CLASSROOM MATTERS

  WRITTEN BY
  Rob Stringer

 



On-course, Off-course, or Lost?

Earlier this yearn we examined how your child could LEAP ahead this year through the creation of a Learning & Academic Action Plan (L.E.A.P.)—using the analogy of taking a car trip. First you were invited to decide on a clear "destination" (marks, behaviours, etc. you'd like to see this year), determined the "starting point" (where he/she was in September), and then plot the course and hit the open road.

Throughout the year you have received feedback in the form of tests and assignments, and the receipt of the final report card is also a perfect time to stop and evaluate your child's progress—to check the map—to find out if they're on-course, off-course, or completely lost.

"On-course" …

If the marks and comments appear to be indicating your child progressed towards your personal targets (which may or may not differ from the provincial benchmark of a "B"), take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your son or daughter's hard work (and possibly yours), and carry on next year. However, just remember to always keep your eyes on the road ahead—potential roadblocks or hazards can always appear.

"Off-course" …

Were the marks less than you had expected? Did the comments reveal behaviours that didn't support the learning goals you defined? A course correction this summer and next year may be required. Here is a list of questions about common "hazards" that often slow or divert progress for many students:

• Was your child too busy outside of school?
• Has he/she mastered "the basics" yet?
• Was he/she often sleepy? (Ask the teacher!)
• Are there attention issues?
• Do they (or you) need more support?
• How are his/her organizational or study skills?
• Is a learning disability interfering?
• Is he/she bored or under challenged?
• Are there unresolved emotional issues at home or school?
• Did your child agree and buy into the "destination"?
• Were you aware of upcoming tests & assignments?

One related topic that often comes up in my work as a parent coach is that of "blind spots"—ways that parents may have unknowingly contributed to the problem or issue. Some additional questions to consider might be:

• How might I have contributed to the lack of performance?
• Are there any past mistakes I may be repeating?
• Am I comfortable asking for help or outside opinions?
• Do I have a realistic view of my child's abilities or behaviours?

"Lost" …

In some cases, things this year may have just gone horribly wrong. It could be the expectations were set too high, major trauma have occurred (death in the family, divorce, etc.), or perhaps old coping strategies just don’t work any more. In cases like this, when marks are well below expected levels, the best advice may be to "pull over" and ask for help or directions. Seeking outside assistance, council, or support is never something of which to be ashamed.

So remember, as you reflect on this years "academic road trip" with your child and begin to look ahead to next year, keep your eyes on the road for both hazards and signs you're headed in the right direction, and enjoy the ride!

An award-winning educator, Rob Stringer BA, B.Ed, CPC, is also a certified Parenting Coach with clients around the world. Find out why people are seeking him out. Sign up to receive his free monthly newsletter at www.ParentingWithIntention.ca.

©Rob Stringer 2008

  Delicious Dishes ©

  WRITTEN BY
  Nadine Hughes - The Cook's Companion
 
 

Hurry Up and Slow Down

I always look forward to the month of July and not just because of the glorious weather. After the craziness of the school year I take my two boys and head north to the cottage. Here there are no set schedules, no soccer games/hockey games/play dates to drag the kids off to, no stores to whip out to, no movies we “have” to go and see and no “important” errands. Instead there is a sense of calm and relaxation. And instead of me constantly chanting to the kids, “Hurry up, hurry up. We’re going to be late”, I find myself taking the time to actually enjoy my children. Jumping off the dock, looking for frogs and island hopping are daily rituals. So our family meals have to reflect this unhurried and relaxed pace. Meals are usually always cooked on the BBQ and almost never require a lot of preparation. Here’s an easy and fun meal that is perfect for those long, lazy days of summer. Marinate the chicken ahead of time and give your family the task of husking the corn so everyone gets to enjoy the most of the day without being in the kitchen. So come on…hurry up and slow down!

Chicken & Chorizo Skewers

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 8 (about 600g) chicken thigh fillets, cut into medium sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 teaspoons ground oregano
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 4 chorizo sausages, thinly sliced diagonally
• Crusty rolls, split, to serve
• Spicy Barbecued Corn on The Cob (see recipe below)

1. Combine chicken, oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, lemon juice and sugar in a bowl. Place in the fridge for 2 hours to marinate or overnight.
2. Evenly thread the chicken, alternating with chorizo, among the skewers. Note: If using wooden skewers, make sure you soak them in water for 15 minutes prior to using. This will ensure they don’t burn on the BBQ.
3. Heat a barbecue on medium high heat. Add the skewers and cook, turning, for 6-8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and place in the fridge to chill. Serve with rolls, corn and a green salad.

