Archive for the ‘Ainslie Hunter’ Category

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Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday! It is also read across America day.

Here are a list of posts where we make book recommendations for kids:

Going Beyond the Book:

And some reminders about reading:

What are your favorite kid’s books? Please share in the comments section!

image credit: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xZLZEszNcwU/THalozAeA_I/AAAAAAAAA-M/l90HTad0LtU/s1600/Cat-Hat-Book.jpg

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Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of  The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.

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Posted in Ainslie Hunter, Allison McDonald, Amanda Henson, Christi Grab, Guest, Learning Activites, Media, Signe Whitson | No Comments »

Celebrating Our Environment

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Tomorrow is Earth Day! In honor of Mother Earth, here is a compilation of posts Parentella has done about the environment.

  • In Our Schools:

The Science Club at Bloom High School in Illinois is doing amazing things in terms of teaching students to be leaders in environmentally friendly science.

Parents and teachers communicating online helps protect the environment while simultaneously increasing learning time.

The Alliance for Climate Change offers free seminars to schools teaching about global warming and how to stop it.

Teachers may want to consider a “school supplies closet” where kids can donate leftover supplies for the next class coming in.

  • Food

Bento box lunches are not only fun for kids, they are good for the environment, too!

  • Fundraisers:

Recycling programs at schools not only bring in money, the kids that run them learn important leadership skills.

Fundraisers at schools should reflect our values, and one of our values should be protecting the environment.

At one school, re-selling used prom dresses made the school a lot of money while saving the girls a lot of money, too.

At another school, re-selling used Halloween costumes also brings a lot of money to the school, while simultaneously saving parents money on new costumes.

  • Crafts & Books for Kids:

Earth Day flower craft & “Let’s Celebrate Earth Day” book

Spring Sun Flower Craft & “One Little Seed” book

Recycle used strawberry baskets into fun and useful baskets.

For back to school, make your own book covers out of grocery bags.

Make your own Halloween costume rather than buying pre-made.

At Christmas time, recycle old boxes into fun crafts.

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Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of  The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.

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Posted in Ainslie Hunter, Allison McDonald, Aparna Vashisht, April McCaffery, Back to School, Christi Grab, Dawn Huntington, Food, Guest, Holidays, Learning Activites, PTA, Parent teacher communication, Parentella Social Networking, Sarah Auerswald, Schools, Steve Franklin, Teacher Perspectives, Technology, Wendy Copley, arts and crafts, extracurricular activities | 4 Comments »

National Autism Month

Monday, April 4th, 2011

National Autism Month

autism, National Autism Month

In honor of National Autism Month, we have put together a list of autism related posts on our site.

  • Parents Perspectives:

Aniya wrote a heartfelt piece on how difficult having an autistic child was for her family.

Claire wrote a touching piece on how they found a way to celebrate the positive attributes of her son’s autism.

Claire also shared about how she used notebooks to communicate with the school regarding her autistic son.

Claire also gives some advice to parents wondering if they should tell the child, the family, the school, etc that their child is autistic.

  • Teacher Perspectives:

Ainslie writes about how autism should be embraced, not “fixed.”

Ainslie also reminds us that kids with Aspergers and Autism have the same needs as all other kids do, but magnified.

Steve shares how helpful a resource teacher, someone trained to deal with special needs students, can be in the classroom.

  • Getting help:

All public schools are required to provide assistance for special needs kids. Most autistic kids will qualify for a program called the 504 plan. Astacia wrote a two part series about it. Part one explains who is covered, what services are provided, and how to go about enrolling in it. Part two explains how the plan is executed and what to expect. Part 3 answers some commonly asked questions.

If your child’s condition is severe, they may qualify for an IEP, which is more intensive than a 504 plan. Astacia did a similar series on IEP’s. Part one explains who is covered, what services are provided, and how to go about enrolling in it. Part two explains how the plan is executed and what to expect. Part 3 answers some commonly asked questions.

There was also a PT Chat on getting help from schools. Aparna announced the upcoming PTChat with this post about how she wants to help her friends who have kids with autism.

image credit: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D3aQrbHeRPc/S7SVca0FvZI/AAAAAAAACeU/l1mR8qbxVMs/s200/AutismRibbon.jpg

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Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of  The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.

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Posted in Ainslie Hunter, Aparna Vashisht, Christi Grab, Guest, Shelly Terrell, Special Needs Students, Steve Franklin | 8 Comments »

Snow Day Game, App, Book and Movie Ideas

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Since most of the country is trapped indoors, yesterday we posted some links to food and craft ideas to keep your kids entertained. Here are a some suggestions for apps, games, movies and books that are educational and provide fun family bonding.

  • APPS

Word Games Apps by Ann Leaness

Fish Pond App by Ann Leaness

  • GAMES

Amanda Henson wrote Have Fun and Reinforce Math Skills Learning about using play money in make believe games.

Aparna Vashisht wrote an article on how Legos are building blocks to life skills

Here is an article April McCaffery wrote on how the arts (music, theater, TV, movies) provide entertainment, family bonding, and inspire learning in her kids.

  • MOVIES

5 Movies that Kids Love by Amanda Henson

  • BOOKS

Allison McDonald wrote a post encouraging parents to have their kids write an autobiography, along with some great book suggestions for inspiration.

Ainslie Hunter reminds us that Aesop’s Fables are educational, fun, and can be told at any time (and you don’t even need the book in hand!)

Amanda Henson reminds us that Dr. Seuss can foster a life long love for reading.

image credit: http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2007/12/winter_and_global_warming.php

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Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of  The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.

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Posted in Ainslie Hunter, Allison McDonald, Amanda Henson, Ann Leaness, Aparna Vashisht, April McCaffery, Christi Grab, Learning Activites, Media, Parent Perspectives, Technology, extracurricular activities | 3 Comments »

Keeping our Kid’s Safe Online: A Priority for All

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

One of my jobs last year was as a Community Manager for a company whose audience was predominantly children aged 8 – 15.  Every comment written on the website or forum was vetted by me.  I read thousands of comments.  Most were okay, but a significant number of those comments never made it online.

The company had clear guidelines for its online community.  But all can be boiled down to one statement:  I would let the comment through if I would be happy to hear it in my classroom.

Image by:  Jason.Hudson

The website and forum were open to all, and many adults (and probably children) were upset that I deleted their comments.  But I was okay with that. Because it meant I was doing my job right.

The bulk of the comments I deleted were necessary to protect the writer against themselves.  Examples include:

  • Comments with personal information (full name, age, address, phone number, school name, friends names)
  • Attempts at online bullying or overly sexual comments

Are you surprised?

You shouldn’t be.  After all, we are talking about (more…)

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Posted in Ainslie Hunter, Technology | 7 Comments »

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