With Valentine’s Day upon us, I wanted to share a story about a couple who have had the ultimate influence on me during my 41 years.
The tie-in with Valentine’s Day is a natural one: it was the day the couple was married. Paul and Melba Bridges, your humble columnist’s parents, were married during an era when the world was a different place for sure. However, through thick and thin they have stood tall, raised two sons, and provided a rock solid foundation of support and guidance.
I have long said anything positive I have accomplished is because of them. In reality, I have no excuse for not accomplishing more. Much more.
[Full Story »]
PABIS: Technology in education
Saturday, October 13. 2012
My husband told me I ought to listen to an episode of a podcast called Mac Power Users: Episode 93. This episode is an interview with Fraser Speirs, a mobile education consultant. He works for the Cedar School of Excellence in Greenock, Scotland, and he also writes books, travels and does public speaking about using mobile devices and technology in schools. The Cedar School of Excellence was one of the first schools to give Macs and then iPads to all of its students.
Obviously, it would not be feasible for most schools, especially publics schools, to offer an iPad to every student. The Cedar School of Excellence is a small, private K-12 school, but my husband knew I would find the ideas behind the use of technology useful in our homeschool. I did, and I also think it could be useful for any parent who is involved in their child’s education and working with them at home.
Listening to Speirs’ talk reinforced my opinion that technology is not something we should shield children from. I know parents have different views on “screen time,” and I respect that. We need to set up boundaries for our children and use technology as a tool and not as a babysitter. But our children are in a unique position to grow up with technology (something we never had), and someday they will be competing in a world with more advanced technology. We parents need to assist them in acquiring useful skills. [Full Story »]
Obviously, it would not be feasible for most schools, especially publics schools, to offer an iPad to every student. The Cedar School of Excellence is a small, private K-12 school, but my husband knew I would find the ideas behind the use of technology useful in our homeschool. I did, and I also think it could be useful for any parent who is involved in their child’s education and working with them at home.
Listening to Speirs’ talk reinforced my opinion that technology is not something we should shield children from. I know parents have different views on “screen time,” and I respect that. We need to set up boundaries for our children and use technology as a tool and not as a babysitter. But our children are in a unique position to grow up with technology (something we never had), and someday they will be competing in a world with more advanced technology. We parents need to assist them in acquiring useful skills. [Full Story »]
PABIS: The Museum of Science and Industry
Sunday, August 12. 2012
Since my family and I made a trip to Chicago to help celebrate my in-laws’ 50th anniversary, we thought we might as well stay awhile and take advantage of this wonderful city. Yesterday we went to the Museum of Science and Industry.
My husband had been there many years ago, but I’ve never been, and I think it’s now become my favorite place in Chicago.
I felt just as giddy as my children as we toured this museum, which, according to its website, is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. [Full Story »]
My husband had been there many years ago, but I’ve never been, and I think it’s now become my favorite place in Chicago.
I felt just as giddy as my children as we toured this museum, which, according to its website, is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. [Full Story »]
SINN-CLARK: Who moved my cheese?
Saturday, July 21. 2012
“Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don’t have the top for.” — Jerry Seinfeld
The same can be said for having a pair of “tweens” in the house. (“Tweens” are kids who are no longer children, but not yet teens.) We have Mr. Clark’s sister’s granddaughters, (not sure what the relationship is, so we are calling them nieces...) staying with us for a month and one week into it, I can say I am older and more cantankerous than I thought I was.
The girls, ages 11 and 12, are nice enough. In fact, they are sweet, eager to please and have very good manners. It’s just that I’m like the mouse in that pop psychology book from a few years back — the one that didn’t like his cheese moved. Ever since the girls arrived, my cheese has been in a constant state of motion and at times that agitates this old mouse. [Full Story »]
The same can be said for having a pair of “tweens” in the house. (“Tweens” are kids who are no longer children, but not yet teens.) We have Mr. Clark’s sister’s granddaughters, (not sure what the relationship is, so we are calling them nieces...) staying with us for a month and one week into it, I can say I am older and more cantankerous than I thought I was.
The girls, ages 11 and 12, are nice enough. In fact, they are sweet, eager to please and have very good manners. It’s just that I’m like the mouse in that pop psychology book from a few years back — the one that didn’t like his cheese moved. Ever since the girls arrived, my cheese has been in a constant state of motion and at times that agitates this old mouse. [Full Story »]
PABIS: Creating family traditions
There’s a time when old traditions need to die, a time for new traditions, and a time when old traditions can be reborn with new meaning.
In years past, I have always felt a little lonely during the holidays. I wished I had a big, happy family that didn’t live so far apart, so we could all come together and eat a lot of food, play games, and exchange stories. [Full Story »]
In years past, I have always felt a little lonely during the holidays. I wished I had a big, happy family that didn’t live so far apart, so we could all come together and eat a lot of food, play games, and exchange stories. [Full Story »]
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