Squaw Valley Institute, SVI Kids for students ages 11 to 14

In the previous post, Logan La Plante talked about the Squaw Valley Institute.  I did some research on SVI  Kids, and it is for students ages 11 to 14.

Resources:

Squaw Valley Institute
SVI Kids
e-mail- matt@squawvalleyinstitute.org
Phone:  (530) 581-4138
http://www.squawvalleyinstitute.org

TED Talk - Hackschooling Makes Me Happy, by Logan La Plante

Tonight, I listened to Logan La Plante talk about about his schooling and how he is learning to be happy!  It was creative, original, and he certainly had personality and was authentic.

As a public school teacher, I love seeing children who are authentically passionate about learning, and happy!

I would recommend taking a few minutes and watching this TED Talk.  It is amazing!

Here are a few ideas Logan discussed:

-He is a 13 year old, who describes himself as an unschooled
- He sees himself as a modern day hacker, and sees hackers as being innovators!
-He discusses idea of having a hacker mind can change the world.



Resources:

TED talks, Hackschooling Makes Me Happy, Logan La Plante

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Hackschooling-Makes-Me-Happy-Lo;search%3A/

Why do so many doctors and lawyers homeschool?

Anyone who has been to a homeschool playmate will actually be surprised at how many doctors, lawyers, and teachers there are.  Homeschooling is increasing for many reasons, partly because many parents are discovering they have choices!

Below is an article about the rise of doctors and lawyers homeschooling their children:

http://childrensmd.org/uncategorized/why-doctors-and-lawyers-homeschool-their-children-18-reasons-why-we-have-joined-americas-fastest-growing-educational-trend/

Recommended Hypnotherapist, Virginia Bennett

I have never been to a hypnotherapist, but I met a woman who stopped smoking from seeing Virgina Bennett.  She is highly recommended!

Resources:

Virginia Bennett PHD, Ccht
2034 Blake Street
(between Milvia and Shattuck)
Berkeley, CA
(510)  644-1246

Jump Sky High - Concord, CA - Munchkin Mondays, 11AM-1PM, $6.00

Every Monday, except holidays, the Jump Sky High in Concord, CA has Munchkin Mondays for children 6 and under!  It is only $6.00 from 11AM-1PM.

Resources:

Jump Sky High
1631 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA  94520
www.jumpskyhigh.com  (all locations)
http://CON.jumpskyhigh.com/  (Concord, California location)
(925) 682-5867 (JUMP)
FAX  (925) 682-5868


Munchkin Mondays
11AM-1PM
Walk-in
$6.00 for children 6 and under.

Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 2nd, 2014 at Habitot in Berkeley, CA

Habitot Museum in Berkeley is having a Lunar New Year Celebration this Sunday, Feb. 2nd from 9:30AM to 4:30PM.  The admission will be free that day and they will have dragon parades, black inn calligraphy, and the children will be able to creat dragon puppets.

Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley, CA

Sunflower Chiropractic Studio

New and Consignment Toy store in Albany, CA - Toy Go Around, Albany, CA

I found a great toy store today in Albany, CA.  People have been bringing in gently used toys for now a second generation, then when they sell they can pick out new toys or gifts.  It's an amazing idea!

My son found some items for his Knight costume for only $5.00!  I highly recommend this place!  Once you buy something here, you may only exchange it if it it a new, unopened item.

Resources:

Toy Go Round
(510) 527-1363
Albany, CA

Upcoming event: Michael Katz, Storyteller, at Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom, Sunday, January 26, 2014, 10:00AM

This sunday, January 26th, 2014 at 10:00AM, Michael Katz, storyteller will be at the Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom.  Michael's recording of folktales from around the world, "Far Away and Close to Home," was a recipient of a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award.

Resources:

Michael Katz, Storyteller
Sunday, January 26, 2014
10:00AM
3001 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA
(510) 244-4155
SRNB.com

My sons favorite DVD are Planet Earth, the complete series by BBC EARTH

My five year old sons favorite DVD's right now are the BBC Planet Earth complete series.

He says, "I like the fresh water one best!"

