Kids and Screen Time

Jolene at Parent Further just posted an interesting conversation starter about Kids and Screen time - tv, movies, video games...  With the prevalence of media in homes, schools and afterschool centers, it's an important conversation to have!

Summer Reading - Favorites from 2nd Grade

My son's 2nd grade class compiled a list of their favorite books read during the year.  Their compiliation makes a great list for summer reading!

Judy Moody*
Robert Munsch*
Miss Nelson
Ready Freddy
Eric Carle
Nate the Great
Hardy Boys
39 Clues
The seeks*
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Diary of A Wimpy Kid*
Funny Lunch*
Rainbow Magic:  Shannon the Ocean Fairy*
Pet Fairies*
Jewel Fairies*
Horribly Harry
Tinkerbell*
American Girl
Sophie the Awesome*
Berenstain Bears
Babysitter's Club*
Magic Treehouse
Junie B Jones*
Magic School Bus
Nancy Drew
Books about animals

I put an asterik beside the books that we have not yet read, or don't totally love for this age group.

Happy Reading!

teens help disabled neighbors build gardens

Here is a news story from the Chattanooga Y-CAP program's new service-learning program.  They are one of our partners in a statewide service-learning training program for after-school organizations.  It's exciting to see the impact they are making with multiple generations in their city!

At-risk teens help disabled neighbors build gardens
 

Creative Writing Story Starters

If you have children that need practice with creative writing, check out this link with pictures and captions to kick off a writing adventure.   

Depending on the task, creative writing can build many assets, including Commitment to Learning, Boundaries & Expectations, Positive Values, and Social Competencies.

Sample Pages from "Building Character from the Start"

If you haven't seen our latest book, you can get a 13-page sneak peek here at the BMI Educational Services website.  You can also buy the book in e-book format at their site, or you can go to your favorite online bookseller to purchase a paperback copy of the book/CD-rom.

Great Project Ideas!

I just found the coolest website called Dad Can Do.  Chris Barnardo's concept is to share projects that Dads can do with their kids, but these are great project ideas for after-school groups and summer camps too.

He has ideas for making trains, drawing dragons, decorating boxes to be telephone booths, Batman's spotlight, a floating submarine, glue gun bugs, shadow box frames, and so many more cool things! 

If you like the site, check out his book too.

Nurturing Sparks - June Newsletter

June's Asset Messenger is now online.  If you want to sign up for this free monthly newsletter, send your name, agency, and email address to ann@TheAssetEdge.net .

Happy Independence Weekend!

ann & susan