Positively Persistent Teach (on summer break)
I am a Pre-kindergarten teacher transplanted in Florida from Ohio. I use this space to collect teaching ideas, discuss politics, and go all fan girl over my favorite books or tv shows. I worked with Tumblr to develop the #education tag and think the #education community on Tumblr the best thing to happen on the internet bar none. I can't promise that this blog will always be positive, because believe it or not, I'm only human (as Garfield would say). However, my teaching philosophy centers around focusing on the positive and being persistent about learning and the kids that I get to call my own for a year.
Never give up on a kid or yourself.
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Showing posts tagged health
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Scientists have discovered a compound that could make sit-ups and StairMasters as attractive as snacks and the sofa.
Where do I get in line?
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Preschool Playbook: Guest Post: Avoid the Back to School Cold
Work on hand washing together Perhaps the most common way for a child to contract an illness is to rub their eyes or their nose after the germs that cause the cold are on their hands. Studies show that only about half of middle school and high school students wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Of those, only about a third of girls and 8% of boys used soap. Work with your child on getting in the habit of washing his hands every time he uses the restroom, as well as both before and after meals.
(Click the link to read the entire article).
I already feel the scratchiness at the back of my throat. I’m going to see if I can get some help translating some tips into Spanish.
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Create a Family Health History
Knowing your family health history can help you get better preventative care. Create your own history to monitor your health.
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Why eco-friendly soap is better for your health
Eco-friendly soap isn’t just better for the environment, it’s good for your skin and you.And GWALP says I’ve known this all along.
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Fifteen-year-old Jack Andraka is a fan of “Glee” and likes to kayak. He’s also the mind behind a new pancreatic cancer test that is 168 times faster than anything else in the field. In May, Jack won $75,000 at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for his test.
He is currently working on getting this test patented. More.
(Photo: Jack Andraka, via sciencenewsforkids.org)
Awesome!
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Update on my friend Sal - who needs to raise $10,000 for his heart/lung transplant.
A little over a week ago, I wrote this Tumblr post asking for anyone and everyone who could afford to make a donation that will literally help save the life of someone I care about.
When I posted it the donation page had only been up for about 3 days, and the balance was at 0. The totals are only updated weekly, but this week it jumped from 0 to $3,000. In one week, $3,000 was raised. Sal’s friends and family have been passing the word on as much as they can. But I’m pretty sure, a lot of those donations came from people on Tumblr. With over 200 notes, I was so touched by how everyone jumped on board with spreading the word even if they couldn’t donate. If every follower I had donated $1 Sal’s surgery would be paid for and then some. Obviously I don’t think every follower will/can donate $1, but I do think even the smallest of donations can be powerful.
I hope you will help me continue spreading the word about Sal and donating if you can. Sal’s in a band, and one of the venues they played with are allowing them to do a benefit for them. Pooped, who I’ve never even met, convinced a small business owner to do a raffle with the funds going to Sal and has also been sharing the information with her family and friends via facebook. You never know what might happen when you pass Sal’s story along. I’d love to see the number jump again next week and to continue to blow Sal and his family away.
Sal posted the following to his facebook this week:
I’m not one to ask for much. I’m mostly a “giver.” I love to help my friends and family out whenever possible. Unfortunately, at this time, I do need to ask YOU for help. If you can please click on the link below and share, I would be forever grateful. I would like to reach out to as many people as I can. Also, if you can donate any amount that fits your budget at this time, that will be much appreciated.
Thanks to those that have donated and showed their love and support. I CANNOT Thank You enough!!! It’s been a difficult, emotional journey so far for myself and my family. But knowing that there are such great people in this world that really do care, it puts a smile on my face and makes me realize that I am a very lucky individual.”
—-Additionally, if anyone is having any trouble with the link or have any questions relating to the billing or donations please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399. Thank you so much! -
Dearest Tumblr, I've never come to you with a greater need before. My friend needs a lung and heart transplant, and the medical expenses are in no way entirely covered by insurance.
I have known Sal Pulito since I was in the third grade. His sister, Aurora, has been best friends with my sister since they were in Kindergarten. Sal was born with Pulmonary Atresia, which means that there is a lack of blood flow to his lungs. It has become a life and death situation for him. Sal is one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met. He is probably the only one that understand the difficulty of dealing with the antics of “Salt and Pepper” as our sisters called themselves.
