Dear Teach: Back-to-School

Hi Boys and Girls,

Well, it is that time of year. You know the one where you get butterflies in your stomach, and you can't fall asleep too readily, and perhaps if you are lucky, your parent purchases a new pair of sneakers, and clothes, and binders, and pencils--even digital devices; and you check out teachers' websites, and you worry a bit, and then there are tests, and homework, and, and, and, and ...and you get what I mean, right?

So, knowing what all lies ahead, or maybe not really knowing what lies ahead, but wanting it to be an all right new year, for after all it is a brand new start full of hope for better days, more friends, better grades, fun times, better schedules, and so on-- keep a few things in mind.

Here's the first:

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

by Langston Hughes

Write this poem somewhere in your new binder, keep it private, and if at anytime during your 10 month school year things begin to look glum, read it, think about it, and know you can have that dream. ALWAYS. Know that. As long as it is a good dream, a personal idea you aspire to have, to be, to reach someday, that is not one that causes harm to anyone: know that it is yours to have.

Here's a second:

Remembering Your "A B C's"

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits 
Believe in yourself 
Consider things from every angle 
Don't give up and don't give in 
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come 
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches 
Give more than you planned to 
Hang on to your dreams 
Ignore those who try to discourage you 
Just do it 
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier Love yourself first and most 
Make it happen 
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal 
Open your eyes and see things as they really are 
Practice makes perfect 
Quitters never win and winners never quit 
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life 
Stop procrastinating 
Take control of your own destiny 
Understand yourself in order to better understand others 
Visualize it 
Want it more than anything 
X-accelerate your efforts 
You are unique of all God's creations nothing can replace you 
Zero in on your target and go for it !

Wanda Carter

Download Wanda Carter's A B C's. Place it in your binder or beside your night stand. Check off one tip you want to think about. Maybe choose one a day or focus on one for the week. This should be a casual yet a reflective exercise. 

Think about it in happy and friendly terms.  

Perhaps you will decide what you can do to reach a goal that seems unattainable. Think about it before you go to sleep, and visualize yourself having reached the goal. 

Smile. Be happy. The work has already been done. Listen to your inner voice, it will never fail you, but you must be attentive. 

The "how's" will arrive, but for the moment, just be assured you already have reached this goal or dream.

Be well kids!

Wishing you all a wonderful new school year.

The Teach.

Dear Teach: Summer Slide

Hi Boys and Girls,

Have you heard the expression, "Summer Slide?"

Well, it's not a slide you slip and slide on; it is a saying about students losing important academic skills during the summer months when they are not involved in reading or writing activities.

And though it is August, you may think: "It's too late" or "but I just want to have fun!" 

Well, guess what: there are still opportunities to brush up on reading and writing in time for that very first day of school and have fun while you're doing it!

In a recent online article "Take Part," Tips for Parents: How to Prepare Kids for the Next School Year  by Joseph Gaub, 6 important steps are given to parents to help children.

Here's an abbreviated look tailored specifically for you:

1. Reading list:

• Locate a few titles of novels you will read next year. Read some of these books. You can most likely read a book in ten days. If you start now, you will be able to read at least 3 before school begins, and that's a great thing!
• Not only visit the library, but go to your friendly local book store. The clerks there are very helpful and knowledgable. They can tell you what is flying off the shelves---the hottest book of the summer! Be sure to read it too!
• Set up a read-a-book-with-a-buddy. Find a few friends who are also interested in reading and buddy up, or ask a family member to read along with you and discuss while eating dinner, in the car, on vacation, etc.
• Start a twitter account or tumblr to list great books you are currently reading or your friends recommend. This active list will help everyone stay connected.
• Mix it up by reading both fiction and nonfiction, and throw in a few magazines or newspaper articles too.

Here is a list of the BEST 100 books all kids should read! Check the link below...How many have you read?

The Ultimate Backseat Bookshelf: Must reads for kids 9-14

A few more suggestions:

2. Writing Opportunities

• Use the remaining time of August to craft a letter, perhaps to a relative, it can be two or three paragraphs.

• Write a letter to your family, perhaps a request for a capital purchase or a favored vacation, or pet acquisition!

• Maintain a family journal or a blog that chronicles family activities or a wish list of activities.

• Write a letter of complaint, that is, draft a letter to let's say, the plumber or a driveway paver requesting an improvement, or even asking for the replacement of a recently received product you or your family are dissatisfied with.

Watch this video on letter writing

3. Learn something new

• Take up a new activity: sketching, photography, mountain climbing, juggling, word puzzles, etc.

• Determine the steps involved in attaining a new skill, then setup small steps that will get you there, one day at a time until you reach your goal.

• Make it fun for yourself, even though you are learning something new, it still can be fun.

4. Overall wellness

• Identify a physical skill or a goal you want to reach, such as how many jumping jacks you can complete over a two week period, or a distance power walk you can cover around dusk. Maintain a chart of sorts and track your accomplishment.

• It may even be fun to start a vegetable garden. Square out a small patch of land and work it yourself. Turn the soil and plant your produce. You then get to savor the fruits of your labor. And it's just about the perfect time to plan and plant a pumpkin patch!

5. Complete a service project

• Locate an organization that interests you. It could be an animal shelter, a food pantry, a local library, etc. Setup a meeting to discuss a possible project such as, a chess club for young children, or a free worksheet summer tutor service given by you. 

• By giving back to your community, it increases the manner in which you view your own world. Giving of yourself always makes you feel good.

6. Free time

• Above all kids, don't forget to simply loaf, meaning just chill and perhaps look at the stars, a flower, a cloud, the grasses, waves, etc. It is as important to simply rest and relax. And hey, remember that old forgotten tree house, perhaps it's time to cruise on up and view the world.

• Maybe play a pickup basketball game, go for a bike ride in your neighborhood, or just take a walk and smell that sweet summer breeze.

• Doing absolutely nothing works too.

Even if you only do two or three things from the suggested list, it is far better than doing nothing at all.

Be well kids.

The Teach.