Playground Prepositions

Another fun activity to do outside while the weather is nice....

How to raise happy kids, according to science

Eating dinner as a family, though dated, leads to happier kids.

Sometimes it's hard to balance what's best for children with what makes them happy — but the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. Happier kids are more likely to turn into successful, accomplished adults.
Science shows us some ways to raise happy kids..

Here are the ten steps:

1. Get happy yourself
2. Teach them to build relationships 
3. Expect effort, not perfection
4. Teach optimism5. Teach emotional intelligence6. Form happiness habits 
7. Teach self-discipline
8. More playtime 
9. Rig their environment for happiness 
10. Eat dinner together

Source: http://theweek.com/article/index/259364/how-to-raise-happy-kids-according-to-science

Science Centers

Science Centers are a great idea to change up the 'stations' in your class. I know many primary classes have centers for play-based learning and I have seen some classes do 'math centers' and 'literacy centers' but more recently I have been exploring science centers and ways to adapt units to work within this idea.

So when I saw this post I was excited!



Read It - Reading about topic and writing a couple notes. You can be specific with questions for them to answer if you wish. EG: Polar Bears, write two facts about them. or two adaptations for cold environment.

Sort It - With a t-chart or venn diagram students can sort facts about two topics/items. EG: Comparing Grizzly Bears and Polar Bears.  or Frogs and Toads.

Match It - photos to match up or words and definitions or items and facts. EG: photos of animals feet and their environments to match. Baby and Adult animal names.

Create It - read and create using drawing or building or writing. EG: Read about two animals and ten create your own animal that could survive in a different biome, for example camel in Arctic. Could write a story on topic.

Draw It - Draw item for each vocabulary word

Tech It - using tablets or computers. EG: type up information, research information, create etc.

Analyze It - analyze video, photo, article on topic.

Explain It - read on topic, writing to example EG: Read about Black bears and polar bears, compare/contrast them. Maybe answer questions.


Some ideas, templates and more are provided here. But feel free to create your own 'Science Centers'

1981 LEGO Ad compared to today's feminized 'girl toys'

Pay attention, 2014 Mad Men: This little girl is holding a LEGO set. The LEGOs are not pink or "made for girls." She isn't even wearing pink. The copy is about "younger children" who "build for fun." Not just "girls" who build. ALL KIDS.

In an age when little girls and boys are treated as though they are two entirely different species by toy marketers, this 1981 ad for LEGO -- one of our favorite images ever -- issues an important reminder.

You need to check out the comparisons of toys then and now - it is astonishing how much things have changed and how much "girlie girl" advertising is happening now compared to the 80s [which is when I grew up with transformers, lego, barbies, Rainbow Brite, She-Ra, He-Man and G.I. Joes]

Why have toys for girls become so feminized?  

[Source]

The Bullying Games this weekend at Terry Fox Theatre

I am excited to check out Bullying Games this weekend.

The Bullying Games is a show based on research completed in selected SD43 schools by the Leadership Group from Terry Fox Secondary. The group went into Elementary, Middle and Secondary Schools and selected students were asked a series of questions on bullying. Using these real life incidents, the show looks at these bullying issues from the victims’ point of view as well as the bullies.