Latism '13 Recap

Unlike many of my blogging amigas, I don't get to attend very many conferences each year. In fact, I don't get much time away by myself ever. I know. It's totally unhealthy and it is certainly not because I don't want time to myself on occasion! Homeschooling and a lack of babysitters makes traveling alone especially hard at this point. But I generally try to make it to at least one conference, sometimes two.

The main one that I always try to attend is the LATISM conference that takes place each fall. I've chosen LATISM because of their commitment to education and the education track that features many panels and guest speakers. I very much enjoy learning all the most recent statistics regarding Latinos and education, including higher education. But I especially love learning about new programs, resources, and opportunities for Latino students and their families.

Hearing about the amazing work that other institutions and individuals are doing is very inspirational for me personally, and helps to reignite my commitment to you, dear Readers, and our children.

In addition, this year it moved me so much to see my name listed not once but twice in the Best Latina Education Blog Award category for two of my sites: MommyMaestra.com and Latinas4LatinoLit.org, which I co-founded with my partner, Viviana Hurtado, of The Wise Latina Club.  To all of you who voted for L4LL, a sincere gracias. Winning the award for the third year in the row, even though this year it was for a different site, blew my mind. Next year, it is someone else's turn.

This year, I also had the opportunity to attend the Top Blogueras Retreat prior to the conference where we received additional support in developing our sites as actual businesses, because the reality is that you can help others and still get paid for it. And as a homeschooling mom, I need the extra income because though my husband is an expert in his field and is doing what he loves, his job, unfortunately, isn't exactly considered high-income. I love working from home and the opportunities it allows me when it comes to teaching my kids. And I love being able to share resources with parents and educators like you who are looking for these materials, sites and opportunities, even if I can't use them myself with my own children. It's really good to know that someone else benefits from MommyMaestra. And everyone should get paid for working hard and doing something they love, no?

I'm so thankful to the sponsors, Suave, Johnson & Johnson, Google, and Univision, who made this trip possible for all of us blogueras and supporting Latinos in social media. The retreat included a meeting with representatives from the United Nations, as well as a trip to the U.N. It was a wonderful opportunity to see social good in action and inspired me to continue writing and helping our kids learn the value of a great education.

Thank you, Latism, for all the great work you do for Latino families, especially in the area of education.

Un abrazo...

The United Nations and a Birthday Party

Last week, Betty and I did a little celebrating of our own as we were both selected to participate in a Top Blogueras Retreat in New York City. It was the first time we'd met each other in person, and I can tell you that Betty is as lovely in person as she is online. As part of the retreat, we had the opportunity to visit with leaders from the United Nations to hear about the many initiatives they are currently working on, such as the Girl Up campaign whose goal is to empower teen girls around the world to enact social changes in their own communities. And The Coalition for Adolescent Girls that recognizes the role they play in global development and promotes investing in adolescent girls through education, health, and more.

This week, the UN Global Assembly (UNGA) is taking place, as is The Social Good Summit, a three-day conference where big ideas merge with new media to find innovative solutions to world issues. You can visit the website to watch the live stream in English or Spanish (or French, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, or Hebrew!). Yesterday, Malala Yousafzai spoke on a panel about leading girls forward despite adversity.

To see today's agenda, click here.

During the UNGA, world leaders will be gathering to discuss big challenges our world is facing, including poverty, disease, and environmental degradation. There is sure to be a lot of tense moments this week, with so much controversy existing between the US and Russia, as well as the possibility of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir attendance.

In today's tension-filled political world, it is more important than ever that we strive to raise our children to be global citizens who reach for peace and the good of our world community. For me, the best way to achieve this is through education - of other nations, other cultures, and of ourselves.

Today, Multicultural Kid Blogs is celebrating it's first anniversary by hosting a virtual birthday party and everyone is invited! MKB is made up of a group of blogs dedicated to celebrating multiculturalism.

The Party
To join the party, all you have to do is visit the participating blogs listed below to see what they are bringing to the party. You can also link up your own posts on the MKB site if you have a party themed recipe, activity, craft, or other related post you'd like to share.


The Giveaway
Like any good host, we don't want you to go home empty handed, so we are offering some great prizes to three lucky winners. See the end of the post for details on the prizes. The giveaway will go through midnight PDT on Monday, Sept 30th.

 To enter, visit the MKB site to:
 1) Link up a birthday-related post or
 2) Comment on the MKB site to tell us your wish for the coming year!

