Back to School Sampler

As you have probably guessed, I am crazy busy getting ready for back to school. I might not be posting very regularly for another week or two but I wanted to share some of the things that have caught my interest the last week or so related to Back to School.
Lunchbox Printables

Did you see this adorable set of Lunchbox Printables from Kiki and Company? I am going to be using these with my students as well as my kids. So cute!

Mini Accountability Binder
I also have my eye on this mini accountability binder from Mique at 30 Handmade Days. I think it would be perfect for my youngest who is starting junior high this year.

Find the boy color version here.

I know many of us have been impacted by Robin Williams death. I have had a close family member hospitalized with depression and so this issue really hits home to me. I think a new school year is the perfect time to talk to our kids about anxiety, stress and depression and open the door to communication if they have any problems in the future.

I loved this list of celebrities who have struggled with depression in the Huffington Post. The reason I liked this article is that each brief paragraph outlined different ways that the celebrities have found to help them cope with that depression. I am sharing this with my children.

43 Inspiring Celebs Who Lived with Depression

Photo from Michelle Lehnardt Scenes form the Wild.net

I also loved this post from Michelle Lehnardt at Scenes from the Wild. She talks about how the most important thins we can teach our kids is to be kind because "everyone they meet is fighting a hard battle."
Be Kind

The problem is that most parents say that they want their children to be kind but that is not the message that kids receive. This study shows that kids feel like their parents value grades more than they value kindness.

Parents value grades over kindness, kids say in new study

Something needs to change in the message that we are sending our children as they head back to school each year.

Perhaps you will want to join me in reading this letter to your kids before school starts

Dear Chase

Photo by Glennon at Momastery

Good luck in sending all your darling children back to school. I can't wait to welcome all my students into another fun year of growth and learning. 

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Saturday Sampler

Here are some of the things that have grabbed my attention this week.

1. I love finding fun ways to get my kids playing that doesn't involve technology. Katie will love these adorable Frozen play sets from Kiki and Company.

I can see her having so much fun cutting them out and playing with them with her friends. This cute downloadable set includes a sleigh and paper castle for just $3.00.

Frozen Inspired Paper Tots

And you can get the add on Olaf for free!

Summer Olaf

2. I was so excited when I found this cute printable at Paging Super Mom. At the beginning of each school year I tell my students that the best thing that could happen to them this year is to make lots of mistakes! They always look surprised until I tell them that I love making mistakes because research has shown that the brain actually grows more after making mistakes and correcting them. This awesome book reinforces that message in such a fun way.  Barney Saltzberg illustrates how to take a mistake and make it beautiful and turn it into a work of art.

He uses torn paper, spills, squiggles and dots and incorporates them into the art of the story. I love this printable so the students can turn mistakes into works of art on their own.

Beautiful Oops! Printable

3. I was so grateful for this news article that alerted me to the danger of caffeine powders. This is a conversation that I need to have with my kids.

Caffeine Powder Overdose: Who is Protecting Teens?


4. Another conversation I need to have with my kids involves safe dating and avoiding sexual assault. I love the work of Mike Domitrz.

He developed the Date Safe Project after helping his sister deal with sexual assault on a date. I plan to teach my son to ask this question,  "May I kiss you?" every time he wants to kiss a girl.

I agree with Mike that our culture is disrespectful to women when it teaches men to be aggressive and just lean in for the kiss etc. and then teaches women to have to say "No" and resist if the attention is undesirable.

Learn more here:

Can I Kiss You?

And Here: 

Date Safe Project

5. Have you seen this Newsies Medley yet?

I love all the videos by BYU's Vocal Point. We have been watching them as a whole family. Katie seems to pull up a new one to show us every day. My other favorite is their cover for "Show Me Your Brave" by Sarah Bareilles.

Love the message of this song!
Have a great weekend.


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