Memorial Day Pledge of Allegiance Red Skelton and John Wayne

For Memorial Day, I thought a couple pledges of allegiance were in order:







Happy Memorial Day! Even if you disagree with war, after all truly most people do not prefer war to peace - If you enjoy your freedoms, you might want to thank a member of the armed forces.

What is an Inference Graphic Organizer?

Teaching inference skills to children while reading is important. What are inference skills? Inference skills are when you use your cognitive reasoning to fill in information not given. Skills like these are as important as problem solving and decision making skills to propel a child into higher-order thinking.

Here is a mini lesson in teaching inferencing to children!

Ice sculpture projects in the summer

With the start of summer, if the heat gets to be too much, consider an ice sculpture experiment with the kids that can be done inside any time of year.

These ice sculpture ideas are fun! and educational for kids. If you like, you can even do a variation on the project and freeze juice which makes a colorful sculpture and a yummy treat.

Easy-To-Build Catapults Create Lessons In Physics

The science behind catapults is simple yet history shows the complexity of these contraptions. Here is an easy-to-build catapult that is safe and easy-to-use for even small children.

This is a great lesson in levers, projectory, springs, simple machines, aerodynamics and more. A trip to the playground where there is an old-fashioned see-saw can help bring the lesson home.

Is There Science Behind This Year's Deadly Tornado Season?

This year has proven to be a very deadly season for tornadoes. Is it worse than usual, or does it just seem that way? Has there ever been a year that has been this deadly in tornadoes? Most importantly, is there a reason for these strong tornadoes?

An article today found on Live Science explains the science behind these tornadoes.

How to make a sand dunes project

Science projects that are easy, fun and hands on can provide wonderful learning opportunities. I found this great sand dune experiment on e-How. The experiment is easy to do with minimal mess.

Sand Dunes For Kids - An Easy Project!

Graduation At Last!

Graduations: Preschool, elementary, high school and college! All are taking place across America during this time of year. What is graduation? It's simply a ceremony to honor an accomplishment.

Preschool graduation is cute and fun and perhaps a little silly. But, it sure makes adorable pics for the scrapbook. And, it also allows a nice bit of closure for parents longing to hold that little newborn in their arms once more but knowing the goal as a parent is to watch them grow and launch them into the world.

High School graduates tend to think they know it all. Though, many still have college years ahead to bring maturity and independence, high school graduates tend to have an independent spirit and are ready to bust out of the place that held them captive for 12-13 years. Yes, high school graduation is a milestone. But, the graduate has really just begun to learn about what life is really all about.

College grads - Now, it's time to give back and come into who you are. Your official education has come to an end and now it's time to find a job and start living and contributing to society. All your learning comes to a head and is now ready to put it into action. What have you learned?

Learn To Draw For Kids

If you have ever tried to draw and have little to no artistic skill, it can become frustrating rather quickly. There are many books and DVDs available to teach drawing, but sometimes you need something simple, basic, spelled out in a step by step manner.

Ed Emberley has a line of drawing books that are amazing for kids. They are step by step instructions that add the picture drawn plus each step that was added for each step. Many of the steps are simply drawing a letter, like an elephant's tail is added by drawing the letter 'S'. These books are really fun and inexpensive.

What Makes A Good Teacher?

Does a college degree make for a better teacher? Is a college degree really even necessary in becoming a great teacher? Many college degrees can teach methods and more about education. But, a really good teacher is more than a college degree, even a degree from the best university. A really good teacher knows how to motivate. A really good teacher knows how to direct a student to research on their own to truly learn. A good teacher knows how to instill wisdom and a spark for wanting to know more. A good teacher is humble, not arrogant. A good teacher doesn't have to know everything but should know how to direct a student to find out what he or she needs to know.

Are you a good teacher?
Do you know a good teacher?
Have you had the privilege of sitting in a classroom directed by a good teacher? If so, than the teacher.

A good teacher is a prize!

Beatles' First US Concert Photo To Be Auctioned

Music is a very important aspect in learning. Studies have been conducted that show different forms of music, such as classical, can actually improve a child's math skills. It is thought that it somehow stimulates the part of the brain that processes mathematical equations. There is, of course, numerous genres of music available and not every form has necessarily proven beneficial to learning.

The Beatles came onto the United States' music scene in 1964. They may not stimulate mathematical processing in the brain, but they did change the way music was played throughout America. By today's standards, their original sound was really quite basic. Heavy on guitar sound, the group was a sensation.

In July, one of their photos from their first concert will be auctioned off through Christies. You can find out more about this auction, the photo and the photographer here.

Much like Elvis impersonators, many musical groups have taken on the sound and look of the Beatles throughout the years. One such group is called Ticket To The Beatles!

Six Flags Walk In The Park For Children's Miracle Network

According to statistics, one out of every five children have a minor chronic illness. Children's Miracle Network comes alongside families to help. Now, you can help a child in need.

Discovery Education is sponsoring A Walk In The Park - Donor Drive. How does it work? You walk for pledges. If you raise $50, you get a free Six Flags ticket. If you raise less, you still come away a winner for your participation and whatever funds you help to raise goes to help a child in need.



If you can't walk, you can sponsor a walker. Whatever you can do helps.

iPhone Space Shuttle Pics

When the Space Shuttle Endeavor took off carrying Congresswoman Giffords' husband on board, she was not the only American looking on with excitement. There was a passenger on an airplane going about her day and catching a needed flight. When the pilot announced that the Space Shuttle had taken off, she grabbed her iPhone and clicked. She captured pictures that went viral on the internet.

