Recommended reading! I don't care what your kids read this summer, but please keep them reading! As a mom to two voracious readers, I expected them to be all over the summer reading clubs as elementary schoolers. You know, a chance to earn meals, toys, ice cream just for doing what they love to do! But that either messed with their value system or they were just too lazy to record the title and authors, let alone a few thoughts on each ... [ Read More ]
Summer Science Fun for Kids
I'm heading out for a celebration with my Science Olympiad Entomology team. Did I tell you they placed 5th in the state? We're going kayaking and are sure to see several of our favorite insects while paddling around. Summer is a great time to celebrate nature and the wonder around us. In my latest post at Sylvan's Mom-Minded blog I shared several family-friendly science ideas that are perfect for summer. If you hold a Bugs' Life party, be sure to ... [ Read More ]
Black Swallowtail Butterfly, from Larva to Pupa
I found the largest caterpillar I've ever seen in nature hanging out on the carrot greens in our garden last week. It was close to three inches long. My husband has been working hard on our his garden and I wasn't about to let some critter ruin his efforts. At the same time I was intrigued by the striking green, black, white-striped, yellow-dotted larva and wanted to learn more about it. It looked a bit like a Monarch larva, but those feed ... [ Read More ]
Bugs: A Pop-up Book
As a recent Science Olympiad entomology event coach, I look at creepy crawlies insects in a new light. So when the folks at Candlewick Press offered to send me a review copy of Bugs: A Stunning Pop-up Look at Insects, Spiders, and Other Creepy-Crawlies (affiliate link) I eagerly accepted. Bugs, written by George McGavin and illustrated by the detail-oriented Jim Kay, is surprisingly informative for a book that's only 12 pages long. And don't ... [ Read More ]
Help Your Kids Soar, Not Slide, This Summer. And Sphero 2.0 Giveaway!
Sphero with charging base and ramps. I'm pleased to announce that I'm a Sphero Ambassador. This is a sponsored post as part of my work with the brand. This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to GR, entrant #42, chosen by random.org. The summer slide refers to academic skills that slip and dip over the summer when reading and writing take a backseat to swimming and s'mores. Some parents head off the dreaded slip in academic skills with ... [ Read More ]
Contest for Creative, Active Kids from Clif Kid
If my kids were younger, I'd enter a Moon Ball game.I was disappointed that my boys are too old to enter this contest, but then I realized that I can enter vicariously through you, dear readers. Indeed, I was psyched when a friend told me she garnered a spot at an upcoming NASA social media event that she'd learned about through my Facebook page. I'm a connector at heart, so stuff like that makes me happy. Put on your thinking caps (are these ... [ Read More ]
Helping Young Kids Code: Scratch Day Resources
Scratch Day Chicago was a huge success! Hats off to Brian Myers for organizing the day, West Ridge School for hosting and Google Chicago for feeding hundreds of hungry tweens and teens. There was a big crowd! Kids of all ages (and their parents) had opportunities to learn Scratch as well as build their skills and even show off a project or two. As the event tag line promised, it was indeed a day of meeting, sharing and learning. I was part ... [ Read More ]