Photo of a Lion fish. Taken by James Forsey while diving the Million Dollar Point dive site in the city of Luganville, island of Espiritu Santo, in the country of Vanuatu.
Archive for the ‘Christi Grab’ Category
Lion Fish
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011Celebrating 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.
————-
Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.
Polynesian Man
Saturday, April 16th, 2011
Polynesian man with traditional warrior facial tattoos, wearing a traditional shell necklace. Horse has a traditional wooden saddle. Nuka Hiva Island, Marquesas Island Group, country of French Polynesia
Salalah, Oman
Saturday, April 9th, 2011
Camel grazing in the desert with man wearing local formal attire standing nearby. Desert north of Salalah, Oman.
National Autism Month
Monday, April 4th, 2011National 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
———————
Compiled by Christi Grab, Parentella’s Editorial Director and author of The Unexpected Circumnavigation: Unusual Boat, Unusual People Part 1 – San Diego to Australia.
