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Categories:  Best Of Stories Image:  ‘Expectation is the root of all heartache’ - William Shakespeare In the northern hemisphere, it’s officially back to school time—but who knows what on earth that ‘back to school’ will look like for each of us this year. With the recent FDA decision, it’s a whole new ball game. Details shift each and every day and, I imagine, will continue to do so throughout the year as we (hopefully) work our way to the other side of this global pandemic. So, whether you’re choosing virtual, hybrid, in-person, at home, or are still undecided about the entire...

We all know that grandparents are our kids’ go-to source for bear hugs, commiseration (you are the common enemy) and contraband snacks. But did you know that kids benefit from their grandparent’s advice, guidance and endless love too? Yup, research shows that it’s a win-win for both generations, and so, in honor of Grandparent’s Day on Sept. 12, here are 10 reasons why it’s important for your kids to get in that QT with Nana, Pop-Pop, Mimi or Gramps. photo: Mira Temkin Grandparents Provide Unconditional Love Grandparents love your children and want to be around them, helping them mature and...

Every family has its own family routines that are passed down through the generations. Rituals help us connect to our families and communities in meaningful ways. What is your family’s history? What makes your family unique? When did you start practicing these traditions? Why do they matter to you? These are all questions to consider when establishing or re-establishing your own personal ritual practices with your entire family. Family rituals can include everything from holiday celebrations, passing down heirlooms, honoring loved ones on special days, or simply reciting a phrase …the possibilities are endless! It’s all about spending quality time...

Well, that blew. It was our “Day Out With Thomas”, when a rail-riding, full-size “Thomas the Train” visits sleepy train stations with operable train tracks. In our case, the Essex, CT, train station attaches some coaches to a locomotive, followed by Thomas, and makes a 20-minute trip to the local dump, and then back to the station. Last year, our trip was idyllic. Ellison bounced along to the songs during the ride, thrilled at hugging a dressed-up “Sir Topham Hat” and riding a jankety fair rides dotting the parking lot. This year’s day out started out euphorically. For the entirety of our...

I LOVE hearing from other teachers, and one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “How do you set up your math or literacy block?” A couple of months ago, I wrote all about how I set up my Math Workshop, and today, I’m chatting about how I structure and organize literacy instruction in my classroom. Structuring your literacy block is critical to making the most of your time together. Not only are we focusing on reading and writing skills during our literacy time, but we should also be growing our students’ content knowledge, confidence as readers, and encouraging...