Spicy Barbecued Corn on the Cob

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 cobs of fresh corn, husks and silks removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chili powder
• 2 limes, quartered

1. Preheat a BBQ to medium high heat.
2. Brush the corn with the oil and BBQ turning frequently for 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown.
3. Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, chili powder to taste. Squeeze fresh lime or each cob. Enjoy!

Nadine Hughes is a mother of two and a Home Entertainer with a vibrant personality and memorable cooking style. As the owner of The Cook’s Companion, Nadine offers lifestyle cooking and entertaining classes for adults, teens and private at home classes. She is also a food writer, guest speaker and television presenter. For more information on these services or The Menu Companion – dinner party menu planners, visit www.thecookscompanion.ca and www.themenucompanion.com.

© Nadine Hughes 2008.  

   CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW ©

   WRITTEN BY
   Dr. Janna Nadler

  


Wild About Books

Wild About Books
By Judy Sierra
Pictures by Marc Brown
© 2004 Knopf; Random House
Recommended for 4-9 yrs.

Good rhymes are hard to find, and yet, in the world of children’s literature, there is much demand for stories told in verse. At times, it has been a challenge to find books for pre-schoolers that are not told in cute little rhymes. Even more challenging, is finding a pre-reader-book that doesn’t have something to do with counting, “identifying,” ABCs, 123s, animals, shapes, and nursery rhymes/songs. These books are useful, and even enjoyable, for a time, but part of me sighed with relief when I packed them away to make room for new arrivals.

Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t find rhymes offensive – quite the opposite! In fact, I’ve learned to appreciate children’s authors who are talented at rhyming. I can usually recognize these by the way their rhymes “fit” in my mouth. I don’t stumble over words or pause in the wrong places. The rhythm feels familiar, and the storyline makes sense. Also, humour and wordplay – and certainly the use of “nonsense” language – can be crucial elements of good stories told in verse.

One such story, Wild About Books, tells a fantastic tale – all in rhyme – about animals who develop an appreciation for books when a librarian mistakenly brings her bookmobile to their zoo. Our family loves this book. It’s the kind of book that gets better with age. Each time we come back to Wild About Books, we find different things to talk about and imagine. The illustrations are nuanced and textured, adding an extra layer of appeal to the story.

First, of course, is the mention of the “Bookmobile” – an image that may take some of the parents on a trip down memory lane, as it were. The animals, having never seen such a thing in their zoo, are a bit shy at first, but Molly, the librarian, knows how to spark their curiosity:

By reading aloud from the good Dr. Seuss,
She quickly attracted a mink and a moose,
A wombat, an oryx, a lemur, a lynx,
Eight elephant calves, and a family of skinks.

In no time at all, the animals become very passionate about reading books (they are “stampeding to learn all about this new something called reading”). The rhymes are clever and creative, and lengthy enough to tell a substantial (and funny) story – something parents may wish to try reading as a “tester” for lengthening their children’s attention spans.

Much of the humour in the story comes from the fact that the animals have different preferences based on their unique qualities. Giraffes want tall books, pandas want books in Chinese, baboons read in “bunches,” and Hyenas like joke-books. Sierra and Brown, who have dedicated the book to their “favorite doctor, artist, poet, fun concoctor: Theodor Seuss Geisel,” also have fun with their references to other books. The animals choose “Thin books and fat books and Cat in the Hat books,” the otter never goes swimming “without Harry Potter,” a tree kangaroo “adored Nancy Drew,” and other animals read Goodnight Moon and The Wizard of Oz.

About halfway through the book, after Molly has taught the animals lessons about treating books well, the animals try their hands (or, rather, paws, quills, tails, etc.) at writing. The insects write haiku, the scorpion gives “stinging reviews,” the cheetah works on a novel, and the hippo’s memoir, Mud in My Blood, wins the Zoolitzer Prize. The grand finale comes when the animals build and maintain their own Zoobrary and are simply having too much fun with their books to notice the disappointed people at the zoo who are no longer being entertained by the hard-to-find animals.

