One of the greatest gifts I have been given is the input of other adults into my children’s lives. Many adults give a little to them (extended family members, pastors, professionals, family friends), but their teachers give a lot. I essentially outsource my children’s training to them for …Read More

The first year I taught school, I moved from Kansas to Spanish Lookout, Belize. I taught thirteen students in grades 1-3 at the Spanish Refugee school run by the Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites.  All but one of my students were native Spanish speakers. Four knew no English. I spoke …Read More

As a first grader who wanted to do things just right, I took seriously my teacher’s instructions to write neatly. I took her instructions so seriously that I continually erased and rewrote every imperfect letter, working to get each one absolutely perfect. At first, my teacher could not …Read More

Children love building, from their first wobbly stack of blocks all the way up to 3D puzzles and erector sets. Building is intensely satisfying. Connecting small pieces into a cohesive whole grows motor skills, develops hand-to-eye coordination, encourages creativity and teamwork, and helps to calm and focus the …Read More

Being consistent makes me tired!  And I am tired of trying to be consistent!  I know consistency is important, but it would be easier to just let some things go.  I also know I will be glad later on that I kept up with it now. I was …Read More