Teeth Care and Technology

In our house, we have battled over brushing teeth.  We have interviewed dentists, watched YouTube videos, implemented reward systems.  None of these strategies have worked! 

Just recently, our son wanted to buy his own electric toothbrush (we were in shock and denial).   We did not waste time. We went to the grocery store to make some comparisons.  The Philips Sonicare Kids Brush was his first choice (fun design).  We were naive. We both had Sonicare toothbrushes so we bought the kids version. 

We had no idea that this brush had Bluetooth capabilities and works with an online application.  The application teaches children how to brush their teeth effectively. The app program keeps track of morning and nightly brush routines.  Sonicare has developed a quirky animated creature (looks like a Furby).  When a child turns on his toothbrush the creature starts to brush his/her own teeth.  A child can see the plaque being scrubbed away.  After each bushing period, the child receives a virtual gift. 

We like to be frugal at our house, but this purchase has been a wonderful educational tool! 

Professional Development & Certification Renewal

Your days are filled with designing lesson plans, conferencing with parents, meetings, teaching daily lessons, assessments, and correcting papers.  Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months turn into years.  Then the day arrives when you realize that you need to renew your teaching credentials.  You might have 6 months or maybe one year to finish a large amount of coursework.  What do you do?  

I have found myself in this predicament. First, it is time to show yourself some grace and room to breathe.  We get immersed in the job and family life.  Be encouraged you are not alone. There is good news! Many museums, universities, libraries, schools, and unions offer professional development courses (year-around).  You may want to consider a field study or travel option.  This possibility could merge your family goals/dreams and professional certification requirements.  

Step 1:  Contact the university in which you received your BA or MA degree.  Universities and colleges hire individuals who specialize in teacher certification counseling.  Many universities offer online courses. Check with the university for professional development opportunities online or on-campus (non-degree course work). You will need special consideration using these credits towards a particular degree.  Many endorsements can be added to your resume by taking national tests like the NES or the West E.  Washington assigned specific subjects that need to have classroom credits and a test.  Your state education webpage will let you know what path to take to add more endorsements. 

Professional Certification Info: Washington State

Step 2:  Find your website for your State Department of Education.  Review your certification requirements.  Many state departments of education offer professional development courses.  

-Washington

-Idaho

-Oregon

-Montana

Step 3: What type of coursework would enhance my classroom instruction?  What are my options? Washington State has a new STEM clock hour requirement.  Be sure to check out the Educational Service District near your school or home.

• online
• Seattle Pacific University 
• Heritage Institute 
• CE Credits Online
• ESD 112
• classroom
• Idaho Courses
• Eastern Washington
• OSPI- (directory of ESD websites)
• conferences/webinar
• ELL
• Technology Webinars
• Renewal for the Educator's Soul
• field study
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Seattle Art Museum
• Pacific Science Center
• Museum of Flight
• Glacier National Park
• Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens
• Washington State History
• Washington State Field Study Options
• independent study/travel study

Step 4:  Enjoy the Journey!!!

Summer in the Great Outdoors: For Children of All Ages

Summer is coming and we long to organize and facilitate summer memory making.  We want our children to climb trees, hike, swim, and experience nature.  It is our opportunity to stretch the imagination.  The world becomes our summer classroom!  Camps, libraries, museums, universities, and churches offer summer programs to provide hands-on-learning for youth all over the Northwest.

What can our summer look like?  Here are some ideas and links.

HIKING & CAMPING:  We know that we benefit by walking, but here is a great article about hiking and brain research.

Do enjoy hiking? OutThere Monthly has a scavenger/ treasure hunts for the whole family.

AllTrails 

Washington Trails Association

Club Slow Motion (Found on FB)-This is an all women's hiking group.  The hikes are well-paced.  Most of the hikes range from 3-5 miles distances.

Washington, Idaho State,  Montana, California, and Oregon State Parks: These websites are a great way to find a campsite.  It also can be used to reserve an environmental center, yurt, and small cabin.

