Kid-friendly Way to Teach About Logic

Teaching what logic is to an adult is complicated enough...much less to teach it to a child. Here are a few videos that cater to teaching about logic to children ages 8 and up. Have fun with it!

Innovation starts at a young age!

Design studio aruliden, together with Bernhardt Design, conceived Tools at Schools as an initiative to teach eighth graders the value of design as a problem-solving tool at The School at Columbia University. Forty-four eighth grade students were immersed in the entire design process, from research to ideation to 3D modeling and ultimately launch. What started as a simple effort to get involved in the community grew into a much larger realization that design has a role in the classroom. Their success was not only in their concepts, but in the awareness each student gained in the process. The result was a collaborative vision of today’s classroom – designed for kids by kids. Wouldn't you love to see programs like this at your local schools?


Tools at Schools : Introduction to Project from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Tools at Schools : Research and Big Ideas from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Tools at Schools: Final Design and Mockup from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Tools at Schools: 3-D from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Tools at Schools : Modeling from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Tools at Schools: Final Project Launch at ICFF from Tools at Schools on Vimeo.

Japan Earthquake Tsunami - Horrifying but can it be educational?

As I poured through the images and videos posted about the current Japan Earthquake/Tsunami disaster and hear about personal accounts from friends in Japan, I couldn't help but wonder if my child was old enough, would I share these stories and accounts with him or would I shield him from the horrors of such a disaster? I think I would want my child to know that these disasters happen. At the same time, I would want him to know that he doesn't have to be afraid. I thought a bout a list of things I could do to make the best of such a situation.

My List of Disaster Education for children:

1. Pull up a map. Show your child where the disaster had occurred and show them where they are in respect to the disaster. This can help assure the child that he/she is safe.

2. Gather your family for an emergency checklist session. Go through what needs to be done should something like this happen. Your children should understand your family's emergency plan as best as they can. This way if you happen to be separated during the course of such an event, your child will not be scared. Instead, they will be comforted because they have the knowledge of what to do.

3. Have your children memorize emergency numbers and your cell phone numbers. Teach them how to use a pay-phone. You'll be surprised to learn that many children don't even know what a pay phone is nowadays. Have them learn your full names (as well as their own of course!) and important addresses.

4. Agree on a Family Emergency Meeting venue should any of you be separated. Show your kids where that venue is and how to get there from places they would usually be at, such as from home, from school, from the playground, from grandma's, etc...)

5. Start an emergency kit or backpack for each member of your family. Have your kids help you put together the backpack. Show them how to use the items in the backpack!

6. If your kids are old enough, learn how to do CPR as a family. The American Red Cross provides CPR classes. Contact your local chapter for more information. Do note that usually only teenagers and up will be effective in doing CPR because strength is needed. However, it is always good for younger children to learn about CPR as well. Here are some fun tips!

7. It's a great time to learn about nature and science. Teach your kids how and why such disasters occur. When kids understand how it happens, they are less afraid. FEMA has an awesome website to teach kids about natural disasters!

8. If you have the resources to do so, have your family engage in a charity that helps people affected by these disasters. Even having your kids do extra projects, have their own lemonade stands, mow grasses, and chores to earn $10-$20 to donate to a charity is sufficient. It's a great feeling when a child feels like he/she has contributed to something as big as a full scale natural disaster.

If you guys have any thoughts or ideas, please feel free to share them. I would love to hear them all!!!

ABC News takes a look at education

Definitely a good look into what the successful countries such as China and Finland are doing in terms of educating their children.

Technology in the Classroom

According to an article by Bob Wheaton of the Jackson Citizen Patriot, many schools in the Jackson area are embracing technology in their schools.  Quite a few of the local schools are "using high-tech gadgets such as Tablet PCs, Flip video cameras and document cameras. They’re podcasting, vodcasting and visiting teachers’ Wikipages."  14 teachers are also participating in a cell phone project where students can text their teachers questions with homework and get more personal feedback outside of the classroom.  

These are just some of the things the article states are happening in the school regarding technology:

A sampling of some of the technology being used in Jackson County schools:

• Columbia: Nook e-readers for cognitively impaired students at Columbia Central High School; iPad tablet computers for fourth-graders at Brooklyn Elementary School.

• Grass Lake: Interactive long-distance learning technology that allows students at Grass Lake to take advanced placement classes by communicating electronically with teachers at Stockbridge High School; touch-screen SmartBoards at Grass Lake High School.

