Tagged with 'back to school'

A lot of things remain uncertain as we head into the coming school year. One thing that hasn’t changed, whether you’ll be teaching from the front of the room or your living room, is the emphasis on STEM and STEAM learning. As you head back to school in whatever format that looks like for you, EI is here to help support your STEAM lessons with super-cool, ultra-creative, coding activities, courtesy of Artie 3000![caption id="attachment_6563" align="alignnone" width="840"] Visit codewithartie.com for helpful tips-n-tricks and free downloads![/caption]Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot, makes coding simple, fun, and creative, by enabling kids to create code that Artie draws on paper! Equipped with his own WiFi and built-in coding apps, students can use the classroom computer and Artie’s simple UI to drag-and-drop command blocks. Hit the run button and Artie will execute those commands on a sheet of paper for a totally tangible connection to the code. With this simple UI, point & click programming options, and more advanced computer languages for students ready for a coding challenge, Artie adapts to each of your student’s needs, providing a rewarding coding experience and building STEM confidence.And, with four color pens and easy-to-program shapes, words, and designs, Artie is the perfect tool for engaging the creative kids in your classroom in some serious STEM learning. Write the code, execute it on paper, then color it in – Artie is a technology lesson and art project all in one! In fact, our 45 Things To Do with Artie list includes lots of art activity ideas, ranging from making puppets for a puppet show to door hangers featuring students names, coding and coloring wearable hats for Artie, and more.  Artie also offers RC fun. Students can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to control Artie’s path through the classroom (another simple lesson in coding!). Guide him to set off a student-designed chain reaction, patrol the classroom, select a student to answer a question, and so much more.Best of all, with step-by-step instructions, pre-programmed content, free downloadable content, how-to-videos (including student-produced videos!), and activity ideas from partners including Mensa for Kids, Artie is so easy to use that your students can figure it out without you![caption id="attachment_6577" align="alignnone" width="743"] Photo credit: @miss_luluandbiscuit[/caption]Learn more about Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot at www.codewithartie.com or visit Amazon.com to purchase Artie 3000 for the sale price of $54.99 with Prime delivery!

Over the last 15 years or so, STEM learning has weaved its way into the American curriculum, with STEM activities showing up in classes as early as preschool. But what IS STEM? And why is it so important?STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – areas that are growing by leaps and bounds as we become more and more reliant on technology. In fact, while there are millions of jobs in STEM fields around the world, employers are struggling to fill them because, until recently, these subjects were not emphasized in schools. Current thought holds that exposure to these subjects and opportunities to explore them through hands-on learning experiences will excite kids and inspire them to continue to study STEM subjects and then go on to pursue STEM-related careers.Teachers across the country have been working hard to infuse their daily lessons with STEM examples, ideas, conversations, activities, and experiments. And you can, too! The STEM experts at EI are sharing easy ways to introduce and reinforce STEM learning right now, at home![caption id="attachment_6537" align="alignnone" width="840"] GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope[/caption]S is for ScienceKids are naturally curious about science and there’s not a rug rat around who doesn’t love an awesome science experiment. Introducing your little ones to the amazing world of science is easy, with the GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope! Featuring extra-large, dual eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized focusing knob, this sturdy microscope is perfect for preschoolers. Kids collect everyday objects, place them on the sample tray, turn on the LED light, and take a peek to see their object magnified up to 8x larger. They can examine everything from a postage stamp to a piece of pizza, gaining an understanding of the physical composition of different objects around them and getting invaluable, hands-on experience with a real, scientific tool! On sale NOW for $14.14 on Amazon Prime. Keep the science fun going with the FREE, downloadable science activities and Home’s Cool Videos on our website, like our beginning science activity cards and erupting apples experiment how-to video![caption id="attachment_6538" align="alignnone" width="840"] Artie 3000™ The Coding Robot[/caption]T is for TechnologyCoding is a key STEM skill and kids as young as 7 years old can get in on the fun, thanks to Artie 3000 the Coding Robot, the creative way to learn to code! Using a computer or tablet, and Artie’s on-board WiFi, kids follow easy instructions to create the code, then Artie draws whatever they’ve coded. Artie’s simple set up and pre-programmed designs are perfect for beginners; more advanced coders can create their own, custom code. From basic shapes to advanced drawings, words, even secret code, Artie grows with your child as their skills advance. Check out this amazing list of 45 fun things to do with Artie 3000 and the awesome Artie Home’s Cool Video series for a visual how-to. Available on Amazon Prime for $54.99.[caption id="attachment_6540" align="alignnone" width="840"] Design & Drill® Space Circuits[/caption]E is for EngineeringKids as young as five years old can explore the incredible world of engineering with Design & Drill® Space Circuits sets! Mini-STEMgineers use a kid-friendly drill to complete 20 space-themed missions, including making lights turn on and off, spinning simple motors, activating buttons and switches, and more, all while building basic problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of simple circuitry. On sale now on Amazon Prime for just $27.70! Looking for even more building and construction fun? Browse our At-Home Activities page and Home’s School Videos for additional activities including drawing with your drill and practicing simple bolt addition.[caption id="attachment_6541" align="alignnone" width="840"] Hot Dots®[/caption]M is for MathMake math practice WAY more fun, with interactive Hot Dots®! The Hot Dots Jr. Let’s Master Pre-K Math set gives kids a jumpstart on math success with 85 pre-K math lessons, 15 advanced lessons, and a talking pen. Preschoolers press Ace-the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen to any answer dot for an immediate audio and visual response. Silly sounds and fun phrases keep kids engaged and motivated as they tackle lessons on counting, numbers, patterns, time, fractions, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime for $30.14. Kids can also practice counting, numbers, patterns, sequences, shapes, colors, and more with the free, downloadable math activities on our website!With a bit of forethought, sneaking some STEM learning into your at-home play time is simple – and fun!