Party Hosts

Dad's the Way I Like It MommyMaestra SpanglishBaby For the Love of Spanish Spanish Playground the piri-piri lexicon Expat Life with a Double Buggy Kids Yoga Stories MarocMama All Done Monkey

Party Favors

Prize #1

Digital download of Más Canciones en Español from Music with Sara

Prize #2

Set of 2 books from National Geographic Kids - US Shipping Only

Treasury of Egyptian Mythology

How to Speak Dog

Prize #3

Lively Spanish immersion program DVD recommended for children ages 2-7 from Whistlefritz

Now it's your turn! Visit the MKB site for a chance to win one of these prizes by linking up your birthday posts or commenting to tell us your wish for the coming year!

Feliz Navidad from MommyMaestra...

I have decided to take this last week of the year off to enjoy mi familia and relax. I'll be popping in on our Facebook page from time to time, but if I don't respond to emails or messages right away, you'll know why!

I wish all of you a beautiful week spent with your loved ones. May you enjoy nochebuena and have a feliz navidad if you celebrate it.

Be safe and have the happiest of new years!!!

Nos vemos en 2013...

Un abrazo fuerte!

Be Back Soon...

MommyMaestra will be on vacation for a few days. I'm taking this week off so that I can spend some love time with my familia, catch up on my sleep, and finish up a few other projects.

When was the last time you took some time off?

Un abrazo fuerte...

MommyMaestra's 2nd Anniversary!! {GIVEAWAY}

With our end-of-year testing finally out of the way, we were all ready for a little celebration last week. SO since my husband was working late, I decided to take the kids to our local children's museum which was kicking off summer by showing Puss in Boots - for FREE - under the stars on their back lawn. We got there early to find a good spot, only to discover the children's museum was open late because of the event...and it was FREE, too!! Whoop! Does it get any better than that? Oh, yes it does! Because they had just gotten a new exhibit: BRAIN - The World Inside Your Head. My kids loved it. Super cool interactives that challenge you and trick your body!

Anyway, we had a total blast watching the movie and I was reminded of just how much I loved it when it first came out. The music is excellent (MUST buy soundtrack!), the jokes show an intimate knowledge of our culture, and both Salma and Antonio are superb voice actors.

Then it suddenly occurred to me in the last few days that in the busy-ness that is now my life, I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT MOMMYMAESTRA'S BIRTHDAY!!

On June 1st, this little blog celebrated its 2nd anniversary. Two years!! Already? It seems like just a few days ago I was fretting over whether or not I should start this blog. Now I don't know why I didn't start it sooner because the response has been incredible. Almost every week now I receive messages from readers thinking of homeschooling, or looking for curricula and other resources. But the best ones are the messages that say how much they appreciate the information on this site.

THE GIVEAWAY

I have been staying away from giveaways lately. But I have to celebrate, so I have a few scheduled for this week. And I'm starting off with a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy of Puss in Boots. Just because I love it. And so did my kids. Once I pick a winner (at random), I'll buy the movie and have a new one shipped to you from Amazon. This giveaway is open to everyone.

To enter to win, simply leave a comment below.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, June 17th (Happy Father's Day!). The winners will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment!

And to increase your chances of winning, you can:

1) Follow the MommyMaestra FB page.

2) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: Win a copy of Puss in Boots from @LatinMami in honor of MommyMaestra's 2nd anniversary http://bit.ly/LTPv6F #giveaway

Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!

By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.

¡Buena suerte!

Disclosure: This giveaway is offered by me out of my own pocket. Because I love the movie and my readers. ~XO

Happy New Year From Mommy Maestra!

Another year is gone and a new one begins. I cannot believe how quickly 2011 went by. Is it because this is my first year homeschooling two children? Or did life just get extra busy? I don't know where the time went, but this year, I'm hoping to slow things down a bit.

Our New Year's was quiet. The kids were sick with colds and stayed home with my mother, while my husband, stepdad, and I popped in to a party for a few hours at a friend's house. Home by 11 pm and a quiet hug and kiss with my mama at midnight ended the year for me.

Los abuelos are leaving in the morning and I am dreading the tears from my children that have already begun. For us, this week finds us settling back into our school routine and diligently working to make up the time we took off and to get ahead before we leave for another family trip to Texas.

Most of all, I am hoping for some quiet time to reflect on the changes, challenges, and accomplishments of this past year. I want time to set new goals for my children and myself, as well as educational goals for our second semester. Hopefully I'll be able to share these with you in a few days.

Until then, I hope you enjoy this week on MommyMaestra. We're concentrating on Día de los Reyes Magos!

Un abrazo fuerte...

