elementary schoolers

You want to be organized and have all your kids’ school stuff under control. You want to not have chaos as you’re trying to get everyone out the door in the morning with everything they need for the day. These …

strategies for handling sad, tragic news–as a family

Make your own garden stepping stones with just a few supplies from your local hardware store.  Great for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gifts or your own garden décor.  We’ve all seen those super cute garden stepping stones in magazines …

how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know

Geocaching wraps learning cardinal directions, following clues, and map reading in all the excitement of an old-fashioned treasure hunt. Players, known as Cachers, try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS. They can then share their …

“I’m bored,” are often two of the most terrifying words heard by parents.   But with a little brainstorming, they don’t have to be.  Instead, you can turn boring into a wonderful time of fun, learning and adventure! Growing up …

Several years ago, I wrote about how to make the school year a smashing success, or. . . actually how to make the school year as successful as humanly possible. It included 10 easy steps that any family could follow …

These holiday notes may turn out to be one of your family’s most coveted and meaningful traditions! It’s so easy for our little ones (and even adults sometimes!) to lose sight of what the holiday season is all about. So …

5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy families | get your family ready for back to school | fun back-to-school traditions

National Youth Science Day Code Your World Kit | win 2 kits — one for you and one for a friend! Or, give both Code Your World Kits to your favorite school.

STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens | science, technology, engineering, math activities for kids from 4-H and HughesNet | free STEM for school and home

hello teacher notes: let kids connect with teachers before the first day of school to ease anxiety, get them excited, and practice letter-writing!

disney youth programs: YES you need to know about the youth education series | Disney YES! | Disney Youth Education Series

where to find inexpensive books for your kids | cheap books for kids | best places for books | affordable sites for books | where to buy books for kids | amy mascott | teachmama.com

what your kids MUST know about plants (hint: they’re a big deal) | BLOOM! movement created to improve the world through the power of plants | teachmama.com

Believe it—summer is around the corner.  Woo-hoo! Around the corner!  As in like just a few weeks away!  It’s May! Pools open in May. Weather warms in May.  Swim team registration starts in May.  We buy bathing suits in May. …

last minute valentine ideas for busy families from valentines to games to valentine party ideas for kids and families | teachmama.com

rainbow words: free sight word printable | help kids learn sight words | learn word wall words | help kids learn spelling words | rainbow words

rick riordan: 5 fun facts about the author we love | interview with rick riordan | ship of the dead | magnus chase | meet the author

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you’re last minute) | #eclipse2017 | eclipse fun for kids and families | eclipse crafts, eclipse games | eclipse resources