Through the end of the school year, we have access to www.worldbookonline.com - an online encyclopedia and more. There are three levels of content and even a Spanish section so it's great for all kinds of students and can be used at home. Check it out today!
I found a website that I'd like to try out with the kids. It focuses on nutrition and gives them an opportunity to use what they've learned while playing online games. It is available in English AND Spanish!
Here's a direct link to the Kids' Area: http://www.nourishinteractive.com/kids/kidsarea.html
There you will find games, stories and links. The kids have their login and password on a label in their red folder.
As we all continue on this journey toward better health, I have been trying to understand what nutrition labels actually mean. There's so much information there... just what should I focus on? Parents ask us questions like this all the time but none of us on staff at da Vinci is an expert so we are learning right along with all of you. We know that it's important for kids to eat healthy foods and we are concerned about childhood obesity rates (1 in 3 American children is considered obese!) so that's why we chose to center our charter school around that very issue. Here are some helpful resources I have come across on the web.
How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label from the FDA
As stated on the website, this resource will "make it easier for you to use nutrition labels to make quick, informed food choices that contribute to a healthy diet." Each section of the labels is clearly described and tells you which nutrients to limit and which you should increase.
Food Labels, Decoded from Real Simple Magazine
This resource helps you translate common label terms to help you make the wisest choices. It includes health implications and things to keep in mind.
Understanding Food Labels from PBS Kids
This page walks kids (and adults) through the label on a popular snack - hot and spicy crunchy cheese snacks (Flamin' Hot Cheetos, I think) and points out just why snacks like this are not good for you. For years, I've seen kids eating entire bags of these for their morning snack. :(
Dictionary of Nutrition from the American Heart Association "If you are looking for information on common nutrition terms, you’ve come to the right place. This dictionary from the American Heart Association will help you make heart-healthy decisions at the grocery store and in your kitchen."
Organic and Other Environmentally Friendly Foods from Kids Health
"So you may be wondering if organic foods are healthier and safer for your child, and worth the extra money if they cost more than conventional foods. How do they taste? And what do labels touting foods as "sustainable," "natural," "free-range," "grass-fed," or "fair trade" mean?"
Child Nutrition: Simple Tips for Busy Moms (and Dads!) from Web MD
This is a great article - consider printing it out to bring with you to the store. "The simplest tip to help your family get more of the nutrients they need – and fewer nutrients that contribute to disease and weight gain -- is to serve more whole foods and less processed food. Eat fruits and vegetables with every meal. Serve your children healthy, lean protein at most meals."
I love poetry. It's one of my favorite things to teach to children. Kids love to read it, love to listen to it and love to write it, especially when you tell them that poems don't have to rhyme. :) Poetry is very non-threatening and it can really level the playing field, especially for kids who are still mastering their reading and writing skills.
April is Poetry Month so we will be celebrating poetry all month long! I thought I'd share some online resources with you all so you can join in the fun at home. I'll add in a few more as the month goes on...
Shel Silverstein is one of those poets I think most people are familiar with. He has a great website with games and printables that are fun for kids of all ages. You can also find animated versions of his poems on YouTube.
Another undeniable kid favorite is Jack Prelutsky. His really fun website has a number of his poems (click on the sun) and in the 'Grownups' section, silly songs (click on Jack's Music) as well as some helpful tips for reading with young children and some very funny fan letters.
I had the opportunity to meet Brod Bagert when I was earning my teaching credential. He did a session about poetry at a reading conference I attended. He believes that poems should be recited OUT LOUD and provided great ideas about getting kids up in front of others, performing them. His books are always favorites with my students. The most popular of his poems is easily one called Llama - it has just the word llama in it, written over and over. When you read it, it's quite boring but as a performance - magic! Here's another of his poems that I really like...
Kenn Nesbitt writes a lot of poems about school and things that children can really relate to. His website includes an online rhyming dictionary (SO helpful!) along with lots of his poems that you can print and email, lots of great word games and links to all kinds of poetry stuff online.
Here's his poem Tighty, Whity Spider:
(to the tune of "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider")
The tighty-whity spider went down the waterslide.
Got a water wedgie halfway down the ride.
Jumped up and screamed and ran around in pain.
Now the tighty-whity spider will not do that again.
Inkless Tales is the creation of Elizabeth Bushey. On the site, children can listen to her poems, read stories, play games, create finger puppets and more. On one page of her website, visitors can make their own poem by dragging words around the screen - like a virtual Magnetic Poetry Kit.
Roger Stevens is a silly British poet. His website is a bit overwhelming but allows 4-18 year old children to share their poetry with the world! He also has animated poems available on YouTube. Here's my favorite...
