September 2011 – PragmaticMom

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Massachusetts Book Awards 2012 For Grades 3-7th

Posted on September 28, 2011December 1, 2015 by Pragmatic Mom

The fifth graders at my kids’ elementary school are challenged to try to read all the books for the Massachusetts Book Award. I’ve noticed many of them have won Newbery awards so it’s a great list. I found a breakdown for age appropriateness and have organized the books that way. I am excited about this list because there are beloved and acclaimed authors on the list as well as some who are new to me. What about you? Have you or your child read any of these books? Please share what you thought about these books as well as any other book you’d recommend for 5th grade (plus or minus two grades!).

How To: Get Kids to Eat Healthy Food

Posted on September 27, 2011April 24, 2018 by Pragmatic Mom

It’s getting easier to get my oldest to make “healthy food choices” as we call it. The other day, she went on a play date and the mom said that when she offered my daughter a snack, she requested fruit. My mom friend was aghast that she actually had no fruit in the house. A different snack was consumed. Upon her return, my daughter said that she just really, really likes and even craves a lot of fruit. And not so much for cookies. She can have cookies. Just pair it with a protein!

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New Books for 1st and 2nd Grade

Posted on September 26, 2011August 12, 2018 by Pragmatic Mom

This is a great reading list from the Newton Free Library system for first and second graders that includes graphic novels, easy readers, non fiction, picture books, poetry and magazines. If you are part of the Minutemen library system, just click on link of book title to reserve.

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Skip Counting Songs for Multiplication and Division Facts

Posted on September 25, 2011January 15, 2019 by Pragmatic Mom

Simple Skip Counting Songs to Learn Multiplication and Division. Fun free multiplication games to play on the computer.

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Middle School Books Hot off the Presses

Posted on September 25, 2011July 31, 2018 by Pragmatic Mom

This great reading list for Middle School kids is from the Newton Free Library system. I find that they have great book lists but sometimes there are so many of them that they are challenging to locate on the website. My sixth grade daughter read and recommends these books.

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How To: Install Infant Car Seat Correctly

Posted on September 24, 2011May 24, 2015 by Pragmatic Mom

While installing and using child safety seats may appear to be easy enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that close to 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child restraints … and if you are one of them, that child safety seat may not protect your child the way it should.

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Best Books for Middle School Kids from Actual Middle School Students

Posted on September 24, 2011October 18, 2018 by Pragmatic Mom

Favorite Books for Middle School Kids from actual Middle School Students (with a few from their teachers and parents).

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Best Math Apps for Kids

Posted on September 23, 2011December 6, 2018 by Pragmatic Mom

I do think that math apps for the iPhone/iPad/iPod are a really fun way to learn and practice math. In some ways, very specific apps like the ones from iDevMath can serve as a private tutor for your child, teaching a concept step by step and provide problems for practice. Other math apps are meant to be really fun and are a way to use gaming to practice math facts. Still others provide an overview, like a Cliff Notes for a math subject. Algebra Boot Camp is not meant to be sexy, but it’s like reading someone’s very good notes for a refresher review. I believe in all of these concepts so I rounded up what I think are the best educational iPad and iPhone apps for kids. Now when your kids use your iPhone, you can feel good about making them math games!

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Top 10: Banned or Challenged Books to READ!

Posted on September 21, 2011January 1, 2019 by Pragmatic Mom

I am going to make a point of reading these banned and challenged books, if only to understand where on the continuum they belong in my children’s hands. How about you? How do you feel about banned or challenged books? Please comment!