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LINDA M . PENN: Posted on Monday, July 31, 2017 11:01 AM
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – SPARKING SUCCESS By Linda M. Penn
Weren’t we just talking about what to do on summer break? How did the summer go by so quickly? Yes, time flies!
Sparking success for a school year
actually depends on everyone in our communities. Give that encouraging
word to kids when they come through your checkout line with all those
new school supplies, when they come to your library,
when they try on clothes at the dressing room of your store, and of
course, when they try on those new shoes in your shoe department. And
don’t forget smiles and kind words for the parents, teachers,
administrators, bus drivers, kitchen staffs, office staffs,
custodial workers, and anyone else involved in the start of school.
I don’t normally repeat a Blog but I
received several positive comments about my August 1, 2016 Blog about
courage and fear in the new school year. So, here goes:
Provide your kiddos with courage and confidence to take away the anxiety and fear of a new school year.
1)
Arm them with the appropriate tools – supplies, clothes, shoes.
2)
Tour the school.
3)
Meet teachers, principals, counselors, office staff.
4)
If possible, purchase a T-shirt with the school logo.
5)
Discuss morning, after-school, and nighttime expectations with them.
6)
Begin the bedtime routine at least a week ahead of time.
7)
Discuss lunchtime options – buy or bring? If bring, compromise on nutritional food choices.
8)
Address any concern of your children in a POSITIVE manner.
9)
Model a GOOD ATTITUDE. Show your excitement but calmness about the upcoming year.
10)
Reinforce to them how proud you are of them.
11)
PRAY WITH THEM, PRAY FOR THEIR TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS, AND ALL SCHOOL STAFF AND THEN TRUST IN THE LORD.
Please see
Bible verse Phillipians 4:6. “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in all your prayers, ask God for what you need, always with a thankful heart.”
See you back here the first week of September. New Blog: “MOVING ON!”
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Linda M. Penn
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Linda M. Penn: Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2017 7:55 PM
July 1, 2017
IMAGINATION – BUBBLES AND TENTS! By Linda M. Penn
Has your child ‘hit the wall’ this summer? “Mommy, what can I do?” “Daddy, I’m bored!”
How about some imagination
activities? Imagination opens doors for kids – new ways for them to see
and think about things. Our kiddos have an abundance of imagination
just waiting to be opened. How else do we get mature adults who come up
with innovative ideas?
I searched “imagination in children”
and found an interesting article titled “10 Easy Ways to Fire Your
Child’s Imagination” by Jeremy Schlosberg. If you look up the article,
it is well worth it.
Here are some ideas from the article and I added a couple of my own tried and tested suggestions:
1) Tell stories – no video or book needed.
2) Make art – draw, paint, etc.
3) Use natural or generic materials – blocks, sand, etc.
4) Let them create their own visions - don’t overload them with images from TV, movies, computers.
5) Make puppets – old socks are perfect.
6) Take a nature walk – grab that paper bag and go.
7) Fold blank sheets of paper.
8) Play with big boxes – is it a house, cave, spaceship?
9) Blow bubbles.
10) Make tents in a large indoor space – quilts, blankets, sheets, etc.
HAVE A FUN SUMMER! SHARE YOUR IMAGINATIVE IDEAS WITH US!
Come back at the beginning of August – Blog Title:
“FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – SPARKING SUCCESS”
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
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Linda M. Penn: Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 12:39 PM
June 1, 2017
VOLUNTEER – SOMEONE NEEDS YOU! By Linda M. Penn
As you and/or your kids get out of school for the summer, what are you going to do?
Relax? Yes! Read?
Yes! Sleep more? Yes! Volunteer?
What? YES - SOMEONE NEEDS YOU! Volunteering by you, your
kids, or as a family brings enjoyment in working on something worthwhile
together, increases self-esteem, and makes us aware of our importance
to the world.
Okay, so what are we going to do?
Search about the places to volunteer
that sound interesting to you. A search for me was: “volunteer
opportunities Louisville, KY” and this produced numerous websites.
I found there are areas of
volunteerism in: Children and Youth, Community, Education and
Literacy, Health and Medicine, Seniors, Sports and Recreation plus
more. Specifically, volunteers could work at the Louisville
Zoo, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Metro Parks, or Louisville
Metro Animal Services just to name a few.
For those of you who live in other towns and cities, just search for volunteer opportunities in your area.
Still not sure what to
do? Try talking to someone at your school, library, church, government
center or just talk to a neighbor or friend.
REMEMBER: SOMEONE NEEDS YOU!
COME BACK THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY – “IMAGINATION – BUBBLES AND TENTS!”
