(I want to...) Be A Brainy Yak

Home/School Connection

brainyyak — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:37:32 +0000

I am the only non-”professional” educator in our company Brainy Yak, LLC. I have never sat behind the desk as a teacher. Having kids, however, has forced me to sit AT the desk with teachers several times a year during my teacher conferences. To tell you the truth, I used to get very nervous before any teacher conferences. In the beginning, I felt inadequate at times to be discussing my child’s “educational” progress. After all, they are the “experts”. I have learned, however, that that is a foolish way of thinking. Who knows my child better than I do?!? Parent/teacher conferences are just one way of connecting with your teacher and your school. While at the school, my posse of educators have taught me a few things to look for. Look down the halls…what do you see? Art work? Writing projects? Signs? Where is the gym? The library? While in the classroom, what do you see? A wall of words? A calendar? Has the teacher used a theme in the classroom decor? (I noticed one year a teacher had a boat and tent in her room and had used a camping theme. Very cute!) You can use things like these to start a conversation with your child about what they did during their school day. Learn your child’s daily schedule, visit your teachers website, read the newsletters that are coming home about upcoming events at the school. The other thing I highly recommend is to VOLUNTEER as much as you can. For me, it has been a great way to learn more about the school, how the school is run on a daily basis, to meet everyone who works in the building from the custodial staff to the administration. I have had the pleasure to work with just about every type of personnel at my childrens school and it is a wonderful feeling to walk down the halls and be on a first name basis with many of the people I meet. When my child talks about going to the library, I can ask him if Mrs. Edwards (the librarian) helped him pick out a book…and I might add “And didn’t she have on a lovely blue shirt today”? Sometimes I will get a look of shock from my kids because I knew someone’s name, much less what they were wearing that day…it’s nice to surprise them every now and then and to let them know that I am very interested in what is going on at their school and what is happening during their very busy days at school. It’s all very important.

Home-School Connection (cont’d)

brainyyak — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:14:50 +0000

Did you know that by the time a child reaches the age of six he or she has been in school for 700 hours? So, guess how many hours the same child at the same age has been outside of school? Are you doing the math already? The answer: 52,000 hours. These numbers came from Jim Trelease’s book: The Read- Aloud Handbook – one of our most favorite parent resources. Wondering what you can do for those crucial 52,000 other hours your child is at home? Then, check this book out…it will be worth your while and then some.

This week our focus for the blog has been the home-school connection – how to merge the two worlds of home and school. We’ve given some tried and true tips on what has worked for our families. Hopefully, you can try them out or tweak them to make it fit your own family. Each family is different, right? Today, though, we wanted to share with you two of our favorite resources for parents. I’ve already given a glimpse of one at the beginning of my post – Jim Trelease’s book The Read-Aloud Handbook. This is an easy read and a fun read! If you have ever wondered how much impact you are having on your child as you read aloud to them, this book provides excellent and interesting research which supports reading aloud to your child IS in itself very educational. Just do it and don’t worry about NOT being a teacher. Allow you and your child to fall in love with stories. In our other favorite book: Raising Lifelong Learners by Lucy Calkins she adds, “Reading aloud to our kids will have educational payoffs only if we stop worrying about the those payoffs.” Instead, enjoy sharing the world of literature with your child and have fun doing it! Your child will be greatly benefitted by it!

So, possibly by this time, you have had a parent teacher conference like some of us have. Still wondering or looking for something to do at home that would effectively support what is going on at your child’s school? Please, then, pick up one or both of these books! They are fun and easy reads with a lot of effective oomph behind it! Remember, you have your child for many more hours than the school does…what are you going to do with all that time? Hmmmmm…….