5 Favorite Tips and Tricks for Teachers

Hopefully your summer was super relaxing and you’re looking forward to a fresh new school year complete with a clean classroom, organized lesson plan, and students who are ready to learn! To help you maintain your optimistic outlook, we’ve pulled together some of our best tips and tricks to keep you calm, cool, and collected as back-to-school time begins.

1. Make a choice. Take a few moments each morning to commit yourself to calm. No matter what happens that day, promise yourself that you will keep your cool. Take a few deep breaths, count to 10, sneak a peek at a relaxing vacation pic – make a conscious decision to do whatever it takes to stay composed.
2. Keep your voice down. Save your vocal cords – and your sanity – with the No Yell Bell®! This handy electronic bell features seven different sound effects including a bugle call, cheering crowd, and, of course, a clanging bell, to get your students’ attention. Simply raise the bell to sound the alarm – without ever saying a word, raising your voice, or getting upset.
3. Be realistic about your time. Teachers pack an unbelievable amount of learning into each and every day. While you are some of the very best multi-taskers around, trying to make the most of every free minute can create a frantic atmosphere and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Instead, try putting off what doesn’t absolutely have to get done during the day until after school. Then turn on some tunes and take care of biz without all the pressure and stress.
4. Speaking of… turn on some tunes during the day, too! Played at the right times, music is proven to help students focus, build discipline, and develop language and thinking skills. You’re probably already doing your fair share of singing and maybe even using music as a morning welcome or transition notification, but soft, instrumental music played in the background during independent learning or reading time can create a calm atmosphere for everyone.
5. Dim those harsh lights. The fluorescent lights found in most classrooms create a harsh glare and often flicker, causing eyestrain, headaches, and anxiety in students – and teachers. Snap a perfectly-sized Fluorescent Light Filter onto the metal frame of your classroom ceiling lights and create a soft, relaxing environment perfect for keeping your cool and conducive to learning. Plus, everything looks better in softer light.✨

Teachers are practically super-human, so we know you can do this. Ready, set, stay calm!

Welcome to EI’s ABC’s of Back to School, a blog series designed to help little ones – and their parents! – make the most of back to school time!Our A— “Are You Ready?”— is all about emotional readiness. Whether it’s your little one’s very first day of school or your older kids are transitioning from lazy summer days back to structured school days, change can be difficult, and can sometimes cause anxiety in children.In the hustle and bustle of back to school shopping, planning for packed lunches (check out our great ideas on Pinterest!), and sorting of school supplies, preparing emotionally for school sometimes gets lost, but it’s a crucial part of back-to-school prep. Try our five fun tips for getting your kids ready emotionally for school—guaranteed to gear everyone up for a great first day.

