Avoiding Books at the Bookstore

So finally back in my office and looking out at snow in our backyard and on the mountain. Looks just like a Christmas card.

What started out as a weekend with the Ohio grandkids turned into a longer trip than planned and longer away from this blog than anticipated.

Spent Tuesday in the Starbucks at the foot of Vail Pass, high in the Colorado Rockies. Since it’s hard to drive in blowing snow, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation closed the highway leaving 100 or so folks “stranded” but with plenty of lattes and cappuccinos.

Finally gave up that the highway would open during daylight so found a cozy bed and breakfast for the night and drove home the next morning under bright blue skies and sunshine.

Backing up to the trip and the grandkids, of course, it was fun. They wanted to go to the bookstore. And who would say “no” to grandkids wanting to buy books? Certainly not this grandmother!

Oops, they didn’t say “books.” They said “bookstore.” Barnes and Noble happens to sell a lot more than just books. So when we got there, all three kids wanted pop music CDs instead of books.

So much for reading!

And speaking of books and reading, be sure to check out the “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” e-book series

Elections and Education

Finally, the election’s over. It’ll be interesting to see what changes occur with education policy now that the Dems are in charge.

As you know, I’m not a fan of “No Child Left Behind.” Take a look at “No Child Left” for a good overview of what’s wrong with this policy.

On the other hand, I’m certainly a fan doing what we can to assure that all kids learn to read and have every chance of succeeding in school.

Enough of my soap box. This isn’t a partisan blog. It’s about kids.

And speaking of kids, Eric and I are off to Ohio today to play with some of the grandkids and celebrate some birthdays.

So I’ll be out of the blogosphere for a few days. While I’m gone do some Brain Gym. Read a story to your favorite kid.

And take time to check out the “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” e-book series. You’ll get bunches of tips and strategies for school success.

Teachers Plus Parents Equals Learning

Been gone for a few days so no posts.

Just got back to my office at the foot of snow-covered Chair Mountain yesterday after teaching Brain Gym in Manitou Springs, Colorado. (Manitou Springs also sits at the foot of a snow-covered mountain: Pikes Peak.)

Welcome surprise in Manitou when a bunch of folks showed up at the door, and we scurried to make sure they'd get workbooks and handouts. I'd xeroxed extras but not enough. I love it when this happens.

We had teachers AND parents (several occupational therapists and paraprofessionals, plus a literacy coach). A couple of teachers even brought their grown daughters who are Moms themselves.

It's the mix of teachers and parents together that works for kids. Now the parents can reinforce what the teachers use. Obviously, in this case it's Brain Gym.

So now when 3rd grader Brian comes home and announces he needs to do "Lazy 8's" before doing his reading homework, his Dad knows what he's talking about and can do it with him.

Involving parents in the process is certainly a brain-based learning strategy.

So how'd we get parents involved?

First the school invited them to a free evening pizza party (food is a great motivator) where I showed them a bit of Brain Gym they could use not only to help their kids but for themselves too.

Then the Manitou Springs School District sponsored a one-day workshop (coffee, donuts, and bananas provided), charging a measly $25.

It worked. Your PTA or school administration can do the same thing. Just don't forget the food!

But you don't wait for your school to sponsor Brain Gym. Start learning how to use it tomorrow night. The Brain Gym Basics TeleChat series for parents and teachers starts Wednesday, November 8 at 6:00 pm mountain time.

Your Kids’ Smarts Don’t Matter

Stephen and his kids are smart. Of course. What Mom/Grandmom in her right mind would say something like “Ya know what? My kids and grandkids are really stupid.”?

So Abby, the 3rd grader, is the top kid in her class in terms of test scores and such. She’s quite proud herself, So am I. The family went on a trip and Abby missed a week of school. Her friend was thrilled. With Abby gone, she got to be the smartest kid. 3rd graders think it’s cool to be smart.

And what about Abby’s Dad. In 5th grade, he didn’t want to be the smartest kid. After all, he was already the tallest kid. Enough already of being different. Not so cool for the average almost-in-middle-school boy to be the smartest.

Obviously, 3rd grade girls are smarter than 5th grade boys!

So Stephen goofed around a lot. Became Springfield, Oregon’s champion Mario Brothers video game player. Mastered the complicated Dungeons and Dragons game. Stalled doing homework. Got mediocre grades on the homework he did manage to finish.

Then Mr. Marachek, his very smart teacher, formed The Math Club. Stephen and other smart math-minded kids got to join and do “advanced” math. It worked. Now Stephen wasn’t "different." He was “special.”

It’s all about motivation and the emotional hooks that propel smart kids to act smart.

And that leads right into telling you about e-Book Three of my “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” series. “Why Smart Kids Fail: How you can help them shine” gives you the three brain-based learning secrets for getting your smart kids to act smart.

I've already given away two of the answers: motivation and emotional hooks.
The e-book will give you lots of ways to motivate these kids and how to find the emotional hooks. For teachers in your classrooms. For parents at home.

So today’s the big day: The launch of my three Brain boosters e-book series that will help you help your kids succeed at school.

As I mentioned, there’s a 4th book. It’s one of six bonuses for subscribing to the series before November 9. Subscribe right away and you’ll get two additional bonuses.

P.S. Nope, no testimonials about the fabulous results teachers and parents have witnessed after using the tips and techniques in the Brain Boosters e-books.

I can’t figure out how to do testimonials for something nobody’s read or used yet! You can read testimonials in December when the first e-book’s been read and the strategies proven to work.

P.P.S. But if it's testimonials you're after, check out what folks are saying about Brain Gym and the Brain Gym Basics TeleChat series. Then sign up for tomorrow night’s free “Intro to Brain Gym” Telechat.

Can’t make it tomorrow night? Sign up anyway. Listen to the Web audio of the TeleChat at your convenience. You’ll still get the handouts.