Tuesday- Home School Connection

brainyyak — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:27:03 +0000

Last week I had my teacher/parent conference for one of my children. I always love conferences because it is a wonderful way to know just where my child stands up to this point. I get to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are and if they are the same in the classroom as what I see going on at home. I get new insight on my child from their teachers and I always welcome fresh eyes on their progress. I go in ready with a list of questions on ways that I can help them further at home. Don’t get me wrong no matter how many times I have done this or forget the fact that I used to be a teacher myself, when I go in for a conference on my own child I am always nervous and anxious. I think that is a normal feeling for any parent. Teacher conferences are a wonderful way to make a strong connection with your child’s school and teacher, always ask your burning questions and press until you are satisfied with an answer. After this conference I was so excited to hear how well my daughter’s teachers know her and I got some wonderful insight on what we need to be working on at home. I also felt that I wanted to know some things about them(since they knew my child so well) to make that connection stronger between our home and school. I had each teacher fill out a form letting us in on a few of their favorite things. Such as their favorite flower, drink, cookie, their birthday, favorite color, favorite restaurant, favorite store, favorite author and their favorite indulgence. This way when we have the chance to treat them it could be a little more personal. Another way to make a strong connection with the school is sign up for things the teacher may need help with, either at the school or things that can be completed at home. Be a Friday reader or sign up to be a lunch volunteer, join the PTA or a committee. Get to know the school nurse and the front desk staff, all of these wonderful people deal with your children at some point. I always think of Dr. Dobson saying about school that our children don’t belong to the school they attend we, the parents, are responsible for our children in all areas. We are our children’s first and foremost teacher and we must be a strong team with the school and their teachers. If you feel like you are out in left field or being left sitting on the bench, get more involved. It will be an extreme benefit to your child. Happy Fall Conferencing!!!

Monday Home School Connection

brainyyak — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:19:13 +0000

Blogging about what I know best; being a mom, a teacher, a grandma should be a lot of fun. I’m the mom of the three ladies with whom I blog and own a small family literacy business, Brainy Yak, LLC. If I may be so bold, these ladies are bright, caring, intelligent and each outstanding in their respective fields. Of course, I say this, not only having helped them choose their futures, but aiding them in finding the best university suited to their field of study! Yes, they are all three graduates of Texas A&M University, each did her own hard work at the university and in their field of study, working several years before they had their families. Each decided to be “stay at home” mom’s and we are grateful for the men who support us and our families. I’m thoroughly proud of these three women and love to call them “my kids” and “my colleagues”. Oh yes, did I tell you the crowning joy? They are the moms to my seven grandchildren who are flourshing under their parents care.

School routines are pretty established by now in each of your homes, so this week make it a point to try to get to know the names of the school personnel where your child goes to school. Know the names of the personnel and a little about them, if your child has any interaction with them, I believe this is on all the isd websites at this point. Remember these in particular, the librarian, the music teacher, the nurse, secretaries, and don’t forget the physical education teacher. If you can get a schedule of which days (you should already have this somewhere) your child goes where. This is a great home-school connection conversation for the dinner table. It also eliminates, “so what did you do at school today?”, and the reply, “nothing”. Connect with your child through school, you are sending him/her there everyday, put some importance on who/what he/she is doing!

How do I use this? If you are outside playing with your children, do some of the activities that are going on in the school gym. Your physical education teacher would be glad to show you a few things they are working on………” Mr. Gorbechav, tear down that wall”…….that is a joke. What is going on at school is your business and you should always make it your business to know! Remember a “mother’s right to know/interfere/support/teach/reinforce” ! Don’t make your home/school connection skill and drill. You can reinforce, enjoy, get ahead of the curve a little, but interact with your child and meet your child where he is.

There is no greater joy and no greater responsibility than being your child’s first, last, and always teacher. Our goal is to help you and your child to become “brain yaks” and be proud of the journey. It should last a lifetime! Have fun.

Quote of the day: Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.

Abigail Adams (1744-1818)

Whatever Wednesday

brainyyak — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:51:20 +0000

Katie (9/9/09)Whatever Wednesday: Today is a very rainy day. My house is a complete mess, but I have no intentions of doing anything about that today. Instead, you will find me riding my son’s, who is two, motorcycle/tricycle. Last night, he and I discovered that if I sit on the seat he can ride behind me on the plastic basket and we can zoom around the house together! So all day long this morning I’m asked: “Mama sit!” as he points to his Lightning McQueen shiny red cool rider. The dog, of course, runs along with us looking at me and I just know he is saying, “You are way too big for that thing…get off! Not to mention, you look like a fool!”

