Handwriting in shaving cream

 I have been having my students do this for years!  I buy simple shaving cream, put it on the desks, usually Fridays as it is a wonderful way to clean desks!  The students are given words and letters to practice and some things to draw.  Believe it or not, I haven’t had a student throw the shaving cream at me or another student yet!  It just feels so darn good, I think, to have the sensory experience!  It is also a wonderful sensory tool!

Making fake snow ⛄️ Is so easy!

I made fake snow and it was so easy!  The recipe I used only called for baking soda and hair conditioner.  I brought some little items for the scene such as little trees and animals and the students absolutely loved the experience!  Plus, it smelled so good!  It is also a wonderful sensory tool, and it is so much cheaper than kinetic sand!  

Kinetic sand- a sensory tool

 I love the kinetic sand at Lakeshore Learning in Walnut Creek, CA.  I use it in my classroom as a relaxing time for students while I am reading a difficult chapter book like Charlotte’s Web.  Also, it is a wonderful way for students to relax after a difficult emotional experience.  

Crop Swap every Monday evening at 6PM in Berkeley, CA

 My family started an edible garden and it was so much fun to share what we grow at the crop swap in Berkeley.  We proudly  brought a plate of lemons and came home with some seeds and perennials!

Crop Swap

Berkeley, CA

Mondays at 6PM

Making Math Real Institute- Recommended

 Making Math Real Institute

website:  http://www.makingmathreal.org

Phone:  510-527-0720

E-mail:  info@makingmathreal.org

The Making Math Real Institute's mission:

To prepare all educators, including parents and homeschool parents, tutors, learning specialists, and teachers to provide comprehensive, structured numeracy development to ensure students of all ages receive the highest quality math education they need and deserve.

About Making Math Real:

Making Math Real is a simultaneous multisensory structured methodology-not a curriculum.  Making math real has garnered a worldwide reputation as the only successful intervention for students with math learning disabilities.  However, Making Math Real is for everybody, not just for students  with math learning disabilities.  

Foodie Kids- Rockridge Cafe on College Ave. in Rockridge, a suburb of Oakland, CA

 My favorite child friendly dining place in Oakland is Rockridge Cafe on College Avenue in Oakland.  They are open for breakfast and lunch!  Then, stroll the streets for a fun day!

Favorite Orton-Gillingham Inspired Reading Program

 Last year, during the pandemic, I did the SPIRE reading intervention program on zoom for elementary school students.  This program works!