What do we do?  How can we possibly explain this evil to our children when we cannot grasp the ugliness of it ourselves?  How do we continue to live within our cocoons of contentment when fellow Americans are . . . → Read More: Boston Bombing]]> Once again, our nation is in the midst of dealing with another act of violence that has hurt, maimed and killed innocent Americans. As I watch the footage of the bombs that exploded during the Boston Marathon, I cannot believe that this atrocity has occurred in our country.  A nation where peace, acceptance and goodwill are supposed to be the norm.

What do we do?  How can we possibly explain this evil to our children when we cannot grasp the ugliness of it ourselves?  How do we continue to live within our cocoons of contentment when fellow Americans are shot at in schools, movie theaters, and malls?  How do we continue to visit public places when we know how vulnerable we can be? How can we possibly find peace with the knowledge that runners and their loved ones were targeted as they demonstrated their physical and mental endurance in competing in the Boston Marathon?

My friends, I wish I had answers….. I wish that my prayers for peace were heard…. I wish that our children were cushioned from evil… I wish that people talked about their feelings of anger, resentment, jealousy, sadness, loneliness and or their feelings of inadequacy or ideals of power.  Acting out by hurting others is never the answer… it never creates change that is worthwhile… it never teaches our children to respect differences or deal with adversity within “peaceful and normal” standards.

Please, do not despair and do not make your children afraid for if we do…. We have allowed ourselves to become victims… Stand strong, be proud, be diligent, and loving and ….. Never, ever accept violence as a means to an end and always tell those that you love how much you care!! Hugs, Donna

How many people are battling cancer today?

How many fear what the doctor will say?

Cancer claims victims who are both young and old

The battle starts off slowly until chemo takes its toll

Losing weight, muscle tone, energy and hair

Are mild in comparison to its nausea, fear and despair

Will the treatment work?  Will the cancer go away?

Will you live life with apprehension or is this the only way?

Will the evil cells take control of your body, mind and soul?

Will you celebrate another birthday; will you get the chance . . . → Read More: Honoring Those Who Battle Cancer]]> HONORING THOSE WHO BATTLE CANCER

How many people are battling cancer today?

How many fear what the doctor will say?

Cancer claims victims who are both young and old

The battle starts off slowly until chemo takes its toll

Losing weight, muscle tone, energy and hair

Are mild in comparison to its nausea, fear and despair

Will the treatment work?  Will the cancer go away?

Will you live life with apprehension or is this the only way?

Will the evil cells take control of your body, mind and soul?

Will you celebrate another birthday; will you get the chance to grow up or grow old?

Too many have felt cancer’s injustice, suffering and pain…

So, what do we do until a cure is found?

Discover the treasures that constitute real wealth…..

Embrace life, value friends and family as you appreciate and respect your good health .

Continue to hope, to wish, to dream and to pray…..

That Cancer disappears, just goes away.

“Room for One More” is a wonderful book to share with young children for it focuses on the heart’s ability to expand as a new baby is welcomed into a family.  The story discusses feelings and unconditional love.

“Margaret the Magnificent” is the first in the Margaret series of stories.  It introduces the magical super-dog as she travels the globe in order to help a little girl find the courage and self confidence she needs to begin . . . → Read More: Books]]> “Forever Love” is a sensitive, beautifully illustrated picture book that explores the everlasting love between a terminally ill parent with his child.

“Room for One More” is a wonderful book to share with young children for it focuses on the heart’s ability to expand as a new baby is welcomed into a family.  The story discusses feelings and unconditional love.

“Margaret the Magnificent” is the first in the Margaret series of stories.  It introduces the magical super-dog as she travels the globe in order to help a little girl find the courage and self confidence she needs to begin a new school.

“Margaret the Magnificent Visits the Everglades” is dedicated to children and adults who believe in the power of friendship, beauty, and in the belief that working together will create a greener and kinder tomorrow. The book combines factual information about the Everglades with the imaginary adventures of Margaret the Magnificent, Ali the Alligator and Crock the Crocodile.  It also blends photographs by   Rodney Cammauf with Ann Pilicer’s unbelievable illustrations.

