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Set Digital Ground Rules For Your Kids With Google Family Link

This post has been sponsored by Family Link App from Google in partnership with Forward Influence. All opinions are my own.#sponsored #FamilyLink

Family Link App From Google

I always joke with my friends about the days before devices and tablets became commonplace in our lives. Days when dinners consisted of more than the sound of chomping and chirping notifications. Now, if I was being completely honest, though, I don’t really think life was better, easier, or more civilized before such things came into existence! And I’m not even sure I would want such times to return. As much as I miss clear, corded phones and game boys, having to have a separate caller identification box to see who’s calling my phone or having to print out map directions before places are things I hope to never have to go through again! I’ll take seamless technology instead, thank you!

Especially when it comes to mindful technology and parenting. While we need to be protective of younger children, we also need to strike a balance between invocation and exploration.  And if you’re a parent who feels the same, you’ll be glad to find out about Family Link from Google. Because it can be overwhelming to navigate technology as a parent. Which is why many families feel that this service helps them to more seamlessly set digital ground rules for their kids at home and manage their online content too! With Family Link, parents are better able t manage the content their kids see, set adequate screen time limitations, and start proactive conversations centered around the concept of having a  healthy, long-term relationship with technology.

Family Link App From Google

The Family Link App from Google helps families manage the content our kids see on their devices and set limits. As well as allowing parents to guide children to learn, play, and explore online. The app also allows parents to remotely approve or decline apps your kids want to download from the Google Play Store as well, hide apps you don’t want to be displayed on kid’s devices, lock devices to allow for only calls to be made, set bedtime timers, and to restrict what content your kids can see in the Play Store by maturity rating. Even track your child’s location, when devices are on or with your child. All without having to worry about in-app purchases bills. Measures that can help you better keep an eye on what they’re viewing on their device.

The app also allows parents to curate a listing of family-specific sites, with applied filters, that help to protect children from mature content in the family Link’s Family Link settings. And setting up the app (Android phone or tablet for your child that runs Nougat or ios device), just download the Family Link App from the App Store or Google Play Store and after installation, link your account to your child’s device account, then just follow the on-screen directions and set up your child’s device and begin to monitor their online progress. You can also invite other family members to join your family too!

The Family Link App from Google helps manage the content kids see on their devices and set limits while allowing little ones to have fun while maintaining digital habits at home. Check out the #parenting benefits! #sponsored #FamilyLink for more details! With Family link from Google, families can better manage the content kids see on their devices and set healthy internet limits. Friends, do you use Family Link by Google at home? And how do you set digital ground rules at your home? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Family Link App From Google

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Why You Need To See The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited 

Please note, this post is sponsored by the MAX, Mississippi’s arts, and entertainment experience.

 

As a young child, nearly every morning started the same. Walking our dogs, eating breakfast, and watching Sesame Street. A program that helped instill my love for reading, education, and all things learning. A tradition that many families like my own continue to share to this day. A tradition shared by Jim Henson, creator of Sesame Street, who was also intrigued by early television programming, which sparked his imagination and creativity.

Later, upon seeing how television could be the perfect medium to combine his love of puppeteering and learning, Henson began his career in the Washington, D.C. area’s local television. Where on his first show, Sam and Friends, his nightly five-minute show on NBC’s WRC, he would go onto national syndication and would win an Emmy in 1958. The same year another milestone was created, as this was the year Kermit the Frog would be introduced to the world.

Over the next few decades, Henson would make many appearances on variety shows and was a regular on The Today Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Jimmy Dean Show. While his Muppets grew in popularity, Jim developed another career, that of filmmaking. Experimenting first in stop motion and short film, his first piece, Time Piece, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1965.

But Henson’s greatest accomplishment came by way of his award-winning children’s show, Sesame Street n 1969. Utilizing humor, situational comedy, and whimsey, Henson was able to educate children as well as broach social topics for decades to come with his myriad of lovable characters. A learning style that has adapted itself to continue to entertain, and enrich, the lives of each new generation.