Judy Sierra, a former child-librarian and puppeteer with a PhD in folklore and mythology studies, has paired with Marc Brown, the creator of the Arthur books and television series, to produce a truly clever, imaginative, and visually stunning story about the joys of reading and writing. I can’t wait to read their forthcoming book, titled Born To Read, scheduled for publication this summer!

Dr. Janna Nadler has a Ph.D. in Canadian Literature and has taught at University of Toronto, McMaster University, Trent University and York University. She is the Director of Book Clubs by Janna, a venue where she has great discussions about interesting books with a small group of very intelligent and interesting women. There’s babysitting on site and/or babies can stay with moms. She is also available as a facilitator or guest speaker for your book club. Learn more at www.bookclubsbyjanna.com.  

© Dr. Janna Nadler 2008  

   FAMILY TRAVEL ©

   WRITTEN BY
   Corinne McDermott

  



Travel Tips for Parents by Parents ...
Advice from moms in the know for tots on the go!

As a new mom-to-be who read every book she could get her hands on, I thought I had it all figured out. Then my daughter was born! Suddenly all my studying seemed for naught… I retained nothing from my mountain of books and had more questions than I started out with. Once I had a second or two to refer back to my books, it was too late... most of my questions had already been answered by other moms.

From nursing to sleeping to bathing to tummy-time, I trusted the advice I received from other new moms – my family, my friends, my new ‘daytime’ friends, and often other seemingly sleep-deprived kindred souls I meet on the street. I’m not discounting the value of experts and their well-researched books, but they weren’t there to talk to while I was falling asleep in my Christmas dinner. In my opinion, every mom is an expert. And when it comes to traveling, families who’ve done it (and some very frequently!) can offer the most valuable tips.

PACKING:

What you pack and how much of it depends on the age of your child and your destination. If you’re confident that you can buy what you need when you get there, pack enough to get you through the first couple of days, so you’re not stressing out about finding a store and getting there straight away. To get older kids excited about the upcoming trip, Laura Martin of Calgary suggests allowing the children to pack their own travel kit/bag the night before. “That way you can check it to ensure that the essentials are there.” She warns to “not be critical about what they packed. It will cut down on the complaints …since they did the choosing.” This makes sense to me, though I might have a few surprises on hand, in case of ‘emergencies’.

My most valuable packing tip, and this goes for those without children as well, is to divide all your belongings into separate bags. This way, if a bag does get lost, it’s not THAT one. My poor friend had to spend a week in Cuba in her husband’s shorts and a borrowed swimsuit, since her suitcase didn’t show up for the entire week.

I have a very detailed carry-on packing list on Have Baby Will Travel, but Ginny Connon of Aurora, ON wisely suggests changing from your usual diaper bag. “I switched to a large knapsack. It gives me easy access to ‘sections’ -passports, documents & pens, wallet, candy, snacks, sippy cups, diapers, wipes, change pad, plastic bags, spare clothes & undies, books, toys, and magazines.”

LONG FLIGHTS & WAIT TIMES:

It’s the dreaded thought of hours in the airport, and then hours on the plane, that put many off the idea of traveling until their kids are older. Know and accept in advance that you won’t be relaxing with a book or movie on this or any flight for quite some time and you’re halfway there.

Pre-boarding seems to be a divided issue. Personally, I appreciate the extra time to get organized, plus you avoid the issue of stuffed-to-the-gills overhead bins. However, Trudy Buzdon-Barber of Tsawwassen, BC suggests that you “wait until the very last passenger gets on the plane then board...this way your little sweet pea doesn’t have to wait in a confined area while other passengers are getting settled! Stay close to the boarding gate and let your child finish up a snack, play eye spy or even run around and get out all that energy! I found this worked great for my once 2-yr-old who had lots of beans in her pants! We just jumped on the plane, and zoom we were off!”

Ginny Connon also subscribes to the ‘wear ‘em out’ philosophy – “…while we wait for the plane I try to tire the kids out the best I can. We take turns taking the kids on treasure hunts, or meet other kids and play with them. I'll take them over to meet all the babies in their strollers too.” My daughter has a tough time winding down if she’s been running around, so I try to stick to low-key activities until it’s time to board. I love the ideas of treasure hunts and eye spy – I always forget about that one!

