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Boys and Reading 282 424 admin
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Boys and Reading

As a mother of three sons, I have (occasionally!) jealously watched quiet families of girls reading. I imagine all the things I could accomplish with some quiet time. However, my curiosity and frustration began to rise as I noticed how much better at reading girls are doing today compared to boys. According to the US…

Read Aloud or Read With Me? 424 283 admin
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Read Aloud or Read With Me?

As your children transition from beginning readers to more independent readers, how you spend time together reading can change. One distinction that I have used with my boys is the difference between a “read aloud” book and a “read with” book. “Read aloud” books are usually books beyond my child’s reading level. I am in control…

Taking on the BrainFreeze Reading Challenge Online 300 109 admin
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Taking on the BrainFreeze Reading Challenge Online

Over Winter Break, 606 students signed up for and took on the challenge to read 20 minutes per day at home with our new online BrainFreeze Reading Challenge. Even students who have been struggling with reading were excited at the chance to receive prizes; it was fantastic to get emails from parents sharing their child’s…

Classroom tips to keep young brains warm over winter break! 150 184 admin
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Classroom tips to keep young brains warm over winter break!

We’re excited to offer new 2013 BrainFreeze packets. For your classroom or for your whole school, you can help students return to school in the new year ready to learn new skills. To get the most out of your BrainFreeze packets, we have a few classroom tips to help keep the young brains in your…

BrainFreeze Reading Challenge ONLINE! 300 109 admin
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BrainFreeze Reading Challenge ONLINE!

Sign up for the online BrainFreeze Reading Challenge to give your students or children a chance to win great prizes for reading over winter break! We’re thrilled to announce our first ever online reading challenge. Kids can log their reading minutes daily in our winter break reading log and earn a raffle ticket into a…

“Learning to Read” and “Reading to Learn” 200 300 admin
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“Learning to Read” and “Reading to Learn”

A subtle turn of phrase – Learning to Read versus Reading to Learn – but a sea change in a child’s education. The transition from lower-el to upper-el marks a moment in education that can define a child’s future success, or so we have been told. After 3rd grade, it is has long been assumed…

ThinkStretch maintains academic skills at Family Learning Institute 300 224 admin
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ThinkStretch maintains academic skills at Family Learning Institute

Using the ThinkStretch Summer Learning Program this summer as a part of their summer program Brain Boot Camp, Family Learning Institute (FLI) in Ann Arbor, MI maintained or improved every student’s academic skills! Focusing on reading, writing and math, students spend 4 hours, once a week at FLI engaged in fun learning activities as well as…

Students Keep Learning All Year Long 197 300 admin
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Students Keep Learning All Year Long

Representing a cross section of the larger community, not all students at Abbot Elementary have equal access to summer learning opportunities. Luckily for these students, Principal Pam Sica recognizes the detrimental effect that summer learning loss has on every student and the cumulative effect it has on her most at-risk students. Abbot Elementary is a…

Never Say “Good Job” Again! 200 300 admin
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Never Say “Good Job” Again!

Too much blanket praise, like “Good Job”, may actually backfire and hinder your child’s growth.  By consistently praising small acts on a consistent basis, you may be sending the message that your child needs your approval all the time.  It can also put your child on a pedestal making them are afraid to take risks…

Meet the Teacher 300 200 admin
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Meet the Teacher

It can be scary and exciting for both you and your child to meet this year’s new teacher! With a few moments preparation you can be ready to set you and your child on the path to a good relationship with the teacher for the new school year. Reflect on strengths and struggles of last…

Playtime Before Homework Time 300 199 admin
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Playtime Before Homework Time

Ok, school may not be the same as being stuck indoors, but it can feel like that for kids. Kids need to balance brain work with physical play. After a long day at school, many kids need to get their energy out before sitting down to homework. Several experimental studies show that school kids pay more…

Start the Day with Brain Food! 225 300 admin
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Start the Day with Brain Food!

Kids who eat breakfast do better in school, are more likely to participate in physical activities, and tend to eat healthier overall. However, mornings can be hectic, especially the first week of school. A balance of protein and carbs gives kids energy to start the day and energy to last all morning. Try a few of…

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