Donors choose- for classrooms in need!

When Charles Best, a history teacher in the Bronx, started donor's choice, he had a revolutionary new idea! He knew that he and all his colleagues were spending their own money to fund special projects and sometimes to even provide simple supplies. I have found with my own community that when people have a chance to hear about my ideas, they want to help. With donors choice anyone can virtually own a classroom door and help a teacher! The program is free for teachers to use, and serves k-12 public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including public charter schools. Donors choice now serves k-12 public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia including public charter schools. Donors choice makes it so easy to help classrooms in need. Public school teachers post classroom project requests which range from pencils for poetry to microscopes for mitochondria. According to the website, 70% of the projects are successfully funded. Resources: donorschoose.org

Professional learning Communities-PLC

My school uses the PLC model, I found a wonderful website that clarifies what Professional Learning communities can do for schools.

Resources:

www.allthingsplc.com

bubble baths

My son loves bubble baths.  He had a cold last week and actually asked for a bubble bath I got at Whole Foods that has eucalyptus oil in it.  It smells wonderful!  They also have a calming foam bath with essential lavender oil.

Resources:

AuraCacia Eucalyptus clearing  Foam Bath
Frontier Natural Products Co-op
Norway, IA  52318
www.auracacia.com

pizza lunch at Strawberry Creek Park, Berkeley,CA

On Tuesday when I was with my son at the Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley, I discovered The Phoenix Pastificio cafe.  We vowed to return and have pizza as the food looked delicious!  They have fresh organic pasta, ravioli, and delicious pastries.  We tried some varieties of cookies and they were delicious!

The pizza is made to order and is available Monday-Thursday, 3 to 7 PM.  The pizza choices are the following:  Wild mushroom & prosciutto;  roast chicken with Bell peppers, green serano, & cilantro; and Greek:  Spinach, tomato, & Feta.  Plus, they have daily specials and simple pizzas for children.

Resources:

The Phoenix Pastificio
1250 Addison Street/Bonor
Berkeley, CA  94702
Tel  (510) 883-0783
www.Phoenixpasta.com

Strawberry Creek Park, Berkeley, CA

My son and I visited Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley, CA on Tuesday with our new dog!  We have never been to this park before and it is a gem!  It has a wide space for kids and dogs to run, there are picnic tables by the creek, and there is a fun playground with a really long slide.  This park is somewhat hidden off of University so it even feels like a treasure.

Resources:

Strawberry Creek Park
1260 Allston Way
(at Bonar Street)
Berkeley, CA
http:  //www.ci.berkeley.ca.us

Food-safe markers

What is better than a home-baked sugar cookie?  One that doubles as a letter!  Food-safe markers make it possible to practice writing letters on a cookie, or to write letters to family and friends as a gift.

Resources:

Food-safe markers
Americolor Gourmet Writers, $14.00 for a set of 10
Amazon.com

Slide Ranch - Fun Family Farm Programs

Saturday, April 27th is the Spring Fling at slide ranch.  This the their most popular program of the year!  There are other programs offered on their website!

Resources:

Slide Ranch
www.slideranch.org/programs/family.html

Lexia - A technology based reading program

Lexia is a technology-based reading program that helps boost language arts test scores and also boosts student achievement.  Some schools purchase the program for teachers to use in the class as well as for parents to use at home.

Resources:

lexialearning.com

B-day party superman and princess - amazing!

I went to a birthday party in San Ramon with my son yesterday.  Superman and Cinderella were in attendance.  They were both amazing actors.  Even the adults were laughing and smiling.  At the end of the performance they danced, and it was such a sweet show!  My son was entranced!  The Superman character was Darryl Hulsey and the company is Children's Delight Entertainment.

Resources:

Children's Delight Entertainment
(408) 267-7272
www.childrensdelight.com

Accelerated Reader program used in schools

The Accelerated Reader program is purchased by some schools or districts in order for teachers to give individualized reading practice and give student reading assessments.

The accelerated Reading Program:
-determines reading level (an entire class can be screened in 15 minutes.)
-sets practice goals
-personalizes practice
-students take an AR quiz
-teachers receive immediate feedback

Resources:

Accelerated Reader
www.renlearn.com/ar/

IXL is a computer based math program

Many schools are adopting computer based programs to help students do math both at home and school.  The IXL program is for students from pre-k to 8th grade and is aligned to state standards.  The monthly dues are $9.95 and the yearly dues are $79.00.  This computer based program can help children with math skills, which helps raise standardized test scores.

Resources:

IXL
ixl.com