Category Archives Educational

Being An App Game Playing Family

Did you play video games when you were a child? I know I did. I still remember having a Coleco Vision and Atari systems to start. We eventually bought a Commodore 64 Computer. While I do not recall my mother playing the games with us, my father did. He would help us to figure out new games. One of the favorites on our new computer was Load Runner. This was a puzzle like game with a character that really made you think. We would work together and compete to see who could pass and figure out levels. As my brother and I grew up, this continued with other gaming systems and better computers and games. Of course, these days we have several gaming devices and most recently added the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 into the mix thanks to being a Verizon Lifestyle Blogger. The boys loved the one we received so much, they split the cost of a second one using gift card money they had saved up.

Bonding with My Muppets App on the Galaxy Tab 2As a teacher, you may think that I am not a fan of gaming. You would be wrong. I think they have a place for children and parents that enjoy them. In fact, many of them are educational and require the use problem solving strategies. They also provide a great way for families to work together, talk, and bond. The case in point this summer would be the My Muppets Show app that is available for Android and Apple devices. All three of the boys fell head over heels in love with this. I was haunted by the Muppets music often coming from two Galaxy Tablets. TechyDad and I boys would chat up what they were accomplishing. The boys would assist each other earning new Muppets. It was not simply TechyDad telling them, they all helped each other. I actually hate to admit it, I felt a bit left out of the conversations because I had not really kept up with using the app on my Android phone.

So why am I writing about this? Well yesterday Monia Vila, The Online Mom, shared a post that she had written on The Huffington Post. Can Playing Video Games Make You a Better Parent? was inspired by the recent TEDTalk by Jane McGonigal. Thanks to Monica’s article, I spent the time and listened to the powerful words from McGonigal. As a parent and educator, I now want to use my extra minutes that she notes to connect more with my boys. We already read together, play board games, and go to places near and far as a family, but I want more. I want to be able to chat with them and understand the gaming apps that they adore. I want to geek out with them. I do not look at gaming as a waste of time. It is something we can do together for years to come. I take this up a notch from what Monica wrote about in her article and suggest that educators, including teachers, get in tune with games and things that their students are playing. Not only can you use these as ways to connect with the kids in your classroom, but you can expand on the apps/games for use in your teaching for a more authentic experience.

Fess up, do you use gaming as a way to connect with your family? If you are a teacher, have you ever made lesson plans that reach out to the gamers in your class? I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Oh and be sure to head over to read Monica’s post where she also has the TEDTalk with Jane McGonigal – it is worth reading and watching. No doubt it will leave your brain racing a mile a minute trying to figure out how to utilize this information in your life.

I know that in our house gaming is not a waste of time, but something that we use to keep everyone problem solving, talking, and focused. Oh and one other item, it’s fun and helps to relieve stress from every day life that does happen.

It's Me

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I received a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 to test out and share ways that I use this in my life. There was no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

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Tuesday Tales – I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

Did you  learn about Tsunamis when you were in school? Not only did I learn about them, but I also taught about this phenomenon of nature to my sixth grade science students. I still remember the news in 2004 of the giant tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. It was all over the news and students in the school I worked in raised money to send to the people in the area. As I sat and watched specials and shared them in class, I remember thinking about the horror of living through one of these natural disasters. First the earthquake and then the possibility of a giant wave coming onto the land and sweeping everything away.

Tsunami approaching coast by Veitmueller via WikiMedia Commons

Just seven years later, on March 11, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 rocked Japan for several minutes. Tsunami warnings went out immediately after what later was noted as the largest recorded quake in Japan and fifth largest in the world. After the tsunami was over and people started to look for survivors and clean up, they noted a massive problem with the nuclear power plant as a result of the earthquake.This is the premise for the eighth book in the I Survived series by author Lauren Tarshis. I received an advanced copy of this book to read on my Kindle from Scholastic.

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami 2011 - Scholastic Books

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 – Written by Lauren Tarshis –   Scholastic Books – August 27, 2013

ISBN 9780545459372 – Paperback 112 pages – Ages 7+ – $4.99

In I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011, we meet Ben who lives in California. Ben recently lost his father while he was serving in Afghanistan. As the book begins, his family decides to go to his father’s hometown of Shagahama, Japan to visit his uncle. While there, an earthquake strikes and his family is able to escape the rubble that is left in the house. As they get into their car to escape from a potential tsunami, the water comes inland and sweeps them out of the car. Ben is separated from everyone and must work hard to stay alive as he is thrown into the debris of the tsunami. We follow along and get to see just how he survives the disaster and whether or not he will be reunited with his family.

