Back to School Night: Tips for Teachers and Parents

If you've read the About Me section of this blog, then you know I used to be a teacher. Back to School Night (also known as Open House), is a teacher's chance to tell you all about the school year. It's also a parent or caregiver's chance to learn about their child's teacher and classroom. I thought I'd share some tips for both teachers and parents for this important evening, since I've learned some things about holding a successful Back to School Night over the years. If you're scrolling, you'll find the teacher section here at the top, and the parent section toward the bottom. Happy reading!

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Transitioning Back to School with Creative Lunch Box Notes

Going back to school is not always easy for kids. I loved school as a child, but The Jersey Momma's Boy doesn't hold the same affection for education! I'm a former teacher, yet the teacher's kid doesn't like school. Figures! Anyway, my daily lunch box notes actually help make the transition a little bit easier. Read on to see how.

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End of Year Teacher Gift Ideas: 'Orange You Glad it's Summer?'

Are you searching for an easy end of the year teacher gift?  Do you need ideas for a special teacher gift but you're not sure where to start? Well, look no further! This 'Orange You Glad it's Summer?' gift pack is so easy to make, and it's super-cute, too! All you need is a soda bottle and some goodies and you're all set!

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Dr. Seuss Party Games for Read Across America: Easy Ring Toss

Each year I search for fun games to play during our Dr. Seuss Read Across America party. You might have read about my Yertle the Turtle Stacking Game, remember? This year I threw together a character ring toss. Draw or print out your images and then stick them on colored cones (I used clear packing tape). A few rings and you're good to go!

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How to Help Your Child Become a Book Lover

Do you want your child to love books? It’s a goal many parents have, because truthfully, everyone should be reading a little more often. Since most readers develop a love of literature when they’re younger, it’s effective to encourage a love of books from the moment your child is able to read (sometimes even before!). Here are some tips to help you encourage a love of reading in your child. 

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Quick and Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Teacher Appreciation Week is almost upon us, and being a former teacher myself, I can tell you that this week does mean a lot for teachers. Well, at least it did for me. So if your child has a great teacher and you want to show them a little love, here are some quick goodies you can put together in a flash.

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Dr. Seuss Day Games for Read Across America: Yertle the Turtle Stacking Game

Looking for a fun Dr. Seuss game to play for your Read Across America celebration? This one involves the book, Yertle the Turtle, one of our favorite Dr. Seuss stories. It's a fun stacking game for any age! If you're not too keen on making the game yourself, then scroll to the end of the post for a short cut!

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Why Your Classroom Needs a Magic Sticker Box

If you've read the About Me section of this site, then you know I used to be an elementary school teacher. And I loved my classroom. It was like my second home and I filled it with as many fun things as I could, for my students and for myself  (I am still a kid at heart, you know). A friend of mine recently mentioned how much her 8 year old boys love stickers as incentives, and it made me remember my Magic Sticker Box. Do you have a Magic Sticker Box at home or in your classroom? If you don't, let me show you how easy it is to make one, and why you need to have one!

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Back to School Shopping Guide: 5 Fun Items for a New School Year

Back to school have never been my favorite three words (I'm a Summer girl, through and through), but there is still a (small) part of me that looks forward to a new school year. It's an opportunity to start again; and as a former teacher and current mom, I really understand the need for new beginnings. Yet I also know parents and caregivers get inundated with supply lists each year, so I've created something a little different. Here's a Back to School Shopping Guide that's filled with fun items to help your year run a little smoother (or just offer up some smiles). Read on to see what I found and why I think you'll want to add them to your list. 

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6 Ways to Help Kids De-Stress

Being a parent is certainly a stressful job, but sadly, so is being a kid these days. Children, tweens and teens today are faced with enormous social pressures, global changes, violence, and so much more.  So as a mom and former educator, I'm always on the look-out for good stress-relievers and new coping methods. Here are five of my latest finds for helping kids to de-stress.

