According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris, less than five millimeters in length. Unfortunately, our reliance on plastic in all forms, including microplastics, makes it “the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes”, again from NOAA. Despite their small size, the effects from microplastics loom large as…
College-bound students have a lot of pressure to perform well on the biggest tests of their lives, the ACT or SAT. Many programs allow students to take practice tests earlier in high school. These allow students to have a general idea of how they’ll do on the “real test” during their junior or senior years of high school. Ideally, preparation…
Sarah is greeted at the door of the toddlers room by her 15 month old daughter, Peyton. “I love you,” Peyton says. Sarah replies “I love you.” “Hungry,” says Peyton. “ “We will eat when we get home.” Just after finishing her Cheerios, Peyton says “more” to her mother. “You want more Cheerios, Peyton.” Peyton nods her head yes. Then…
The average person sheds between 50 and 100 hairs a day — hardly noticeable on a scalp carrying 100,000 strands. To cancer patients, however, total hair loss (including the eyebrows and eyelashes) is quite common. Though the physical and emotional tolls of intensive chemotherapy and radiation can be utterly devastating, few people consider the impact hair loss has on women.…
If your child has difficulty in school it may not be anything more than a case of his or her learning style matching up with the way the subject is being taught. Children, as well as adults, have different styles of learning. What is easy for one child may be difficult for another. Three Basic Learning Styles There are three…
When you ask an elementary aged student what their favorite subject in school is, inevitably the majority will say “recess” or “lunch.” Occasionally you may hear “gym” or another special class. I know at the school where I teach (Library and Technology), there has been a shift to valuing recess and purposeful play, but that is not true for all…
From exploring nature in the backyard to using chemistry in our kitchen, science is a big part of our everyday lives. And that’s one of the best parts about science – it’s easy to demonstrate and create teachable moments every day. It’s never too early to start teaching basic science concepts. Yes, even to toddlers. Since science is about exploration…
Christmas is right around the corner. If you are anything like me you are scrambling to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. National Geographic Kids books are the perfect gift for the curious child. We recently got the change to check out the following titles courtesy of National Geographic Kids. * Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by…
With technology becoming the way of the future, STEM learning is now more vital than ever. For homeschoolers, incorporating STEM into your curriculum is essential to keep your children up to date on worldwide trends. STEM learning helps to foster your child’s love for technological advancements and usage. These skills may help your student land a good job once they…
Finding the perfect science fair project for your children can be quite the challenge. Whether your kids attend public school or private school, which make up 25% of all schools in the United States, they will need a project that impresses their teachers and peers while being feasible to complete. Are There Bugs Under Your Feet? In this project, the…
Making Timeouts Work For You: Common Timeout FAQs As noted in last month’s article “The Ten Absolute Timeout Musts,” timeouts work wonders, but only when used properly. To increase the success of timeouts, Achieve Life Balance collected answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). What Behaviors Do Timeouts Work Best For? Timeouts are considered effective for general non-compliance, verbal…
The USDA reports that as of 2014, the number of colonies managed by human beekeepers was at the highest it has been in 20 years. And after many major cities have passed laws allowing residents to raise their own bees, Detroit is hopping on the beekeeping bandwagon and boosting its bee population. “We’re starting to see more bees in the…
Senior living communities offer a plethora of perks: there’s no work to do, no food to prepare, and no stress to manage; it can be surprising to know that nine out of 10 Americans want to stay at home for as long as possible when such an easy life is waiting in a community full of peers their own age. American House,…
Are you starting to see changing in the ease of homeschooling as your child gets older? Maybe it’s a struggle to get him to do his lessons, or even just to listen to you! Thankfully, there are some tips and tricks you can use to survive those years of homeschooling teenagers. How to Survive Homeschooling Teenagers Raising a teenager is…
Immerse your child in history, geography, and civics with free social studies activities for middle school. It can be overwhelming to get through all the resources online, so here are our favorites that you’ll want to integrate into your homeschool curriculum. All these activities are engaging and will help your child learn beyond the text. Free Social Studies Activities for…