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
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Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017 10:06 PM
FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS – NOT ACHIEVEMENTS By Linda M. Penn
It’s graduation season this month – Kindergarten, 5 Grade, 8
Grade, Middle School, High School – that time for parents and
grandparents to brag about their kids’ achievements! WHAT? BRAG? WHO,
ME? BRAG?
If your kids are graduating and
moving on to a new challenge for next year, avoid the gloating over
their achievements. Most people favor modesty and humility, so please,
minimize the boasting, and just sticking to the facts and expressing
gratitude. Example: “Yes, Susie Q has been accepted at
-------Academy. I’m thankful for all the people who have helped her
along the way.”
Last year, I was fortunate to attend an event where Peyton Manning
was the guest speaker. When asked about his award-winning career,
instead of boasting of his numerous football records, he spoke of the
many relationships he was able to make and maintain. His advice to the
young people in the audience was to be proud of your school work
accomplishments but be more proud of the quality relationships that you
make, not just for today, but for your lifetime.
So, for all of us as we
go through graduations and awards ceremonies, let’s prepare ourselves
and our kiddos to utter wholesome comments after picking up that diploma
or award. And, please – no belittling others! I searched “Bragging About Accomplishments”
and several websites popped up, most of which related ideas on handling
business successes, but could definitely be modified for school
successes. Therefore…take a look at the sites, be happy, be grateful,
be sensitive and cautious about your comments!
COME BACK THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE – “SOMEONE NEEDS YOU – VOLUNTEER!”
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2017 1:39 PM
April 1, 2017
SPRING BREAK, THEN IT’S THAT PESKY TESTING TIME! By Linda M. Penn
Hope that Spring Break has gone well for you and your kids! Are you ready for accountability tests?
In looking back at my previous Blogs about standardized testing, I found I may not have given accountability tests a fair shake. DO I NEED AN ATTITUDE CHANGE?
As an elementary public school teacher who just started my career in the mid-80’s, accountability testing had real meaning. If students had performed poorly throughout the year and on the end-of-the-year tests, they were given the opportunity for summer school remediation or repeat a grade.
However, then came state testing based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards and there were tests, tests, and more tests thrust upon the students throughout the year to prepare them for the ‘biggie’ end-of-the-year tests. The accountability was more on the school and teacher, and not the individual student. Summer school remediation for the kids? What was that? Summers meant more teacher meetings on ‘teaching the test’ so the school, county, and state would appear to be achieving success.
Today, there is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which was passed in 2015 to replace the NCLB. Betsy DeVos, the current U.S. Secretary of Education has notified state school officers to keep developing their ESSA plans. Apparently, the ESSA keeps some testing but shifts focus away from the high-stakes type testing of NCLB.
EVERYONE WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD needs to be more aware and informed about the type of testing for our kids. My research (see below) revealed to me there is a focus now on various types of assessments thoughout the school year and not just end-of-the-year tests. Specific needs for each individual student are made more evident to teachers.
OKAY, I WILL TRY TO HAVE A CHANGED ATTITUDE ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY TESTS! So…teachers, parents, students, and legislators, let’s all try to be positive. Let’s give our teachers and students an extra shout-out and encouraging words at this time of year. Also, please check out my Blog from April 1, 2016, “Test Takers – Help for the Frightened.”
Since I am retired and not active in the classroom, would love to have your feedback about the ESSA.
Come back the first week of May for next Blog – “Focus on Relationships – NOT Achievements.”
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
www.lindampenn.com lindampenn@gmail.com
References
Gallup.com “Testing that Benefits Students” by Brandon Busteed and Jonathan Rodkin, May 5, 2016 Blog.
Wikipedia.org. “Every Student Succeeds Act,” last page modified February 26, 2017.
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 10:46 PM
March 1, 2017
MULTI-TASKING, HELP OR HINDER? By Linda M. Penn
Walking and texting; driving and
texting; homework and watching TV; cooking and helping the children with
homework; listening to music and writing. ARE YOU A SUCCESSFUL
MULTI-TASKER? AND HOW ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Do they watch
TV, text, and play a video game – ALL AT THE SAME TIME? And probably
when you ask them if they are doing their homework, they will answer,
“yes.”
So…is it possible to concentrate
successfully on several tasks at the same time? I used to be able to
fix supper, do laundry, help my kids with their homework, answer emails,
grade papers, talk on the phone, and even manage
to munch on a cookie. However, now that I am retired, there is no way!
I recall complimenting a friend’s
daughter on her “gift” of multi-tasking as she played an online game,
texted with a friend, and supposedly completed homework. I used to
think multi-tasking was evidence of efficiency.