Just for Kids

Junior Ranger Program

Summer Camps

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture- The MAC Museum is offering art, science, and music camps for all ages.  Programs include field trips, campouts, wilderness safety, geocache, kayaking, and more!  ArtFest is also a wonderful opportunity to play and create.

Camp Metamorphosis is a camp for 4th-6th graders.  Whitworth University offers this camp through their Talented and Gifted Department.

Camp Opportunity is for grades 6-9. Camp Opportunity offers three different themes for the week.  "Trek of the Techie, "Farm to Table," and "Explore the Great Outdoors." Students can choose one focus or try a little in all three class offerings.

Camp Spalding-Camp Spalding offers overnight camps for children and families.  Camp Spalding's Family camp offers deluxe cabins and provides linens and amazing food.  The staff takes the time to form relationships with the whole family.  All activities are provided and organized.  This provides a low-stress vacation.

Washington:

Summer Camps or Programs for Children with Special Needs:

Joni and Friends

Camp Goodtimes- Resident camp designed for 7-17-year-old cancer patients and survivors

Montana: Camp Dream

Oregon: Very Special Camps

California: Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Sports:  There are so many opportunities for youth to participate in summer sports camps.  Trying to choose is the most difficult part.

Basketball-NBC Camps

Disc Golf-PGA disc Golf Course Directory Map

Disc Golf Directory

Libraries

Most libraries offer summer programs.  Our local library has hosted educational music, drama, dance, science programs for young children.  Do you have a child that has a library fine?  Some libraries offer a fine forgiveness program.

Finding Peace and Quiet for Your Children, Part: 2

Children need time to reflect at home and in school.  In order for children to self-sooth/self-regulate they must first identify their current emotions.  We use a tool/reflection sheet in the classroom and in the home.  There are days when we all wake up on the "wrong side of the bed."

Students need support, but what is helpful? Calming? Encouraging?  I have looked all over YouTube, Google, and more for guided mindfulness for children.  I have found my favorite product called, Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents).

GoNoodle is a wonderful free website for children.  Many schools use this site for brain, exercise, and movement breaks.  As a parent, I use GoNoodle for the calming activities.  The site has child-appropriate mindfulness and yoga activities.   The site gives participation points and has virtual rewards.  

When do I use this site?  I use this in the morning, before school.  Classrooms have a limited amount of time to focus on social and emotional development.  

Cosmic Kids Yoga is another site that leads yoga through storytelling.  Children love the engaging stories and become immersed in the story while exercising.

Stories can help children identify/validate a child's feelings.  I love to use Storyline Online in the classroom and home. The Screen Actors Guild has many videos of famous people reading literature.  

Z Tangled

A close friend taught my family how to draw Z Tangles.  We were taught that the process was more important than the product.  There were no "right or wrong" answers.  Finally, to enjoy the repetition, patterns, and rhythms.  My husband enjoyed the freedom to express, but felt safe within set artistic patterns.  

Some pieces can be more compartmentalized like the first photo or the patterns can flow into one another.  The beginning and end become the same. (odd number of sections)

There are many sites that will teach patterns with a step-by-step process.  

How to Draw Z Tangles

Zentangles

Finding Peace and Quiet

Every teacher needs time to rest and reflect.  It is getting harder to balance needed reflection time and work demands.

Recently I was introduced to a new website called, Stop, Breath, & Think.  There are many mindfullness programs online, but this is my favorite.  Stop, Breath, & Think will ask for your mental, physical, and emotional health each day.  The program will tailor several activities based upon your responses.  This program is free and has many options.

Another website that combines meditation and devotion is Sacred Space.  The Irish Jesuits and Loyola Press work jointly on this project. Sacred Space is available on Apple/iOS and Android/Google Play devices.

A poet-friend, Laurie Klein writes daily reflections on her blog.  Her photography captures small details, wonder, and beauty.   Laurie's new book called, Where the Sky Opens, a Partial Cosmography takes the reader on journey of love, grace, struggle, and renewal.  She knows how to use words to open the very soul of the reader.

Club Slow Motion (Found on FB)-This is an all women's hiking group.  The hikes are well-paced.  Most of the hikes range from 3-5 miles distances.