Then in 1976, with the introduction of The Muppet Show, and its phenomenal success, Henson was free to expand his production companies reach to include projects including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets take Manhattan, Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies, Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, The Jim Henson Hour, Dinosaurs and groundbreaking fantasy films, including The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

His untimely passing in May 1990 was met with a worldwide renewal of appreciation of his imagination and artistry. And for fans such as myself, that live in Henson’s home state of Mississippi, we also currently have the opportunity to experience his work in a new and imaginative way by visiting The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited beginning January 12 at the MAX museum,  Mississippi’s leading arts, and entertainment experience.

The MAX, which showcases Mississippi’s arts and entertainment experience, welcomes visitors of all ages to explore the global impact of Mississippians on music, books, art, entertainment, and cuisine. The MAX honors our state’s creative legacy and inspires the next generation of creators through interactive exhibits. Visitors will also be able to explore Mississippi roots through the cultural legacy of famed Mississippians including Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, B.B. King, Faith Hill, Sela Ward, Jim Henson.

Which is why, starting January 12th,  you’ll not want to miss The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited exhibit. Featuring characters from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal, visitors will be able to interact and experience featuring notable and time-loved Henson puppetry up close and personal with their family and friends this season.

This traveling exhibition will run through May 4, 2019, The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, is a traveling exhibition organized by Museum of the Moving Image (Astoria, New York) in cooperation with The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, and Sesame Workshop, and toured worldwide by Flying Fish. The exhibition features puppets and other objects donated to the Museum by the family of Jim Henson, plus works on loan from The Jim Henson Company archives as well as from private lenders. A mobile version of MoMI’s The Jim Henson Exhibition, viewable at its home in New York City.

This exhibit seeks to engage visitors, homeschoolers, school groups, and people young at heart of all ages, that can now experience for themselves Henson’s creations. Seeing how his early work in film and television evolved into the magical worlds that captivated audiences worldwide, like me, with behind-the-scenes information that helps show fans of all ages how his magical worlds were brought to life. With revealing looks at how Henson and his crew of puppeteers, writers, and designers entertained both children and adults and will continue to do so for decades to come.

The exhibit also features a Henson’s own personal artifacts from his nearly four-decade-long career along with more than 20 original puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film edits, and television clips. All that helps to set the stage of some of the behind-the-scenes footage, iconic costumes, and interactive experiences that allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on camera and designing their own puppet character.

Imagination Unlimited also takes visitors through a brief look at Henson’s early life as a young man, inspiration from early drawings and sketches, and a first-hand look at his complete portfolio’s contribution the industry of the moving image. Including a walkthrough of Kermit the Frog puppet from 1978, handwritten scripts from Henson’s first television series, Sam and Friends, a clip from his Academy Award-nominated experimental film Time Piece, Sesame Street puppets including Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Count von Count, and costumes from Labyrinth. Making this exhibit one for everyone in your family!

Friends, I encourage you to visit both The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited as well as The MAX, Mississippi’s arts and entertainment experience, this season with your friends, family, student groups, church groups, and youth groups. Its one exhibit you’ll not want to miss! Now I want to ask, did you also grow up a Henson fan? What’s your favorite Henson production? And do you plan to visit this exhibition this season? Leave me a comment below with all your memories and details!

Find out more about The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited here.

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Yes, You Can Have Fun On A Budget

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Are you feeling the strain of January already? Lots of people find that they are under a lot of pressure in January as their bank balances still haven’t fully recovered after Christmas and New Year. Their weak money situation coupled with the poor winter weather can make them feel very fed up with things. It’s certainly a big come down after all the Christmas festivities that have just been!

Because of the financial pressures that January puts on us, the majority of people try to save as much as they can so that they can get their finances on track as soon as possible. As a result, they often end up feeling glum for most of the month as they are on a very tight budget and can’t afford to spend money on fun activities and entertainment.

What would you think if I told you that it is still very much possible to have plenty of fun in January? Would you say I was crazy? Well, you might be surprised to hear that it is possible to have plenty of fun on a budget, no matter what time of year it is. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you do that. And yes – they will all work throughout the whole of January!

