kidz: School Ideas

Showing posts with label School Ideas. Show all posts

Aug 19, 2011

Back to School Photo Ideas

Illustration from maren-celest's flickr photo stream

Back to School Photo Check-list from Simple as That

Love this wheelchair/school bus shot from our very own Bree

She has lots of genius photography ideas on her blog, Bugg's Special Life

Adorable school book idea from Mandy Lynne Photography

SMILE :) Banner idea from lilpuddlejumpers' flicker photo stream

Oh the never-ending possibilities of sidewalk chalk pictures

"I love her" picture from Enjoying the Small Things

I also really love the tips, tricks, actions and textures available at Paint the Moon.

Happy Back-to-Schooling, everyone!

Aug 20, 2010

Re-Post: Back to School Ideas!

(sigh).... Remember my craft 'Family Fun Friday' posts? I enjoyed them, but they were a lot of work. I was peaking back, though, and decided this one was good enough to share again, especially right now when school is getting back in session! Enjoy (again)!

Here are some fun ideas to celebrate back to school!!!

'The wheels on the wafer cookie go round and round!" Head to Family Fun for this idea....

I love this owl bookplate from Gingham Cherry....

Martha is giving these notebook labels away for FREE!....

Want to send a message to your kids in their lunch? These free printable labels from alpha+mom are perfect!....

Martha's lunch labels are too cute!....

More cute book labels, these are from Blue Bird Lucy's....

FREE printable bookmarks (did I mention they are cute???) from blogroomshop....

I love this desk dot idea from Oilcloth Addict....

Free printable bookmarks from Tricia-Rennea....

I know you won't believe me, but these crayons are edible - pretzels! Ya gotta check this idea out from Parties by Hardie....

One Charming Party has the cutest idea to recycle old crayons and turn them into alphabet-shaped crayons. I want these for myself!....

Bakerella never disappoints, and she certainly didn't with these Apple Cake Pops!....

Blackboard cupcakes from Family Fun....

Honestly, these labels from babalisme are so cute, it makes me want to go back to school, just so I can use them!....

Kara's Cupcakes helps you create apple cupcakes!....

Jun 14, 2010

Inclusion Revolution

Think back to your high school days and all the cliques. Some local teenagers are trying to break down those barriers. Meridian Idaho High's student council has started a movement to bring outsiders in. They're calling it the Inclusion Revolution. But not until recently did they fully understand the meaning of their own movement.

When special needs senior Jamie Brown, joined the group, the kids thought they'd help her. What they didn't realize is how she would impact them.

Malarie Stout, Meridian's Student Body Vice President and homecoming queen and Jamie quickly became friends. And just in time for prom. Malarie asked her brother Hayden to take Jamie to prom. Jamie couldn't believe she got to go with a football player. But that's not all. Malarie also campaigned to have Jamie's name listed among prom elite. And the school responded, placing Jamie on the ballot for queen.

When the announcement came Jamie was left standing in the sea of students. A crown though, didn't matter to her. She had already won much more. And so had the group of teenagers willing to include her.

Jan 5, 2010

Try This Tuesday: Reading Aloud

You may have tangible wealth untold:

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be--

I had a mother who read to me.

Strickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother"

The Read-Aloud Handbook

by Jim Trelease

Not long after I began homeschooling Clayton, I was directed to this book by some other homeschooling moms. I have always read to Clayton, and I've always known that this was an important part of any child's development. But after reading Mr. Trelease's book, I'm even more convinced. And while the book generally addresses the benefits of reading aloud to a typical developing child, I believe the special needs child could benefit even more from a strong diet of great books. Books have become especially important in our home since Clayton is often limited in certain play by his physical disabilities. There's no fine or gross motor skill needed to listen to Mom read a story!

In Gladys Hunt's book, Honey for a Child's Heart, the same idea is conveyed--reading to your child develops and improves their language skills and awakens their imaginations. "A good book is a gateway into a wider world of wonder, beauty, delight, and adventure."

I will admit that the idea of reading more than just a short story/picture book to Clayton seemed a little crazy to me at first. His attention span is that of a gnat, and that's being generous! But as Mr. Trelease reminds us, children have been listening since day one of their life. Their listening skills are their most developed language skill before they are actual readers. As parents, we can capitalize on this and develop this skill even more while broadening their horizons in many other ways as well!

And the results: Clayton loves it!!!! We read from short novels each night before bed, and it's quickly become an essential part of his bedtime routine. (Not to mention a special quiet time that's just between him and me). Now, the great thing about both Mr. Trelease's book and Ms. Hunt's book is the treasury of books they include in the back! They have both created a great resource for parents who are on the look out for read-alouds that fit their child's age and listening level. I started with the most basic short novels and these were some of Clayton's favorites: any of the Flat Stanley books, Chocolate Fever, and his favorites among favorites, the Magic Treehouse Books. He loves to hear about Jack and Annie! And thank goodness there seems to be a never ending supply of Jack and Annie books!

I encourage you to head to your local library or bookstore to pick up a copy of Mr. Trelease's and/or Ms. Hunt's book. Both are great guides for parents who are just beginning or continuing a reading aloud tradition with their children.

Sep 4, 2009

Back To School!