Teaching and Learning – Page 3

June 8, 2016

Living History

Today we’re living history. We have the first woman with enough votes to become a nominee for president of the United States. It doesn’t matter what your party affiliation is, or if you support Secretary Hillary Clinton or not. What matters is that you talk with your children about the significance of this achievement, because Continue reading

History and Social Science, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

first woman presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton victory, women’s achievement

May 31, 2016

A Robin in the Wreath

Sometimes, you just have to take a breath and look at the world. Or, out your front door and onto a wreath, where a robin built a perfect nest. For at least the last three weeks, I’ve been hosting a new family of robins. It was pure magic to see the mother twist the last pieces of Continue reading

Interdiscipinary learning, Science at Home, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

Curiosity, Teach at home, Wonder

April 29, 2016

Life with a Yorkshire Terrier

If your children are lucky enough to enjoy life with a Yorkshire terrier, you’ll recognize our Teddy. Happy. Self-confident. Highly intelligent. Persistent. Protective. Noisy. Wags a lot. Barks at perceived intruders. Monitors the yard for mourning doves, squirrels, rabbits, or anything masquerading as such. Rages at roaming cats. Loves car rides. Sits in his car seat Continue reading

Home environment, Teaching and Learning

Children and pets, Family dogs, Learn from animals

April 28, 2016

Who Was X in Your Family?

On the day I received my bachelor’s degree in music, my father told me that I was the first person in his family to graduate from college. It was a fact I’d never known. Years later, while digging into genealogy, I learned that my paternal grandparents–the generation that emigrated to Boston–received only a few years of schooling. Continue reading

History and Social Science, Relationships, Storytelling, Teaching and Learning

ancestor literacy, family stories, immigrant literacy, literacy

April 27, 2016

William Shakespeare for Parents

I bet you’ve never thought of looking to William Shakespeare for parenting help, but I have. When one of my daughters was a teenager, she fell in love with Shakespearean sonnets. Sonnet 116 was one of her favorites: Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters Continue reading

English Language Arts, Teaching and Learning, Teenagers

family conflict, parent help