Let me begin here: I write a children’s book series titled Lady Lucy’s Quest about a feisty multi-racial heroine who becomes a knight in the Middle Ages. With her team of trusty helpers (Dillon the Dragon; Tapestry the Unicorn; and Quincy the Belgian Shepherd), she goes on a myriad of quests that call for creativity, ingenuity, tenacity, endurance, strength and courage to reach resolution. And, when faced with inevitable and seemingly intractable problems, Lady Lucy and her team find solutions where none appeared to exist.

The most recent book in this series, Lady Lucy’s Dinosaur Quest (the cover of which…

Holidays are hard for many generally and now specifically. So, here’s something to try whether you are near or far, in person or remote: Tongue twisters!

Yes, really. They have a long educational history. They promote learning and enunciation. They build vocabulary. They showcase mistake making and trying again. They enable laughter among young and old. They are plain fun.

Try this downloadable right priced PDF — it can be ordered by several families and the tongue twisters tried (they are listed alphabetically). There are other word games in the book and one can also create one’s own tongue twister.

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We need to help children (and adults) process the election for President. Here are a set of strategies/activities that educators can adapt and use for students at all ages and stages. More will be added as time progresses in the transition but this will be beneficial now!

Classroom Strategies and Activities:

1. Consider games that involve rules and rule-making and then changing the rules mid-stream or arbitrarily picking a winner or having too many rules. Here’s an example. Suppose that students each have separate piles of an item, ideally identical (paperclips; spaghetti; marbles; countable items). Then say: Let’s play the…

Worried about the election and possible violence? Me too, regardless of outcome. This creates anxiety and tension and possible trauma. This isn’t good for anyone. Our autonomic nervous systems are on high alert and likely the absence of a definitive outcome on election night will cause more issues in our minds and bodies.

Can you hear a wee yipes?

Consider making trauma toolboxes for adults and children, teachers and students and families and communities. Be prepared. Order this how-to guide and there is time to both vote and create trauma toolboxes.

www.karengrosseducation.com/trauma-toolbox-a-how-to-guide/.

If you aren’t Zoomed out, consider joining us on March 20th at noon for a conversation on whether schools can be a place for healing trauma. Three educators engage with each other and with you. Learn some trauma responsive strategies. Free (with request for $3 donation to go to Nu Zeta Chapter of DKG — women educators honor society).

Here’s the link. More info on the attached document. See you there I hope.

Also, this is the topic of a longer essay I am writing. Will share when it is released.

The answer is yes. But the question is how. Three educators (Sakina McGruger, Pat Neal and Karen Gross) are participating in a Zoom conversation on this topic sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma International on March 20 at noon est.

Here’s my hope: that we can engage in a conversation during and after the March 20th event. We will all be better for the connection and sharing. So, rather than seeing this as yet another one-off Zoom event, consider this the start of an important dialogue. And, if you are a leader or teacher, this is a topic for you. We…

I have become increasing worried about a too large group of educational leaders (presidents; superintendents; chancellors; provosts) who are now failing at their jobs, and those failures can take many forms. In the interest of full disclosure, I was one of them. But with the benefit of now more than half a dozen years and a well cleaned rear view mirror, I am seeing things that need remediation. And, a recent experience at a college pushed me to write something fast — before the harms grow exponentially. It is a topic we cannot ignore.

The growing mistakes of educators come…

Teachers need our help more than ever. With the absence of a teachers lounge, they are not able to connect and engage as they could before the Pandemic. The need for interaction with fellow educators is key.

That is why four educators (Sakina McGruder, Pat Neil, Ed Wang and I) agreed to pilot a Virtual Teachers Lounge with facilitated conversations starting March 13. We are not being compensated for our efforts but educators participating will get something for their time and willingness to engage! See below.

Interested in participating in the Pilot Virtual Teachers Lounge? If you are an educator…