Elementary School
14 Must-Read Children's Books for Black History Month
These 14 inspiring children's books for Black History Month feature black characters, real and fictional. You will find dreamers who reach for the stars, poets who speak of hope for the future, and real heroes facing racism and doing hard things.
Food & Cooking: A Review of the 10 Best Children’s Narrative Nonfiction Books
A children’s librarian reviews ten of the best kid-friendly books about food and those who have changed the way we eat with their creativity and problem-solving skills. From popsicles to nachos; from jicama to chocolates, you’ll find topics to pull children into reading.
Crisis in Education: 10 Ways Parents Can Help Schools During a Teacher Shortage
As our society confronts a nationwide teacher shortage, we’re in for a rocky time. We’ll finally need to grapple with how poorly we’ve treated educators: paying them too little, demanding too much, and giving them no respect. Parents will need to step up and get involved in a new and profound way.
A Review of 10 of the Best Children's Narrative Nonfiction Books About People With Disabilities
Reviews, written by a children’s librarian, of 10 of the best kid-friendly books about high-achieving people who are also dealing with disabilities.
A Review of the 16 Best Children’s Narrative Nonfiction Books about Innovations and Inventions
A children’s librarian reviews 16 of the best kid-friendly books about people who have improved our world with their creativity and problem-solving skills. From telephones to popsicles; from stoplights to little libraries, you’ll find topics to pull children in to reading.
20 Children's Narrative Nonfiction Books About Social Justice
Thorough reviews of 20 of the best nonfiction books about people who have worked for equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. Includes biographies of notable people and accounts of social justice movements.
Funny Children's Picture Books Worth Purchasing
The purchase of a children's book is a commitment. Not only financially or because it's one more item to dust, but more importantly because you may be forced to read it multiple times. These books will make both you and your littles laugh :)
10 Best Books to Get Kids Who Like "Dog Man"
If you know a child who loves the "Dog Man" books, this article provides descriptions and reviews of 10 books that are similar to those in the "Dog Man" series by Dav Pilkey.
Explore Math at Home: Easy Resources for Parents and Kids
Here are some resources that can be used at home to investigate some key areas of mathematics with your children. The explorations are open-ended.
Best Sites for Finding Free Children’s Books and Activities
This article includes a roundup of sites that have free, high-quality children’s books that are easy to access right from the web.
Fun Homeschool Lesson Plan: Solar System Cupcakes
Make homeschooling more fun with this interactive activity for learning about the solar system. Kids will decorate cupcakes to resemble the planets and the sun, discovering facts about each planet along the way.
15 Best New Narrative Nonfiction Books for Kids in Grades K–3
A children’s librarian provides thorough reviews of the best narrative nonfiction books for children in grades K–3. She points out special aspects of the books that would be of interest to teachers and parents.
Monet, Monet, Monet: Waterlily Art Projects for Kids
These are a couple of fun and beautiful projects to make with elementary-aged kids at home in the style of Claude Monet.
5 Tips to Make Homework Less Stressful for Everyone
Homework time can be a stressful experience for all involved. However, there are a few simple tips to make this activity easier to process.
5 Ways to Encourage Young People to Read
Modern technology can distract children and teens away from reading, but don’t despair. There are ways you can encourage young folk to pick up a book.
5 Indian Authors Your Child Must Read
A list of Indian authors to whom you must introduce your child!
10 Great Books to Share With Your Kids for Valentine's Day
These 10 great books to share with your kids for Valentine's Day should be at the top of your holiday list this year. They teach concepts like sharing, showing love, cooperation, being a good friend, and more. You and your kids are sure to enjoy them.
10 Great Books to Read With Your Kids in December
One of the best things about Christmastime is all of the great books you get to read about the snow, snowmen, Santa, and hibernation, etc. You'll want to check out these 10 great books to read with your kids in December for some beautiful picks, great authors, and creatively funny stories.
"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" Quiz Questions and Answers
"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" is a TV game show quiz that can be integrated into your lesson plan at school or even played at home. Children of elementary and even middle school ages can learn a lot of general knowledge topics, helping them turn into well-rounded, educated world citizens.
Easy Stem Activities for 4th-Grade Students
Four simple activities for fourth-grade students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.
Teaching Long Vowel With Silent "E" Rule
The child has worked hard learning short vowel words. Now, we are going to change the game a bit and explain what happens when we add silent "e" to the end of the word.
Easy Way to Teach Sight Words for Homeschoolers
Sight words are words used frequently, but may not necessarily be easy to sound out using phonics. Learn how to teach sight words to your young children so they can start reading fluently.
A Homeschooling Mom's Guide to Navigating Power Homeschool: View Student Progress (Formerly Acellus Homeschool)
Acellus can be a little confusing to navigate. This guide will help a parent of an existing student navigate the “View Student Progress” section and subsections.
A Book Review of "Ghost Eye" (Grade Level 3-5)
A Cornish Rex named Purrloom Popcorn struggles with adapting to his new family and their house full of ghosts.
Homeschooling With the Multiplication Machine
My review of the Multiplication Machine: a multiplication-learning tool that lies somewhere between vintage and modern.
Teaching Nature, Friendship, and Our Ecosystems in a Fascinating Picture Book With Quirky Animal Partnerships
Friendships between all kinds of animals helps our ecosystems in a variety of fascinating ways. 'Amazing Animal Friendships: Odd Couples in Nature' is filled with fun facts and is a great teaching tool for science classrooms.