Guess what? I recently read articles
about multi-taskers who thought they were boosting their performances
when actually they had reduced efficiency. The research that supported
the articles said that our brains can only focus
on one thing at a time, and brains could even be damaged, developing
“bad brain habits” with so much switching quickly from one focus to
another.
Gee, I knew there was a reason I
disliked trying to have a conversation with the grandkids when they were
playing on their phones. I was feeling “old and outdated” by their
marginal attention to what I was saying. I suppose
their brains were just acting normally by staying focused on whatever
important items happened to be on their phones.
Okay, can we all be a little more
conscious of trying to concentrate on ONE thing at a time? Particularly
if I am a passenger in your car while you are texting! Let’s somehow
try to be good models for our kids.
I have to admit I am sitting on the
couch writing this article, and trying to watch two programs on TV – all
at the same time. It is not working well. My husband just came in and
asked what were the scores of the basketball
games I was supposed to be watching. I responded with, “we were
losing by four points, but that was awhile ago. I have no idea what it
is now. And the other game, gee, too much to keep up with!” (I had no
kids or grandkids watching me at this time, so,
was that alright?)
I promise I will try to do better! As a
matter of fact, it is two days later and I am now concentrating totally
on finishing up this blog.
If this research about multi-tasking
interests you, there are several websites that popped up after I typed
in “Is multi-tasking good or bad for our brains?” Check them out!
(I wonder if I can get my husband to read them? Do
you think he would then start concentrating on what I am saying to
him? Just kidding, honey!)
Come back the first week of April. Blog title: “SPRING BREAK, THEN, IT’S THAT PESKY TESTING TIME!”
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
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Linda M. Penn: Posted on Friday, February 3, 2017 7:34 PM
February 1, 2017
GESTURES OF KINDNESS By Linda M. Penn
Did you allow your kids to watch any news coverage of our recent presidential election and inauguration? Since my grandkids do not live with me, I did not have to face this issue head-on with them. However, I did face it with just myself. I ended up turning off the TV on several occasions, wondering where gestures and words of kindness had gone in America.
In my heart, I knew most people were nice, considerate, and upstanding, right? I remembered the story of the Florida State University football player who showed a gesture of kindness to a young middle school student in the school cafeteria. The football player sat down at a table and began talking with a young man who was all alone. The picture and story appeared all over news outlets in the country. All the football player had done was sit down and talk to a kid who was obviously alone while the other students were huddled together at other tables. No big deal? Wrong! In interviews with the news media, the mom repeated that small act of kindness made a huge impact on her lonely son.
Okay, we may never have our story and picture in an article about being kind, but in our little part of the world, we can do our part. We all want a better world and we can’t leave it up to others to get us all there to that point. It begins in our hearts! (It is Valentine’s Day this month) Let’s see now, what could we actually do?
SMILE AT THE GROCERY CLERK. SAY “THANK YOU, PLEASE,” TO THE WAITRESS. HELP “GRANNY” GET SOMETHING FROM A HIGH SHELF OR BETTER YET, AN AIRPLANE OVERHEAD BIN. ALLOW SOMEONE WITH TWO ITEMS TO GO AHEAD OF YOU IN LINE EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TEN ITEMS AND ARE IN A RUSH TO GET DINNER. CALL AND CHECK ON A SICK BUDDY. (NO, NOT TEXT!) SEND A CARD THANKING A FRIEND FOR PICKING UP YOUR KIDS NUMEROUS TIME FROM SOCCER PRACTICE WHILE YOU WORKED LATE. (NO, NOT TEXT!)
The key to a better world is looking for those opportunities to do gestures of kindness. God probably won’t tap on your shoulder telling you to take food to your neighbor who sprained her ankle! Let’s all make a belated New Year resolution during this month of love to look for a daily way to show a genuine gesture of kindness! GUESS WHAT? YOU KNOW WHO IS WATCHING YOU? THAT’S RIGHT – YOUR KIDS! SO GUESS WHO WILL NOW START LOOKING FOR DAILY GESTURES OF KINDNESS – YES, YOUR KIDS!
Have a lovely Valentine’s Day Month. See you the first week of March.
BLOG TITLE: MULTI-TASKING, HELP OR HINDER?
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
www.lindampenn.com
lindampenn@gmail.com
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Monday, December 26, 2016 4:03 PM
January 1, 2017
WHAT DID YOU DO AT SCHOOL TODAY? By
Linda M. Penn
“Nothing,” might be the answer from your kids to your question above. “Okay,” might be the answer to your question of “How was school today?” So…how do we move beyond these one-word answers into a conversation that reveals what they REALLY thought about their day? ASK GOOD QUESTIONS!
