How to stop the Summer Slide without destroying your child's summer

The warm sun bounced down through the leaves of my favorite tree. I'd finished my morning's work, and was now free to enjoy the afternoon. I settled into the perfect smooth corner the branches made with the trunk, and opened the book I'd brought up with me.

I wasn't thinking of anything but enjoying the afternoon, but as a mother and a teacher I now know that by reading all those books I was accidentally preventing something called the Summer Slide. 

The secret to giving the gift your child's teacher wants

"Mrs. McGuire we have something for you." Two of my students walked in looking mischievous. When I opened the bag I was incredulous. I couldn't believe what these two teenagers had just done for me. 

How I know that Common Core is not a bad curriculum

Repeal the Common Core Curriculum! There's relativism in the third grade math and sexually deviant behavior in the eleventh grade Language Arts! Every so often my Facebook feed, and the corner out by the stop light go crazy with these proclamations. As a trained teacher, my first reaction to these statements is to hit my head against my I-phone. Today, I'm going to do something a bit more constructive, and tell you how I know that the Common Core is not a bad curriculum.

5 Better Ideas than Bully Proofing Your Child

The truth is I haven't bully proofed my children. I haven't even tried. Bullying isn't fun and it can be dangerous. I remember how defeating and scary it felt, don't you? Bully proofing isn't the answer though.

What do you need to understand about your child's standardized assessment results?

We've already had our first standardized test here, and there are more coming. If you are like me, you want to know what is going on with your child, but sometimes it seems like all those numbers on the assessment reports might not be about your child at all. 

How to Pick the Best Science Fair Topic for Winning OR Taking it Easy

When he was in middle school, my husband went to the county level for his science fair project. I am sure it was not because he and his partner did a meticulous job on their research. It might have had something to do with their topic selection.

If you would like to win, or if you would just like your child to get their science fair project done the easiest possible way, you need to choose the right topic.  You could  start by searching on-line for a science fair topic. You'll find long lists of "winning science fair projects". Can I tell you a secret? You aren't very likely to win with those. Many of them involve obscure science.  Worse, they involve random items, and may not even work: not exactly easy. I have a better method for you.

Super Fun Holiday Party Activity Cheat Sheet

"Would you make me a paper airplane?" Lunch time was just ending, and I didn't even have paper available when my son's  classmate asked this question.  I thought it was just a random request. Then the next time I visited the school, another child asked for one, and another, and another.  In fact, they were still asking months later when I went in to have them write end-of-the-year thank-you notes to their teacher.  Finally, I realized why they were asking.

Seven insider tips for getting good results when communicating with your child's teacher

10 Ways to be an Awesome Public School Mom

Are your kids starting school soon?  Mine already started this week!  If you are like me, the start of the school year is a bit of a let down.  After enjoying a fun summer of learning together, my kids suddenly take all the supplies we have so carefully gathered and disappear inside that place called "school".  Don't be fooled though!  Your kids need you to be involved during the school year, at least as much as they did during the summer.  As a teacher, always I knew that parents played an irreplaceable role in their students' academic development.  Ten years later, I am even more convinced that in most cases, parents make the difference in whether or not students are successful. Here are ten ways you can be an awesome public school parent (mom or dad!).  Why not try a few of these this year?

Dear Teacher, you made a difference: Thank you letter to Mrs. Goetz

If you are like me, you can think of several teachers who made a difference in your life.  I would love to publicly thank them all.  Today, I am joining several other bloggers in thanking just one teacher who made a difference in each of our lives.  Thank you to Allison McDonald of No Time for Flashcards for organizing this project!  If you teach, I hope you will take some time to read through the letters. Be encouraged. What you do is making a difference. 

Dear Mrs. Goetz,

Because you showed up every day to teach physical science and math, I learned that it is normal for women to do math and science. I did not even realize anyone thought otherwise until I was at university.

Because you demanded that we show all work for each problem, I learned that right answers are not enough. The thought process required to find the answer is valuable.  A solution is more than a quick answer.  This is true in life as well as physics.

Because you never let anyone make a 100% on one of your exams, I learned that it is ok not to be perfect.

Because you always had time to discuss the sporting event or concert from the night before, I learned that who I was outside of class mattered.

Because you stuck by the motto on your poster, "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."  I learned that it is good to set boundaries on what others can expect of me.

Because you did not make us be quiet, but let us talk, I learned that there is no wrong way to learn.

Because you made us repeat "Science is the systematic study of the physical universe," on our exams, I never confused my course of study with my religion.

Because you brought enthusiasm to every class, I learned to love science, math and learning.

Thank you for teaching.