As in the other I Survived books, Tarshis does an amazing job weaving facts from a tragic event into a fictional tale. Ben could have been there and his story easily may represent some other child that had been living in Japan at the time of the tsunami. Tarshis gives just enough detail where young readers will understand the basics. In this book, readers will not only learn that an earthquake precedes a tsunami, but how large items are swept away with little effort by the strong waters. She also addresses destruction left in the aftermath including the nuclear power plant that was damaged and caused people to flee parts of Japan. As you read, you will feel the tension as Ben battles to survive. This book would make a nice addition to a science discussion on tsunamis and earthquakes to tie in with a Language Arts curriculum.

Do you or your children like to read historical fiction stories? I would love to know if you have read any of the other I Survived books? As always, please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

My review of I Survived: The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 may be found on a February Tuesday Tales.  

It's Me

Disclosure: I received a NetGalley preview of this book courtesy of Scholastic Books in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. The tsunami approaching the coast drawing is by Veitmueller via WikiMedia Commons.

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NetSmartz Teens – Resource for Kids on Internet Safety and Bullying

It is no secret that I have blogged about being a teacher. Over the years, I have shared my educational background in different ways around The Angel Forever. When Sara, from Saving for Someday, reached out to see if I would be interested in sharing information about a cause that is near and dear to her I asked for more information. I later found out that she does a lot of volunteer work for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This week, NCMEC launched an updates website that is geared for tweens (8-12) to high school students. NSTeens is a re-launch of their NetSmartz Teen page.

NSTeensOrg Website

Why Share the NSTeens Website?

My first reason is because I am still a teacher to my core. While I may not be in a classroom, I like to share resources that will be helpful to children, parents, and teachers. The topic of online safety for tweens and teens is an area that I spent a lot of time on while teaching. While teaching in a middle school, I taught several different subjects. In addition to Science and Language Arts, I also taught Health to students. Not only did I have to talk about topics like eating disorders, sex education, and drugs, I also made sure to open up the gates to online safety. It always scared me when I would see what kids were sharing on Facebook that strangers could see.

The other reason I am interested, I am a parent of an almost ten year old son. In just over a year, NHL will be going to middle school and that is a very different world from elementary school. Though he is very young, he has already been the victim of bullies. I need to teach him how to talk to me about cyber-bullying and helping friends that are in trouble. We also need to have more in depth talks with him about online safety. This is a big item that TechyDad and I have to really think about. We want NHL to use technology, but do so safely and not get tricked by his peers or others that may take advantage of kids. We also need to teach NHL how to be responsible when posting information online. He has to think about his digital footprint and how it will be tracked in the future by colleges and future employers.

Back to School with NetSmartz_small

What Resources are Available on NSTeens?

NSTeens is a free online resource for tweens and teens to learn about making better choices online. There are online games, comics, and videos to actively engage this age group while they are learning. The new content includes (information from the NSTeens Press Release):

    • 6 Degrees of Information, a video that asks teens to think about the information they share online and how comfortable they are with people finding it. In the video, Matt, an Internet researcher, asks five teens to participate in an experiment where he will try to find out as much as he can about them online in just six clicks.
    • Rescue Run, a new game where players must avoid obstacles while racing to stop their friends from meeting face-to-face with people they first met online. During the game, players receive tips about how to handle requests to meet offline. Tweens can play at NSTeens.org or download the mobile version from the Apple iTunes stores or the Google Play Android store.
    • Stand By or Stand Up?, the first interactive, role-playing comic on NSTeens.org. The comic addresses cyberbullying and engages tweens through a “choose-your-own-adventure” style of story in which their decisions help shape the comic’s outcome.

In addition to the new content, there are older Internet-safety games and videos available on NSTeens. Parents and educators can also print activity cards and discussion guides to help them when talking about these crucial subjects.

I know that we will be spending more time this summer looking over the NetSmartz website before we share it with NHL and then we will explore it more together. To learn more, please check out NetSmartz Teens updated website and Twitter account. In addition to this, learn more about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on their Facebook page.

Have you talked to your children about internet safety and cyber-bullying? If you have, please share your experiences in the comments below. It is always helpful to hear how others have communicated with their kids about this more difficult subjects.

It's Me

Disclosure: None! I posted the information as a PSA to other parents and educators looking for a resource to help kids to learn more about internet safety and cyber-bullying.