Whether it was the interesting angle, science in action or hope that made these pictures go viral; the fact is that they are being seen around the world. They also provide an interesting look into many different angles of learning. They make for an impromptu lesson on Science, Social Studies, Art or even lessons of hope. Following is an article that includes one of the pictures taken as well as a slideshow that shows 3 of the pictures taken that day as well as other professional pictures of the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

You can get a glimpse at the picture she took of Space Shuttle Endeavor taking off from her view in an airplane here!

And here's a slideshow of the pics!

Quiz: How Many Gas-Saving Tips Can You Name? Oil Expert Gives 15 Tips

Oil CEO, Chris Faulkner offers 15 tips for saving on gasoline this summer.  Can you name all 15 ways to save gas?  Answers are at the bottom of the blog with the 15-tip list from Chris Faulkner in its entirety.

1.  Three part question:  a) What days of the week are the best / b) What time of these days are the best for saving on gas prices and c) What days should you never purchase gasoline?

2.  True or False?  Running your engine wastes more gas then re-starting your engine.

3.  Is it better to buy gas during the cool of the day?

4.  How many pounds of weight in the vehicle does it take to eat up an extra mile per gallon of gas?

5.  How many more cents per gallon do conveniently-located gas stations charge?

6.  Should you choose full serve or self serve?  Credit card or cash?

7.  How many cents per gallon can you be overcharged if the attendant/pump mistakenly charges for credit card as opposed to cash payment?

8.  What are ways you can drive less?

9.  Where can you check for traffic and construction delays before you leave the house?

10.    When should you close your windows and run the air conditioning and when should you turn off the air conditioning and roll down the windows to save on gas?

11.  When traveling, what kind of car should you rent and what should you do before leaving the house?

12.  What octane can most cars run on to be most efficient?

13.  What are two helpful apps you can download to help get the best gas mileage and save on gas?

14.  What Website offers discount gas gift cards?

15.  How do gas credit cards save you money?


ANSWERS:

1. Fill up your tank on Wednesday or Thursday before 10 am. Gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel.  10 am is when most station owners make their price change for the day.  Unless it is an emergency, do not buy gas Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

2. Don't let your car idle, either when you warm it up or when you are at a standstill. If you're going to be standing for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting the engine.

3. Buy gas when it's cooler during the day (like the early morning or at night) to reduce gas evaporation.

4. Remove unnecessary items in your car. Every 250 extra pounds eats up an extra mile per gallon of gas.

5. Avoid the convenient gas station on the side of the highway as you drive home from work which can be up to $.15 more per gallon.

6. Save money with self-service and look for gas stations where paying cash costs the same as using a credit or debit card.

7. Double check the attendant and ensure, if you are paying by cash, that “cash” is noted on the pump.  You could lose $.05 a gallon if he mistakenly presses “credit.”

8. Drive less - combine errands, carpool, and plot out the shortest route with a driving website beforehand.  It may sound obvious but it is often overlooked.

9. Check for traffic and detours online or on the radio prior to beginning your drive to avoid wasteful backtracking and idling.

10. Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10%.  In stop-and-go traffic, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning to save more money.

11. Rent fuel-efficient cars when you travel and research reasonably priced places to buy gas before you leave.

12. Confirm with your mechanic what octane gasoline your car’s engine really needs.  Most car engines do not require high octane though the manual will say its "recommended."

13. Download a Gas App for your phone.  If you have a Smartphone, there are plenty of free apps that help you find the cheapest gas near your destination. GasBuddy makes it easy with its free app, and MapQuest has an online finder for gas prices.

14. Buy Discount Gas Gift Cards - Did you know you don't have to pay full price for a gift card? Sites like GiftCardGranny.com offer a diverse selection of discount gas gift cards from various card vendors.

15.  Be loyal to one gas company and get rewarded with it’s cash-back credit card reward program.

I'm A Little Pea and Other Cute Mishaps In Learning The ABCs

When my little girl was learning the alphabet, she would get to the portion that goes, "L-M-N-O-P" and instead proudly recite, "I'm a little pea!"  It would go like this:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-I'm a little pea!-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z!

It was so adorable that I chose to not correct it figuring it would correct itself eventually - and, it did!

Most kids make little mishaps like this in learning their letters.  Most kids eventually figure it out to say it correctly.  When I was little, I thought there were two "N's" in the alphabet because the song was sung:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M--N--O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-and-Z....That last "and" sounded to me like another "N."

Repetition is the best remedy.  When the child makes a mistake, it's best to just repeat it correctly after offering encouragement and not point out the mistake.  But, secretly, you might want to record the mishaps on video to look back on and smile.

Active vs. Passive Voice And Other Grammar Issues

Apparently, all my years I spent as a paralegal and typing legal documents has put me into the habit of typing in the passive voice.  Without even thinking, it is my tendency to naturally slip into passive voice.  I recently, however, came across a great Website that helps with not only this issue but other grammatical issues as well:

Active/Passive Voice And Other Grammar Issues!

I real through this and intend to read through it again and again until I fully understand.  Maybe it will help you too.

Does Social Networking Sites Like Twitter, Youtube and Facebook Belong In The Classroom?

Teaching a student to learn can be done in a number of ways.  There are different learning styles and different learning techniques.  But, when Social Media meets Teaching, what is appropriate.

This recent article talks about how teachers are using Social Media Sites!

Do you think using social media sites in the classroom is a step in the right direction or something that should be avoided?

With all the access to the internet and texting, it's amazing that any student ever takes learning seriously anymore.  It would be so easy and quite so tempting to just text in a Google question and fill in a test answer sheet with the findings.  Yes, many schools have a no-texting zone.  Some schools require students to deposit their electronic devices in a basket before entering the classroom.  But, is this really enforced?  My 14 year old neice showed me once how easy it is to text inside a sweatshirt hoodie front pocket without being noticed.  I'm sure this goes on every day unoticed in classrooms around the world.

What do you think?