Love,
Christy,  Class of  2000





Why not take a few minutes and write a thank you note to a teacher you know?




I am so excited to read all the letters from my fellow bloggers!  Take some time to find some inspiration in the way these teachers made a difference.

Thank you Madame Obadia by No Time for Flash Cards

Thank you Mrs. Swett by Carrots are Orange

Thank you Mr. Blanchard by Not Just Cute

Thank you Mrs. Ulrich by JDaniel's Mom

Thank you Mrs. Austin by MultitaskingMaven

Thank you Mr. Spencer by Education to the Core

Thank you Mrs. Anderson by Mac-n-Taters

Thank you Mrs. O'Neil by Encourage Play

Thank you Mrs. Fox by Simply Kinder

Thank you Third Grade Team by The Educator's Spin On It

Thank you Mrs. Johnson by Mrs. Jones' Creation Station

Thank you Mrs. Ratto by Sparkling Buds

Thank you Mrs. Powell by ElemenoPKids

Thank you Mr. Brant by Bare Feet on the Dashboard

Thank you Ms. Barry by Inspiration Laboratories

Thank you Mrs. Rouland by Clever Classroom






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How to Interest African American Youth in STEM

As I settled into my first teaching position, I noticed something strange.  Our school had a majority minority student body, but my honors physics classes did not reflect the racial make up of the school.  The African American students, especially boys,were missing.  

To be honest, I never entirely solved the riddle.  I have learned that this trend is tragically common.  We need more people to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields in general.  We specifically need the perspective that only African Americans can bring to solving important problems.  Our communities need economically viable options for our youth.  STEM fields provide those, but for some reason a segment of our youth are not taking advantage of the opportunities available in STEM fields.  How do we interest African American students in STEM?

Enticing African American youth to choose STEM is a complex problem, and probably involves several solutions.  However, there is one answer that I have heard repeatedly, from my African American colleagues in education, articles by leading experts, and the mothers of my children's friends. 

Black youth need black role models.  In order for African American students to want to choose science and related fields, they need to know what has already been done by people who look like them.

You know what?  I think we white teachers need these African American role models too. As we learn what success has meant for African Americans in STEM, we will do a better job of recognizing and nurturing the talent found in our black students.  

I hope you will take the time to read about at least one of these great scientists.  Then, why not use that last couple of minutes before the bell rings as reading time, and introduce your students to them as well?

Role Models for African American Students in STEM

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John D. Oivas and Charles F. Bolden Jr. (NASA)

East West Discovery Press sent me a free copy of Endeavour's Long Journey so that I could share my thoughts with you.  This story features a young boy named Jo Jo who visits Endeavour and dreams of what it would be like to fly with her.  The story shares the experience of the author, real life astronaut, John D. Olivas.  The forward was written by Charles F. Bolden Jr., the Administrator of NASA.  I was struck by his statement that, as a child, he believed that he was unable to become an astronaut because of his race.

If you are familiar with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) culture, you know that it is a tightly knit community.  This book invites children to imagine themselves as part of that community. It gives detailed descriptions of Endeavour's Missions.  The side notes give lots of science explanations.  My son enjoyed this fanciful description of a the space craft's missions. 

Dr. Mae Jemison (Peace Corps, NASA)

 One of the astronauts who flew with Endeavor was Dr. Mae Jemison.   There are several books available about her life.  I  read her own set of autobiographical essays titled, Find Where The Wind Goes: Moments From My Life.

Find Where the Wind Goes is directed at African American adolescent girls, and I think it would be a stellar read for them.  Dr. Jemison clearly remembers  what is like to be young, and addresses the issues that teens care about from their perspective.

As a parent, I found several pieces of wisdom that I can apply to raising my                           own children.  As an educator, I was sobered as I realized the obstacles that                         Dr. Jemison had to to overcome.  I think I came away from her book with a                             clearer understanding of how I can encourage African American students in the                     future.

Dr. Ben Carson (Brain Surgeon)

 Dr. Ben Carson's story is another must read in my opinion.  Dr. Carson grew up in poverty, but became a world famous  brain surgeon who preformed ground breaking procedures on patients who traveled from around the world. In Gifted Hands, Kids Edition: The Ben Carson Story (ZonderKidz Biography), he tells his story.   This is a great book for any young person who is struggling to believe that he can over come his circumstances.

 I have not read, You Have a Brain: A Teen's Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.but came accross Dr. Carson's latest book as I was preparing this list, so I thought I would include it.  African American youth particularly need to hear from African American mentors.