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Tuesday Tales – Fun Writing Prompts for Kids

When I was teaching, one of the items I would do almost every morning with my elementary aged students was to put a creative writing prompt on the board. They would interpret it whatever way they wanted in their journal and they could draw a picture to go along with it. When I was teaching older students, I had journal prompt books that I would occasionally use and allow students to pick from a few choices for longer essay writing. As I mentioned earlier, my soon to be first grader adores writing. He has several journals that he uses. One is for writing poems, one is to write about things we have done this summer, and the other is just random. Summer Writing Time shared what my boys have been up to in addition to mandatory reading from me.

There are days when JSL says he does not know what to write about. If I suggest something, all bets are on him refusing that topic. So, when we were out at Target and saw some new Crayola Creative and Activity Books, I convinced him to let me buy one to try. I have a feeling the pig on the cover reminded him of Piggy at home and that’s why he wanted it.

Writing Prompt book for kids

When I looked inside I saw something that was perfect for a preschooler to first grader. Each page had a title/writing prompt that was easy to read. Under that was space for the child to draw or complete a picture. Then there were three lines of primer rule for the kids to write about the picture above

Using writing prompts for fun

This book has been a lot of fun for both of us. JSL goes to it when he is not able to come up with something to write in his other notebooks. I love that he is actively engaged, excited, and proud to share his creativity. What I may do next time is encourage him to expand on the writing in one of his other books. Perhaps he can make it into a poem, or something else that will add some more words. I know he has been upset with the limited space, so perhaps he would take this suggestion.

While the Crayola book was a great tool, do not limit yourself to this. Think of different topics and silly ideas that your child enjoys. Buy a composition notebook and write a prompt at the top of each one. Think outside of the box, especially if you have older children that are reluctant writers. The possibilities are endless and perhaps you can have them give you a fun prompt to do and then share afterward.

Have you ever used writing prompts with your children? I would love to know how you use them. As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

It's Me

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The Great 2013 School Supply List

It seems like the boys just finished up school and yet I am already focused on securing school supplies for the 2013-2014 academic year. When the boys left school on the last day, they already had their school supply lists tucked away with their report cards. While I could just push the lists to the side, I know right now is the time to find bargains on the items that we need at retailers. As a teacher, and now as a parent, I watch and wait for the items that we need and get them during our travels. Our collection officially started to grow on Independence Day weekend thanks to some nice sales at Target and Staples. Then, the other day, I stumbled upon some crayons on sale at Toys R Us. Since it is a tradition since NHL started school, I always share our lists and am curious what other people need to buy for their children.

Gathering School Supplies

This represents some items for both of the boys with a lot of additional items already in our house and some more that need to be bought. So what does our second full year of both boys in school look like for lists? Check out below to see what our classrooms are requiring this year. Past lists can be seen by clicking here.

1st Grade Supply List

  • Two composition notebooks (black & white)
  • A book bag or backpack
  • Pencils (Ticonderoga are great)
  • Scissors
  • 1 large pink eraser
  • 1 box of crayons (24 or less)
  • Markers (10 count box)
  • 2 boxes of tissues (to be shared with the class)
  • 5 glue sticks
  • A small plastic supply box
  • Three folders with pockets on the bottom
  • One container of baby wipes (to be shared with the class)
  • One box of dry erase markers
  • Paper towels

This list seems pretty standard in my mind. NHL’s list from grade one is here and was in another school and quite similar.

5th Grade Supply List

  • One pack of 16 colored pencils <— Does anyone know what brand since we can not find these in any searches?
  • Two packages of loose-leaf composition paper (wide ruled)
  • Money for the School organizer/assignment book
  • A pack of dry erase markers
  • A good handheld sharpener
  • 2 dozen #2 pencils
  • A small paperback dictionary
  • 1 roll of paper towels
  • 2 large boxes of tissues
  • 1 package of Hi-liters (4)
  • 7 two-pocket folders: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, White, Orange, and any color for music
  • 1 package of black or blue pens
  • 1 package of baby wipes
  • 5 black composition notebooks <— Thank you no color coding with these this year!
  • 1 package of 3×5 index cards
  • Elmer’s or Scotch brand glue sticks
  • Scissors

The list seems reasonable given what we have had in previous years. As noted, we can not find a 16 pack of colored pencils, white plastic folders do not exist (I do not buy the paper ones so they last with NHL), and I can’t believe my kiddo needs pens this year. *GULP*  – reality is that NHL will be in middle school in a year.

So what items are on your school supply lists? Have you found any really great sales yet? Please share below. I really am a school supply geek, I think it’s the teacher in me.

It's Me

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