Tag: family
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Looking For a Local Hike? Try Merwin Nature Preserve In Central Illinois
If you’re looking for a fairly easy hike you can do in well under two hours, give the Merwin Nature Preserve a try. My friend, Troy Marcy, recommended Merwin Nature Preserve to us after I asked him to suggest a few local hiking trails. Troy is an incredible nature photographer, so he knows all the…
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A Change In Public Education That Must Occur
I started my teaching career in the year 2000. This happened to also be around the time that No Child Left Behind was implemented. Generally speaking, No Child Left Behind said that every child would be prepared to enter college. Schools would be held more accountable. Students would be held more accountable. Academics would become…
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We Love Brave Kids Art Club
My friend, Jude Landry, recently made me aware of a YouTube channel called Brave Kids Art Club. We tried it out today, and as you can see from the pictures above, it was a huge hit! Brad Woodard is a professional illustrator, and in these 15 to 20 minute videos he walks kids through a…
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Working Hard, Or Hardly Working? My Answer Is … Yes?
The other day someone asked me if I’m working more or less than I did before the COVID-19 outbreak. I thought about it for a few moments, and I found that I could only logically answer “less.” As a teacher, I spent about eight and a half hours at work every day before the pandemic.…
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Are You Checking Your Child’s Grades?
Whether COVID-19 has sent your life into utter chaos or perhaps simply a bit of disarray, chances are you’re forgetting to check on your child’s grades. I urge you to do so regularly. Most school districts have an online grade book that allows family access. I’m sure your elementary and middle school teachers have communicated…
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A Few Positives Regarding Extra Time
While I wish that this outbreak had never happened, and with full recognition of the pain and suffering many are enduring, I must admit that there are a few personal things that I’ve experienced during the last several weeks that are frankly quite positive. Seeing my kids all day, every day: If you’re like us,…