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Stay Local

One of the main reasons why going on fun days out and taking part in fun activities can become so expensive is because of all the travel involved getting to them. So, it’s a good idea to stick to local events if you want to try to save some money. Places that you can walk to are the best as you won’t need to spend any cash at all in getting there. If you do need to travel somewhere, it’s best to try to stick to public transport as it will be cheaper than driving. If you do need to drive, why not think about carsharing with some friends or relatives? You can then share petrol costs, which should bring the overall price down.

Enjoy An Evening In

Of course, you don’t always have to leave the house to have fun. You will be able to enjoy a lot of cheaper entertainment in the comfort of your own home. If you find out more from Optimum, you can learn about their great deals that can offer you streaming services, an internet connection, and TV packages for very reasonable prices. So you will then be able to spend plenty of nights on the sofa catching up with your favorite TV shows and movies. Don’t forget that there are also plenty of games consoles that can provide you with plenty of entertainment at home as well. If you have a favorite pastime or hobby, such as running, reading, or knitting, you might want to join some online message boards where you can chat with like-minded people. That could be another fun way to spend your evenings in.

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Take Cash, Leave Your Card At Home

Do you often end up overspending whenever you go for a meal at a restaurant or just a few quiet drinks at your local bar? If so, there is one way you can try to curb your spending. You just need to take the cash that you will need with you and leave all your bank cards and credit cards at home. Then once you run out of money, you will have to stop spending as there will be no way you can pay on the card or withdraw more cash out from an ATM.

Pay Your Own Way

One thing that can sometimes end up very expensive is splitting the bill in a restaurant or bar between friends. When splitting the bill equally, everyone pays the same amount and shares the cost evenly between them. This can be quite expensive for people who haven’t had as many courses or drinks during the meal, though. So, to make sure that you don’t end up paying more than your fair share, it’s always best to simply pay your own way and just pay for the food and drinks you ate. And then you don’t need to start panicking if one of your friends does decide to order a three-course meal!

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Take A Look For Vouchers And Coupons

If you want to go on a day out to a museum, theme park, exhibition, or something similar that you would need to buy tickets for, it’s always worth taking a look online to see if you can find vouchers and coupons. Sometimes, local newspapers print coupons for local attractions too, so you might want to flick through yours before you go. These coupons and vouchers can often offer you quite big discounts that can help you save on the overall entrance fee.

Book Tickets Online

As well as looking for coupons and vouchers for money off, it’s also a good idea to book your tickets online. If you book direct with the venue themselves, then you might find that you can take advantage of a discount. Most venues offer small discounts of about 10% for all online bookings. Even though it might not be the biggest saving ever, every little count! Of course, not every venue will offer online discounts, so it’s always best to double check this before you buy.

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Consider Vacation Alternatives

Are you dreaming of getting away from it all and yearning for a vacation? Worried that it will be too much for you to afford right now on your tight budget? Well, it could be possible as long as you look for some vacation alternatives. For instance, instead of booking an expensive hotel room, you might find that you can make significant savings by booking a room or holiday rental on a site like Airbnb. It could also be a good idea to look into booking flights with a budget airline. Even though you might need to transfer onto a different flight halfway along the journey, it could still be considerably cheaper.  

Say No If You Need To

Don’t forget that it is always perfectly fine to say no to someone if you need to. For instance, if a friend invites you out for a meal at an expensive restaurant that you can’t really afford, you don’t have to go if you can’t afford to. After all, you aren’t obliged to go. You might even want to suggest a cheaper restaurant. But don’t feel guilty about saying no if you have to. We all go through periods of unsteady finances, so I’m sure that your friend will understand if you can’t join them at this moment in time.

Get Into Nature

If you are looking for some completely free to do, you just have to step outside and explore everything that nature has to offer. Even though most of the national parks and some other recreational areas require visitors to pay to enter, there are still lots of areas of outstanding natural beauty that are free to visit. So, why not step outside and enjoy some of that fresh country air? You could go for a hike or bike ride. You might even want to pack yourself a picnic to enjoy in the fresh air.