Resources:

planet earth
BBC Earth
The Complete Series
www.bbcearth.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, San Francisco, CA

This week I am going to take my son to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in San Francisco.  This memorial is located right in the middle of the Yerba Buena Gardens and celebrates Dr. King's life and his life's mission.  If you walk behind the waterfall, and read the quotes on the wall, it brings me to tears!  There are several waterfalls and engraved statements dedicated to unity.  The whole effect is amazing!

Dr. King's speech, "I Have A Dream," is its' entirety was delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.


Resources:

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
745 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, "I Have A Dream"
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.com

Ergo Baby - wonderful way to hold babies up to around 2 years old!

Today, when I took a walk with my dog, I saw a woman holding a baby about 6 months old in an ergo baby carrier.  My husband and I both used the Ergobaby for our son until he was a little over 2 years old!  We both loved it.  We got a few different kinds of carriers for our shower, but the Ergo was by far our favorite.  I had a green one, and it was even washable and adjustable.  When our son was 2 years old, we took him to Disneyland in Florida and we used the Ergobaby!  That was the last family trip that I remember using it, sadly!  Oh, how I miss it!  There was a sense of safety in holding him close!

Resources:

ErgoBaby

Farewell Circle - Great way to say goodbye!

A farewell circle is a great way for students to say goodbye to a fellow student who is moving from a school.  The students in an elementary school can sit in a circle on the rug, and the students take turn going around a giving a compliment or appreciation to the student who is moving and leaving the classroom.  For example, they may say, "I appreciated you helping me with math."  Or, "Thank you for helping me when I got hurt."  This is a wonderful way for children to learn how to say goodbye in a thoughtful and caring way!  I've always told my students the phrase I learned in girl scouts, "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold!"  The students then may have some social time and share a snack such as cookies and milk, or a farewell cake.

What is an "empath?" Do teachers and parents benefit from being empathic? Can you learn the skill?

What is an "empath?"  I was researching this question this morning, since I have heard this term a few times recently.  Of course, there are different definitions of the same term, so I will keep researching.  One definition I found this morning, that makes sense, is the one given on Elise Lebeau, Ph.D.'s website,

"An empath is someone who can feel other people's emotions as their own:  we feel what other people feel."

When I saw that definition, I thought of some of the amazing educators I have known during my years of teaching, who for privacy reasons I am not going to name here.  They are able to connect with parents and students, and be able to empathic to others with few words, they just know and understand people.  We all have had at least one teacher that we remember who seemed to really know us and listen to us, and to know what we really needed to do well at school and be happy and content there.

I found through my research, Elise Lebeau, Ph.D. and I will be finding out through her whether one can learn to be empathic to others and sensitive to what they need.  I will be blogging soon about what I found.

Resources:

Elise Lebeau, Ph.D.
http://www.eliselebeau.com/
(971) 279-8554

Parenting Consultant and Birthday celebration planning - Rebecah Freeling

Rebecah Freeling was the owner of the Waldorf Briar Rose Children's Center between 1999 and 2010.  She is known for planning and participating in joyful birthday celebrations that honor the child.  She has also been a parenting consultant for 20 years.

What does a parenting consultant do?  Parents are now wanting to learn how to work best with their child's own temperament and moods.  We are all individuals and Rebecah specializes in helping parents work with their child on such things as social skills, social responsibility, self-management, and flexible and creative problem solving.  I think everyone wishes they had someone to help with those things!

Rebecah is known as an "empath," which I had to research in order to learn what that term means.  An "empath" is someone who can fell other people's emotions as their own, and empath can actually feel what other people feel.  Many excellent teachers do this very thing, which is why they can have 20 to 35 children in their class and be able to handle all of them, plus the parents, administration, and other teachers.  Having this unique sensitivity, I believe, is a unique gift that people either naturally  have or don't.   In my career, I've seen teachers with this unique gift and it is magical!

I haven't actually worked with Rebecah yet, but I am planning on interviewing her next week to have her help plan and upcoming birthday party.  I love the idea of having old fashioned, natural party games, healthy yet yummy treats, and a unique puppet show and songs!  I will let you all know how it goes!