Matthew Henson (Explorer)

Did you know that  the first person to stand at the North Pole was actually Matthew Henson?  Unfortunately, blacks were routinely denied credit and leadership positions during his time, and he was also ignored despite his critical role in Peary's success in finding the North Pole.  I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer is a first person telling written by Carol Boston Weatherford.  This book is aimed at elementary students.  It gives a clear picture of the hard work which went into Henson's success.  Be ready to answer some difficult questions about how he was treated, and to highlight how his perseverance over came the racism he faced.

Elijah McCoy (Inventor, Engineer)

Elijah McCoy was a well educated African American engineer in a time when that was extremely rare.  His inventions helped spur on the Industrial Revolution, and had people requesting "The Real McCoy" because of their quality.   The Real Mccoy, The: Life of an African-america Inventor (blr) (A Blue Ribbon Book) features beautiful pictures and tells his story in a way children or adults will find compelling.

Dr. George Washington Carver (Inventor, Educator)

Of course, no list of African Americans in STEM would be complete without mentioning the renowned Dr. George Washington Carver.  In the Garden with Dr. Carver is an absolutely stunning historical fiction written from the perspective of a child who learned from this great teacher.  We found this book extremely inspiring, and several gardening experiments and a host of sketches resulted.

Of course, this is  by no means an exhaustive list.  There are many, many more African Americans who have succeeded in STEM.  Do you have a resource to recommend?

This post is part of the Black History Month series on Multicultural Kid Blogs. Be sure to visit the main page for the full schedule and to link up your own posts about sharing Black History Month with kids! And of course, don't forget to enter our amazing giveaway, which includes Endeavour's Long Journey, mentioned above!

Black History Month GIVEAWAY

Grand Prize Package

A Divah Taylor doll from World of EPI, the company whose mission is to express joy by providing children access to dolls that encourage dreams, promote intelligence, challenge perceptions, and open their hearts to all types of beauty. US Shipping only.

Global Wonders: African-American DVD for kids: Join twins Trey and Alisha as their playroom is transformed into a world of dreams and discoveries highlighting the fascinating and influential culture of the African-American family. US & Canada only.

One set of ABC Me Flashcards, teaching African-American history from Africa to Zora Neal Hurston! Illustrated in vibrant colors with easy to understand wording on the back. US Shipping only.

From Penguin Books, I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer US Shipping only.

Also from Penguin Books, Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña US Shipping only.

1st Prize Package

Learn about Black History Month in Spanish with this fun educational pack from Open Wide the World. Students will meet 10 African Americans of historic significance in this packet, at an introductory level.

A three pack of bandages (one of each shade) from Tru-Colour Bandages, the company on a mission to bring bandage equality to the industry by providing bandages in your skin color. US & Canada only

Shekere - a beautiful and unique African gourd instrument -

plus a craft tutorial on how to make your own from Daria and Crafty Moms Share US Shipping only.

From East West Discovery Press, Endeavor's Long Journey by By John D. Olivas US Shipping only.

Black Girls Can: An Empowering Story of Yesterdays and Todays, from Rachel Garlinghouse of White Sugar Brown Sugar US Shipping only

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Do It Yourself Circuit for Testing Electric Conductivity

We enjoy playing around with toy electric circuits, but there is something particularly engaging about working with "real" things that have purposes in everyday life.  My husband recently organized a STEM field day through his company for an elementary school nearby. He figured out how to make a few fantastic hands on demonstrations, including this hands on electric circuit for testing electric conductivity of common household items. All the materials came from Lowes.

For this activity, the students were encouraged to guess whether each object would or would not make the light glow.  Then, they were allowed to physically place the objects between the coils to see whether their guess was correct.  

Our own children have enjoyed taking advantage of this equipment at home, and eagerly think up new materials that we should test.

Ideally, preschoolers and young elementary students should have access to this type of equipment.   The voltage here is low enough that they can safely handle the materials.  Warning: Higher voltages could result in fires or electrocution.  Use discretion when working with electricity.  You could introduce a writing component by asking students to write down their predictions and discoveries.

My experience has been that even many high school students have not been introduced to the basic concepts of completing the circuit and conductivity.  If your students have not had a good grounding (haha!) in hands on play with electric circuits, you will probably find that teenagers benefit from this activity as well.  Teenagers are always wondering, "When will we ever use this?" The fact that these items came from the hardware store where local contractors get their supplies should catch their attention.  Once students have a better understanding of the basics of electric circuits and conductivity, they will be better prepared to work with more advanced chemistry and physics topics.

You can get a copy of the printable shopping list and step-by-step directions for making this circuit by clicking over to my TPT store.  There will be a coupon for this activity in the next edition of the Thriving STEM newsletter, so make sure that you are signed up!  

We hope you enjoy!

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