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Look For Community Movie Nights

Do you think it’s time you got out there and started meeting some new people? If so, why not look for your nearest community movie night? There are lots of community centers and venues that put on movies on a biweekly or monthly basis. More often than not, these are free to watch. If there is an entrance fee, it will be very minimal and all profits raised will go back to help local community services. You’ll be able to meet with new people before and after the movie, and most of these nights often offer refreshments as well.

But Last-Minute Theater Tickets

Do you wish that you could afford the theater more often? Well, you might be able to afford tickets right now! You just need to look at buying them right at the last minute. Generally speaking, that will be the day before or the day of the show. Usually, theaters try to sell off all of the remaining tickets very cheaply just so they can fill the venue.

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Invite Friends Round For A Games Night

Want something else to do when you are enjoying an evening in? Why not get into board games! There are hundreds of different board games so I’m sure you will be able to find one that you are interested in. It could also be fun to invite all of your friends around for a games night. It will be very low cost as you just need to provide a few drinks and nibbles. If anyone wants to drink alcohol, they will bring their own so you won’t have to front that cost.

So, there you have it. Fun and entertainment don’t always have to be expensive! How will you entertain yourself this season?

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GIFTS FOR GAMERS: STARLINK: BATTLE FOR ATLAS | SPECIAL OFFERS AT BEST BUY

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received Starlink Battle For Atlas products.

We couldn’t wait until Christmas to play Starlink: Battle For Atlas. As we’ve been waiting for this amazing new game to come out, and it is finally here! You’ll want to make sure to check out Starlink: Battle For Atlas. The perfect gift for all the gamers on your list.

Save $25 on Starlink: Battle For Atlas Starter Packs and 30% on Starlink toys now through 12/22 at Best Buy. Available on Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation®4, and Xbox One.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas is an open-world space adventure game where players can explore seven alien worlds. Players are part of a group of heroic pilots on an intergallactic mission to save the Atlas Star System from Grax and the Forgotten Legion.

What I love about this game:

  • Players build their starships. The Starlink game has physical toys so players can assemble customized starships and link to their game controllers. Including the ability to switch out different weapons and pilots.
  • The physical toys add a fun interactive element to the game. Every change players make to starship happens in real time on the screen.
  • All the different weapons, pilots, and starships have unique capabilities, allowing players to mix and match according to their unique playing style.
  • Starlink: Battle For Atlas graphics are incredible. Gameplay looks and feels like you are part of an actual movie.
  • Players can choose to play as either a single player or with a friend in split-screen, two-playr mode.

There are seven alien worlds to explore in Starlink: Battle For Atlas and virtually endless ways to customize game play with different starships, weapons, and pilot configurations. Every game is a unique experience. Upgrade by adding new starships, weapons, and pilot packs sold separately.

Don’t miss the Special Offer on Starlink: Battle For Atlas at Best Buy. Now through 12/22, save $25.00 on Starter Packs. Plus, save an extra 30% on all Starlink toys. Available for Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

Learn more about Starlink Battle For Atlas at BestBuy.com.

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How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

Disclosure: As a member of the Forward Influence Network, I’m sharing with you some ways to teach kids internet safety, how to spread kindness online, and what to do about bullying as part of the Be Internet Awesome initiative. #ItsCoolToBeKind #BeInternetAwesome 

 

If you’ve spent more than a few minutes on social media in the last few years, you’ll have noticed how more and more online sources are filled with negative messaging than you may be used to seeing, you’re not alone. Worse still, this pervasive social adversity is greatly affecting our children and students.

Which is why it is vital that we instill in future generations the necessity of being kind to others online. That by stopping the spread of negative on the Internet, we actively seek to promote good citizenship and social skills – something that will help safeguard our children from Internet bullying as a whole.

How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

Facts about Bullying

Is bullying a pervasive reality for children online? Absolutely. In fact, according to the latest stats, 28% of school-aged students have been bullied and 71% have seen bullying happen each school year. Behaviors that often cascade to online platforms. With 11% of students in grades 2–8, 15% of high school students, and overwhelming 55.2% of LGBTQ students experiencing cyberbullying in the past year. Making internet safety, especially for children, a top priority for parents and educators the nation over.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

October is also National Bullying Prevention Month. A month-long initiate started in 2006 by PACER to help create a world without bullying by providing information and resources for parents, schools, and communities.  With numerous resources on their website, you’ll find a lot of great digital safety tools for both homes and in the classroom at g.co/BeInternetAwesome.