Resources:

Rebecah Freeling
Parenting Consultant
Joyful Birthday Celebrations
Website:  Http: //www.rfreeling.com/for-children/
Phone:  (614) 769-3563
E-mail:  rebecah@rfreeling.com

Recommended pancake mix

My son loves the Bob's Red Mill pancake mix!  I add some Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chunks, that are dairy, nut, and soy free.  The combination is amazing!  The pancakes taste best fresh off the griddle, and are not as yummy as leftovers.  I keep the batter sealed in the refrigerator if I have extra and then make again the next morning.  Also, instead of milk, sometimes I use Meyenberg goat milk, and the pancakes still taste great!

Resources:

Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.
Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Whole Grain Mixe
13521 SE Pheasant Court
Milwaukie, Oregon  97222
Certified Organic by QAI
www.bobsredmill.com

Enjoy Life Natural Brands LLC
semi-sweet chocolate mega chunks
dairy, nut, & soy free
Schlller Park, IL  60176
888-50-ENJOY (36569)
www.enjoylifefoods.com

Teaching the Alphabet - How to Build an A

This kit that I found at Mr. Mopps Toy Store in Berkeley, CA is really clever.  As it states on it's package:

"W stands for WOW!  It's a book, It's a game.  It's a letter-building kit- and best of all, it's a great way to learn the ABC's.  Each page shows you how to build a new letter with foam shapes.  Children will love Sara Midda's tiny people hauling and heaving the pieces into place, as well as the hands-on fun of bringing each letter to life."

Sara Middda's previous books include the international best seller In and Out of the Garden and South of France.  She lives in Sussex, England.

Includes:  11 fully safety-tested foam pieces that can be used to build all of the letters of the alphabet, and accompanying book, and a mesh storage bag.  For ages 2 and up.

My review of this product-  I got this so that my son could review his alphabet letters in a fun way.  When we've spent more time with this book  and the foam letters, I will let you know how he likes them.  To me, as an educator, they seem like a really fun, engaging way to work on letters!



Resources:

How to build an A
by Sara Midda
ARTISAN
A division of Workman Publishing, Inc.
225 Varick Street
New York, NY  10014-4381
www.artisanbooks.com
ISBN 978-1-57965-378-1
$17.95 U.S.

Beginning Review of sippy and straw cup - the safe zippy 2

My husband got my son this safe sippy 2 on recent travels to the coast.

This is how the safe zippy 2 is described on the package:

"Meet the Safe Sippy 2 children's drink cup.  Born of necessity.  Conceived with children's health in mind.  Created in response to the growing body of scientific evidence about the dangers of toxic chemicals found in many plastic and metal bottles, every Safe Sippy cup is manufactured with one simple goal in mind.  Clean in/Clean out.
The new 2-in-one Safe Sippy 2 cup is the first zippy cup to combine all of the features parents want most:  a no-spill spout, clean 11 ounce/330ml food grade stainless steel vessel, all plastics certified free of BPA and phthalates, removable handles, dishwasher safe, an insulating easy-grip outer sleeve and now,  best of all ,  a straw adaptor that instantly converts your sippy cup to straw bottle in seconds.
The next generation Safe Sippy 2 cup comes with these innovative new features:  a travel cup for keeping the spout clean, a travel plug to prevent fluid from dripping into your travel bag, and a straw converter.
The new Safe Sippy 2 cup.  The world's first and only 2 -in-1 children's drink cup."

My review - My son likes this sippy cup, and he calls it his "Space Cup," since we got it when he was dressed like an astronaut, and the colors match his space suit.  Some of the normal zippy cups are attractive to children because they have favorite animated television and movie characters on them.  Yet, my son liked the look of this sippy cup because it is like a transformer cup, because it also has a straw adaptor!  The challenging part will be keeping all the parts of this zippy cup together and in working order.  I will update this blog post in a month or so, writing about how all the parts withstood the test of time.

