Author Archive

Writing to Learn by William Zinsser

Friday, May 8th, 2026

Book
Writing to Learn by William Zinsser explains the power of writing for learning and promoting clear thinking. He takes us on a tour of the disciplines, showing that writing should not be left to English teachers. It’s clear that creating written explanations of your knowledge will not only help you internalize it, but it will also reveal the holes in your knowledge. This book contains delightful examples of excellent writing from many disciplines. It was a joy to read.

Preface

Writing is a form of thinking. It’s not necessary to be a writer to write well. Clear writing is the logical arrangement of thoughts. We write to find out what we know and what we want to say. This is a book full of great ideas for writers.

Part I: 1. Hermes and the Periodic Table

This chapter tells how William used Latin, which transported him back to the classical world, rather than chemistry, to get into Princeton. He found Latin to be anything but dead, as thousands of its roots are alive and well in English. He then tells of his time at Princeton during World War II, where he took the fast track through courses and was only a few credits short when he joined the Army and headed to Europe. A few courses he took in Florence earned him his Princeton degree.
After the war, he began his career trying to write clearly at The New York Herald Tribune. He also became a logic nut. Writing is a basic skill for getting through life, yet many adults are terrified of the prospect. Writing is thinking on paper. Anyone who thinks clearly should be able to write clearly. That is what this book is about.

2. Writing Across the Curriculum

The key concept is that teaching writing should not be left only to English teachers. This may be the most difficult pedagogical task. Motivation is crucial to writing, but assigned tasks in most schools don’t offer much. Writing is learned by imitation, but we eventually move on to our own style. William stresses the idea that once you dash off a draft, it will need a lot of editing to polish it into a respectable finished product.
Teachers of other subjects need to find exemplars of literature in their fields to share with students. Everyone loves a good story and every discipline should have some. Even in technical subjects, the best writers are good at writing for the lay person and every subject can be made interesting.

3. A Liberal Education

After 13 years at the and 11 more as a freelance writer, William ended up at Yale, where he edited the Yale Alumni Magazine with a circulation of 100,000 Yale undergraduates and graduate alumni. During that time he drew on two sources of energy, confidence and ego. If you don’t have confidence in what you are doing, you might as well not do it.
There is no subject that can’t be made accessible in good English with careful writing and editing. Write good, clean sentences and organize them into a coherent shape. You need to write, rewrite, and prune to hammer out a clear and simple product. Clear writing is a corollary to clear thinking, and therefore a key to learning. You will learn a lot about a subject writing about it that you can’t learn any other way. There are examples of good writing here.

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Creative After-School Ideas to Spark Kids’ Growth Without Stress by Emily Graham

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

STEM

Creative After-School Ideas to Spark Kids’ Growth Without Stress by Emily Graham

offers great after school advice of any parent or care giver who is at home when kids arrive or before dinner. Thanks Emily.

Busy parents seeking after-school activities and educators supporting families often hit the
same wall: plenty of after-school engagement options exist, but few feel like creative enrichment
for children without creating new logistics headaches. Between family scheduling struggles,
limited program fit, and the real mix of child development challenges in any group, it’s easy for
afternoons to turn into a tug-of-war between “productive” and “peaceful.” The result is a routine
that looks full on paper yet still leaves kids under-stimulated or overwhelmed. A calmer, more
flexible approach can still support creativity and meaningful growth.

Understanding Alternative Learning After School

When typical programs do not fit, alternative learning simply means choosing experiences that
still teach, but in a different shape. It can be maker time, outdoor challenges, family projects, or
student-led clubs that feel natural to your child. The key idea behind creative learning is that
kids grow when learning stays active, playful, and connected to real interests.

This matters because many families need options that do not depend on perfect schedules,
fees, or limited seats. Demand is huge, with 30 million school-aged children needing care and
enrichment while far fewer are enrolled. Flexible choices can still build focus, communication,
and confidence without adding pressure.

Think of it like swapping a fixed menu for a buffet. One child thrives in a quiet “tinker corner” and another lights up leading a mini team challenge. Educators can share simple prompts, and parents can pick what fits the day. A low-prep sticker design craft is a great place to start.

Make Custom Stickers: A One-Week Art-and-Tech Project

When kids get the chance to learn in unconventional ways, they often shine brightest in projects
that feel personal and playful. Designing and creating their own stickers is a simple, hands-on after-school activity that sparks creativity and makes room for self-expression, whether they’re turning drawings into mini “collections,” celebrating a favorite fandom, or capturing your family’s inside jokes. It can also grow into something bigger: a themed sticker club with friends, or even a tiny entrepreneurial project where they design sets for classmates or special occasions. If you’re intimidated by the “tech” side of the art, it’s easy with this custom sticker maker that
incorporates templates, graphics, text, and straightforward drag-and-drop editing to create
printable designs.