“Margaret the Magnificent Visits the Rain Forest”invites readers to the wetlands of Africa in order to help Margaret assist Kyle the Crocodile and his friends preserve their ecosystem. Once again, Margaret, the magical, super-dog demonstrates how perseverance and team work impacts change and give us hope for a greener and kinder future.  The graphic illustrations, created by Michael Gage Costa, are so life-like that you feel as if you are actually in the African jungle along with Margaret and her friends. Again, the combination of facts and fiction make this story a “must read” for elementary aged children.

To order Donna’s books and/or to find out how to schedule a speaking engagement/author visit, please visit, www.magicalms.com or call 954 234-3932

As a parent and teacher, I have observed how different children react to difficult situations. I . . . → Read More: More Frustration]]> One may feel frustration when accomplishing a goal or fulfilling a desire seems impossible and/ or improbable. The intensity of frustration seems to parallel the importance one places on the goal.  It seems that a certain amount of frustration keeps us motivated, helps us to focus, and encourages us to think creatively in order to attain the desired end.  My question is, when does frustration become crippling and what can we do to avoid the pitfalls that accompany an individual’s feeling of helplessness?

As a parent and teacher, I have observed how different children react to difficult situations. I remember the time when my daughter and two of her four year old friends were upset that they were unable to dive into the pool like their older sisters. My daughter decided that she really didn’t care about diving and so, she perfected the “super splash jump”.  Jamie may have been disappointed with her lack of diving skills, but, she did not appear frustrated and went on with enjoying her friends and other pool activities.  And now, let’s take a look at Karen’s behavior. In contrast to Jamie’s, this child practiced diving time after time for days upon days until she mastered the skill. Karen’s frustration motivated her to practice until she perfected the act of diving. Please note that while Karen continued her regimen, she appeared pleasant and happy The third child’s reaction to having difficulty diving took on a life of its own for each day while at the pool she appeared angry, argumentative, tearful, and aggressive.  Kristin’s mom tried to redirect her daughter‘s behavior and reminded her that diving was not so important. Even with the mother’s encouragement, the child could not or would not accept that she was unable to accomplish her goal. And so, the frustration with diving compromised the child’s ability to have fun and to get along with her peers.

And so, what do we do? We certainly do not want to make life so easy that our children do not have to work diligently towards accomplishing goals. Nor do we want to set goals for and with them that seem impossible to attain.  It appears that setting an appropriate “bar of expectation” should inspire without impairing and negatively affecting behavior and/or a child’s self image.  Guiding our kids to have  realistic expectations,  respecting differences between kids and applauding good tries as well as successes will help our children to  accept their  strengths as well as their weaknesses. Let’s work towards believing in our children so that they can believe in themselves. Let’s be cognizant when we need to ask for help from professionals so that our children are motivated to succeed and not incapacitated with fear of failure. Finally let’s make certain that we observe our children, keep lines of communication open, reinforce positive behaviors and tell them how much they are treasured, even when their behaviors  need some tweaking.

Teachers should gather and chronologically organize a cross section of work to share with the parent. He or she should be cognizant that the mom and or dad will be sensitive to the teacher’s comments and should always begin a session with a smile and a . . . → Read More: Conferences]]> Both teachers and parents have homework to complete before entering into a conference with each other.  Communicating and sharing information about a child’s progress, strengths, weaknesses, areas of concern, social-emotional and motor development must be handled professionally, calmly and in a manner that demonstrates sensitivity towards the parent as well as the student.

Teachers should gather and chronologically organize a cross section of work to share with the parent. He or she should be cognizant that the mom and or dad will be sensitive to the teacher’s comments and should always begin a session with a smile and a positive statement.  The educator should share an anecdote so that the family understands that the teacher does indeed know and care about their child.  When discussing skills, the teacher should speak in concrete terms, show examples and offer suggestions to improve or strengthen particular areas of development.  As the teacher is concluding her/his review, it is important that the parent hear a positive thought about his/her child.

Now, some guidelines for parents.  Please understand that most teachers truly do care about your child and that part of their responsibility as an educator is to communicate your child’s strengths, accomplishments, weaknesses, and areas of concern with you.  Please listen, digest, and then ask for clarification or advise as to what can be done.  Please note that educators should talk about behaviors, things that can be observed and or measured and so, do not ask them to share personal opinions or to make a diagnosis.

Parents and educators should not wait for “conference time” in order to discuss concerns, but rather, should email or phone each other as things come up. Parents and teachers must work cooperatively in order to work towards common goals for the children.  Open, honest, and respectful communication is essential between all parties. Parents and educators should remember that they are working on the same team, the one that benefits each and every child.