THE CAR SEAT DILEMMA:

For me, it’s not a dilemma… bring it. However, if you know for certain that your hotel transfers will be by coach or public transit and you won’t be going on any day trips, it might not be necessary – but why take the chance? You can reserve car seats with most major car rental companies, but the internet is rife with horror stories about filthy and/or unsafe seats. The car seat we travel with was very inexpensive and weighs less than 10lbs. For transport, we attach it to one of our wheeled suitcases with a bungee cord and it gets checked under the plane. Most airlines will not (should not) charge you for extra luggage. Some baby equipment rental agencies will meet you at the airport with a clean and safe seat, so this might be a good option if you’re renting a car and plan to head home from the same airport.

On our trips, the car seat was rarely used. But we did use it! For taxi trips we negotiated with the driver to pick us up at a specified place and time, and he stored our seat in the trunk. We paid more than if we just hailed cabs when we needed them, but for us the peace of mind was worth it. Our luggage carts are piled to the moon anyway – bringing along the car seat really was not that big of a deal.

THE BIG PICTURE:

You’re on vacation – so you’re supposed to enjoy yourself! Ginny Connon summed it up nicely by saying “I found traveling with babies much more relaxing for me when I just kept it simple. Realize that the kids will get older and you'll be able to do more over the years, but while they are babies, limit any event planning and don't expect too much - just go with the flow.”

Happy travels!

Corinne McDermott is the founder of Have Baby Will Travel - your online guide to traveling with babies and toddlers. For more information please visit www.havebabywilltravel.com or send a message to info@havebabywilltravel.com.  

© Corinne McDermott 2008 

   GREEN LIVING ©

   WRITTEN BY
   Lisa Borden

  


A true happy birthday party…
for kids, for parents and the world

Even though your thoughts are on the summer (as mine are, thankfully), birthday party planning will be here again before you know it. Just keep the below points in mind, speak about them with your friends and forward it to anyone who might be planning a party. When you stop and think about your past parties, you’ll realize how much this makes sense and will actually save you time, money, energy (yours and our natural resources), not to mention promoting a healthier life for people and the planet.

Some other good news: the trend for next year’s party is to simplify – even more now than ever. So, don’t bother getting over-consumed with organizing next year’s celebration. There are so many ways to make a big difference (while setting a good example for the kids and inspiring others).

Here are 10 smart party tips that will also stir up some ideas of your own, for your next eco-friendly, very fun & most impressive event from start to finish.

1. Invite your guests virtually. Skip the printed paper cards and save trees! Emailed invites (try www.pingg.com) still allow you to be clever and communicate a theme – and think about how much time you’ll save – and that you can actually have RSVPs logged online. But, if you love spending extra time (really???), you could always use recycled materials to make your own cards from magazines, newspapers, wrapping paper etc. or use tree-free paper.

2. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. You know all of that serving stuff you’ve got? Use it! You might have to do a little extra cleanup at the end of the night, but isn't saving the world worth a few extra minutes? Also, use cups, NOT drinking boxes or individual bottles of water! Fill and refill as needed with your choices of beverages….water, organic juices, organic wine for the adults?! (www.frogpond.ca offers local and organic choices – and good ones at that) See the next tip, if you’re still going to use some disposables.

3. Avoid M.C.I.S. - Personalize cups. You can prevent M.C.I.S. – Mistaken Cup Identity Syndrome (you know, when someone takes a cup and puts it down next to another, and then both people have to get new cups??). You can mark each cup with a sharpie, or let each child decorate their own cup. Important extra when using disposables - buy cups made from recycled or sustainable materials (there are many options manufactured from corn resin or sugar-cane, or items labeled "biodegradable", “compostable” and "100% recycled content")

4. Blow them away! Use soy or beeswax candles (and check to make sure the wicks are lead and zinc free) in your cake, which, unlike petroleum-based candles, won't emit toxic fumes and black clouds.