MommyMaestra Wishes You a Feliz Navidad...

The abuelos have arrived and the presents are wrapped. Buenas noches to all and to all a....

MommyMaestra Challege: One Idea for Raising Philanthropic Children

One of the things that bothers me this time of year is the focus on materialism that seems to run amok. Everywhere we look there are commercials and ads targeting a child's (and an adult's!) selfish desires. As a parent, I think it is a really difficult time for us to avoid a bad case of the "Galloping Gimmies," as the Berenstain Bears so eloquently put it in one of their episodes.

A few years ago, I was helping out in the kitchen of one the annual Christmas plays my kids' preschool puts on. One of the other mothers was rattling on about what her children were wanting/getting for Christmas. I was nodding politely, only half listening, until she mentioned one of those giant dinosaurs that was automated or whatever. It was the "big thing" that year, and we had seen it in Target. My son had gazed up at it in awe and demanded we add it to his list. I took one look at the outlandish three digit price, and immediately dismissed it. Seriously? Why would I spend a couple hundred dollars on a toy that takes up too much space, is too loud, has no educational value, and will be forgotten in a few weeks? I was totally horrified that this mom would waste so much money...much less brag about it.

I couldn't help but think of all the other things she could buy, or the good that she could do for someone else with that money.

Lately, it seems like I spend almost every shopping trip saying "No!" to my kids' pleas for at least a dozen toys. So I have to wonder, how do parents teach their children to be satisfied with what they have? How do we teach them to think of others who are less fortunate? Even harder, how do we make charity a habit in our children's lives?

Here's my preliminary plan of attack:

Tomorrow, I'll be pulling out a box for the kids to fill with toys they no longer want/play with. Their challenge is going to be to create a gift box for other children like themselves, who don't have any toys to play with. We'll then take the box to Goodwill together.

The challenge for them? Letting go of stuff.

The challenge for me? Being willing to accept some of the (sentimental) things they want to let go of.

I also want both of them to take the time to make something with their own hands to give to someone else. So we'll be brainstorming ideas of not only what to make, but who to give it to. I'll share our list with you tomorrow.


In the meantime, here are some great books I've found online that I think have potential. I haven't read them, so if you have, I'd love to hear your feedback...

• The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving by Ellen Sabin

• Raising Charitable Children by Carol Weisman

• How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist: 330 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Home, Community, and World - at No Cost! by Nicole Bouchard Boles

This isn't much, but it's a start. I hope to be able to make more progress after you participate in my little challenge...


The MommyMaestra Challenge:

I would like to challenge you all this week to come up with one idea or activity to help your children understand the value of giving to others. Share it with us so that we might all be able to benefit and perhaps use it with our own families.

Buena suerte!

Social Responsibility Begins With Us

As a parent, I feel that the best way to teach my children about social responsibility is to demonstrate it myself. That means through actions and words. So we talk about issues like helping others who are less fortunate, learn about things we don't understand, and do our small part to make our home, town, country, and world a better place.

I think that as a blogger, I am doubly obligated to focus on social good. I have a platform that is perfect for teaching and helping others. In my experience, the written word can so often prove to be a powerful motivator. And I think all bloggers should use their sites to "pay it forward," so to speak. If we have the ears (eyes) of others, we should use the opportunity to help make our own little niche a better place and a source of inspiration.

Obviously I am passionate about education, and from time to time, I want to write and share articles that promote social responsibility and The Golden Rule. Laurita's article yesterday, was just one example of how I want to be able to share knowledge and express support. I hope that you took a moment to learn about spina bifida so that the next time you meet someone who is affected by this condition, you can interact with them in a knowledgeable and compassionate manner.

I believe that social media and mobile technology are powerful tools for spreading awareness and doing good. Over the next few months, I'm looking forward to sharing more articles on MommyMaestra on other organizations and programs that focus on health and education. And if you follow my Facebook page, you've already seen me sharing articles and resources on these subjects and others.

What do you think? Should bloggers and other social media professionals use their platforms in a socially responsible way? 

Con mucho cariño...

Disclaimer: I was compensated for writing this article, which was written in conjunction with the LATISM Social Good Goes Mobile Blog Tour.

Thank You for the Nomination

Queridos Amigos,

I just wanted to say thank you.

It came as a complete surprise this week to find out that some (many?) of you had nominated me for the Best Latin@ Education Blogger in the Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) Awards. I am extremely flattered to be simply considered in the same category as Miguel Corona and Amor Montes de Oca, both of whom have incredibly informative blogs. If you are the voting type, I would love your support. You may vote here.

