To quote American businessman and author Dave Ramsey, “You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” Many people live in poverty, not just in developing countries but in Canada and the U.S. as well—the problem is that we don’t talk about it and we don’t do much
Read moreHow to Write a Scary Story
My hot chocolate sits abandoned on my desk. My laptop warns me its battery is low. My head hangs defeated, staring at the blank screen. I need to write a scary story before class tomorrow, and I have no ideas! What would scare a bunch of 7th graders who walk around a dark forest for
Read moreLocal Control of Education in the North
I worked in Canada’s far North for six years in the 1980s, first as a teacher in a fly-in village in Cree territory, then as a teacher and curriculum developer in Algonquin territory in northern Quebec. During this time, the First Nations were slowly and surely taking back control of their education systems from the
Read moreLanguage Learning Tips for Older Kids
So, you’re learning a new language. You’re highly motivated at first but soon realize it isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. Slowly, you stop opening your language app, and the words you’ve learned in your target language begin to fade. Why does it have to be so difficult?! Good news: although learning
Read moreHitting the Books Again
The summer is over. Long carefree days of sun, beaches, and vacations are coming to a close. It’s not just a changing of the season. This time of year, as children head back to school, there is often a changing of mindset as well. This shifting mindset can bring some anxious moments for many children.
Read moreRecess in the Dark: Students in a Special Place
Recess. The word itself brings back memories of primary school and those dreaded middle school days. Canadian young adults are likely reminded of hours spent climbing over the snow piles left by the plows, pretending to be astronauts or huskies or famous explorers. Alas, the snow would melt, and kids would move on to games
Read more