Research says a child learns more in the first five years than any other time in his or her life. Interesting, huh? I also think it is empowering for parents to hear that….we are who they are with most of the time during those years…..thankfully! Okay, so today, maybe my son didn’t learn more about colors, or body parts specifically, but I do hope he learned a little something about silliness and how to have a good time! I sure did!

By the way..I’m here, Kayce!

Tip Tuesday and Whatever Wednesday

brainyyak — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:26:42 +0000

Kayce: Okay, it’s Wednesday and I’m going to try and combine my Tip Tuesday and Whatever Wednesday in one. Think of it as a 2 for 1!! If you are a bargain shopper like me, you will not be able to resist. First off, I would just like to know where my other colleagues are?? Kit, Katie, Mom?? We did not have our usual Tuesday meeting yesterday. My kids were home sick from school, and now I happen to have what they had. We usually try to avoid each other when one is sick. Otherwise, the illness just runs rampant in the family. So, no meeting yesterday. But I hope everyone put some time into “thinking Brainy Yak”.

My tip for Tip Tuesday is not my original idea. I believe I ran across it in Family Fun magazine. When your child is not keen on the homework idea, you can burn a tea light while they are doing their homework. Blow it out when they are done. When the wax is completely gone from the candle, they earn themselves a little treat. The treat may be an ice cream outing, or even getting to stay up an extra 30 minutes past bedtime. Whatever you decide.

My whatever Wednesday: I will need to call the t-shirt place today regarding our business t-shirts. They called yesterday and left a message. I’m also going to try and work with my three year old today on her letters. It’s time I sat down with her and see what she knows and go from there. I’m also hoping I get better today. I hate being sick! If anything else comes up today, I will be sure to log back on. You may wait with bated breath…

Whatever Wednesday

brainyyak — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:36:24 +0000

Kayce: Okay…it is now Friday and I’m just now writing my “Whatever Wednesday”. What can I say about that?? W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R!!

The Brainy Yakers did have a meeting yesterday and I do think we got some things accomplished. Katie and I taught mom and Kit how to “post” their own blog. Something we thought would be important since we are now trying out this new “medium”. Has mom posted anything yet though?? Mom?? Mom?? Bueller??

Anyway, we also decided on colors for our logo and tshirts…important stuff since we DO want to look cute while working. Besides, I think when we all have matching business tshirts we will be able to accomplish anything…AND look cute….okay…at the very least we will look cute. hehe

Whatever Wednesday

brainyyak — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:12:57 +0000

Kit: Okay I will have to type fast, I had to take a melotonin to help with what I anticipate to be a difficult night to find sleep. We had a great Brainyyak meeting today, mom and I learned from Kayce and Katie (the techies) how to post our own blog instead of having to email them to Kayce. We tried to buy a website domain but somehow I think we bought it twice and now can’t seem to find it. Hopefully Katie is enlisting the help of her husband Jay, who truly is “the techie” of Brainyyak. I do think the time has come to hire someone to layout our website. We made some other business decisions inbetween laughs and eating lunch, we actually ate in, score one for our social budget. The rest of the day was peaceful, I grocery shopped by myself and waited for the kids to come home. The weather has been wonderful the past few days, enough so that we actually got outside, Chris and Luke tossed the football, Luke mostly chasing the football and Sawyer and I kicking the soccer ball around. All was good until Luke needed a drink, mind you Luke is in his second week of FULL day Kindergarten (he is exhausted by 5:00pm) and he was now receiving the lecture on how he would be benched because a football coach will not put up with asking for a drink before an actual drink break. AAAAAHHHHH !!!!! Prime example of the difference between men and women. He is five I say out loud and we are all saved by dinner. We went out to a place called Mel’s (Chris saw the can of salmon on the counter and suggested we eat out) it is a country home cooking diner kind of place. The kind of place where if you eat the whole Mega Mel burger, which costs $19.95 you get your picture and name on the “Wall of Fame”. I had country fried steak with mashed potatoes, I don’t know what I was thinking, it took 2 gas station stops on the 15 min. drive home because my stomach was so upset. When will I learn? On that note things I learned from my kids today after school. Sawyer came home with a drawing and kind words from a girl that had been bullying her. Sawyer told me that she had simply told this little girl how beautiful she was on the inside but sometimes she just forgets to let it out. Luke told me today that being the lunch box helper can be pretty difficult. I will leave you with a verse I hope will become imprinted on all the kids’ hearts (Sawyer, Levy, Logan, Luke, Leah, Jake and Eloise)

