February:

February—Black History Month (began in 1926) Historical Printable Activity Gr1-2

February 2—Groundhog Day—Groundhog Day Crafts

February 6 (in New Zealand)–Waitangi Day–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitangi_Day

Waitangi Day crafts and activities–http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/waitangi_day.htm

February 14—Valentine’s Day– The Heart: An Online Exploration (6^th grade and up); Internet Scavenger Hunt–Heart (Gr 2-6)

Printable Coloring Pages and Puzzles (on their first page, scroll down to see all the options); The Greatest Gift (John 3:16);

February 15 (in Canada) National Flag of Canada Day — http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/canada.aspx

February 19—President’s Day— Abe Lincoln Project

Also check out this interesting blog post on forefather festivities…

http://wordnymph.com/2011/02/21/forefather-festivities/

February 20–in Canada–Heritage Day--http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/canada.aspx

February 23 — in Russia–Defender of the Fatherland day–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defender_of_the_Fatherland_Day

February 28 — in China–Peace Memorial Day – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_the_Republic_of_China

By: Delana S

Rather than wait until I complete Dr. Linda Silverman’s book Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner in order to write a review, I want to offer snapshots of my journey along the way.

This fifteen chapter, 400-page- book first released in 2002 is something I heard about a year ago and have been awaiting its re-release. There are many websites with information about visual-spatial learners, but this book and its author provide a detailed history based on research gleaned over a 20-year period of time.

In the introduction, Dr. Silverman provides an 18-question quiz to see if you or your student or child is a visual-spatial learner (VSL). This quiz can be found online: http://www.brightkidsworld.com/Are_You_A_Visual_Spatial_Learner_by_Linda_Silverman_s/745.htm

From her own introduction, she has written this book for “parents and teachers, for visual-spatial learners of all ages, for people who live with artists, musicians, inventors, and computer junkies…”

Up until recently, giftedness or high intelligence was defined or measured based on success in reading, writing, and arithmetic in a very left-hemispheric view. Dr. Silverman’s book is about right-hemispheric brilliance and giftedness of those who think outside the box.

The fifteen chapters cover topics, such as: visual-spatials vs. auditory-sequentials, being a non-sequential learner, engaging the right hemisphere, underachievement, ear infections, auditory processing, dyslexia, ADHD, memorization, organization, early and late bloomers, early signs of VSLs, assessing abilities, introversion, home remedies for ADHD, parenting VSLs, teaching techniques to reach visual-spatial learners, handwriting, and much more.

In the first chapter, Dr. Silverman expresses that the spatial child with “sequential deficits . . . lives in the moment and . . . may lack the ability to see the consequences” of a particular behavior. However, rather than focusing on the weaknesses (cannot plan ahead, cannot delay gratification, disorganized), Silverman stresses the importance of focusing on the strengths (losing self in the joy of the moment, use of imagination in play, contagious sense of humor, keenly observant, memory for detail).

Check out Dr. Silverman’s quiz for visual-spatial learners. If you are a VSL, a teacher of a VSL, or a parent of a VSL, then I highly recommend ordering her book Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner.

Check back here later for more snapshots.

Read more about Visual-Spatial Learners: http://www.education.com/topic/visual-spatial-learners/

Other articles on The Education Cafe that may interest you:

Happy New Year!

Want to see a holiday posted here for your country for January? Leave a comment and let us know.

New Year’s Day (US Federal Holiday) send e-cards

Virtual Fireworks

YouTube Disney World firework display

YouTube firework display in Dubai, UAE

On December 31st, if you don’t already, start a new tradition of praying in the New Year with friends and family. Consider observing Communion with your family and a few close friends as you visit and pray together to ring in the New Year.