5. Bake it, don’t fake it. From scratch, or a mix, bake your own organic cupcakes and make your own icing. First of all, you can’t imagine how much easier it is to simply hand out cupcakes to everyone rather than the chaotic minutes where you have to cut and serve a cake. I won’t preach here about the avoidance of fake stuff and adopting “cleaner” food – oops, did I just do that? This is also a great opportunity to involve your kids in preparation - if they are old enough, they will take great pride in it. I’m sure you’ll stop paying attention to this entire article if I suggest that you also make your own ice cream, so instead, just grab some Mapleton’s Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt, not only is it made in Ontario, but it’s nut-free and kosher too.

6. Go local. Try buying organic and local fruits and veggies for the table. Put chunks of fruit onto skewers (bamboo ones, of course) and stick them into an upside down section of watermelon or a half of any other fruit. Now look what you’ve done, you'll not only have pesticide-and chemical-and fertilizer-and hormone-free centerpieces, but buying local produce (and other items) means they've traveled a short distance (versus thousands of miles) to get to your party (using less fuel)…and chances are, you’ve impressed others and inspired them to be healthier and creative also!

7. Ask, and you shall receive. Think about the presents your child is going to receive, then think about the wrapping and cards and ribbon on each. It’s important for your children to learn to give and receive and give back, and this is a perfect opportunity to teach that lesson. Ask for unwrapped gifts to begin with (or at least those wrapped in newspaper or magazine or a reusable gift bag – watch for www.rumebags.com to launch a great one!). For my children’s last party, we nicely requested one unwrapped book from each guest. The guests each got to walk into the party and give a gift, my children received their gifts and graciously learned to accept and say thank you (ok, I tried to make them be gracious with all of the chaos of 50+ 5 and 7 year olds!), and then once back at home we took many books that were given along with many we had already enjoyed, and donated them to our school, so the kids learned to give again. It’s far from perfect since there is still consumption involved, however, we are not aiming for perfection, just change and hoping to instill strong values in our children, right? Another option could be to ask for a donation…ask your guests to bring along a cash gift (or cheque) for your chosen charity…you can decorate an old shoe box (look, reusing again!), and cut a slot in the top and then people can donate at the party and feel the connection (without the amount being known, which is greatly appreciated), and then your child can count the money (good extra curricular activity!) and you can send a cheque on their behalf to the organization…a tax receipt for you and a world of good for all.

8. So you’ve reduced, now reuse again. Give away the décor! You can buy little plants and decorate your party – they will keep the air clean and then they can be given away as loot bags…without the bag! And, if you want the plants to keep giving too, look at www.uharvest.ca for amazing certified organic seeds and plants – all to grow your own vegetables, herbs or fruits. Your centerpieces can look great, smell great and continue to remind everyone about your great party each time they pick, trim and enjoy their as-local-as-you-get eating!

9. You’ve reduced, you’ve reused, now recycle! Check absolutely everything you're about to throw away to see if you can use it again (even if it's to send home extra food with a guest). And if you can't use it, make sure everything goes in the right “bin” and gets recycled. And, be sure to use polyethylene-free compostable & biodegradable garbage bags too! (polyethylene-free is really important).

10. Give Good Loot
I've said it before and I'll say it again: SIMPLIFY! Try giving each guest a book [you or your child can even write a dedication on the inside cover]. Making homemade baked goods and packing in a reusable container is always a fun activity to do with your children. Other great ideas include soy crayons with tree free paper, a picture of each child in a picture frame, a made-it-myself cd or anything else that is “easy” on the environment and may inspire others. And, stay away from the packaging unless it’s reusable…think of where that goes immediately anyways! Stay tuned for the leading companies to switch from loot bags to “common sense parting gifts”…but without the need for the packaging and tagging, you would be surprised what you can do on your own with one stop to a store or a few clicks on your computer.

The typical kid birthday party has been a real cross section of what's wrong with our world: overstimulation, not focusing on the right thing and throwing tons of things away, including lots of your money. There's still a way to have your child receive presents, there's still a way to give loot bags, and there's still a way to eat cake without adversely affecting the kids’ health and the world.

Here’s the action - do what you can and relax in knowing you’ve done the best you could do and remember, you’ve inspired others also. Each and every time you plan an event you’ll do better based on your own ways…just make a wish and have a Happy Birthday!

Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of 3, whose marketing business, Borden Communications + Design is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. For more information on any of the above, to learn more about Borden’s services and products or to sign up for her raves + rants, please visit www.bordencom.com.

© Lisa Borden 2008