Pick Outside-the-Box Activities and Start in 15 Minutes

When kids get a short menu of options (instead of an open-ended “What do you want to do?”),
they’re more likely to start, and stick with it. Use the ideas below like a cafeteria line: pick one
for today, then rotate.

1. Turn a hallway into a movement math game: Tape a big sheet of paper to the wall,
add numbers, and give your child sticky notes to “vote” or “build” answers by physically
moving them into place. A quick, low-prep movement-oriented math activity works because kids stay engaged with their whole body, not just a worksheet. Setup plan: paper + tape + sticky notes + marker, then a timer for two 6-minute rounds.

2. Do a “real-world STEM” mini build: Pick one household problem and prototype a fix,
like a paper bridge for toy cars, a spill-proof snack container, or a shade structure for a
plant. The best STEM exploration for children is hands-on so kids can test, tweak, and try again without a big lecture. Setup plan: a “build bin” (tape, cardboard, scissors, string)
plus a note card that says: Goal, Materials, Test, Improve.

3. Start a tiny neighborhood service sprint: Choose one task that can be finished in
20–30 minutes: assemble hygiene kits, write thank-you notes to school staff, or pick up
litter on one block with gloves and a bag. Youth volunteering opportunities work better
when they’re specific and time-boxed, kids feel the win quickly. Setup plan: text a friend
to join once a week and keep a simple “service log” page your child can decorate with
their own sticker labels.

4. Try “museum-at-home” creative arts education: Give kids three prompts, observe,
copy, remix, using any image (book art, a poster, family photo). They spend 5 minutes
noticing details, 5 minutes sketching the main shapes, and 5 minutes remixing it into
their style. Setup plan: one pencil, one marker, and one “limited palette” rule (only two
colors) to reduce decision overload.

5. Launch a kid-sized micro-business test (no money needed): Help your child offer
something small: a sticker pack for locker labels, pet-sitting flyers, or “desk reset” help
for a parent’s home office. Keep it educator-friendly by using existing curriculum planning ideas at home too, price, cost, and customer feedback can be a quick mini- lesson, not an extra burden. Setup plan: 10 minutes to define the offer, 5 minutes to make one simple sign, then one “customer interview” at dinner.

6. Make an “after-school choice board” that protects homework time: Create a 2×2
grid: Create, Build, Help, Earn, and list two activities under each (stickers count as
Create + Earn if they sell or gift them. Decide in advance: one square per day, plus a
clear stop time so evenings don’t spiral. This tiny routine also makes it easier to talk
about cost, safety, age fit, and how much supervision each choice really needs.

After-School Ideas Parents Ask About Most

Q: What should I look for when choosing an after-school program or activity?
A: Start with three filters: your child’s interest, the adult-to-kid supervision reality, and the “gets us home calm” factor. Ask, “Will this feel doable on a tired Tuesday?” If you are comparing programs, choose the one that clearly states routines, behavior expectations, and how they communicate with families.

Q: How can I keep kids safe if I’m juggling work and dinner?
A: Pick activities that match your supervision bandwidth, not your ideals. Use a simple check-in
routine: start time, location, and a 5-minute “show me what you made” at the end. If tech is
involved, keep devices in shared spaces and use a visible timer.

Q: What activities actually fit different age groups without causing meltdowns?
A: For younger kids, prioritize short bursts and clear steps, like build, test, tweak. For older kids, add choice and ownership, like planning a mini service project or a small “offer” they can improve weekly. When in doubt, scale down materials and scale up structure.

Q: How do I manage costs without sacrificing quality?
A: Treat cost like a design constraint and set a monthly cap before you browse. Free or low-cost
options can still be high-impact, especially when they build skills schools care about as the
average ACT score has dropped to 19.8. Libraries, recycled supplies, and swaps with other families often cover most needs.

Q: When should I prioritize homework versus hobbies?
A: Use a predictable order: snack, 10 to 20 minutes of movement or making, then homework,
then a short wrap-up choice. That “starter” activity can reduce resistance and make work time
smoother. If grades are slipping, shorten hobby time but keep it daily to protect motivation.

Grow Confidence With One Low-Stress Creative After-School Choice

After school can feel like a tug-of-war between keeping kids productive and protecting their
downtime, especially when programs, costs, and schedules compete for attention. The steady
path is a simple, low-pressure mindset: keep motivating parental involvement, focus on
implementing creative learning through play and practice, and stay open to exploring diverse
activities as interests change. When families and schools take this approach, supporting child
growth through activities becomes more consistent, and building children's confidence starts to
show up in small, everyday wins. One small, consistent activity beats a packed schedule every
time. Choose one new activity this week and watch how it evolves with your child’s energy and
curiosity. That’s how skills, resilience, and connection grow in ways that last.

