Last year I attended ChiTag and had the privilege of meeting a number of young children inventors. I saw so much creativity that weekend and when I heard about the challenge this year I wanted to share about it. The … Continue reading
Cynthia Lowen, co-filmmaker of the documentary Bully and co-author of The Essential Guide to Bullying: Prevention and Intervention, notes that children with an autism spectrum disorder are more likely to be bullied due to their communication deficits, impaired social interactions … Continue reading
While you may want to avoid talking politics in social settings, the same is not true at home. In fact, children are witnesses to our most honest opinions on most matters, including politics. As parents, you are responsible for introducing … Continue reading
The experts at the Toy Industry Association– the nonprofit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and bringing toys and youth entertainment products to kids of all ages – have released their list of the best products to help … Continue reading
Here is more information on this film from Autism Awareness {Australia}:
“What are you doing?” is a short film, created by Autism Awareness, which aims to teach school aged children about acceptance and understanding of their peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The film addresses some of the fears children may have about ASD, answers their questions and helps show them how they can be a great friend to a classmate on the autism spectrum. The film includes enlightening interviews with the brothers, sisters, cousins and friends of children on the spectrum. These friends and family members share their thoughts and experiences on what it is like to share their life with someone on the spectrum.
Through beautiful imagery, engaging narrative and quirky animation, the film sends a message that children with autism should be accepted, supported and encouraged by their peers to be a part of their community.
“What are you doing?” will be screened at schools across Australia later this year and we hope, in the future, throughout the world!
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Here’s my question:
How do we get this film shown in schools here in the States?
This is a film that desperately needs to be seen by children in our schools.
The busiest people in the community — moms — are often the most plugged-in. And for them, the Internet is often the best tool to (re)discover what’s in their own backyard. Plum District was created just for moms. Plum District … Continue reading
I recently had the chance to explore more about online learning at the online school solutions website and also was able to view a demo about Aventa learning. The curriculum is for teens in grades 6-12.
Here are some of the things I love about this online learning curriculum:
Before viewing this demo on the learning system I thought that all online learning was like the online courses I took in college where I was given a piece of paper with instructions, a book, and a “study guide” and was expected to use those tools to help me do well in the class. If I had questions about the material I had nobody to go to. If I needed to review something and needed longer than one week for each unit that was just too bad because a week was all I was given. I remember after my first semester of online learning I swore I would never make that mistake again. I think that if my online learning classes had this many options I would have done great in them and may have actually ENJOYED them!
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Here’s a little bit more about why online learning is becoming so popular:
Today’s students, known as the “iGeneration”, are the first to crave and benefit from education “on demand” – or the option to choose where, when and how they want to learn.
To put it in context, the “iGeneration” has never known life without the Internet, being mobile, using avatars, IMing or choosing and watching content whether they are at home, in the car, at a football game or shopping at the mall. To reach them in their high-tech, high-touch world, many parents and educators are looking at how to rewire schools to match how the iGeneration learns.
Taking classes online is one way to give middle and high school students (and their school districts) new options to learn using preferred tools in a familiar environment, and even experience enhanced, one-on-one relationships with educators. Whether they’re in need of more assistance, looking for wider range of classes or simply prefer to learn in a medium that they have grown up with, online learning can be a great way to fit your child’s needs.
Students are increasingly able to take online classes in partnership with their local school districts. Schools facing budget cuts and a reduction in teachers are turning to online classes to supplement their curriculum, from offering classes for which they have no teachers, Advanced Placement® classes for students who excel, and credit recovery options for students who struggle. In fact, today there are 1 million children learning online, either part time, full time or between school terms. Additionally, more than 20 percent of schools and educational institutions around the country offer online classes today, and that number should grow by another 30 percent within a couple of years, according to industry research. (Simba Information).
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(Disclosure: I am really happy that I can share this site with others who are considering online courses but in full disclosure would like to note that I am being compensated for sharing about this website with you. Online learning may or may not be right for your family so please prayerfully consider what is best for your children before choosing any method of learning.)
Making Time For Mommy 