Free Summer Enrichment Activities for Kids from A-Z

School is out and students are rejoicing! But parents are often concerned about a long summer with no study. The problem is compounded If you have a child who is lagging academically. Summer school is an option, but most children balk about school work in the summer. Tutoring centers are costly and many parents lack the time to tutor children at home. How can you ensure that your child's academic progress is not thwarted by three months away from school? Don't despair; here are 26 summer educational enrichment tips from A-Z.  A-Z Ways to Continue Your Child's Education Through the Summer Months

Holy Week, Easter activities for Families

Catholics, Orthodox, and other Christian traditions, follow the penitential season of Lent before Easter. Lent concludes with Palm Sunday which leads into Holy Week and culminates on Easter Sunday. This most sacred and somber week includes the Easter Triduum, with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday or Easter Vigil. I converted to Catholicism 19 years ago and homeschooled our four children for 10 years. My children tell me that some of their favorite memories center on our Holy Week observances. For families looking for the full Palm Sunday-to-Easter experience, here are activities from my journey to guide you. These activities have merit for non-Catholics, as they help bring families closer together.  Holy Week, Easter activities for parents and children

Advent Calendar Service Project Craft

Many of us parents have found Christmas to be about receiving not giving with our children. It's not that kids are selfish, it's that marketing campaigns bombard them with products to want. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? To say, 'you're selfish' to a child is to state an obvious, but not necessarily negative fact. Telling them not to desire is pointless.  It's part of how children learn to meet their own needs. We can give them opportunities to practice giving, sharing too though, especially at Advent. Here's an advent calendar craft with sharing opportunities.Advent Math, Writing Project Craft

Student volunteer service credit opportunities: Tips for parents

Volunteering is a buzzword in educational circles. To raise student awareness, groups like United Way coordinate student volunteer programs. Many schools require kids to perform a set number of community service credits to graduate. Elementary and middle schools are getting in on the act, too. If your student needs earn community service credits here are some suggestions.  Student volunteer service credit opportunities: Tips for parents

2012 Back to School Giveaway Events, School Festivals in Detroit

Charity begins in our own neighborhoods. Several organizations in Detroit understand this. They're hosting back-to-school events that give back to the community. According to the Detroit News, shoppers will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Several organizations in Detroit are hosting back-to-school giveaway events to help defray expenses for parents. Here's a list of school supplies giveaways and back-to-school festivals in downtown Detroit. 2012 Back-to-School Giveaway Events, School Festivals in Detroit 

Biblical Lent Giving Activity

Almsgiving Activity for Lent Lent in the Catholic church focuses the the spiritual activities of prayer, fasting and Almsgiving. Here is a great activity, developed by our parish priest, that involves all these lenten practices. Great for family, home-school or CCD activity to boost awareness of poverty and raise money creatively. Based on Biblical principles and Jesus's parable of the talents. Read More

Lenten Almsgiving Activity

Alms-Giving Activity for Lent
School, family, home-school or CCD activity to raise awareness and sensitivity to world hunger and poverty. Almsgiving and fundraiser to promote social justice and solidarity with the world church. Catholics focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving during the penitential season of lent. Spiritual preparation for Easter. Corporal Works of Mercy.
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Scholastic Gives Free Books!

Free Back-to-School Teaching Materials for Teachers and Home School Families
Home schooling families can take advantage of free school supplies, teaching materials, books, resources, games, posters, kits, hands-on activities and much more from Scholastic!Scholastic will also donate 100 books to domestic and overseas missions. Each time your family or classroom reads 100 books, Scholastic donates 100 books! Very easy way to give!
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