have also wondered the same thing, and have found some answers. Just like the proverbial struggling actor trying to … [Read more...]