Emily Graham

Emily is the creator of MightyMoms.net. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family. You can email her at emilygraham@mightymoms.net. She lives in Arizona.

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More Than Just Cakes: What Bake Sales Really Teach Our Students About Business

Monday, May 4th, 2026

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Bake sales have been a mainstay of school life for decades, but did you know that, as well as serving the school community, they also offer fantastic business lessons for the students involved?
Sales like these are often their first experience with the working world, which sees them from conception to execution. But what do bake sales actually teach students about business? Keep on reading as we consider!

# 1 – Mastering Marketing

Like businesses, cake sales don’t market themselves. To be successful, these events require fliers, word of mouth, and, increasingly, online advertising that ensures a good turnout. Obviously, this is all on a small scale, but allowing students to complete these tasks themselves can be a fantastic starting point for their professional development. In particular, this kind of low-level marketing is a fantastic stage on which to test everything from content creation to brand tone of voice, and even social media strategies.

Whether students intend to follow an entrepreneurial path, enter the field of marketing, or simply become assets to a growing company down the line, there’s no denying that these are skills for life.

# 2 – The Importance of Product

Let’s be honest; bake sales are not an exacting art, and nor are there countless competitors knocking down the door with better offerings. But this kind of school sale still sends an initial, all-important message – product quality is fundamental for success.

Of course, no one’s expecting the most amazing cakes in the world from a group of kids who are trying to raise money, but the fact remains that the most sales will come from the best quality options. Equally, earnings will soar if the cakes on offer look impressive at a glance.

This also provides an important lesson in terms of pricing. If cakes are burnt, flat, or otherwise problematic, price points drop along with sales. By comparison, cakes baked with careful measures like quality control, detailed decoration, and additional flourishes, can sell for more, at larger quantities. And those priorities also happen to be some of the best business lessons young minds could learn.

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# 3 – Streamlining Sales

Let’s not forget that bake sales also become the first opportunity that many students get to handle cash in a transactional setting. Once, this was a great opportunity to count change, but times have changed. Now, successful cake sales rely on everything from the handling of physical cash to the management of card payments. And lessons surely follow.

The ability to get to grips with card payment processing at a young age is especially effective for encouraging modern business-savvy minds. Whether they go on to use another hospitality POS in a food truck or restaurant setting, or they end up using systems like these in an entirely different industry, you can guarantee they’ll carry those same skills for life.
Cake sales might not seem like much, but this could be one of the best ways to encourage young entrepreneurial minds for these reasons and more!

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The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life by Majid Fotuhi

Monday, April 13th, 2026

Book
The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life by Majid Fotuhi offers a five-pillar plan that anyone can use to improve their brain and body. Following this plan will help you avoid cognitive problems and even help you get rid of any cognitive problems you have at any age. You only have one body, so make sure you follow this advice. This book is a must.

Introduction

The brain is capable of miraculous feats of growth and rejuvenation. It often finds a way around any damage. Use it, and it gets smarter and better at anything. Your genes matter, but your family environment, education, work, social interactions, hobbies, and dedication to learning matter more. You need to feed it a proper diet, provide it with blood and oxygen via exercise, and sleep well to allow it to repair itself.
Your lifestyle impacts brain function. When it comes to diseases like Alzheimers, most neurologists agree that prevention is possible. You have a lot of control over how your brain ages. Majid has developed and tested a 12-week brain fitness program that has improved brain functioning in over 80% of adults and children who tried it. This includes children with ADHD. The purpose of this book is to provide his program to the reader. It’s never too late.

Part One: A New Definition of Intelligence – 1. The Unlimited Potential of the Invincible Brain

Recent brain imaging has greatly increased our knowledge of the brain, but there is a lot of mystery left. We do know that the hippocampus, a thumb-sized extension of our cortex is the most malleable part with the most growth potential. Your brain changes based on how you live and what you do. The parts you use grow while the parts you don’t use shrink. Your lifestyle and mindset determine how smart you get about anything.
Studies with London cab drivers who study for four year to learn every street show that their hippocampus grows bigger during the process. The same is true for people engaged in intensive language learning. Growth is not limited to young people. Majid believes that our brain’s ability is 30% due to our genes and 70% due to our environment. IQ tests are popular because they produce a single number, but poor tools for assessing intelligence as there are many things you can’t measure like emotional intelligence, social skills, and sense of humor.