Showing parents and educators the best way to prevent bullying is to equip our kids with proactive measures to enable them to handle online bullying. starting with teaching them how to practice kindness at home. Showing them how to be good citizens, in real life, and how these actions should be carried into their online life. By doing so, we can help stop bullying in its tracks.

And that’s why I’m excited to share three ways to teach kids to be kind online and to introduce a brand new, free online program to aid parents, educators, and homeschoolers how to prevent Internet bullying.

What is Be Internet Awesome?

How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

International Society of Technology in Education is Google’s free multifaceted program designed to teach kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. The program is available in English and Spanish and consists of an International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) standards-aligned curriculum.

Full of ready-made Pear Decks for each lesson, Interland – an adventure-packed online game about digital safety and citizenship.

Our five areas of Internet awesomeness:

  • SMART: Where we learn to share with care
  • ALERT: Where we learn not to fall for fake
  • STRONG: Where we learn how to secure Our digital stuff
  • KIND: Where we learn that itʼs cool to be kind
  • BRAVE: Where we learn that when in doubt, we talk it out

How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

Take a look at how this curriculum can help kids become good online citizens. Here’s how!

Set the example.

If you want your children to be kind to others online and otherwise, you must first set the example of kindness in your own home. Modeling the path to compassion, empathy, and diversity you expect children to be kind online if they don’t see us behaving in a kind manner with those in our circles in our everyday lives. Let your children see you comment positively to others. Whether that be to an everyday situation, towards other family members, to service workers, and on online platforms as well.

This is an especially useful tool when discussing current events and human interest stories with children. Instead of avoiding speaking about negative topics, speak life and hope into online reports by explaining topics to children. In lieu of avoiding heavy topics, try discussing human experiences by way of news stories. Sharing with your children better and more proactive ways that such situations could be better executed in the future. Empathizing the aspects that being a truth teller, and speaking truth to power can be done in a kind and compassionate manner.

Speak about safety.

Encourage your children to openly, and safely, comes to the aid of fellow classmates, friends, and community members who are bullied or they witness being bullies. Help them brainstorm possible responses to witnessed bullying and help them brainstorm ways to report bullying of peers. While simultaneously encouraging them to seek out positive, uplifting, age-appropriate media sources to visit online.

Explaining that it’s better to surround yourselves with sources of information that encourage you to think and grow while avoiding sites that do not. When we give children positive things to consider, we make it easier for them to spot bullying and equip them with the fortitude to handle such situations in an appropriate manner.

Show them how to thoughtful online.

A helpful resource for modeling kindness online is Be Internet Awesome, a comprehensive curriculum from Google that helps educators, homeschoolers, and parents share with students how to be good Internet citizens. This program features ready-made curriculum and class activities to teach with kids, both at school or home, how to practice the arts of encouragement, kindness, empathy, and safety. Relevant information for their tech-savvy, internet-inspired generation moving forward.

Want to make learning about Internet kindness fun? Let the kids play Interland, where they can make their way through the Kind Kingdom, a virtual environment that shows them how to make thoughtful decisions when interacting with others.

Teach your Child to be an Upstander, not a Bystander

In any situation, a bystander does little more than watch situations unfold. Including bullying. In contrast, an upstander is someone who tries to help make it better. Not everyone likes being in the position of being an upstander.  It’s hard. Often uncomfortable and awkward. But it’s a necessary stance to take. Which is why children should be taught ways to be an upstander though kindness and everpresent showing of compassion by:

  • Tell an Adult. This is always my number one rule.  Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult what is happening.  Speak with your kids about who might be a trusted adult in different situations, such as at school, in aftercare, or online.
  • Be Kind. The target of bullying needs friends. Talk with your children about finding ways to be that friend and to spread kindness to those affected by bullying. Including inviting those being bullied to hang out with them at lunch or to act as a listener to their situation.
  • Never Engage with Bullies.  Remind your child that it’s okay to call out bullying behavior without fighting back. That will most often make it worse and negate their position of compassion and kindness.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians

