Moms Inspire Learning

Lyle Cogen Sets the Stage for the Fight Against Bullying

Isn't it amazing how music can bring out so many different emotions in a person? It can make you happy or sad, scared or peaceful, whether it contains words or not.

When my children were preschoolers, we used to listen and dance to many different kinds of music together. Music has always been a big part of my life, and the right song can make a bad day seem a whole lot better. Especially when you're listening to it with your kids!

That's why, when we have to talk about serious things like bullying and internet safety with our children, it can really help to turn to music. It's exactly what the extremely talented Lyle Cogen did when she created her one-woman musical play, Sticks & Stones.

October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month!

Now that the school year is well under way, and before the holiday craziness starts, why not take some time out to learn more about how to keep your family safe online? You never can be too careful.

I shared some valuable internet resources in a prior post, but I found some fantastic articles on Twitter this week that I just had to share with you. They'll change how you think about the wonderful world of the web:

• What do you do if you find yourself in a questionable situation online? Read 5 Steps to Online Safety, by The Cool Cat Teacher Blog.

• You may not be familiar with chat rooms, but do you know if your child is? Read The Straight Truth about Internet Chat Rooms, by Internet Safety.com.

•  Sue Scheff's National Cyber Safety Awareness Month October 2009 is a MUST-READ for parents, and pretty much anyone who spends time on the internet. It contains links to some extremely informative articles and web sites, as well as to the recently released, and eye-opening book, Google Bomb, which she co-authored.

While many of us seem to feel safer wondering on the internet than in the real world, we have to keep in mind that the internet IS a whole other world. The more we educate ourselves about it, the safer we'll all be.

What steps have you taken to keep your family safe online?

When Was the Last Time You Visited a National Park?

Are you and your family members feeling stressed out because you're running around all the time? That's when it's time to give yourself some time away from it all. The perfect way to do so is to get yourself out to enjoy nature.

As children get older, it's not easy to plan activities that will appeal to everyone; but when we took a trip to Vermont this summer, it allowed us to connect as a family on so many levels. It was one of the most unforgettable trips we've ever taken.

There are so many ways to enjoy nature, but one of the best ways is to visit a national park. With so many of them, how do you choose which one to visit? 

It's Time to Vote!

The short list of nominees for Book Blogger Appreciation Week is out, and you can vote now through Saturday by clicking here.

Picture Books in Middle School and High School?

Are you a middle school or high school teacher who has a favorite picture book that you like to read aloud to your class every year? Please share it with us!

I'm compiling a list of the many picture books that teenagers and adults will find enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Through the Eyes of a Parent

Today, I'd like to share something special I found circulating on Twitter. It's a letter a parent wrote to her son, who is about to start Kindergarten. As I read it, I got the feeling that the author really was writing the letter to herself.

The letter made me stop and think. Most parents are not nearly as sentimental about their children starting Kindergarten these days (just read some of the negative comments), because many children start day care or preschool way before Kindergarten. But is this letter really just about a child starting Kindergarten?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is Coming!

Have you heard about Book Blogger Appreciation Week? It's a celebration of book blogging, and the creative genius behind it is Amy Riley of My Friend Amy blog. 

Since I started blogging six months ago, I've discovered some wonderful literature blogs, and I am finding more every day. Whether you blog about books, or just like to read them, you won't want to miss this special event. So, please mark your calendar for the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week, which will take place between September 14th and 18th. There will be special guest posts, awards, giveaways, and more...

Have You Heard?

I have so much to say, now that I'm back from vacation (I will disclose the location and tell you about it sometime this week), that I don't know where to start!

Well, I have decided to update you with some of the news I missed while I was away. You might be interested in the following:

• Rumor has it that a 3rd version of Kindle might be coming out in the near future. I don't own one yet (I still prefer a real book, but I have to admit that the Kindle is more eco-friendly). Read the Publisher's Weekly scoop in the blog post (which I found through the Alltop kidslit widget on my sidebar) "Coming Soon to a Page Near You."

• The Reading Tub called our attention to "An Opportunity to Explore eBook Learning. I am not yet familiar with Sylvan Dell Publishing's new eBooks, but I will definitely check them out. Supposedly, the company's state-of-the-art eBook technology will take literacy and picture books to the next level.

I'm glad that technology is being used to promote literacy, especially in places where people don't have access to many real books. When it comes to children who are learning to read, though, it is my hope that this technology will only be used as a supplement, rather than as a complete replacement, of real books.

Important Notice to Readers

It has come to my attention that someone may be sending spam emails which appear to come from Moms Inspire Learning, but really are from another source. No one has told me they received one, but I received a weird email that led me to believe it's a possibility. I wanted to make you aware of this situation so that you can be on the lookout for any such fraudulent emails.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Silly Movie, or Teaching Tool?

When I found a good friend reading the Shopaholic books, by Sophie Kinsella, at the beach a couple of summers ago, I had absolutely no interest in them. Being anything but a shopping addict, the title completely turned me off. I was reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (a fantastic book, by the way), by Lisa See, at the time, and was trying to seek out books that would be meaningful.

Why was my friend raving about these books? She seemed so relaxed on the beach reading them. It reminded me of when I used to read books by Mary Higgins Clark and Danielle Steel. Part of me was missing reading just for the fun and relaxation of it. There's definitely something to be said for escapism, especially at the beach. Why should we always have to think so deeply? We all need a break once in a while.