In 2015 I was attending a training program called Women in Leadership. The series went over several days and before courses began one day, I was reading the agenda and noticed a session entitled, “Joys of […]
Category: Preschool
The Innovator’s Mindset—A Blockbuster Lesson from George Couros
Let me begin by making three confessions: 1. I think this is a very clever title … read on to find out why. 2. I thought this review would never be written; indeed, I’ve taken nearly […]
9 Solar System Projects for Astronomical Fun!
Shooting stars, colossal comets, and undiscovered UFOs—our universe is a mysterious place that inspires wonder in children and adults alike. Many children imagine futures as astronauts, traveling in a rocketship to explore the vast expanses of […]
Circuit Playground meets Scratch—Physical Computing for Kindergartners
While most of my posts are about children and how I educate them through STEM-related projects, this post is mostly technical. It is behind the scenes of my work with the kids and how I make […]
9 Rokenbok Toys for Super STEM Recreation
Rokenbok construction toy systems are an ideal way to introduce your child to STEM concepts and learning. Science, technology, engineering and math skills promoted by STEM toys are not only useful in school, they are important […]
9 Hot K’Nex Sets for Children of All Ages
Building toys have been a favorite for decades. The market has seen many different types of sets, materials and ideas but one that seems to have found its own little corner of the market is K’NEX. […]
7 Dinosaur Games for Passionate Young Paleontologists
Dinosaur games—there is nothing quite like the lure of Prehistoric creatures to get kids excited about science, and no better way to do it! From the roaring T-Rex to the soaring Pterodactyl, dinosaurs are the pet […]
7 Puzzle Mats for Kids’ Play Areas
A puzzle mat is a children’s play area accessory you will wonder how you ever lived without once you have one. These foam play areas provide hours of building and puzzle solving fun for young kids. […]
9 Awesome Art Sets To Inspire Imagination And Creativity
Artistic activities like painting, drawing and coloring are wonderful activities for children and teens. Art positively affects children’s brains by encouraging neural connections. Artistic expression promotes creativity and problem-solving skills and helps children understand and process the […]
3 Superpowers of the Principal: E.V.E
As a Principal you are plopped down into a building tasked with one of two scenarios: maintain the status quo or upset that status quo. In order to accomplish your own goals within one of those […]
17 Toy Chest Storage Solutions To Manage The Mess
Toys are both a blessing and a curse. Play is an essential part of learning and childhood, but no one knows pain like a parent who has just stepped on the wrong side of a loose […]
3 Key Characteristics of Successful School Leaders
We are living in an age of educational cynicism. It is becoming increasingly difficult to lead in these times. In order to cultivate success as a Principal you must first acknowledge that it isn’t all about […]
Appreciating What, Where and How Boys Read
Recently, I asked a boy in seventh grade, a football player and video game fanatic, how many books he had read in the last 6 months. He responded, “two books for summer reading… maybe three if […]
3 Quick Tips to Build Staff and Teacher Trust
As a new principal managing your way through your first year, you should have one main goal: Building your credibility as the school leader. The quickest way to do this is not through regaling the staff with […]
Storybird: The Ultimate Online Storytelling Tool
Overview A great story teller can transport you to another world. They immerse you in the detail where you can see, smell and hear the narrative they are weaving. Great digital storytelling should be just as engaging […]
Bridging the Physical-Digital Gap with QR Codes in the Classroom
In a digital world of links, likes, tweets and pins, there are very few mechanisms for connecting our ever expanding digital world with the physical one around us. QR codes are one of the simplest and most well established ways […]
Empower Students to Explore Their Passions with Genius Hour
It’s not easy to find time to diverge from core curriculum and give students the opportunity to pursue their interests and passions. For cutting edge educators Emily Schmidt and Martha Smith at Coltrane Webb STEM Elementary School this […]
Famous Quotes to Inspire your Students
We’re in the middle of that dreary time of year, when the excitement of the new term has faded away but the Easter holidays are still too far off to contemplate. The days are cold and […]
How Memory Techniques Can Unleash Children’s Love of Learning
After reading a copy of the bestselling memory improvement book, The Memory Palace, IBM innovator and creative Kevin Aires became curious as to how these simple techniques could impact his own children’s education. Working with his daughter, Kevin found that not only […]
How Students Can Access Thousands of Free Media Files: The Public Domain Project
Overview It doesn’t take a lot of digging to find free media online, but more often than not, although these assets may be free to view and often download, copyright and licensing rules can put some pretty […]