Thank you, Jenny1970, but it wasn't a Berenstein Bears book. I remember those clearly! I think the husband's name was Stan (or maybe Dan. I remember that it rhymed with Jan). ... View related article.
I am a teacher and would absolutely appreciate the gifts mentioned in this article, but please don't forget that teachers love sincere notes of appreciation. It's even better if you provide a copy of the note to my principal. ... View related article.
I so appreciate your kind words about my lovely angel-cat! I do miss her, but I have so many good memories (and now good comments) regarding her that I feel my life is still enriched by her furry little self. There's a new kitty at my house now, and we're getting pretty close. I hope all your little cats live healthy, happy, and long lives! Thanks for looking in on my Diana. Stephanie ... View related article.
Fold paper cranes or stars from colorful origami paper (available at Michael's craft store, sometimes at Walmart, and at Asian grocery markets). There are often directions included with origami paper, or you can get books from the library, or look here:
Hang the cranes or stars from different lengths of clear monofilament (you can get it as a roll of fishing line in the sports dept. at Walmart--get a light weight line) from the ceiling. Try to spread them out, but be sure you have enough to fill the ceiling. The origami is festive, colorful (you can even design a color scheme based on your choice of paper), and non-permanent. And it looks really cool.
Make savings banks! Have the girls cover the lid and container with different colors of tissue paper with a glue that will stick--maybe spray acrylic. They can overlap the tissue to create pretty effects, but remember that light won't shine through, so remind them not to stack the tissue too thickly. Make sure they do the lid and container separately so that the bank can open and access all their savings! When the containers are dry, cut a slot in the top for the money to be placed in the bank. You might also be able to find paint that will stick; most coffee creamer containers are plastic, aren't they?
Or, make survival kits. Have the girls collect survival items appropriate to your area (a lot of times, a local police department can give you ideas for appropriate supplies, or you can do an Internet search). They can label the creamer container, "Survival Kit" and write survival tips on the outside with Sharpie markers. Just remember that Sharpie takes a few minutes to dry on plastic to prevent smudges. ... View related article.
Hi Frazzled Leslie! I'm sure your berries in syrup would work. The recipe is incredibly forgiving; you might just need to bake it a little longer. The crushed pineapple would probably work too, but I'd drain the juice on that one (and drink it)! Have fun! ... View related article.
Oh yeah, and, don't get into yelling fights with them. Let them have it out. This is hard because your emotions are involved too. But, yelling back creates more yelling. After they have their say, speak as calmly as you can (but don't smile because then they will think that you are kidding). If they try to interrupt, repeat, "No. I listened to you, now it is my turn." You may need to repeat this phrase a lot. Again, best of luck. Disciplining these children will take lots of time. They, no matter what they say or do, really need for you not to give up. ... View related article.
I teach middle school, so I know all about this stuff. You need to act quickly. She is forming habits that will last a lifetime. First, you and her mother and any other involved adults need to agree to form a united front. Kids will find the weakest authority figure and play on them. The message needs to be the same everywhere for her to truly change. Every adult needs to be especially vigilant at holding her accountable for the truth. This, of course, is an ideal scenario. You may be teaching this lesson by yourself.
As far as consequences go, in my classroom, students know that lying equals double punishment, so two detentions for cheating become four if they try to lie about it. I'd suggest taking away whatever it is that she likes best; phone/TV priviledges, time with friends, whatever. She loses whatever number of days with the desired thing for misbehavior, and the days lost double if she lies about it. You need to talk this system through with her before trouble occurs and you need to honor it too. That means that you end the punishment when you say you will and that you don't punish her beyond what you talked about. She needs to see a model of sticking to one's word in you. Of course, you also need to genuinely praise her when she does tell the truth. MOST IMPORTANT--don't give up. It will be incredibly hard, and it sounds like this little girl is very stubborn, but she really needs you to love her enough to teach her the value of truth. Society will punish her if she doesn't learn now. Plus, if you do give up, she will learn that if she wears an adult down with misbehavior, eventually she'll win and get away with whatever she wants. Then, you (and the rest of the world) will REALLY have a problem. ... View related article.
Have you tried soaking them in straight white vinegar? If the film is hard water, the vinegar will take it off if soaked overnight. Learned this from my grandma--a total vinegar cheerleader! ... View related article.
Try a regular pink eraser (not the one on the end of a pencil--the rectangle one). Sometimes it works, especially if the dresser has a shiny finish. It will leave a weird scuff mark that you can then remove with furniture polish. ... View related article.