Printable January Calendar and Activities

January is Clean Up Your Computer Month—Try Vinegar.  For internal clean up—Free up hard-drive space

January 3^rd– Author J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday, 1892

January 6^th—Epiphany/Three Kings’ Day

2nd Saturday in January– Children’s Day in Thailand http://www.swp.in.th/childday.html

January 15—1929 MLK Birthday– observed 3^rd Monday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 17^th –Ben Franklin’s Birthday Interesting site for all grade levels

January 18^th–Winnie The Pooh Day (In observance of the birthday of Alan Alexander Milne, 1882.) pooh corner

January 27^th—National Geographic Society founded 1888–lesson plans and activities

January 29^th–National Puzzle Day Online jigsaw puzzles for preschoolers

Leigh does a great job of describing the problem and some of the consequences of growing up in the “Me Generation.” With microwaves and instant dinners, fast food, cell phones, e-mail, internet, everything comes without much wait. Check out her article and consider ways you can give your kids the gift of anticipation.

http://incaseimgone.com/2012/01/09/death-of-anticipation/

If you have stumbled on this page and not found what you are looking for, please feel free to leave a comment/question/suggestion for us to work on.

You can now join us at The Education Cafe on Facebook and read updates there, as well as short notes about other interesting articles on blogs and websites.

Blessings!

A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World

By Paul E. Miller

Foreword by David Powlison

Copyright 2009; NAVPRESS

Review by: Kathryn W

Let me begin by saying that this book was given to me by an 80 year old friend.  I only began reading it, because I knew she’d ask me what I thought, and I wanted to answer truthfully.  I saw the title and thought “Another book on how to pray.”  As often happens, I still have so much to learn…so much that I need to be reminded of.  The Father’s timing is always perfect.

The author, Paul Miller, shares from his own experiences in his life.  He tells several stories from his role as a parent.  He and his wife have six children, one of whom is an autistic daughter.  He has lived through tough times, like all of us, and is authentic.

The book is divided into three parts:

1. Learning to Pray Like a Child

Coming to Jesus like little children, just as we are…crying out in our need.

2. Learning to Trust Again

A considerable amount of the text is spent on cynicism; defining it and describing how it can so easily creep into our lives…defeated weariness leading to a critical spirit and cynicism.  Miller follows this up with how to  “Follow Jesus Out of Cynicism” through a childlike spirit that has learned to hope again…a grateful heart that has “Developed an Eye for Jesus”.

3. Learning to Ask Your Father

Part three begins with insight into the story the Father is weaving through the events in our lives, including what seem like unanswered prayers.  He encourages us to hope again.  Along with this, Miller gives some practical tips for organizing a prayer card file and beginning a prayer journal.  He also encourages using Scripture to pray for others.

Reflections:  This book has had an impact on me.  It has helped me focus on trusting the Father and discovering hope in difficult times.  It’s given me a renewed focus on prayer.  The section on cynicism was something that I took notes on…I see it a lot.  I’ve dealt with it myself.  Lots of wisdom shared here.  This book was worth the time invested in it.  The gift from my friend was truly a gift…

]]> http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/connected-or-distracted/feed/ 0 delanas praying life http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/in-love-with-bugs/ http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/in-love-with-bugs/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:42:30 +0000 Administrator http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/?p=4397 ]]> –Delana S

Do you have a budding entomologist in your house? Do you have a student doing a unit on insects? You might want to visit the blog of the Dragonfly Woman. She has a whole series of articles on collecting insects, as well as other educational materials. Her blog roll includes links to numerous blogs about bugs.

And, if you missed my series on the importance of getting your kids out in nature, check out these articles:

Top Ten Posts for The Education Café for 2011 are:

1. Five Basic Types of Curriculum 5,335

The five basic types of curriculum are Traditional, Thematic, Programmed, Classical, and Technological.  The most-used curriculum can be found within these broader categories…

2. Online Textbooks for Middle School and High School 3,891

Some texts are free and there are samples of other texts as well.

3. US National Reading Vocabulary Words Grades K-6  2,493

These links provide lists and weekly instruction tips for making sure your students mastered the reading vocabulary words necessary for each grade level.