• Hanover-Horton: Document cameras that interface between computers and multimedia projectors; e-readers for special education students; CAD software, Fischertechnik robotics and stress analyzers for bridge trusses for pre-engineering students.

• Jackson Christian School: NComputing devices that make computers more available at Jackson Christian Elementary School; mobile language labs at Jackson Christian High School that includes 24 netbook computers, headsets and a printer so students can study as many as 32 languages.

• Jackson Public Schools: Airliner wireless tablets; teacher Wikipages for use by students and parents; cell phone project in which students or parents can call or text participating teachers after school hours; document cameras; computer response systems that allow the class to answer multiple-choice questions on a handheld clicker, with the results calculated and displayed; hand-held Neo computers and document cameras at McCulloch Academy of Technology & Science; new media center at Sharp Park Academy that will focus on technology.

• Jackson County Intermediate School District: LifeSize video-conferencing system used for Springport and Jackson Public Schools advanced placement biology class; e2020 online curriculum used by Jackson Area Career Center.

• Michigan Center: iPod touches; iPads; podcasting; vodcasting; Macbooks/laptops; morning announcements that are edited and put on the website SchoolTube.

• Paragon Charter Academy: Document cameras in grades K-8; amplification systems used by teachers; Flip video cameras; Promethean ActivExpression Learner and Student Response Systems that allow students to answer multiple-choice questions and have classroom results displayed.

This is definitely the direction that schools need to continue going.  Technology, used correctly, can help teachers teach more effectively and students learn more efficiently.  Do you think technology in the classroom can make a difference?

Nick Dentamaro | Jackson Citizen PatriotAmanda Keinath, right, a teacher at Columbia Central High School, shows Stephanie Smedley how to use a Nook e-reader.

A New Way to Learn

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This is the direction our schools need to be heading. Technology is so vital in our society today! A recent research showed that in the year 2020, 123 million high tech, high pay jobs but only 53 million Americans will be qualified to fill those positions. We need to build a strong foundation in Math and Science in our children. However, they can't just learn the theory of how it works. We need them to be able to apply what they learn to current projects and their daily lives.

With my son, I love how excited he is about technology and how smart he is at knowing what to do with it. He's only one but already he nows that he needs to slide across the iphone to view other pictures. I would love to keep engaging him in things that are high-tech. How are your kids equipped to meet the needs of the future?

An innovative way to teach your child about Business + Charity!

Business instructor Bob Merrilees is teaching students to make money in his entrepreneur class at Northern Highlands Regional High School. The students sell items on eBay, with profits going to local charities.

I am officially loving the ingenuity of Northern Highlands Regional High School's business teacher, Bob Merrilees. In an effort to teach real-life business skills to his students, he started an eBay selling project with his class. His students sell items on eBay and donate the profits to charities chosen by the students themselves. They learn the importance of customer service, advertising and marketing, shipping and payment logistics and the value of giving back to the community. You can read more about the article here. 

I have been thinking of ways to teach my own kids business skills from when they're young and I love this idea. Perhaps instead of having a simple yard sale, a better way of getting rid of the extra clutter may be this:

1. Have your kids help you organize the items for sale in bins according to categories.

2. Have them help in taking the pictures of the product. Teach them how to lay the product out in a way that will entice buyers and teach them how to use the camera and the different settings. Depending on their age and skill level, you could even show them how to edit pictures.

3. Show your kids how to upload the pictures onto eBay or craigslist or your local online barter site. Show them with the first item how to describe the product and list the price. Allow them to lead the product descriptions and pricing for the other items, only interjecting to direct them along the right path.

4. Teach them how to reply to emails.

5. Show them how payment is processed and how credit cards works. This may be a great time to teach them about good and bad debts.

6. Have your kids learn how to process shipping labels through usps.com, fedex.com, or ups.com. Teach them how to properly package the item.

7. You can start a family fund with the proceeds that can go towards a family trip/outing or your family could donate the proceeds to a local charity.

Some other business ideas include:

1. Lemonade/Juice/Hot Chocolate/Cookie Stand.

2. Making crafts and selling them on eBay, Etsy, at a local arts and crafts store, or chic boutique.

3. Selling their framed artwork on Etsy. I know of a lot of people who love kid's artwork.

4. Have them publish a book and sell it online through Scribble Press, Lulu, or Etsy.

5. Have your kids pick a topic and create their own magazine for other kids. They can create and publish their magazine on MagCloud. This can be done on a monthly or quarterly basis.

6. Have your older kids start a lawn mowing, dog walking, or babysitting business. Help them open a bank account and show them how to use Quickbooks or Quicken to manage their business accounts, send customer invoices, and so on.

