There are many “beginnings” in our lives. Fresh starts can be capitalized with planning and hope. Becoming intentional about the future helps create that reality. Support your teen in starting this year with a bang! Components of a new beginnings chat? How about taking a little quiet time with him? Nudge him for a walk,… Read More »
Blog
Empowering Choices in Education
Isn’t it wonderful that humanity is a rainbow of talents and styles? Watching people at Summerfest last weekend was a powerful reminder of our diversity. As adults, we often choose careers and lifestyles that align with our personal strengths and interests. When we help teens do the same with their education and passions, they thrive.… Read More »
Flipped Learning 101
What is “flipped learning?” In many classrooms, the students receive a lesson and then work at home on assignments. Often the lesson is in the form of a lecture. The teacher tries to make the lesson apply to all students and allow for differing needs. Flipping has the ability to empower students and increase learning.… Read More »
Fostering Our Teens’ Creativity
Education has evolved from the 3R’s to a more holistic 21st Century 4C’s of Learning and Innovation Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s look at creativity for our teens. Our teens are amazingly creative! As a mom, I sometimes tease that if the creativity used to avoid chores were channeled into innovation, my… Read More »
The 21st Century Skill of Communication
Education has evolved from teaching the 3R’s to a more holistic 21st Century model. This includes the 4C’s of Learning and Innovation Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s look at communication for our teens. In terms of communication, teens have mastered getting their ideas across in abbreviated text format. We want to support… Read More »
Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
Education has evolved from teaching the 3R’s to a more holistic 21st Century model. This includes the 4C’s of Learning and Innovation Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s look at critical thinking. Today, data is literally at our fingertips. Gone is the educational focus on memorization. Today’s teens need to be able to… Read More »
Collaboration: One of the 4C’s of 21st Century Learning
Education has evolved from teaching the 3R’s to a more holistic 21st Century model. This includes the 4C’s of Learning and Innovation Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s look at collaboration in the lives of our teens. Most of us benefit when we can work with others. The fun of creating with others… Read More »
Entrepreneurship…Seizing New Opportunities
Our teens are innovative. This gift often seems diverted from new creations to maximizing social interactions! Teens have BIG dreams. With an air of invincibility, they believe in themselves. They also have the freedom to pursue ideas without adult responsibilities to hinder them. This combination creates a huge potential resource for entrepreneurship. If high schools… Read More »
Screen-Free Summer?
It may not be realistic to ban all screen time this summer, but get creative. Encourage your teens to engage their brains more and zombie out in front of screens less. You know your teens’ interests and needs. You also know your family and what might provide feasible and fun options to screen time. What… Read More »
Is Washington’s 21% Dropout Rate Acceptable?
Ask any parent of a teen to tell you special qualities of his teen. You will hear, perhaps after a few joking comments, unique attributes, future dreams, and pride. “My daughter is very inquisitive and good in science. I can see her being wonderful in the field of medical research.” Align that pride and hope… Read More »