Features:

-Clean, non-leaching stainless steel
-11 ounce/ 330 ml capacity
-easy-grip insulating sleeve
-removable handles
-BPA + phthalate free
-travel plug
-dishwasher safe

Resources:

safesippy2
BPA FREE
6 month plus
kid Basix, LLC
1158 26th Street, Suite 613
Santa Monica, CA  90403
E-mail:  info@kid-basix.com
Website:  www.kid-basix.com
Made In China

Are children learning reading too early? (researching.......)

Jr. Astronaut Suit - my son got this at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco

My son loves his new astronaut suit!  It looks really official and even comes with a matching cap!  Every few years I've had to get a bigger one.

While my son has his astronaut suit on, our whole family goes on space expeditions while we sleep, cook dinner, eat, etc.  It is so much fun!

Resources:

Jr. Astronaut Suit
Size 6-8  (These come in different sizes, and he has started from the first sizes!)
Includes official looking Astronaut Suit with matching cap)
$49.99 at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.  The size 4-5 suit he had, we got at the Museum of Innovation in San Jose.  They come in white and orange.
Get Real Gear
Dress Up For Kids
877-776-2291
www.AEROMAXTOYS.com

Recommended Lego Toy - "CREATOR" building toy plane

My son got this toy for Christmas from his uncle and grandma.  It is a building toy, and rebuilds into a propeller, plane, or a hovercraft, so it is 3 in 1.  It is for ages 6 to 12, but it was fine for my son to build this with his dad.  The only problem is when it starts coming apart.  It is not meant to stay built, and I am going to buy a container for legos to put parts in.  My son really enjoyed it, and has put it together several times with his dad.  His dad actually loved it, and really enjoyed putting it together too!

Resources:

LEGO
31003
Item# 6024490
LEGO.com/service
LEGO.com/club

Recommended Toy - Charlie The Capuchin Monkey by Animal Planet

My son got Charlie The Capuchin Monkey for a holiday present.  It is so fun, even I got a kick out of it!  It has a remote control and talks, plus it has straps so I could place it on my son's shoulder, and we went to a street fair, and he had so much fun entertaining himself and others with his talking monkey.  The remote control can be hidden so Charlie the Monkey magically comes to life.

Animal Planet
Charlie The Capuchin Monkey
Remote Control
Toys R' Us
#5F5E5ED

Toy Review, Trucky 3- to be continued....

My son got the Trucky 3 toy for the holidays.  It is for ages 3 and up.

Toy Review - Flying Hoop, Easy to throw!

My son got a Beamo Flying Hoop toy for the holidays.  It is for ages 5+ and is fun and easy for my son to throw and catch.  It measures 16+ in diameter, and is lightweight.  This product is not for children 0-3 years old.

Resources:

Item # 6134
MINI BEAMO
Manufactured and Distributed by Toysmith
Sumner, Washington  98390

Technology in the classroom - Khan Academy can be used for homeschoolers as well as in traditional classrooms

Today I watched the TED talk about the Khan academy on tube.  Khan Academy is a non-profit educational website created in 2006 by educator Salmon Khan, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School.  My son is five and is still a little young to use Khan Academy,  but I know friends who use it regularly with their children.

Within a traditional classroom, some teachers "flip" the classroom and have students watch Khan Academy for homework, and then have students do the "work" in the classroom.  Khan's goal is for students to, "Do as long as you can until you can achieve mastery."  There are videos on such things as decimals, fractions, calculus, etc.

Not only will you watch a lecture on the topic, but then there are questions that generate as many questions as needed to help students really get the concept and achieve mastery.  Students can watch at own time, own place.  They can also watch in the intimacy of their own comfortable room.  One can pause, repeat, and stop for the night at own time.    In the TED talk, Salmon Khan said that, "If Isaac Newton had done these videos on calculus, he wouldn't have to!

Resources:

KHAN ACADEMY
https://www.khanacademy.org
https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy (Salmon Khan talk at TED 2011)
TED TALK, KHAN ACADEMY

Recipe for Gluten Free S'mores

When I was growing up, one of my favorite desserts was s'mores.  Yet, now that I am an adult I am mostly gluten free.  Many children are also now gluten free.