1. Get Some Shut Eye!Don’t underestimate the importance that being well-rested plays in emotional readiness. Starting two weeks before the first day of school, gradually roll back your child’s bedtime, remembering that most young children need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep nightly. As you roll back bedtime, also roll back the time you’re waking your kids in the morning until you reach your ideal school day wake up time. Turning off electronics several hours before bedtime and offering calming activities like arts and crafts – try some squishy, squashy, shaping fun with Playfoam® - makes the transition to bedtime easier.

2. Talk It Over! Starting a few weeks before school begins, talk up the fun things your child will be doing at school. From arts & crafts to story time, recess to new friends, there’s a lot to love about school! Try acting out a typical school day with your child – use one of our playful Puppet-on-a-Stick puppets as the teacher and you’re sure to get some smiles. For some kids, having information prior to a new event helps them process; for others, it stresses them out. Consider the amount of information your child is comfortable with and adjust the conversation accordingly. Some kids will take comfort in understanding the exact flow of the day – others might do better with the highlights.

3. Take a Walk – If your child’s school offers an orientation, go. A clear picture of the campus and classroom goes a long way to calm first day jitters, as does meeting the teacher and soon-to-be-friends. If there’s no orientation, take a stroll through the school together a few days before school starts. Locate the classroom, bathrooms, and drinking fountains and check out the playground. Discuss how your child will get to school in the morning and how he or she will get home in the afternoon. Answer any and all questions your child has.

4. Make the Mornings Meaningful! Starting a few days before school, begin practicing your morning routine, from waking up to actually getting out the door. Leave enough time to make the mornings calm and relaxed, not a stressful scramble. Preparing as much as possible the night before is a big help – have your kids help you get backpacks loaded, lunches made, water bottles filled, and clothing selected. Make sure your child has a nutritious breakfast before getting dressed, brushing teeth and hair, and gathering her things.

5. Goodbye Routine! It’s easy to get caught up chatting with other parents, but a solid, focused, goodbye routine is the foundation of a great day at any age. Come up with something special for your child and stay consistent – plant a kiss in his palm to hold all day long, see you later alligator/after a while crocodile, a kiss and a hug and squeeze you like a bug… Whatever you choose, do it with conviction, make eye contact, and tell your child you love them and that you know they’re going to have a great day.

Laura Miller of Zionsville, IN shared a charming back-to-School moment for our Ahead of the Class Photo Contest: "This year my little girl, Ava, started kindergarten. My son, Gavin, was so proud and excited that he got to help her on the bus and show her to her classroom. It definitely helped with the 'mommy anxiety' that I was feeling about her first day of school! As a parent you often question whether or not you are doing the right thing by your children....but watching them on their first day last week I'm CONFIDENT that I'm doing something right! They make me so happy my heart could burst!"Share your moment too for a chance to win a $300 gift card. Get more details at EducationalInsights.com.

Looking for another way to make those class lessons a little creepier for Halloween? Check out today's Deal of the Day—Dead Words™ Vocabulary Enrichment Center! Some words have just been around too long. Lay them to rest with this wacky activity center for only$11.99 fro m now until midnight tonight PST! If you enter in promo code EIFREE at checkout, we'll take care of the shipping costs too! Hurry before it's too late! http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/dead+words--8482-+vocabulary+enrichment+center.do

Get your classroom ready for Halloween with today's spooky Deal of the Day! From now until midnight tonight PST you can get our 3-D Skeleton Demonstration Magnets for only $24.99 (down from $49.99—that's a 50% savings)!Build magnetic science models on your whiteboard that are large enough for the whole class to see! Assemble the models in whole–class demonstrations, then let students try it later to test their knowledge. This set includes 15 magnetic textured pieces detailing the major bones  as well as an activity guide with a blackline master of the human body. Engage children in hands-on discovery and give them the opportunity to manipulate 3D magnetic pieces that feel like real bones!Get your 3D magnetic skeleton set here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/3--45-d+skeleton+demonstration+magnets.do. Promo code EIFREE will get you free shipping too! It's scary how much you can save with EI!