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Easing First Day Jitters: Back to School with Mac Book Review

Heading back to school is an exciting time for kids. There are new friends to make, new routines to try, and plenty of new facts to learn. But for some kids, the idea of heading back to school in the Fall causes anxiety and stress. Whether your child is excited or anxious about the first day of school, Mac the Apple is here to help with a brand new family tradition called Back to School with Mac! Read on to see how this cute plush apple and matching storybook by Kim DiLoreto can help ease first day jitters and put the cool back in school. 

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6 Better-For-You Lunchbox Snack Ideas from FreshDirect

If you get tired of packing those lunch boxes every day, I have some fabulous ideas for you! FreshDirect, the leading online NYC area grocer, has the best school-ready snacks for scholars of all ages. I tested out some of FreshDirect’s good-for-you snack options so I can attest to their deliciousness. I wouldn't recommend anything to you if I didn't totally love it myself. 

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Back to School Shopping Guide: Games, Labels, Cards, Toys, Books, and More!

Back to School can be a stressful time of year for parents and kids. But it can also be exciting and fun! I've gathered some of my favorite items in The Jersey Momma's Back to School Shopping Guide to help you stay organized, calm, happy and educated. What more can one ask for in a shopping guide, right?  

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9 Exciting Snacks to Liven Up Your Lunchbox: Highlights from the Fancy Food Show

Are you looking for some new ideas for snacks or lunchbox treats? Wondering what to pack in your bag for a long trip or an afternoon playdate? Well, you've come to the right place. Snacks are a thing in this house. The Jersey Momma's Boy would live on snacks alone if he could (actually, he might just be living on snacks alone, now that I think about it), so I am always on the lookout for healthier snacks or better-for-you treats. My suggestions come from the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. This event features amazing food vendors from all around the world. I was able to sample so many tasty treats and meet some wonderful people who wanted to introduce me to their products. So here are some of my picks from the show (and you know how I roll, right? No one paid me for this- these are my honest opinions on what tasted really, really good). Onward!

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Fun Ways to Beat the "Summer Slide"

I'm so excited for summer, aren't you? But at the same time, I know many parents worry about the dreaded 'summer slide,' and losing the educational stimulation that their kids received all year. I found some fun ways to keep kids entertained, stimulated and educated this season; so check out some of my favorite ways to beat the summer slide!

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How to Help Your Child Adjust to Going Back to School

School has been in session for a few weeks now, but is your child comfortable being back in the classroom? In some school districts, children were home for more than a year, but now they are back and trying to readjust. This can cause some stress for children, especially with constant reminders to stay safe and healthy. It may not be easy for your child to be back in the classroom full time, so if this is the case for you, here are some ways you can help your child adjust to school.

10 Fun Educational Toys for Kids: Games for Remote Learning, Homeschooling and Classroom Picks!

There are so many educational games and toys on the market these days, it can be hard to choose! Whether your child is remote learning, homeschooled or simply looking for some fun learning games to play at home, I've got you covered! Take a look at some of my favorite picks this Fall! 

Night Zookeeper Review: Helping Kids with Writing Skills Online

Enhance Remote Learning (a.k.a. 'Virtual Learning') with Night Zookeeper! I'm here to give you a review of a fun learning platform called Night Zookeeper, where kids can run their own magical virtual zoo, and WRITE creatively about the animals and experiences they have there.

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More Snacks to Liven Up Your Lunch Box

I know packing lunches can be super boring, whether you're packing for a child or for yourself. It's so hard to come up with new lunch ideas, and packing a lunch every day can be so redundant! Well, The Jersey Momma is here to help! You might've read my first post entitled 9 Exciting Snacks to Liven Up Your Lunch Box, or the follow-up 5 Better For You Lunch Box Snack Ideas. Now I'm back with some more fun finds from the Fancy Food Show!

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5 Better for You Lunch Box Snack Ideas

What are some ideas for lunch box snacks? I hear it all the time, or I see posts in Facebook groups looking for new ideas for lunch box snacks and after school treats. All of those packaged cookies and chips are so convenient, but they're not always healthy. And if you have a picky eater at home like me, you want to make those snacks as healthy as you can get! Last year I brought you 9 Exciting Snacks to Liven Up Your Lunchbox. This year, I bring you five better for you treats to try. Let me know what you think!

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