His insurance covers a very small percentage of the medical costs, and the deductable that he has to reach first is huge. Obviously, this explains my passion for the recent Health Care legislation, as I know it has been for many people on tumblr. But this story is so personal to me, I wish I could paint you a better picture of the Pulito family, but I will do my best below.
Sal’s parents are first generation immigrants from Italy. They speak Italian and English. Sal’s dad loves Elvis, and admittedly, looked a little bit like him when we were all younger. Sal is a phenomenal key board player, and has been in a band that performs at local restaurants and parties. In recent years, due to his medical condition Sal has had to move back home with his parents. Sal is a year older than me, and I can only imagine the freedom in addition to the good health Sal is hoping to have with this surgery. Sal’s older sister Jackie has a spirited daughter who is 12, and Sal is such a good uncle to her. Nina is the oldest, and for all you Chi-town people I know, she lives in Chicago with her husband and is book sniffer like many of us. Aurora has a little boy who Sal entertains with his music, and Vinny is adorable when he dances along. I have to say Sal’s mother is probably my favorite in the family. Her Italian Flag cookies and homemade spaghetti sauce have been a favorite in our household. Mrs. Pulito is one of the warmest people you could ever meet, and seems to take you into the family as soon as she meets you. She wants the best for everyone, and is always there with a hug and a kiss.
I can only imagine the financial hardship Sal’s condition has added up to over the years. But, what is stuck in the back of my throat is imagining this family without Sal. It is my every hope and prayer that all goes well for them. It would mean a lot to me if you could make a donation, even $1 donations help. I know money is tight for many, so reblogs are very much appreciated as well.
Please click the link above to visit his donation page. The Donate Now button is at the top of the screen.
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Tiny Teaching: Things I Do to Stay Healthy
‘Cause man, there are a lot. This is what’s worked for me, since I tend to be squeamish about giving out advice.
I don’t eat meat and I don’t eat dairy. Meat for all the myriad of reasons you might think and dairy because I’m allergic. I also avoid processed sugar. This cuts out a lot of…
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Wellness Wednesday Tip
Take the stairs.
Park far away.
Do two laps around the mall before you do any shopping.
Do laps at school if you are there early around the halls.
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The best home workout
Save money and get fit with these exercises you can do at home. -
Wellness Wednesday Tip
Buy 2 reusable water bottles with filters like Bobble.
I keep one in the fridge in the morning, and one in my classroom. I switch at lunch.
I stay hydrated, I don’t spend lots of money on water bottles, and I make less waste.
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United Way and Partners Build a United Way Healthy Kids Zone in Tampa Bay | United Way
Early Tuesday Morning volunteers from many different companies joined together for one common interest, our children. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese, it is up to us to help encourage our youth to stay active, get outside and stay healthy. Obesity is one of the easiest diseases to diagnose but could be the hardest to treat, which is why our youth need our help.
United Way along with GMC have come together to build Healthy Kid Zones in nine NFL markets as part of GMC’s Monday Night Football Tour. Tampa Florida being the second stop on the tour welcomed them with open arms. United Way chose the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office (DACCO) to be the location for Tampa’s Healthy Kids Zone. DACCO houses women that are a part of the program who want to live a drug free lifestyle. DACCO helps them achieve that by giving them the tools that it takes to promote positive relationships with the community and amongst their families. The women of DACCO were more than willing to break a sweat to help build the Healthy Kids Zone that their own children would be utilizing.
I am very interested in helping to teach kids good health practices. It really concerns me the rate of childhood Type 2 diabetes. The lack of education among adults on the increase of children with diabetes or at risk for diabetes is alarming (only 4 years ago I had a co-worker screaming at me in anger because she believed children could ONLY get juvenile diabetes). The more we can get kids out moving, and making healthy choices the better. (Ohmuffins, you are a hero.)
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Truth Graffiti
I work with the youngest of kids in schools, and I already see that diabetes (and not Juvenile diabetes) could be in their near future.
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MRI Shows Differences in Autistic Brain: Brain Imaging Could Prove Useful for Diagnosis
Stanford University researchers say they have identified key differences in the brain gray matter of children with and without autism. That could potentially prove useful in the diagnosis and treatment of the developmental disorder.
Using brain imaging, the researchers found that a specific network within the brain associated with social communication and self-regulation has a unique organization in autistic children.
Right now Autism is usually diagnosed through observations, interviews, and check lists/surveys completed by parents and possibly teachers. Sometimes it can be misdiagnosed, so a more scientific way to diagnose would really be beneficial to kids suspected of being autistic. It would also help implement interventions at an early age.