Writing MommyMaestra motivates me and inspires me with my own children's education. I have learned so much from you, dear readers, and from the online education community. I cannot tell you how joyful I am each time I receive a message from a mother or teacher in the community saying how much they get out of MommyMaestra.

Our goal as parents is to raise healthy and happy children. It is also our responsibility to try our best to equip them with the tools they need to succeed in life. And one of the best tools we can give them is a good education.  We have to be cheerleaders, teachers, listeners, mentors, and fighters. Because if we do not fight for our children, then who will?

I have watched MommyMaestra grow into something bigger than I imagined. We have become a group of Latina moms and teachers who know how to work together, help one another, and share our resources so that all may benefit from our own individual experiences.

MommyMaestra would not be what it is today without its readers. You are a wonderful group. I'm happy to have communicated with many of you and look forward to talking - and maybe even meeting! - many more of you in the future.

Un abrazote,

~Monica

Meet Me at the Fair...

It's that time of year again! Starting Friday, I'll be spending time at the State Fair of Texas in the Women's Museum, where my boutique, Latin Baby™, has a booth. This year the museum is hosting the Mundo Latino exhibit, which is celebrating its 15th year at the fair. Each year Mundo Latino features an exhibit highlighting the rich Latino culture. The theme changes from year to year, but it usually includes dance, music, food and educational programs from artists and groups representing the Latin world including Mexico, Spain, Central & South America, and the United States.

This year's theme is Chiles! chiles! chiles! and features features authentic, traditional Latin foods created with the savory ingredients of chiles, spices and products grown in Latin countries. They have cooking demonstrations, too. I can't wait to sample all the delicious dishes they are preparing!

If you are in the Dallas area and plan on going to the Fair, stop by my booth  and say "hola!" I'd love to talk with you! And all MommyMaestra or Latin Baby Book Club readers will get an extra 10% off if you mention that you read this here! We have some wonderful products for sale, including some that were created specifically for the fair. So stop by and see us!

Con mucho cariño...

Take Time to Find the Connection

Last Friday, my daughter woke up sick with a cold. She was groggy and not much into school. We've been pretty good about sticking to our schedule, so I decided it wouldn't hurt anything to take a sick day and let the kids relax and have the day off.

But right about the time we normally start lessons, my son fired up the school computer and asked if he could put in his "dinosaur" CD. Okay, sure, I say, not thinking that it will last long because the material is a little dry. Just picture after picture of different dinosaurs with a few skeletons thrown in. Not in the least bit interactive.

Whoa. Next thing I knew, my sick girl was suddenly off the couch and in the library with us and both kids were carefully drawing the dinosaur they had up on the screen, then carefully looking it up in one of their books to get the name so they could label the picture accurately. And then it was on to the next dino picture.

Somewhere along the line, it occurs to me that I have a dinosaur pack that I downloaded this past summer. After giving the printer a workout, I was rewarded with some excited squeals from my son. Their favorite activity was the spin and graph.

Then out came the miniature toy dinos. And the school camera. My daughter took pictures (see above) while my son set the scene for her.

"You're the best mami!" said my son, followed by a giant hug.

And when I looked down at him, there it was in his eyes. The excitement. The joy. The connection.

Sometimes, we have to find that special thing that makes learning fun. Oh, yeah, it should always be fun, but occasionally we get into a little routine - which is comforting, don't get me wrong! - but maybe we get a little boring. Gasp! No! Did she say boring? Andale, m'ija, homeschooling isn't a perfect little world. But even if you aren't homeschooling. How often does your kid come home excited about what she's learning? Oy.

Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands. And that means sitting down and thinking about what it is that intrigues your child. What sparks their imagination? What puts a smile on their face?

Find a way to help them apply what they are learning in school to the subject that most interests them. If they're studying geometry but they love art, break out the papel picado crafts and challenge them. Or maybe they are science lovers, but cry when you make them read a book. Pick up a copy of Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals and let them discover new countries, animals, and people.

The best part of living is learning something new about the things of which we are passionate. Sometimes we just need a little help connecting it all together.

Con mucho cariño...




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This post was inspired by a bi-weekly blog prompt called #HalbaTalk through Latina Bloggers Connect. Thanks for the idea, mamas!

Mommy Maestra and Why I Blog

When I started writing Mommy Maestra last year, I did it because I wanted to reach out to other Latino homeschoolers. I also wanted to share a lot of the resources that I was stumbling upon, many of which I couldn't even use because my kids were not old enough or fluent enough in Spanish yet to use. I blog because I care about education, and Latinos, and children. And if I can help a parent get involved in their child's education, then that is my way of giving back to the cultura that has given me so very, very much.

