Friday, October 30, 2015

McBride School of Irish Dance- Beginner Irish dancing classes in Oakland are the first Tuesday of the month.

Resources for the McBride School of Irish Dance:
http://www.mcbrideirishdancers.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Recommended Reading Specialist, Fall 2015, Amy Brain in Walnut Creek, CA

Recommended Reading Specialist, Amy Brain
(925) 935-3236
Amymortonbrain@att.net

Lainie's Learning - Tutoring in math, spanish, language arts, etc. in Walnut Creek, cA

Lainie's Learning is a multi sensory tutoring center in Walnut Creek, CA.

Resource:

Miss Lainie
MA Education
Educational Specialist
Credentialed Teacher
CORE Academy Founder
(925) 457-3195
e-mail- info@howtohelpmychildlearn.com

Address:
675 Ygnacio Valley Road
Bldg. #B.  #201B
(Corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Civic)
Walnut Creek, CA

website:  howtohelpmychildlearn.com

CORE ACADEMY
http://www.coreacademy.net
(925) 457-3195

Recommended program for Reading support: Reading Revolution

Reading Revolution is a multi sensory reading program.  I knew a teacher who trained in reading revolution and she was able to be a powerful tutor using their program!

Resource:

Reading Revolution
http://www.readingrevolution.com/about
1-888-880-7323
info@readingrevolution.com

They do reading revolution tutoring at the Active Reading Center in Walnut Creek, CA
Address:  1543 sunnyvale Ave.
Ste. 205
(925) 944-5559
activereadingcenter.org

The Math Circle, began at Harvard, for students who enjoy math and want added math challenges!

I found out about The Math Circle through friends who take their children to the UC Berkeley Math Circle.  For now, I decided to wait before participating in a weekly math circle group.  From parent discussions, it seems that it is more interesting for the parents during the weekly homework given, then it is for the children.  I do believe that true education begins at home, in igniting the parents love of learning, that is the best homework!

The Math Circle curriculum is available online also, I am thinking of starting my own math circle.

The Math Circle
The Math Circle is a program of courses founded in 1994, designed for students who enjoy math and want the added challenge of exciting topics that are normally outside of the school curriculum.

http://themathcircle.org/

Diane Ravitch brings a voice of healthy criticism regarding our current educational system

At a recent lunch with many current and retired teachers, the topic of Common Core came up, again.  One resource Specialist discussed Diane Ravitch.

Here are some of our writings, and opinions, and thoughts.  What do you think?

I believe in order for us to have a healthy, vibrant educational system, we need to have a safe space for critical voices.  Through my years of teaching, not every program works for every child.    I think every teacher who has taught for over a year would agree with that basic assumption.  Yet, we need to look at whether Common Core is working for enough of our children?  What do you think?

http://dianeravitch.com

www.networkforpubliceducation.org

What is Engage NY? How has it effected Common Core Curriculum in CA?

I have been amazed at how many schools have been using the EngageNY math over the last few years.  I am doing my own research into the beginnings of this movement

http://www.engageny.org/

Singapore Math Common Core aligned Curriculum, based on Primary Math series from Singapore

The Primary Mathematics common core edition is based on the highly successful Primary Mathematics series from Singapore.

Resource:

Singapore Math Website:
http://www.singaporemath.com

Monday, October 19, 2015

Recommended baby carriers I love - Ergo and Boba

When my son was little, I loved the Ergo baby carrier!  It was super versatile and I really appreciated it during traveling.  My son's was green and so very comfortable.  I wore him everywhere!

I got my Ergo from the Waddle and Swaddle store that used to be at 1677 Shattuck in Berkeley, CA.  It is no longer there, unfortunately, but there is a Waddle and Swaddle back east so I am including the website below as it may be related to the former Berkeley, CA  store.

Ergo Baby and toddler carriers
ergobaby.com
blog-http://blog.ergobaby.com

Boba Baby carrier
http://www.boba.com/
Check out this website and look at the u-tube video entitle, "I am a mother."  It is a tear jerker with the sweet phrase, "I made you, but you made me a mother."

Waddle and Swaddle
waddlenswaddle.com

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Apple Hill 2015, fall destination in No. CA for apples, donuts, apple cider, and craft! A destination since 1964!

An amazing autumn destination located in Placerville, CA is Apple Hill.  What do you do in Apple Hill?  There are many, many places to buy apple cider, apples, shop for crafts, etc.   Each year I try to visit a new place so I can discover our favorites!

Resources:
www.applehill.com
a destination from 1964 to 2015!

Visiting the High Hill Ranch:














High Hill Ranch is a place we always seem to visit at Apple Hill.  My son really likes the pond, fishing is available, and we tried that once.  The children like to play by the pond, parents like to sit under the shade and relax.  It is one of the busiest places on Apple Hill.


Visiting Rainbow Orchards - Best donuts on Apple Hill:

I discovered Rainbow Orchard from a local at Shingle Springs Waldorf, where I picked up a few things for my son at their shop,  such as beeswax modeling clay and a journal.  She recommended that Rainbow Orchards has the best donuts at Apple Hill.  Since she was a local, I trusted her and we tried this place out.  Rainbow Orchards takes your donut order and then makes them fresh so they come out warm!  By far the best donuts at Apple Hill!

When I was growing up in Michigan, one of the fall rites of passage was going to cider mills.  Yet, when I finally discovered Apple Hill in Placerville, this is the first year that I discovered fresh, warm cinnamon sugar to go with apple cider, the taste was absolutely perfect.  This says so much as I am a self-described donut snob!!!

















Visiting Mill View Ranch - great kids' play area:

Mill View Ranch has a large Christmas shop and the usual apples, cider, and baked goods.  What really stood out for my son was the large play area with a play town.  Children will love this place and it is a good place to hang out and let kids play for an hour, and have lunch.  They do not have a restaurant here, so bring a picnic.








Dinner at Smith Flat House (above an old gold mine):

My son loved and was fascinated by this place, it is truly fine dining in a historical setting!  Usually you can sit outside, but the evening we visited the outdoor area was closed so we ate in the cellar that used to be a gold mine!  My risotto was magical and was prepared perfectly.  We had creme brûlée for dinner, my son had been wanting to try that dessert for months.









Climbing Up the Walls - At Bladium Sports and Fitness Club in Alameda, CA


Bladium Sports and Fitness Club is a fun place for children and adults to climb!  With cooler weather and an expected El Nino, it will be a welcome respite for children climbing the walls at home.




Resources:
Bladium Sports & Fitness Club
800 West Tower Avenue
Alameda, CA
(510) 814-4999