2. You Are Smarter Than You Think You Are

Here Majid provides non comprehensive definitions for no less than 30 intelligences. He than asks the reader to subjectively rate themselves from 1 to 10 for each intelligence. Some that might not seem obvious are street-smarts, nature, cooking, and happiness. This will allow you to work on the parts of your brain that are most important to you where you would like to score higher.

3. The Invincible Brain Mindset

There are psychological and measurable physical benefits to having a sense of purpose. People with a purpose have a reduction in cognitive impairments and dementia. Their risk of stroke is one half. They have fewer heart attacks and a lower risk of death from all causes. They are less likely to have sleep problems and less likely to be overweight. The are less likely to be depressed or lonely and more likely to be happy. They even enjoy sex more.
There are seven questions here that can help you find your purpose like what do you like to do the most. The first step is to believe. This involves having a growth mindset. Intelligence can be developed if you believe that you can get good at anything. This will grow your brain. It’s important to see advice as helpful feedback rather than criticism. See mistakes as learning opportunities and seek quality practice over quantity.

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Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson

Monday, March 23rd, 2026

Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning (2nd ed.) by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson shows teachers how they can use AI to promote critical thinking. It offers a vision of how we can use it to take students to a higher learning level as it provides specific examples that teachers can use right now. Every school leader needs to read this now or risk becoming obsolete.

Part I: Thinking with AI – 1. AI Basics

AI is the ability of commuter systems to mimic human intelligence. GPT stands for generative, pre-trained, transformer. This is because they generate new sentences, images, and ideas. If an AI system is pre-trained on text that contains bias and hate, it’s output will reflect these sources. Parameters in the system will result in the transforms we see. The first public access to a functioning GPT was on November 30, 2022.
Which model should we use? The big three are ChatCPT from OpenAI, Gemini from Google, and Claud from Anthropic. In any case, your university or school district should have a subscription so you can use the paid version and the phone app. AI literacy will be an essential work- and life-skill for faculty and students. We need to integrate AI literacy into our classrooms, but first we need to understand how it is changing work and future careers.

2. A New Era of Work

The authors see the impact of AI as being similar to the industrial revolution. They see it changing the nature of work for everyone. AI will eliminate some jobs. Those who can work with AI will replace those who can’t. It is emerging as a more collegial thought partner. It will allow doctors to engage in more eye contact. The number of doctors using it jumped from 38% in 2023 to 66% in 2024.
There is considerable anxiety across the professional spectrum. 170 million jobs will be created while 92 million will be lost. Younger workers are more likely to be experimenting and seeing productivity gains. 66% of business leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills. AI can process more data without getting tired, so it scales. AI-assisted breast cancer screenings detected 20% more cancer with no increase in false positives. When used to teach writing, it helps the weakest writers the most. This is like how spell checkers helped the worst spellers. It’s more than an assistant, it’s a collaborator and you are the boss. Humans are still better when facing new situations.

3. AI Prompting

Good users of AI ask better questions, evaluate answers, and repeat. If you teach critical thinking, you are already teaching AI literacy. If you are already an expert, you have a tremendous advantage using AI. General principles for prompting include: longer prompts with more details, asking for more than you need, iterate and rarely accept the first answer, provide context such as your audience, specify the level of expertise you want, asking to show thinking, and asking to innovate.
Be sure to specify the output type such as essay, list, or lesson plan for example. Specify the style you want such as academic, marketing, or archaic. There are two pages of sample prompts here. If you need citations, tell it the format like APA. You can even have it give you feedback on the quality of your prompt.

4. Reimagining Creativity

Creativity depends on the quantity of ideas. The authors feel that AI will, therefore, make us all more creative. AI can help you generate examples, analogies, entry points, or explanations for teaching a new subject. If you only need one good idea for a paper, project, or dissertation, AI can be your friend.
There are examples here of how specific AI tools have helped advance science. The best creatives can beat AI but, average thinkers will be beat by AI. Asking the right question will still be a valuable human skill. Teams of humans with an AI partner outperform human teams. AI literate students will use it to become better thinkers.

5. AI Literacy

AI literacy requires asking better questions and evaluating the answers. AI skills, therefore, overlap substantially with the core tenets of liberal arts education. Critical thinking, teamwork, and communication are essential learning skills for work and life. 19% of higher education institutions have set up majors or minors in AI. The need to teach AI literacy is an opportunity to rethink the way we present general education.
Key is seeing AI as something you work with, not something that does the work for you. Everyone is AI’s boss. A knowledge of the various AI tools in necessary so you know which one to use. Many institutions have purchased access to special versions of AI systems that offer FERPA compliance. Is yours? To be an effective AI boss you need to know something about the domain you are exploring. You will also need editing skills, which differ from standard writing skills.

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