A few last tips for promoting internet safety for kids includes parents and guardians setting expectations for internet use.  Starting by showing your child appropriate online behavior and what sites they are allowed to visit.  Then as your children grow, internet safety rules will need to be modified to grow with them. Here are a few tips to get started with young children:

  • Monitor your child while they are online.
  • Keep all devices in common spaces and collect them before bed.
  • Use parental controls on your browser.
  • Install mature content filtering software and add-ons.
  • Know the game ratings for games your children play (check out these game rating sheet).
  • Teach your kids internet safety basics.
  • Make a general rule of now allowing your children to shop online without you.

More Internet Safety for Kids Resources:

How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

For me, ending childhood bullying starts with equipping children with the skillset is requires to be a kind, empathetic person into adulthood. For me, those lessons came from my grandmother. Who taught me that when it comes to dealing with others, always ask yourself the question – “Would Grandmother fell proud for the way I am speaking to people right now?” This has been a cornerstone of my adult life and I believe it is also a great way for kids to think about their behavior towards others as well. Both online and in real life.  After all, If they wouldn’t want Grandmother to hear it, they probably shouldn’t say it! Am I, right?

Friends, you can learn more about how to Be Internet Awesome at g.co/BeInternetAwesome and tell your kids’ teachers about the online curriculum so they can introduce these activities in the classroom. Now I want to ask, have your children been the victims of bullying? What are your best tips for combating this at home?

Google for Education Online:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website 

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Making Education Heroic: Legends of Learning Site Review

Please note, this post was sponsored by Legends of Learning. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

 

Legends of Learning

As the wife of a Project Lead the Way, Stem, ICT teacher, I am always on the lookout for ways to better equip our family and husband’s classes with better learning materials each academic year at school.

Particularly when it comes to finding fun ways to approach, engage, and reinforce tested subject areas including science, math, and engineering to students in the classroom. Which is why our family has loved using the Legends of Learning website this semester.

Legends of Learning

Legends of Learning is an education-based website that provides custom-built games organized by learning objectives. Teachers can create customizable objective-driven playlists, curated learning-based game, that encourage their students to access curriculum objective while engaging in fast-paced online games, all while teachers can monitor their learning progress online.

Through science-based learning games, which often included embedded learning suggestions, students are able to expand their knowledge of unit-style learning while gaining valuable knowledge of subject matter that allows students to work independently, too!

Legends of Learning

Legends of Learning stands out in the gigantic, marketplace of educational software by understanding a basic principle: Most learners are great at video games. Utilizing the pervasive nature of computers in the classroom, this site uses tech games to focus on 3rd – 8th-grade science games. All categorized by different lessons. As an added bonus for teachers, the lessons follow the guidelines set under the Next Generation Science Standards, a nationwide set of policies for K-12 science classes.

The site allows teachers to make playlists for the games they want to be included in the day’s lesson plan, as well as to create individual daily plans customized for each student based on what they’re struggling with and where they’re excelling.

With over 1,000 NGSS-aligned games and science-based simulations, Legends of Learning offers an enormous range of engaging, informative activities that students can play through, provided they have an internet-enabled device. Perfect for accelerated students, those with IEP’s, and homeschooling curriculum, too!

Another great aspect of this site is its developers contribute their own games after a throughout vetting process, to suggest changes to existing options. Thus far, the marketplace includes over 1000 games for 150+ lessons. An aspect that my long-time gamer husband appreciates greatly!

Legends of Learning

Do people actually learn from this site? Greatly! From our experience, of my husband utilizing the software, sharing it with colleagues, and testing the site our with his students, he found that the immediate result of the site was that his students and colleagues both loved the games.

My husband specifically liked that the games were shorter, making them easier to integrate into the classroom with an only minimal explanation from himself.  With students more engaged, he was allowed to spend more time monitoring classroom behavior and to be freed up to give those in need of assistance more one-on-one in-class help.

