August 2011
Should Where You Live Determine Where Your Kid Goes to School? Aug 31, 2011
Is it fair that a student is barred from attending a superior public school because of where he or she lives? This debate isn't new. While its current incarnation is geography, the heart of the issue revolves around the intersection between class...
Mandatory Recess to Return to Chicago Public Schools Aug 30, 2011
Many studies have stressed the importance of play time for young children. However, new government core curriculum standards do not include recess, and many schools across the country do not offer recess to elementary school students. In Chicago,...
Foreign Language Apps Can Take You Around the World Aug 29, 2011
Apps can be useful tools for children learning new languages. It's a great way to get a head start on language lessons before taking a school-based course. Also, if your child is studying a language in school, foreign language apps can help...
Mobile Apps for Test Preparation Aug 26, 2011
Educational apps are a great tool for test preparation. With their portability and interactive nature, they enable students to learn on the go and take full advantage of dead time. The apps presented here help students prepare for a variety of...
Math on Your Phone: Apps for Math Help Aug 25, 2011
With the widespread use of smartphones and portable tools like the iPad, learning math has never been more fun. For students who struggle with math, there are countless apps that can help reinforce difficult concepts. The list presented here...
Learn As You Go: Apps for Science Education Aug 24, 2011
Students of all ages can benefit from apps that provide supplementary science education. Available across all science fields, educational apps can provide remedial education, reinforce concepts or help a student get ahead. They often do so in a...
Apps for Learning: Discovering History on your Mobile Device Aug 23, 2011
Many students find learning history to be dry and challenging. Fortunately, there are many apps that can help history come alive. This list of ten history-themed educational apps will teach your child in a style that's both fun and interactive.
Chicago School Says No to Lunches Brought From Home Aug 22, 2011
As many parents can attest, for the most part kids don't always make the healthiest food choices. Some schools, like Little Village Academy in Chicago, have decided to step up and do something about unhealthy eating habits. But most schools,...
Should My Child Learn a Second Language? Aug 19, 2011
Many parents grapple with deciding if their child should learn a second language. There are several potential pitfalls to consider before making the commitment. Yet there are also myriad benefits to learning an additional language, particularly...
Podcast Storytelling: Great Podcasts for Children's Stories Aug 18, 2011
Podcasts are a great way to learn, stay informed and expand your mind. They're also a terrific medium for storytelling. The list presented here includes ten podcasts that focus on stories for children, including a wide range of styles and genres.
Indiana Public Schools Do Away With Cursive Writing Aug 17, 2011
Penmanship. Script handwriting. Cursive writing. However it's referred to, the fact remains that teaching the subject is all but vanishing from public schools across the country, with Indiana being the most recent state to drop it from state...
The Pythagorean Theorem: Almost as Easy as ABC Aug 16, 2011
One of the most useful and widely used rules in mathematics is the Pythagorean theorem. Your child's mastery of this theorem is critical to success in geometry. One helpful method for understanding and remembering a rule like the Pythagorean...
Understanding Prime Numbers Aug 15, 2011
Prime numbers are positive integers that have fascinated people for thousands of years. If your child struggles to grasp prime numbers, it may help to gain a deeper understanding of how they're defined. Your child may also benefit from knowing...
Podcasts Looking Back: Learning History through Podcasts Aug 11, 2011
If your kids are uninspired while studying history in textbooks, encourage them to subscribe to podcasts with a history theme. Podcasts are a great way to make history feel alive and exciting. They're also ideal for students who want to take...
Easy as Pi: Introducing the Magic Number to Kids Aug 10, 2011
The use of pi in mathematical equations dates back thousands of years. It was used in building the pyramids of ancient Egypt. It was also used by ancient cultures in Greece, India and China. This magical number has endured as a key math concept...
X Marks the Spot: A Closer Look at Everyone's Favorite Variable Aug 09, 2011
Students of algebra are very familiar with using the letter x as a variable in all types of equations. Despite its common usage, it's not widely know why this particular letter is so ubiquitous. Yet the history of algebra and the possible origins...
Podcast Learning: Education Tips for Parents Aug 08, 2011
While there are countless books, radio programs and magazines designed to help parents, few have the adaptability of podcasts, which can be paused for interruptions or listened to on the go. Podcasts can be supportive and informative sources of...
Listening to Science: Great Science Podcasts Aug 05, 2011
If your child is interested in science, or if your child is struggling to connect with science, encourage him or her to subscribe to a science-based podcast. These podcasts can help make science feel relevant and exciting. This article describes...
Educational Book Series: The Magic School Bus Aug 03, 2011
With nearly 60 million books in print, the adventures of the Magic School Bus have entertained and educated countless children for a quarter of a century. The books describe amazing field trips taken by the exceptionally unique Ms. Frizzle and...
Read Aloud Series to Engage Your Child: Skippyjon Jones Aug 02, 2011
Skippyjon Jones is the star of a popular series of picture books that are perfect for reading aloud with your child. In fact, the first book in the series won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award from the Association of Booksellers for Children. The...
How to Assess Your Child's Achievement Level Aug 01, 2011
Many parents ask us about how they can effectively assess their child's achievement level. It can be a challenge to interpret the varied messages that parents receive, such as those from their child, the child's teacher and other parents. The key...