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Education > Special Education Family activities to improve reading in children: 5 of 35
One of the biggest surprises of my teaching career came in the middle of a seventh grade art lesson. The topic was the art of Theorore Geisel-better known of course, as Dr. Seuss. The lesson was to create a work of art that was reminiscent of the good doctor's stories, with his crazy magical style. As I started listing the bo... More..
Education > Primary School (Other) Book recommendations for fifth-graders: 1 of 7
Fifth grade readers tend toward eclectic tastes in their choice of books. They are too old for cute little books about trains and puppies, yet some are not quite on the reading level of Harry Potter( or simply don't want to tackle the 800 page tomes!). Having recently had a fifth grader in my house, I have found some good boo... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Book reviews: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, by Rebecca Wells: 1 of 6
"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" by Rebecca Wells is a well written, sometimes moving, sometimes funny, sometimes shocking novel about Southern Women. It covers five decades through the use of flashbacks and tells the story of four friends and their offspring. The central character, Vivi Abbott Walker, is a steel magn... More..
Education > Education (Other) Tips for dealing with a difficult teacher: 8 of 44
The very first thing parents need to consider is this: Is the teacher really being difficult? Is this your perception after having met this person or merely your child's opinion? This is not to say that your child's opinion isn't valid, but it is easy for a child to make any problems out to be the teacher's fault. It's their ... More..
Travel > Hotel Reviews Hotel chain reviews: Marriott hotels: 2 of 9
Marriott is a hotel chain that caters to business travelers. Considering that business travellers usually spends two to three nights on the road when they travel, that is a big endorsement for the chain The service and comforts you will experience while staying in Marriott properties make staying even one night in a budget ch... More..
Arts & Humanities > Art Appreciation Art history: Understanding impressionism: 4 of 16
When I was in the seventh grade I fell in love for the very first time. With the movement we know as Impressionism. It was in an art classroom and the teacher stood up and launched what to my other classmates was another boring lecture with slide. I however was on the edge of my stool, hanging on every word, anticipating the ... More..
Entertainment > TV Genres & Trends TV medical dramas: Comparing House and ER: 5 of 17
There simply is no comparison of House and ER. House, that brilliant, wittily written,push the limits, go where no medical drama has ever gone show outshines ER by a million watts. ER held no magic for me; it was little more than a night time version of General Hospital. House, on the other hand, stands head and shoulders abo... More..
Local Guides > Orlando Quick trip tips: Orlando, Florida for a 3-day getaway: 6 of 20
When my children were eight and ten, we finally broke down and said "We're going to Disneyworld!" However, we agreed that while our trip to Orlando would include Disney, it would not be just about Disney. I have a tendency to research the places we go on vacation, certainly at least the first time we go, and this trip was no ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Museums & Galleries (Other) Art that moves you at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art: 3 of 7
It has been several years now since I climbed that majestic staircase and entered the wonderful world that is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but it has stayed with me, etched in my memory, never to be forgotten. That is the thing about art museums. The buildings are almost as spectacular as the artwork itself. An art teacher... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise & Weight Loss How to make time for your workout: 9 of 19
Making time is the hardest thing about exercise. It is all too easy to make excuses as to why we cannot squeeze in a workout. (Work schedule, mom schedule,errands, etc.) Basically its is as simple as this: if you want to exercise, you will make time for it. Children don't have to be a hindrance. With young kids,most gyms hav... More..