• social_media_issues
    family - parenting

    Social Media Issues – How Ontario Teachers Navigate the Waters

    September 4, 2016 - By 

    Social media issues can be challenging. It’s a field that is in a constant state of flux. Facebook changes its algorithm. Twitter offers a new feed. One network wanes while another jets off into the stratosphere. And just when you think you have it all figured out, suddenly your high schooler comes home talking about some new chat service that nobody over the age of 20 has EVER heard of before. Social media issues can be a real danger to both children and the teachers responsible for their education. Teachers are the people who spend 5 to 6 hours a day with…

  • creative_teaching
    family - Technology

    Creative Teaching – Seven Inspiring Educators Using Microsoft Technology

    May 6, 2016 - By 

    Educators who model Creative teaching with technology in the classroom are inspiring to their peers, and their students. They set an example of what is possible and they nurture an engaged and inclusive classroom. When teachers take an approach to learning that’s outside of the box, it sparks a great love of discovery and learning in our children, especially those with unique or special needs. Instead of staring at a page in a text book, children can explore in new, interactive ways. Creative teaching can help nurture all children’s strengths, and Microsoft is front and centre building inclusive programs and classrooms. Last week…

  • water_challenge
    family - Health

    Take The World Vision Canada Water Challenge #WorldVisionWater

    April 13, 2016 - By 

    All children should have the chance to grow up happy and healthy. Kids who do not have access to clean water don’t have that opportunity, which is part of the reason I am happy to take the World Vision Canada clean water challenge. A few weeks ago my family started the World Vision Canada water challenge. The goal was to get everyone here thinking about children and families around the world and the scarcity of clean water as a resource. It was also my intention to help my kids to see how many sources of clean water we have available to us here in…

  • Thanksgiving printables
    Uncategorized

    Free Thanksgiving Printable – Fill Ins Vocabulary Sheet for Children

    October 4, 2015 - By 

    Once back to school is a routine again and the temperatures begin to level out just a bit, then it’s time to get planning Thanksgiving here in Canada. Our Thanksgiving, as some of you know, is much earlier than it is in the United States. So, we have a longer shopping season. We also get a lovely little long weekend break right in October. That’s kind of a lovely time of year for it. The kids can often still play outside and the adults can cook in peace – mostly. [tweetthis]Enjoy this free kids Thanksgiving Fill In vocabulary sheet via…

  • high school
    family - Health - parenting

    Decision Time – Our High School #BTS Update and What We Decided

    September 9, 2015 - By 

    Remember back in August when I wrote about how torn we were in deciding which high school my daughter would attend. We had always planned for her to attend the local French immersion public high school that everyone from her elementary school goes to. Well, almost everyone. We did all the preparation and she did the weekend sleepover event there too. She registered and we were waiting on her schedule to arrive when I realized that a smaller Catholic high school that is closer to our house also offered French immersion. So late last June we raced over there and…

  • family - Health - parenting - Parenting - special needs

    These Five Things I Hope For You The Night Before School Starts #SpecialNeeds

    September 8, 2015 - By 

    It is not the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the night before school starts and frankly that means many of you, my friends, the people I know who parent kids with unique needs, will not be sleeping well. I know you. I see you tweeting and posting and worrying quietly behind closed doors whether this will be the year your child will be understood. Has the IEP been read? Will your child even be able to get into the school physically? Will he cling, or cry, or wave happily. I know you are worrying yourself sick the night before…

  • homework-tips
    family - parenting

    5 Tips to Help with Homework

    September 1, 2015 - By 

    Sometimes, all a child needs for help with homework are clear expectations and an area conducive to studying. If you want to give your child help with homework, I have some tips that can help ensure that homework time is a productive time for your child. Help with Homework – Easy Steps for a Better Outcome There are a few things you can do to help your child maximize his or her homework and/or studying experience. With these tips, you’ll have a space all set for productive study, and you’ll have clear expectations for your child and their academic performance.…

  • parenting

    It’s Back to School – Why I Think I Might Switch My Daughter to Catholic High School #BTS

    August 21, 2015 - By 

    So here’s the thing. I’ve been agonizing all summer over a big change for my older daughter. She graduated from grade eight in June. Her year was not great. But let’s face it I’ve been feeling like public school has been letting me and my children down for years now. When my husband and I adopted our kids, we agreed on a lot of things. We agreed on French immersion and we agreed on names and RESPs for saving and he clearly, a Catholic kid, said NO to Catholic education. Interesting, right? He had some considerable strong feelings about that.…

  • back to school matching printable
    family - parenting

    Back to School Matching Printables #BTS

    August 11, 2015 - By 

    It’s August, which means some of you will have kids going back to school soon. Where did the summer go? Are your little people excited about going back soon, or do they want more summer? Have you started your back to school shopping or preparation? I have to admit I like the routine returning to some semblance of normal. BUT I like the summer even more. Now if only summer was less expensive. I am tapped out of money from all the summer camps. I really noticed the cost this year. In the spirit of back to school and saving…

  • high school freshman
    Back To School - family - Health - Parenting - parenting - special needs

    7 Steps – Preparing Your Child to be a High School Freshman

    June 18, 2015 - By 

    So it;s time to prepare your child to become a high school freshman!! Wait, what. How did that happen? Oh believe me I know all too well how slippery time is. Wasn’t she just literally hopping on the bus for that first day of kindergarten. Is it possible that kids can grow this fast? How on earth can my older daughter be ready for high school? Well, she isn’t quite yet. But she’s going to be with these 7 Steps to Preparing Your Child to be a High School Freshman.  Okay so just yesterday you walked your son or daughter…