Avoid questions that can be answered with “yes,” “no,” “nothing,” “okay,” and other similar one-word answers. Ask lead-in questions that might lead your kids and you into a more in-depth conversation. Examples: What book or books did you read today? What was the book about? Did the characters remind you of anyone you know? What advice would you give classmates about reading this book? What did you learn in Science class today? Social Studies? Music? Any other special class? What was your favorite part of the day? (Besides lunch and playtime!) Why did you like that? How did you help someone today? How did someone help you? Avoid the “20 Questions” everyday but do ask your children about something. Then, they will be in the habit of expecting to talk about their day. And guess what? They might even start to ask you questions about your day!
Imagine how special I felt when granddaughter, Samantha, asked me how my day was when I picked her up at school? Depending on the maturity of your children, avoid being too nosey or critical if they do open up to you. Just let them be aware of your interest in their friends, activities, classes, etc. Examples: What makes you think that? Why do you say that? Ask questions in the car on the way to soccer practice or dance class if you rush from one place to another after school. Questions are good anytime, anywhere, especially at the dinner table. Avoid interrupting if the child “gets on a roll” with conversation. Avoid using your cell phone when your child is actually talking to you. Make eye contact (unless you are driving, of course!). PLEASE DON’T PRETEND TO BE LISTENING TO THE KIDDOS WHEN YOU ARE TEXTING! If you become aware of a problem for your children that appears to need your help, avoid demeaning comments about others. You can always tell them you will check into the issue and get back with them. If the problem appears to be resolvable by your child alone, give them your guidance, but don’t make unusual demands on them.
ENJOY YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDDOS!!!
HAVE A GREAT 2017!
Check back the first week of February for blog titled: GESTURES OF KINDNESS
COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
www.lindampenn.com
lindampenn@gmail.com
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 6:44 PM
December 1, 2016
THE PERFECT GIFT
By
Linda M. Penn
Are you in search of that perfect gift for your child, your spouse, your friend? And what if you can’t find it?
I saw a segment on TV last week about
the latest toy craze – hatching eggs. Apparently stores sell out as
soon as they get a new shipment.
I remember well searching for Cabbage
Patch dolls for my two daughters one Christmas. I found a lady who made
them – problem solved! At least temporarily! After Christmas, stores
had bunches of them. I wonder what my now
adult girls ever did with those dolls?
We try so hard to make everything perfect for the holidays but in reality,
there is no perfect gift – EXCEPT GOD’S GIFT OF JESUS TO US. Let’s all endeavor to keep that in mind as we rush about this Christmas season. Let’s try giving more of our TIME instead of giving in to the hustle and bustle activities.
Those relationships we build bring more lasting memories. I’ve
asked my daughters about their favorite memories of our family
Christmases when they were little. They recalled Aunt Freda’s annual
Christmas morning breakfasts with Grandma, their aunts,
uncles, and cousins, and not those Cabbage Patch dolls!
Hoping you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Come back the first week in January. BLOG TITLE: “WHAT DID YOU DO AT SCHOOL TODAY?”
COPYRIGHT 2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN
Linda M. Pennwww.lindampenn.comAnyone
witnessed a kid having a temper tantrum at the grocery lately? Anyone
been to a Local Farmers’ Market or Arts and Crafts Festival lately?
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Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2016 10:51 PM
November 1, 2016
REMEDY FOR LOW SELF-ESTEEM
By
Linda M. Penn
“I can’t do that.” “I’m no good at
that.” “I’ll never pass that test.” Are these statements you have
heard from your children?
We adults have times when we feel
insecure, but hopefully, we can deal positively with these anxieties.
So, how can we help the kids to grow and mature with positive thinking
about themselves?
I might rock your world when I say this, but here goes: EVERY KID IS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL, BUT
WE DON’T NEED TO TELL THEM THAT TEN TIMES A DAY! AND, EVERY KID DOESN’T NEED A PARTICIPATION TROPHY.
Give sincere compliments cautiously so
the children feel proud of themselves. Hearing “you’re awesome, you did
a great job” when you and the children know they could have done better
only leads to low self-esteem. (Kids are
no dummies. They realize when they are getting undeserving praise.)
Praising a child’sEFFORTS, rather than RESULTS,builds self-esteem. Let the kids know you love them unconditionally whether they “make the team or not.”
In my search of “build self-esteem in
children,” I found several websites with helpful ideas for parents and
teachers.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Come back the first week in December for the next Blog: “THE PERFECT GIFT”
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved Linda M. Penn
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