A Teacher's Guide to Teaching Children How to Cook
In this article you will learn some tips and tricks of how to successfully teach children how to work in the kitchen.
How to Make Color-Changing Thermochromic Slime
This slime changes color with the temperature, due to heat-sensitive pigment embedded in the recipe.
Easy STEM Activities for 3rd Graders
Explore science and engineering activities geared for third-grade students using inexpensive and accessible materials. Lava lamps, helicopters, and marble mazes allow young scientists to explore!
6 Fun Ways to Teach Geography to Kids at Home
Are you trying to teach geography to your kids at home, or are you homeschooling and looking to incorporate geography into your lesson? These ideas can make teaching geography fun and easy.
How to Teach Problem-Solving to Kids With the Book "World Pizza" by Cece Meng
Who knew that pizza could be a peacemaker? A sneeze turns the word "peace" into the word "pizza" in Mom's wish for peace, and everyone enjoys pizza from the sky instead of fighting and arguing.
Introduce Environmental Topics to Children Using the Picture Book "Fog"
It is never too early to introduce our environment to children. The care of our environment is a hot topic and children notice all kinds of changes. Has your child experienced foggy weather?
Teaching Children About Pet Care From Tammi Sauer's Book, Caring for Your Lion
Is your child ready for a pet? This delightful read aloud teaches that pets need a lot of care. You probably aren't getting a lion, but this book teaches the general theme of pet care.
Josh Funk's 'The Case of the Stinky Stench' Is a Fun Read Aloud for Young Mystery Readers
What is that awful smell? Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are off on their next adventure to solve the mystery of a terrible odor in the fridge. A lesson of compassion is part of the solution.
"Elly and the Smelly Sneaker": A Twist to Cinderella's Story
Elly and the Smelly Sneaker is a great story for girls looking for their "girl power." If you have a girl ages 6-10, this is fun to read aloud.
Thousand Star Hotel: A Picture Book That Teaches Wants Versus Needs
Trying to teach your kids about "wants" versus "needs"? The popular Okee Dokee brothers are back with a fun picture book that parents will find useful in teaching the important lesson about the topic of wants vs. needs. What do your children wish for? What do they need?
Schema Theory and Reading Comprehension
This article breaks down the Schema Theory and its application to reading comprehension.
Field Trip Fun at Publix
Grocery shopping is such a mundane activity that I didn't consider spending extra time there on a field trip. However, our trip to Publix proved me wrong!
Book Review: 'A Servant Like Jesus'
"A Servant Like Jesus" is a Christian children's book aimed at teaching how one can and should help others. What are the pros and cons of this book? What is the ideal audience? Learn more by reading this article.
Booktalks for Children's Graphic Novels: A Teacher and Librarian Resource for Book Talks for Kids Grades 3-6
Hook kids into reading with these booktalks for some of the best graphic novels for children. Reluctant readers especially like this format which is akin to a longer comic book.
Do You Remember "A Teeny Tiny Halloween"?
Looking for good Halloween books for your kids? Parents who were children in the late 50s and early 60s will remember the classic folk tale of the teeny tiny woman and her bone. "A Teeny Tiny Halloween" brings back memories with this new book you can read to YOUR children!
"I Love Construction Vehicles": Book and Accessories for Your Young Builders
Do you have a future architect in your family? This engaging set with a book and included accessories will inspire little builders.
"Pup in the Shoe": Life Lessons of Unconditional Love and Family Loyalty in Colorful Picture Book for Young Children
Young children often experience separation anxiety when attending childcare or school. An engaging story of a pup's mom that returns is a great tool for talking with your child about their fears.
Books to Help Your Child Avoid Peer Pressure
Want to help your child learn to make independent decisions? Peer pressure can begin as early as the preschool and kindergarten years. Choosing fun read-aloud books to discuss this concept can benefit your child when they encounter their first social groups.
"More Than Magic": Girl Power and a Magical Story of Friendship
Popular cartoon characters are often a fun way for girls to relate to when looking for a feeling of empowerment. Kathryn Lasky brings a cartoon character to life in this story of friendship.
Is Mandarin Immersion Worth It? One Family's Story
Immersion education may have become all the rage, but what is it really like to send your child to a school where everyone speaks a foreign language? This is our family's story.
4 Huge Concerns You Should Have About Your Child's Elementary School Teacher
Today, elementary school teachers are under enormous pressure to assess their students' progress and comply to Common Core standards. In the process of doing this, though, they can neglect the whole child (body, mind, and spirit) and that's when parents need to step in and advocate for their kids.
Robot in the Classroom Brings Hilarious Chaos to Science Day
Can your child build a robot? Science Day at school brings the chance for children to create all sorts of things. This fun read-aloud can inspire young children to invent something of their own.
Booktalks for Spooky Children's Books: Audience Participation Book Talks for Kids Grades 3-6
Spice up your spooky fiction booktalks with audience participation. Here you’ll find ideas for ways to get the children involved along with complete booktalks for several kids’ spooky fiction books.
Why Your Child's School Needs a Perceptual-Motor Program and How to Start One
If you're like me, you fondly recall the perceptual-motor program at your school: walking on a balance beam, crawling through tunnels, and skipping around cones. It was not only fun but enhanced your balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. It's now time for parents to demand its return.