Science:  Discuss where baby chicks come from.

Discuss which other animals lay . . . → Read More: Easter and Passover]]> Even though Easter and Passover are religious Judeo-Christian holidays,  we can and should address family traditions  holiday foods, celebrations, songs, games, and activities in the classroom,  while we  leave the religious aspects of the holidays at home with our families. I feel that if we skip over the holidays, we are compromising our teaching goals by ignoring what children are showing an interest in.  And so, I will share with you, a few developmentally and politically appropriate activities and songs to enjoy with your boys and girls.

Science:  Discuss where baby chicks come from.

Discuss which other animals lay eggs (birds, ducks, snakes, frogs, fish

Make sure to have models or pictures of the aforementioned animals

A picture of a farm, play farm or a visit from a farmer or to a working farm would be ideal.

Encourage each child to hold a real egg and discuss shape, texture, how

It moves, etc.

Have the children crack an egg and then watch as the teacher cooks it in order to make scrambled eggs.  (Encourage the boys and girls to taste after checking for allergies).

Discuss cause and effect, consequences

Place different objects inside eggs, glue closed and then have the children   match the different sounds that the eggs make when shaken.

Show the children a piece of bread and matzah.

Distribute, have the children compare shapes, texture, and taste of each.

Give the children plenty of flour and water to mix, provide spoons and rolling pins so that they can make their own pieces of matzah.  Provide plastic forks so that the children are able to poke holes in their masterpieces .

Math:  Display an egg and then discuss its shape.  What other things are oval?

Have the children count sets of eggs and then make and follow patterns   with colored eggs.

Display a piece of matzah and discuss its shape. What other things are square. Discuss lines and corners.

Challenge the kids to make squares using their bodies.

Count sets of squares, build with square blocks, make patterns

Art:  Seal plastic eggs, you may glue old marker tops on to each egg so that they act as handles.

Have the children use the eggs as painting tools by dipping into shallow and colorful bowls of paint in order to create colorful eggs on   oval shaped paper.

Provide the children with square pieces of white bread, multi colored bowls of milk (use food coloring), new brushes and have the kids decorate the squares.  Toast when finished and enjoy.

Create square collages on square pieces of paper.

Create soft vs. hard collages, make mosaics, use plaster of Paris, and make a cooperative square quilt

Motor:

Use writing without tears tools to introduce or to reinforce letters like E(Egg), M, (Matzah) H (Holiday)

Go on both a matzah and an egg hunt   (either in or outdoors).

Have the children trace and cut ovals and squares

Have the children use tongs and egg holders to move eggs from one basket or another.

Have the children practice with both their bodies and paper how to go over and under.

Toss eggs into baskets, balance eggs on spoons, etc.

Favorite Books and Stories

Mrs. Wishy Washy,  by Cowley

Little Red Hen by

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss

Celebrations, by Berger

Ten Little Eggs, by Marzolla

The Little Rabbit who Wanted Red Wings, by Bailey

Hooray for Passover,  byKimmelman

The Best Easter Ever, by Speirs

Shape and Farm books

Recite Humpty Dumpty

Please refer to Magical Moments Guide for original holiday stories

Language:  Encourage the children to tell you stories about their families, their feelings, their eggs, pieces of matzah, etc.

Discuss opposites like hard vs. soft

Beginning and ending sounds

Reinforces holiday fingerplays and poems like:

Once there was a little egg, (kids roll up on floor)

That jumped down to the floor (Jump)

It started rolling all around (roll)

And then rolled out the door.

Make a matzah pat, pat, pat. (Tap hand with other hand like a hammer)

Do not make it fat, fat,fat. (Have hands stretch from each other)

Make a matzah flat, flat,flat. (Have palm of one hand tap palm of their hand)

Make a matzah just like that!!(Snap fingers)

It may be fun to invite families into the classroom so that they can prepare  traditional foods for the children.

Please refer to the Magical Moments Curriculum Guide for additional holiday ideas.

Please remember, it is our responsibility to follow protocol, but, it is also our obligation as educators, to continually enrich our students’ lives by respecting and teaching about diversity, not, by ignoring it.

Happy Holidays and Happy Teaching, Donna