Legends of Learning

To get started, teachers can create a free account in order to see the types of games that are available. Games are broken down by earth science, life science, and physical science for both elementary and middle school levels.

Legends of Learning

Within each subject area, you’ll find categories of games related to each of the NGSS learning objectives. Teachers can pick the specific objective they’re interested in exploring based on the simulations available. Typically, each learning objective has ten games associated with each learning level.

Legends of Learning

Each learning objective will have a highlighted game, based on current teacher and student reviews. Teachers can utilize reviews to chose games to connect weekly and daily objectives in-class. Or utilize vocabulary words, suggested questions, and concept boards for each game to choose selected games.

If the highlighted game isn’t for you, there will be other options available to choose from at the bottom of the screen. All of which are still connected to specific learning objectives. Best still, teachers can also hit the Try Game button to test all of the games before students play.

Legends of Learning

Once games are selected, teachers simply add them to curated student playlists. From here, you’ll also be able to decide how much time you want your students to have available to play each game and insert assessments within the playlist as well.  Assessment comprised of multiple choice questions automatically generated based on the learning objectives.

Legends of Learning

Then after you create your playlist, teachers are given a link and a login code that you can share with students. Which can be scheduled as needed. Teachers can also create differentiated groups. Great for individual student learning plans. This also helps maintain district objectives and lesson plans while proactively incorporating students learning accommodations and ability levels.

Legends of Learning

One of my favorite features is that you can get detailed analytics pertaining to student performance. Including details on actual time spent in-game and assessment answers. All helpful in monitoring the engagement levels of students in real time.

Teachers can also access past data to study how students have done with the site over time. Data that can be downloaded into an Excel file. Making it incredibly helpful for parent-teacher and IEP meetings. Allowing educators and parents to access areas in learning where students have excelled and may still be struggling with daily tasks and objectives.

In terms of affordability, teachers can sign up for free to see if Legends of Learning is a good fit for their classroom needs. A district can buy an upgraded version that allows for custom assessments, rostering, and homework features.

Legends of Learning

Legends of Learning

Legends of Learning

Legends of Learning games are an incredible way for educators to actively engage a student in the classroom. While providing educational support and accentuate the lessons teachers are already implementing in their classrooms overall.

Coupled with an in-depth teacher and student rating system, for which educators can easily select which games will be the best fit for their classrooms all while actively collecting data that can help teachers and parents create a more customized environment to foster positive, proactive, futuristic-minded classroom learning, district standards, and beyond.

Legends of Learning

For 3rd – 8th-grade science and technology-based teachers looking for fun new ways to increase classroom engagement, Legends of Learning is a must-have for your classrooms this academic year and I encourage all educators, both traditional and homeschooling, to sign-up or a free account and try it out for yourself this year!

Friends, have you checked out the Legends of Learning site or do you plan to incorporate these games into your curriculum this year? Leave me a comment and let me know what you most like about this awesome gaming site!

Connect with Legends of Learning:

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Legends of Learning

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2018 Fall Bucket List

2018 Fall Bucket List

The time for falling leaves and hot apple cider is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or creating your own Halloween porchscape, there’s something about fall that makes it a favorite for us all.

To help you celebrate, or come up with a few ways to enjoy the season at home, here’s my own bucket list of fall activities that’ll leave you eager to experience all this season has to offer:

2018 Fall Bucket List

1. Attend a football game

Nothing says the beginning of fall like the return of football season. While our teams may be different, we’re all coming together for the same reason — to witness America’s most beloved sport. So be sure to get your game day outfit ready and perfect your tailgate recipe for this classic fall event. Not into the NFL? High school or college games are just as fun. It’s all about getting into that team spirit. At our home, we’re all things Southern Miss and Saints football!

2018 Fall Bucket List

2. Decorate for fall

What better way to get in the spirit of the season than surrounding ourselves with reminders of it? Craft your own fall wreath or go on a mission to find your next fall porchscape. Maybe meet some new friends along the way? Like our obsession with pumpkin spice lattes (no judging, please), the choices are as endless. Get creative!