Here is a recipe for making s'mores in the oven on a winter day!

S'MORES

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.  Break gluten free Kinnikinnick S'moreables Style Graham crackers in half and place on a clean cookie sheet.  On one side place one square of gluten free chocolate and on the other side place one large gluten free marshmallow.  My favorite marshmallows are the ones they make homemade at Whole Foods!

3.  Bake for 3-5 minutes or until the marshmallow puffs and turns a light golden brown and the chocolate begins to soften.

4.  Remove from oven and let rest for one minute.  Using a knife, carefully place the chocolate half on top of the marshmallow half and gently press together to form a sandwich.

Resources:

Gluten Free S'moreables
Graham Style Crackers
kinnikinnick
(gluten free, dairy free, and nut free)
kinnikinnick Foods Inc.
10940 120 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada  T5H 3P7
www.kinnikinnick.com
info@kinnikinnick.com
Toll Free phone number  1-877-503-4466
Product of Canada

Professional Development Opportunity- Retreat, Courage to Teach, Dominican University, CA

Courage to Teach, Professional Development

As quoted, "In a time when stress and pressure on teachers and administrators continues to rise because of internal and external demands, 'Courage to Teach' provides educators with an opportunity for rest, renewal, and re-engagement with their identity and integrity as teachers."

This program was originally conceived by esteemed educator Parker J. Palmer, offers educators an opportunity to reflect on the inner dimensions of teaching and leading.  Each retreat has 20-25 participants who gather together to engage in honest self-reflection and explore questions about purpose, values, and commitment to the challenging work of teaching.  Therefore, the educators have the opportunity to increase their capacity to listen to self and others more deeply.

Because the inner work is thought to take time, participants are asked to commit to faithful attendance at all five retreats.

The cost of the attendance for k-12 educators has been substantially reduced by a grant from the Kalliopeia Foundation.

2014-2015 Seasonal Retreat Series

February 14-16, 2014

April 4-6, 2014

August 1-3, 2014

September 26-28, 2014

March 27-29, 2015

The location is the Santa Sabina Retreat Center, San Rafael, California.

Resources:

Dominican University of California
School of Education and Counseling Psychology
DOMINICAN.EDU

COURAGE TO TEACH
A Professional Development Opportunity
WWW.DOMINICAN.EDU/COURAGETOTEACH
(Questions?  Contact Margaret Golden at:  MARGARET.GOLDEN@DOMINICAN.EDU
(415) 485-3593

Restaurant reviews- Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito - Sit on the veranda, which is both child and dog friendly

The Murray Circle restaurant at Fort Baker in Sausalito is walking distance from the Discovery Museum, and it is a magical place.  I went there today and sat on the veranda with my dog and son, both were welcome and comfortable.  They have a child menu, and my son chose the mini grass-fed burger.  It came with blueberries, raspberries, and mini carrots, and was $10.00.   For an appetizer, we had house made potato chips with homemade onion dip.  I had a small salad, which was really satisfying!  Sitting on the veranda, watching the golden gate bridge in the skyline was one of those wonderful mother and son moments!

Resources:

Murray Circle
Fort Baker - Sausalito
(walking distance from the children's discovery museum)
Cavallo Point
601 Murray Circle
Fort Baker
Sausalito, California  94965
Phone:  (415) 339-4700
CAVALLOPOINT.COM

What to do with children who are out of school this week?

My good friend called me last night, and said, "Happy New Year!"  and added, "My children are driving me crazy! What can I do?"

I researched possibilities and besides driving to the mountains, where there is very little snow now in Tahoe, I discovered Sky High Sports is open!  I've taken my son there before and he loved it!  It is a great place to plan a play date as it is a fun and no-mess idea!

The cost over the holiday, through January 3rd, is $12.00 per hour.  They are open from 10AM to 10PM through tomorrow too.

Resources:

Sky HIgh Sports
(There are different locations, the one I visited was in Concord, CA.)
(925) 682-5867 (JUMP)
"Trampoline Floors, Trampoline Walls"
1631 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA  94520
FAX  (925) 682-5868
http://CON.jumpskyhigh.com