Everyone is a Teacher

On Your Mark. Get Set. CLEP.

Minnesota students and families click here to learn about FREE CLEP exams and transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or visit the Minnesota Department of Education site here.

CLEP is an often overlooked, yet ideal solution for high school students to get a jump start on college! The College-Level Examination Program^® or CLEP provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through an exam.

• Save time and money. You and your family can save money with each CLEP exam you pass; the credit you acquire through CLEP requires no tuition, fees, residence hall rent, or food expenses.
  
• Accelerate your education. By skipping introductory-level courses in subjects you have already mastered, you can move into more challenging and interesting advanced coursework. Research indicates that students who earn credit via CLEP are more likely to than their peers to complete a bachelor's degree in four years.
• Enhance your educational opportunities. The hours you save by taking a CLEP exam can be used to pursue either a second major or an advanced degree.

Save money for college. CLEP.
Get college credits now. CLEP.

Toys for Boys

I was impressed and thrilled to learn that Hasbro toys have NOT been involved in the recent lead-paint recalls. Read about their stringent company policies and procedures here.

While perusing the Hasbro site, I also discoverd Monkeybar TV and great toys and games, primarily, for boys including:

Transformers
GI Joe
Spiderman
Power Tour
Heroscape
StarWars
Super Soaker
Nerf

And Monkeybar TV JR for children up to age 6 activities online include puzzles, matching games, and other fun stuff featuring:

Mr. Potato Head
My Little Pony
Tonka (a Minnesota-lovin' favorite!)
Candy Land
Bearytales
Play-Doh

Weebles
Check out this nostalgic and unrelated clock: www.nuvupromotions.com

Classic Games by Hasbro include Clue, Monopoly, Life and Twister

Learning Box: Inside and Out

When exploring inside the Learning Box it is easy to see how these very basic Flash games for PreK+ children and parents are also wonderful outside-the-box learning activities.

Consider this warning, there is something quietly transfixing in the simplicity of these exercises that draws adults as well as children to the keyboard.

• Math: Adding to 10
• Math: Addition & Subraction in Base 10
• Math: Fractions
• Safety: Call 911
• Science: Investigating Air
• Literacy: Complete Thoughts

Links for Children

Learning Games Ages 1 - 5
Learning Games Ages 6+
http://www.kidspsych.org
http://www.iknowthat.com
http://www.prongo.com/ All Ages
http://www.coolmath-games.com/ Math
http://gamefinder.disney.go.com/ Disney Puzzles, Mazes and more

Jigsaw Puzzles
http://www.thekidzpage.com/onlinejigsawpuzzles/index.html
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/index.htm

More Games
http://www.gamequarium.com/
http://www.orisinal.com

Neuroscience for Kids
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html

Typing and Navigating a Keyboard
http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/games/game_super_hyper_spider_typer.html

The Power of Birthdays

The anticipation surrounding my son's upcoming birthday (the big-5) is on par with a cross-country road trip. "Are we there yet?" has met its match with "Is today my birthday?"

Excellent. We have a great (long) opportunity to teach about calendars and time. Starting with a monthly calendar we are crossing off the days. Much of my son's time is spent trying to understand how far away three months is and compiling a list of things he would like to receive as presents. Let's see, there's the Little Einstein's Rocket (although this item seems to have dropped in rank to the Mac Truck.

When patience runs thin, he declares, "You can't come to my birthday!"
Hmmmmmmm tempting.