2018 Fall Bucket List

3. Go to a pumpkin patch

Another traditional fall activity, pumpkin patches are the reason to live for October and the ultimate reminder of our childhoods. Take yourself (and family if they care to tag along) to the pumpkin patch, pick the pumpkin you want to carve and top it off with a hayride!

2018 Fall Bucket List

4. Cultivate a fall reading list

With this week being National Banned Book week, what better time to cultivate yourself a fall-inspired reading list? Think of cozies with teeth or perhaps a historical narrative. The possibilities are endless!

2018 Fall Bucket List

5. Attend a cemetery tour

Life is always stranger than fiction. So enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season by taking in a historic cemetery tour. Each year our family takes a tour of the local Rose Hill Cemetary and stops by to see the grave of the great Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell!

2018 Fall Bucket List

6. Get crafty

There is something to be said for crocheting, knitting, quilting, or even gluing together home decor decorative or a piece of wearable art. Looking for some crafting inspiration? Try your hand at making a crochet candy corn cozy to help keep your hands safe while sipping on hot pumpkin spice lattes!

2018 Fall Bucket List

7. Make an apple dessert

The only thing better than dessert is a dessert that’s home-made. And while we are in National Apple Month what better time to get baking? We love to make apple pie, apple dumplings, and lighter breakfast fare, such as Walnut Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding. Whatever you make, your house is about to smell delicious. Save us a slice!

2018 Fall Bucket List

8. Create a fall capsule wardrobe

Now is the time to be enjoying sweater weather by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe full of your favorite scarves, booties, flannel tops, knee-high boots, and jeans. Because when it comes to dressing comfortably, fall is on our side. So pick pieces that are as cute as they are cozy and then consider donating the rest to charity. As nothing looks as good on a gal as a charitable heart!

2018 Fall Bucket List

9. Plant Mums

There’s nothing like the beautiful hues of mums to change your mood and your home! From deep umber to burnt orange and fiery burgundy, there are mums for every color palette and porchscape. Try your hand at adding this affordable perennial to your front beds at home!

2018 Fall Bucket List

10. Pass out candy to trick-or-treaters

Little kid costumes are the absolute best — and complimenting them makes them oh-so-proud. Be sure to grab some really good candy and a few varieties without nuts for those with allergies. Then, turn on a scary movie and wit for the little monsters and ghouls to arrive!

2018 Fall Bucket List

11. Take in a sunset

While all sunsets are spectacular under southern skies, there are sights to see around the equinox in all parts of this great country. So make a point to walk around your downtowns areas. Embrace the small town charm, treat yourself to hot apple cider, and take in natures best evening show.

2018 Fall Bucket List

12. Attend a Veterans Day Parade

Here’s nothing like the brisk fall air on your cheeks as you pay tribute to America’s bravest each November. Check to see if your town will be hosting a Veterans Day parade and inquire about ways you may be able to volunteer and give back to those who ensure we can all enjoy peaceful fall days at home. Veterans should also check to see what free dinners are available to you to honor your service to this great country.

2018 Fall Bucket List

13. Host a Halloween movie night

Watching a scary movie with all the lights off is so uniquely fall. And our family loves watching Freeform’s 13 Nights of Halloween! We especially love watching Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas. Classics!

2018 Fall Bucket List

14. Cook a crockpot classic

Ah, fall crockpot (and Instapots!) classics! Try your hand at making a crockpot fall classic like tailgating chili, hearty vegetable soup, butternut squash soup, or a new classic, like Tikka Masala with a side of pumpkin hummus. Perfect for cool, crisp days at home!

15. Create a thankfulness station

Each fall at home, my families like to collect leaves from nature walks and our own backyard and each day of fall, from September 21-December 22, we each write on our leaves what we are most grateful for. We attach the leaves to a wreath form, collection of tree branches, or wicker cornucopias with mini clothespins. At the end of the season, we re-read each leaf and reflect on how blessed we are as a family!

So, friends, those are things I am most looking forward to this next season ahead. Now I want to ask, what’s on your fall bucket list this year? Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know what your most looking forward to experiencing this fall!

2018 Fall Bucket List

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