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Archives for January 2021

10 most important simple steps to teach your child to read: Steps 1 & 2

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I want to help parents learn how to teach their child to read

During the pandemic I saw firsthand how important parents are in teaching their child to read. As a teacher I could see the results of parental help in my young readers. Help from parents is most crucial for the youngest students who are just learning to read. There are some simple steps parents can take to help teach their child to read. Any parent can follow these steps and work them in to their daily family routine.

sound board made from a white board, magnetic letters and masking tape to teach your child to read

Wondering about homeschooling

I wanted to help my own children get ahead in reading and math and had always wondered about homeschooling. I didn’t think I was patient enough. In fact, I knew I wasn’t patient enough. So, during summer when they were off school I decided to do a pared-down version of it. I called it “home school lite.”

Parents can and should help their children learn to read. If your child attends school, teachers may do the heavy work. However, parents still should be helping from home to ensure their children are making the biggest reading gains possible. If you are teaching your child to read at home. I have some tips for you that may help.

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Reuse and Recycle: Vintage Jewelry

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I love milk glass. It reminds me of my grandma and the 1930s and 1940s. When my mom died suddenly five years ago, I inherited her set of jewelry boxes. In these boxes I found a hodgepodge of vintage jewelry. Most of it was my mom’s from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Some of it was my grandma’s from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. I documented each piece of jewelry and called my collection: Eleventeen Jewelry. I wore the jewelry instead of just hiding it away in jewelry boxes. The vintage earrings and necklaces captured my students’ attention as I taught online. This was a great way to reuse and recylce vintage jewelry.

Alcoves Home and Eleventeen Jewelry. Vintage jewelry from the '30s to the '80s white milk glass necklace
Milk glass “chunky” necklace

This vintage jewelry was not valuable but it was cool

I researched much of the jewelry online. None of it was valuable, but all of it was cool. This choker has that vintage 1930s casual feel–I picture my grandma wearing it to a Sunday picnic. I am sure it was her necklace. In fact, I think I did see an old black and white photo of my grandma wearing it. I will have to try to find it.

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