Eye has not seen, nor ear hear, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

TIP TUESDAY!!

brainyyak — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:42:24 +0000

Kit : “TIP TUESDAY” – Okay so Tuesday is our day to give tips, hopefully we will not run out by next week!! Going back to school has been on everyone’s mind these last few weeks and if you are like us Brainy Yaker’s we don’t give up the summer very easily. We love having no schedule and just hanging out by the pools in our community. Don’t get me wrong there are “those” days but for the most part we like to keep the kiddos close and in range. This year there was a little extra dread to the start of school for me because my youngest started Kindergarten and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself and the house is awfully quiet, clean, but quiet. I have started to get the hang of days to get my “stuff” finished before 3:00 and the kids are so happy in school that I am now looking at this year as a time to reclaim a little of who I had to put aside, somewhat for the past 9 years, and claim new parts I didn’t know existed. As I said before my husband Chris travels a lot with work, on the flipside his office is out of the house, so when he has an office day he is HOME. His hobby is target shooting air rifles and hunting bows (yes…I have an air rifle and a bow as well). He has us all set up in the backyard and I do believe before next summer I will be fairly proficient at shooting targets myself since this is something he “says” we can enjoy together. I will keep you posted on my progress. Okay, so on with the “Tip” which happens to deal with education since everyone is going back to school. Here at Brainy Yak we are huge advocates of reading and it is one of the main reasons we want to get our business up and running. Every child (depending on their age) needs to be reading every night. Our reading time is 20 minutes or more. This can include them reading to you or you (the parent) reading to them. Last Christmas Santa delivered a bookmark timer to Sawyer and it has been a fun way to keep track of our reading time and where we stop in the book. So with a whole new year of reading before you, it may be something you want to check out. The bookmark is called Mark-my-time. It can be found at Mark-my-time.com. Happy reading !!!! If you all have any great tips feel free to share, we are always learning In the spirit of back to school, great learners, and great teachers I leave you with this verse :

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13

TIP TUESDAY!!

brainyyak — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:35:38 +0000

Kayce: Tuesdays are going to be called our “Tip Tuesdays”. This is where each of us will give an educational tip or tell you about a product that we have stumbled upon and have fallen in love with it’s function. I’m writing my “Tip Tuesday” this Tuesday morning at 8:21am. I have already received a phone call from Levy (my second grader) who is sitting in the nurses office complaining of a stomach ache. He was literally running around the house this morning playing Ben Ten, happy, no complaints of a stomach ache, until it was time to leave for school. Coincidence?? I think not. Of course now I’m feeling extremely guilty, perched and ready to run out the door if/when he calls again. I hope I didn’t make a bad decision…what if he really does have a stomach ache and it’s not just the usual morning jitters that seem to plague my family?? Ugh…mom guilt is creeping in…maybe I’ll go check on him…right after I finish this post. Okay, my tip for today actually came to me last year during the school year. My first grader disliked studying for spelling tests very much. He and his brother received Nintendo DS’s from Santa last year and they love to Pictochat to each other. When it was time to study for his spelling test, I would let him pictochat the word to me…I would check it and call out the next word. He loved doing this so much that I don’t think he thought of it as “studying”. Okay, now if anyone of you has a “tip” you’d like to write in…Please share!! Time to go check on Levman…