Showing posts with label Knowledge is Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knowledge is Power. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The greatest gift is a passion for reading




Today Scar was giving the honor of meeting with the members of our school board. She was one of a few select kiddos chosen to share things about the Title 1 Reading Program and all the things they have learned.

Poor thing, she was both excited and nervous...I, of course, was nothing but proud. We knew that Scar was having issues with reading and it seemed like nothing was helping. That's when we learned about Title 1 Reading Program, I cried when they told me she was accepted. They were both tears of joy that she would be receiving specialized help but there were also tears of sadness; I felt like I had somehow let my kiddo down. Maybe I did not read enough to her when she was younger. Should I have read more books? Two bedtime stories instead of one? Was I working to much and just not making myself available. Nothing like a little Bad Mama guilt to make you feel better about yourself.


 What is the Title I Program?  It is an in school program designed for students who are reading below grade level may receive additional support through a Title I teacher. This federally funded program has helped thousands of students improve their reading and writing skills through a push-in program or small group instruction. Scarlett has come leaps and bounds since joining the program. It also helped that she receives yearly eye exams as the last one we learned she has a Convergence insufficiency which causes her to experience diplopia at near distance...like when reading.




Monday, June 17, 2013

Kids Travel The Globe With Michaels' Passport To Imagination

Don't have the luxury of traveling to faraway lands this summer? You may just be in luck. Michaels' Passport to Imagination started today and will continue for the next 7 weeks. Children have the opportunity to explore the 7 CONTINENTS and their amazing landmarks and icons on a 7-week voyage around the globe!

 The 2-HOUR CRAFTING ADVENTURES take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am to Noon for just $2 PER SESSION for children ages 5 & up. 

North America
6/17:  Grand Canyon Model 
6/19: Mexico: God’s Eye Craft 
6/21: Canada: Cloothespin Moose Craft 
South America
6/24: Easter Island Moai Craft 
6/26: Columbia Paper Lizard Craft 
6/28: Peru  Yarn Art Vase Craft 
Asia
7/1: China Cherry Blossom Painting  
7/3: Indonesian Mask Craft 
7/5: Chinese Dragon Craft China 
Europe
7/8: Russian Dancing Doll Craft 
7/10: Eiffel Tower Craft
7/12: Germany Nutcracker Craft
Africa
7/15: Ghana Kente Cloth Craft 
7/17: Egypt Pyramid With Mummy Craft 
7/19: Tunisia Mosaic Craft 
Australia
7/22: Clown Fish Mobile Craft 
7/24: Outback Sunset Painting 
7/26: Aboriginal Turtle Craft 
Antarctica
7/29: Penguin Tube Craft 
7/31: Wind Sock Craft 
8/2: Swirling Snow Craft 

 As part of the Passport to Imagination program, children  make crafts representing different countries, like a Moai for easter Island-South America  and an Aboriginal Turtle for Australia. For each country that they "travel" to, children will be able to make and take two items.
Additionally, there  is a suggested take-home project that families may opt to do together. Within the passport books, you and your child have the opportunity to learn about the countries, their culture, and then make items that represent them. 
Today my 12 and 6 year old daughters participated in the North American Journey, judging from just today's experience it is well worth the $4 I spent. Not only did they complete beautiful Grand Canyon Drawings (USA) and make Hockey Sticks (Canada) but they also learned fun facts about our continent, as well as, how hot air balloons work! Hopefully some time this week we will be able to create the at-home project, making a Bald Eagle! 
They are a little bummed out that they will not be able to attend all the weekly events but my oldest was invited back as a helper so we are going to attempt to attend as many as possible. Some of the projects in the Passport to Imagination booklet are completely doable at home whereas others are probably best done at the in-store events. 
Well, it is past midnight and I have a wicked busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have time to post some pictures of their awesome Grand Canyons tomorrow night!