Australia

My daughter and I had a great time in Australia! We visisted the Australia Zoo, Sea World, Underwater World, The Big Pineapple, The Sunshine Coast and Brisbane (where we used to live).

Sea World


Underwater World




Australia Zoo





The Big Pineapple Plantation

Summer Reading Challenges

I challenge all my student to READ READ READ this summer!

There are some very cool Summer Reading Challenges going on!

DON'T MISS THESE READING CHALLENGES!!!...

1. One is through Barnes and Noble. Kids earn a FREE book when they read 8 books over the summer (between May 26-September 7, 2009). All you have to do is read and record 8 books of your choosing on the Reading Journal and note what your favorite part of the story was, and you'll get to pick a FREE book from the list. Print off the Reading Journal on their website. Check it out here!

2. Another Summer Reading Program is going on at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville. The program runs from June 4-August 1, 2009. Just print off a reading log from their website or pick one up at the library and get reading! Log your "reading hours" on your reading log. Beginning June 8, the first 1000 kids who report reading 3 hours will receive a compass key chain. When Treasure Island opens on June 15, kids can choose prizes as they reach designated levels on their Reading Log. Once kids have read 50 hours, you can enter to win the Grand Prize. Check it out here!

Leave a comment to let me know how you're doing on your Summer Reading Challenges!

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Kids with ADHD need to fidget, study says

If you've got a kid with ADHD, you've probably spent countless hours pleading with him to sit still.

Well, stop it.

Fidgeting, as it turns out, helps kids with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder focus. So just like grown-ups need a cup of coffee before tackling a problem, kids with ADHD may tap their feet, swivel in their chairs or bounce in their seats while their brains are busily figuring out that math test.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-adhd-fidget-ucf-052009,0,2751398.story

Dessert First Book Review

Dessert First
by Hallie Durand • illustrated by Christine Davenier
May 19, 2009 • Atheneum Books for Young Readers • Middle-grade fiction (illustrated) • Ages 7 - 10

Loved it!

Dessert, the main character is from a "Food Family". Her new teacher teaches her about "marching to her own drummer". Dessert takes this to heart and learns a few lessons along the way in this {sweet} story.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to 7-10 year olds. Once I started, I couldn't put this book down. I give it a 5/5. Kids will devour this book and will be craving a {sweet} dessert by the end!

Tiger Taming Book Review

Dixie in Danger Book Review

Rule of Three Book Review

by Megan McDonald
August 2009 • Candlewick Press • Middle-grade fiction • Ages 9 - 12

The Rule of Three in the Sisters Club series is a good read with nice messages about sisterhood. Many girls would relate to the sister dramas throughout the book. Stevie, Alex and Joey are believable characters. I quickly became attached to the narrator, Stevie, and wanted to read on to find out her story.

I liked the scripts (written by Alex) and journals/lists (written by Joey) which were sprinkled throughout the book and how they provided essential pieces of the story. I didn't think the quizzes were necessary and sometimes referenced people/things that would be over the heads of the girls in the recommended age group (8-11).

I give this book 3/5 and would recommend it to 8-10 year old girls as a fun read.