Education

Too Fat to Graduate?

Wow! This is a tough call. I really appreciate the sentiment behind Lincoln University's fitness requirement for undergraduates. But in today's politically correct atmosphere, I can't image that it will... Continue reading "Too Fat to Graduate?"

A Parent's Report Card

I enjoyed this week's TIME magazine article on helicopter parents called "Can These Parents Be Saved?" by Nancy Gibbs. It looks at the over-parenting trend and an even newer trend... Continue reading "A Parent's Report Card"

Women Hold Up Half the Sky

Okay, I got the message. Thanks for letting me know I stepped out of line when I quoted Mao Tse Tung in a recent Surfnetkids newsletter. He was a mass... Continue reading "Women Hold Up Half the Sky"

Common Core State Standards?

I spent some time today reading about the Common Core State Standards initiative. I'm not yet sure what I think of it. My first reaction is that these sorts of... Continue reading "Common Core State Standards?"

Become a Champion in the Fight Against Alzheimer's

I have written only briefly about my Mom and her battle with Alzheimer's. Her story began years ago when she was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, but now her doctors... Continue reading "Become a Champion in the Fight Against Alzheimer's"

Random Batch of Updates

I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself today, as the podiatrist gave me a yucky shot between my toes on my right foot, and it's burning. Boo hoo! I think... Continue reading "Random Batch of Updates"

Teachers Using Social Media

Many thanks to those who liked the Surfnetkids Facebook wall photos. Your encouragement has resulted in new wall photos (plus lots more to come.) Teacher and Surfnetkids reader Maura Zeller... Continue reading "Teachers Using Social Media"

Presidents' Day Resources for Young Kids

I know I'm a little late with these, but I am just starting to get into the swing of my new Preschool and Kindergarten newsletter. Want to get updates like... Continue reading "Presidents' Day Resources for Young Kids"

Alphabet Coloring Pages

After weeks of humming the ABC song under my breath, my newest site is finally finished. Well, let me re-phrase that. A website is never finished, but my newest website... Continue reading "Alphabet Coloring Pages"

Got Twitter?

What's new here? Yesterday afternoon I added our President Barack Obama coloring page to the American Presidents collection over at www.FreeKidsColoring.com. Those of you who have my Coloring Page of... Continue reading "Got Twitter?"

Whiteboard Lessons for Elementary Grades

Hi Barbara & Co.: Thank you for making yourselves so accessible. Our school has a new interactive whiteboard, but I can't find suitable sites with substantive material for the... Continue reading "Whiteboard Lessons for Elementary Grades"

Kids' Poll Announces Presidential Winner

For the past forty years, the kids participating in the Scholastic News election polls have picked the winning candidate. And this week, they announced the 2008 winner. Before I get... Continue reading "Kids' Poll Announces Presidential Winner"

Math Clock for Math Geeks

When I saw this clock, I just had to write about it. How cute would this math clock be in a classroom? l love it. You can get it at... Continue reading "Math Clock for Math Geeks"

Paying Kids to Show Up at School?

I've seen a bit of criticism of Michelle Rhee's shake-up of the Washington D.C. school district, which includes a program co-sponsored by Harvard that pays middle-school students up to $100... Continue reading "Paying Kids to Show Up at School?"

Kids Spend More Time Online, Less Time Watching TV

For kids ages 10 to 14 who are online, the Internet is a bigger time sink that TV. This is not surprising, but was recently released in a study by... Continue reading "Kids Spend More Time Online, Less Time Watching TV"

Teachers Using Social Networks to Connect with Students?

There is a growing backlash in some communities and states wanting to forbid teachers from using social networking and text messaging to communicate with students. Based on the argument that... Continue reading "Teachers Using Social Networks to Connect with Students?"

Google Sites

Although this will appear in my "Internet Tip of the Week" blog next week, I decided to share it with you here, because I think it will be a great... Continue reading "Google Sites"

Is It All About How You Feel at the End of the Day?

My buddy Don Crowther made an awesome video, about something inspirational that took place on a college softball field in Portland, Oregon recently. But I have a bone to pick... Continue reading "Is It All About How You Feel at the End of the Day?"

Your Favorite Educational Sites?

What are your favorite educational sites? I bet you've got a nice collection of really great sites bookmarked. Do you feel like sharing? This week, I want to do... Continue reading "Your Favorite Educational Sites?"

Shel Silverstein's First Poetry Book

First published in 1964 under the title "Uncle Shelby's Zoo," Shel Silverstein's first book of children's poetry has been re-released this week as "Don't Bump The Glump! and Other Fantasies."... Continue reading "Shel Silverstein's First Poetry Book"

Is it a Worksheet or a Quiz?

My newest project is the addition of printable quizzes (worksheets?) to our Surfnetkids Printables Club membership area. Would you like a free peek? I'd be happy to give you a... Continue reading "Is it a Worksheet or a Quiz?"

On Giving and Getting Thanked

I just received a big packet of thank you notes from the students of Gunston Middle School in Arlington, Virginia. Through DonorsChoose.org, I helped them purchase a number of 24... Continue reading "On Giving and Getting Thanked"

Focus on Education in 2008

In a 2002 UNICEF study of public education in 24 nations, the U.S. ranked 18th among 24 nations. Economists estimate that if America raises student skills closer to that of... Continue reading "Focus on Education in 2008"

Poll Finds Teen Social Networking Educational

On online survey of more than 1200 teens found that at least half spend some of their online social networking time (instant messaging, blogging, MySpace and Facebook) talking about homework,... Continue reading "Poll Finds Teen Social Networking Educational"

Narrated Stories

Dear Barbara, Getting your newsletter has been of great use to me as a preschool director in Brazil. I need some tips of sites of games or activities for... Continue reading "Narrated Stories"

Homepage for School Computer Lab

Dear Barbara- I hope you might have an answer to my ? I am a computer lab teacher looking for an appropriate homepage for the lab computers. (K-8 Lab.) I... Continue reading "Homepage for School Computer Lab"

Back to School

Have you noticed the "Back-to-School" specials everywhere? It's getting close, isn't it? Thought I'd use this space today to list the back-to-school resources you'll find at our sites. Back-to-School Coloring... Continue reading "Back to School"

Ginormous Added to Webster Dictionary

"Just two years after a majority of visitors to Merriam-Webster OnLine declared it to be their "Favorite Word (Not in the Dictionary)," the adjective "ginormous" (now officially defined as "extremely... Continue reading "Ginormous Added to Webster Dictionary"

One Laptop Per Child

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit educational initiative spearheaded by MIT Media Lab's Nicholas Negroponte. His vision is to provide free laptops to children in developing countries, funded... Continue reading "One Laptop Per Child"

Student Denied Teaching Degree over MySpace Photo

Stacy Snyder was denied a teaching degree, and was instead granted a degree in English, by the administration at Millersville University last summer. The reason was a photo on her... Continue reading "Student Denied Teaching Degree over MySpace Photo"