Please comment if you have any other fun ideas to teach your children, both young and older, the value of business. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!!!

The benefits of blogging

With all the privacy issues, I never ever thought of using blogging as a way to teach and improve writing skills for young children. Although I feel that blogs for young children should be privatized, I love this idea! It might be fun for teachers to have a "classroom" blog where each child is a contributor. The blog can easily be closed to simply the educator, students and their parents. My mind was going at a thousand miles per hour as I watched this video. Here are some fun ideas for all you educators out there:

1. Story-chain: Have 1 student start out a paragraph and have each student add on to that story with their own postings. At the end of class, the teacher can put together the whole story and read it aloud to the class. You will be amazed by how the story twists and turns with fun and innovative writing.

2. Opinion posts: Have students write posts about different current events and what they feel and think about it. It's a great way for each child to read about their fellow peers' opinions. Encourage constructive commenting. Teachers should always oversee commenting so as to make sure disruptive comments are put at bay. It's a great that blogs offer tools such as comments that first need to be reviewed by the administrator before it's posted officially.

3. Post a random picture on the blog and have the students write a funny/sad/laughable/horror story about it. Go crazy with the genre!

4. Use the classroom blog to post assignments. This way all the students and their parents will be on the same page.

For parents, a fun thing to do might be to start a private family blog that's accessible only to your immediate family. It will be fun for family members to have their own "white space" their own opinions. This will also teach your child valuable typing/writing skills as well as to teach your child how to form their own opinions and allowing their voices to be heard. I think this is a skill that many kids lack nowadays. Parents are becoming more protective over their children. It is still important that your child learn to voice their opinions, make their own decisions, and learn how to be independent in their own right. As they grow up to be teenagers, this trait will come in handy as they will not be pushed around or influenced easily by bad company. Instead, they will learn how to look at both sides and decide what is right and what is best for them.

Thoughts?

CQ - What is it?

CQ, otherwise known as cultural intelligence, is something many young Americans are lacking. According to David Livermore, PhD and author of the book Leading with Cultural Intelligence and directs the Cultural Intelligence Center in East Lansing, cultural intelligence is a "globally recognized way of measuring and improving the way we work in and out of lots of different cultural contexts. CQ is similar to IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) in that it quantifies a set of capabilities believed to be important to both personal and professional success. CQ is unique in that it focuses specifically on the skills needed for success when moving in and out of lots of different cultures—a reality for many of us and a certainty for our students’ in the future."


I believe that in addition to having a strong foundation in English, Math, and Science, it is equally important to instill a sense of global awareness and camaraderie in our children. So just how do we do that? Here are some tips to get you started:


1. Letting your child learn a second language. When learning a second language, it is important that your child learns all aspect of the language and not just the speaking function. Your child should learn how to read, write and speak the second language. More importantly, your child should be immersed in learning about the culture and history of the chosen language. Finding books and blogs about the legends, history, and current events in those countries is a great start. It is fun to find a mommy blog of a certain country as often times, it details the lives of their children as well. It is a fun way for a child to learn about how children in a different part of the world live each day. 


2. Find an international pen pal for your child!  A great website for finding a pen pal is Amazing Kids. The Amazing Kids! PenPals Program is a literacy-based, traditional letter writing pen pal program, available to all children ages 5-17 worldwide. At a flat fee of just $10 per child, per pen pal, their program is a low-cost (and fun!) way to help your child practice their literacy skills, while making a new friend. Teachers or groups of 15 or more receive a 50% discount, at just $5 per child.


3. Talk about global current events at home. You can spark an interest in global events within your child by first being interested in it yourselves. As you talk about different global events within your family, you will soon find your children asking questions about those happenings. Try to be positive about such events and if you don't agree with something that's happening, try not to lash out in a derogatory manner. :) Teach your children to form personal opinion of such matters and always ask why they feel about a certain issue. If possible, try to teach them to see the issue in all forms before firming opinions.


4. Try different ethnic foods with your children. This teaches them to enjoy other cultures and not simply live in their bubble of PB + J's!


5. Engage your child in different subjects. Having a strong CQ is not just about being globally aware. Your child should learn to be well-rounded in the arts, technology, geography, and literature, to name a few. Bring your children to watch different plays, listen to different kinds of music, read books of various genres, go to the Opera, go to museums, and so forth.