4. First Pants 1,482

Parents of children who struggle with memory problems or organization or neurological disorders…

5. Free and low cost 8th Grade Books to read online or download 1,378

6. Links to Free Books to Assist in the Learning of Phonics: Especially for Older Children and Adults 1,242

7. Virtual Snowman Building and Snow Themed Unit Studies 1,196

8. Homeschooling Children with ADD/ADHD and/or ODD 961

A compilation of resources. 

9. Teaching Reading and Phonics to the Older Child or ESL Student 888

This parent recommends Reading Horizons to other families in similar situations (children learning to read and write English as their second language), as well as for children who need extra help in learning to read.

10. Math-related Virtual Field Trips 790

The Hotlist for Virtual Field Trips for math-related e-trips.

Thanks for hanging out in the café in 2011!

Be sure to check out these more recently posted articles as well:

9 Year Pregnancy

Bathing Elephants

1. Start a family blog (get a free blog from http://wordpress.com – getting started is easy).
2. Learn about another culture and holidays in that culture.
3. Read a book together as a family.
4. Write a review of the book for your blog. (Still haven’t started a blog? Post your review as a comment on The Education Café. If we really like it, we might do a special feature of it.)
5. Visit a Christmas Tree farm (or a virtual one like — http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/education/virtual-tree-farm.html).
6. Visit a museum or historical place nearby (not more than a 2 hour drive).
7. Post pictures on your family blog. Have each of your children write a short description/caption for each picture.
8. View other blogs to gain ideas about styles, themes, layouts. Here are some to get you started:

 http://delanasworld.wordpress.com; http://nineyearpregnancy.wordpress.com;

9. Go on a walk or drive through your neighborhood and then make a map of it. Stop at local establishments and take pictures. Have a bakery or food stand close by? Stop in for a treat.

10. Find fun things to do with leftover Christmas wrapping paper. You might use big sheets of wrapping paper to draw an outline of each child and cut it out. Here are some other ideas:

http://crafts.kaboose.com/recycle.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-uses-for-leftover-christmas-wrapping-paper.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/274601/leftover-gift-wrap-ideas/@center/307035/santas-workshop

What fun things do YOU have in mind for your family over Christmas break? Any fun educational ideas?

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out ChildUp Early Learning Game Cards. My daughter and I sat down with Teach Your Child to Count to 10 and Teach Your Child to Count to 20. Yes, she already knows how to count, but I needed a child’s mind to assist me in reviewing this product. Additionally, having been an orphan adopted as a 6 year old, our daughter missed out on a lot of early learning. She found these colorful cards of animals to be interesting, and I hope that they will assist us as we fill in gaps in her learning.

When I opened up each set, I fully expected them to be traditional flash cards. In reality they are so much more than flash cards. They were not even designed to be used as we would use flash cards. Each set includes the cards needed for teaching counting, but also instructional cards for teaching logic, zoology, quantity, addition, subtraction, categorization, size, and differences.

Each set of early learning cards also contains cards that educate parents on the development of children’s literacy skills. They provide research and examples showing the different benefits a child gains from working with each parent. Earlier this year I wrote an article based on the book Teaching with the Brain in Mind. That book provided some great insights into the importance of paying close attention to the input our children receive from sights, sounds, and food. Some of the instructional cards in the ChildUp Early Learning packs also teach parents needed information about brain development. For instance, one card mentions that “a baby’s brain is only 25 percent developed at birth, and after three years, it reaches 80 percent of its capacity.” That means that one of the most critical time periods in our children’s lives occurs in their first three years.

Though we are not blank slates at birth, much of who we become and what jobs we can do when we grow up depends upon the input we receive before we are five years old. The music, language, math logic we are exposed to as toddlers does impact our abilities later in life.  Another instructional card concludes with this strong statement: “At birth, all children are “gifted” for nothing in particular; they are gifted for everything.”

Make the most of your time with your children! Turn off the TV more often and engage your child in play, in music, in learning, in life.

*******************************

Highlighted links above include:

http://delanasworld.wordpress.com

http://www.childup.com/

http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/grow-a-better-brain/

http://nineyearpregnancy.wordpress.com/