Well, these few tips should be plentiful to get you started. If you have any more suggestions or ideas, feel free to drop a comment!!! :) 

The art of strategy

I know...I know...a lot of people think chess is boring or it's just for "nerds" but I beg to differ. On the contrary, chess can teach your child some essential skills from a very young age. Chess can help a young child develop good memory, intuition, creativity, analytic skills, deduction skills, problem solving skills, while promoting patience and a sense of calmness. You don't have to be an expert at chess but it certainly helps when you try not to let your child "win" every single time. It's true that they may get frustrated if they can't beat you or throw a temper tantrum. However, you can combat this by teaching your child what he/she could have done differently. You can borrow chess strategy books from the library or buy them at your local bookstore. Teach your child to first mimic and mirror those strategies. From those first few steps, your child will slowly progress in the game and actually learn to form strategies of his/her own.  A cool website is Chess Kids Academy. It allows your child to learn chess while playing with a computer and offers a bulk load of tools such as strategy sheets and what you need to start your very own chess club!!! Plus, getting a fun chess set from the store may do wonders for your child. We personally have our very own set of Transformers Chess Set!!! Try this out for your child. Who knows, it may lead your child to be the next genius! After all, "Skynet" was developed from a simple game of chess! :)

Pressure Cooker

With all the talk of challenging your kids and having them achieve a higher standard in education, I think we sometimes forget the key word is "challenging" and not "pressuring" or "forcing". The secret to challenging your child and still maintaining a happy child is to have them enjoy learning. I remember that when I was studying in Asia, I HATED school and everything about it. Sure, I did well in the exams that actually mattered but hated doing the everyday homework and pretty much shut down when it came to day-to-day excelling. I suppose the intense pressure of constantly doing well and competing with the other kids in my class got to me. I hated the shallowness of the whole system. When we moved back to the states, that pressure was lifted off my shoulder. Suddenly, I enjoyed learning. I would spend hours reading my textbooks before class, make sure my homework was perfect, and got straight A's. In college, I noticed I tended to do better in independent study classes. Even though I did the class at my own pace, I noticed I almost always finished the independent study course way before the actual semester ended and always got A's as well. Interestingly enough, I also found that I retained the information learnt through the independent study courses a lot better than in normal classes. So, the question now is: "How do we get our children to ENJOY learning?" Here are some tips:

1. Have a Set Routine! Having a set routine allows your children to understand what your expectations of them are without having to yell at them constantly. For example, an after-school schedule can be something like this:

Snack/rest and change of clothes (After school)
Homework and any extra curriculum you would want to teach your child (4:30pm-6pm)
TV/Games time (6pm-6:30pm)
Dinner (6:30pm=-7:30pm)
7:30pm-8:30pm (Family Fun Time/Play-time)
8:30pm-9:20pm (Reading/Getting ready for bed)
9:20pm (Lights out)

Your child will learn self-discipline with a set routine and will still have ample time to play and have fun each day! On days that they get out of school earlier and what-not, have them enroll in extracurricular activities like soccer, art class, and so on.

2. Reward System. Create a homework reward chart and a learning reward chart. For each day of completed homework, have your child place a sticker for that day. The learning reward chart will be one where you teach your child more advanced materials. Reward charts should have an attainable goal. I like to have my students choose their own reward that they will get excited about. Have your child take ownership of their reward chart. You will find a child who is excited to work towards their goal and who will enjoy challenging him/herself as a result of that.

3. Be Patient. It is always harder to teach your own child because you expect so much out of them. When you feel yourself losing it when your child does not get a particular concept, walk away. Let your child know in a calm voice that you both will be taking a short break. Take a breather and when you've calm down, go back to teaching. Remember, some times it takes more than a few tries for your child to grasp certain concepts. It doesn't mean that they are dumb. It just happened to be a little tougher for them to understand that point but they will get it sooner or later. Think about computer games. When you get something wrong or do not pass a level, you simply get a calm voice that tells you to "Try again! You can do it!" Be that for your child! When you get impatient with their learning ability, you end up causing them to be self-aware, perhaps losing their confidence and end up hating to learn new things.

4. Be Enthusiastic and Positive. When your kids see your excitement about learning new things, they get excited too and think it's the coolest thing ever.

5. Praise. Shower your kids with encouragement and praise when they improve on learning something. Make it a point to compliment them during your family dinner about how so-and-so learnt their 2 times table today and did so well even though it was a tough thing to learn. Kids eat that up!

6. Encourage Them. When the lesson gets tough, sometimes kids get a little down. Remind them that this is just a bump and you went through the same exact thing too. Assure them that once they get this down, it gets SO much easier after this.

Well, hopefully these tips help. Do share with us any special thing you do with your child!