Since the day I first hit "Publish," this blog has really grown and taken on a life of its own. My readers are like 100% female (Hola? Any muchachos out there?), but that's where the similarity ends. Some of you are homeschooling, some are thinking about homeschooling, and many of you have children in public or private school and are simply looking for ways to supplement their education. At least half of you are looking for resources in Spanish, while others want English, and some want a mix of both. Some of you have young children, others have older kids, and some of you are teachers with LOTS of niños! I think the biggest surprise was finding out how half of you are Latinas, while the other half are not (though many are married to Latinos).

So I find the hard part is that I have a lot of different information to pass on. I have to try and balance the Spanish and the English, the preschool with the middle school information. I have mamis writing to me on a regular basis asking me questions about homeschooling: how to start, how to tell the family, what are my state's laws, etc. And I try to answer each one of you as best I can.

¡Ay, caramba! It is a lot of responsibility. But I appreciate your trust. It never fails to move me whenever I receive a message from one of you expressing your thanks or telling me that you are considering homeschooling as a result of following this blog. I know that homeschooling is not for everyone, but for some it is the best choice - if they can just find the confidence to try it.

Sometimes I get very nervous thinking of all the expectations my readers have of me. I worry about your children and wonder if I am giving you good advice. I try to find products and websites and books and anything else that you will find helpful. And there are so many things I think of that would be helpful to mamis with kids, I have a hard time limiting myself to just the ones pertaining to education.

And, because I am a perfectionist and an overachiever, I am always looking for ways improve the blog, be a better blogger. I try to read about the latest gadgets and the best practices. Most of the former I can't afford, and I do my best with the latter. I toy with the idea of going to conferences like BlogHer, Type-A, and yada-yada, but the truth is: I am a homeschooling mami. I don't have the money or the time (or a babysitter) to attend most of these. I'm not a big party-er, so that doesn't bother me, but the A-student in me sometimes wishes I could go and sit in on a panel/talk/presentation. Just because I am nerdy that way.

So I'm thinking about going to the Blogalicious conference next month. It is only a few hours away from me and I want to go because this is a conference created specifically to celebrate diversity in social media. This translates into bloggers like me, who write about culture and language. I attended last year and had a blast. It was my first me-only trip in 6 years! I felt like a girl at college again. And for me that is BIG. I sat at the talks carefully taking notes, writing fast and furious with my little pen and notebook, while mis amigas sat around me typing into their iPads and laptops. While others hoped to win goody-baskets filled with lotions and pampering products, I squealed when I won the book "Waiting for Superman" because I'm obsessed with education. When I somehow won an iPod shuffle, I looked at it in confusion, then gave it to my step dad for Christmas. (I had no clue what to do with it anyway.)

But you know, I had the best time. ¿Por qué? Because it was something for me. As a mom, I don't do that very often. Do something just for myself. Something that I enjoy and is all my own. I like learning. I am an eternal student. And when my kids asked me why I wanted to go to this conference, my response was, "Because it is so exciting! There's so much to learn!"

And that, dear reader, is the best lesson and motivation for learning that a parent can give a child. You have to practice what you preach.

I don't know for sure if I'll be going to this year's Blogalicious conference, but if it works out, I know I'll be happy sitting in that seat, scribbling statistics and tips in my notebook.

I wonder, do you, mama, have something that is all your own? Do you show your children that it is important to have interests and to be passionate about something?

Con mucho cariño...

Disclaimer: Sharing my blogging story qualifies me to win a ticket to Blogalicious. So now you know why I blog... if you didn't already have it figured out!

A Study of Hurricanes

It has been a long week.

The arrival of Irene on Saturday the 27th, brought with her wind and rain that seemed to go on forever. Although she was only a Category 1 by the time she made landfall, the storm was so SLOW to pass through North Carolina, that the damage was made that much worse.

Although our small place survived with only one tree down in the pasture and a bit of a leaky roof, many of my friends and neighbors did not fare so well. I could not get over the number of BIG trees that toppled around town in the late afternoon. Most of them finally succumbing to the winds after the ground could no longer hold them because it was completely sodden. Someone said we had 18 hours of torrential rain. I'm not sure, but I do know that it seemed endless.

We actually spent the day holed up in the center at the park where my husband works. I did not want to be left alone with the kids, and he had to go in to work to keep an eye on all the animals. So after a sleepless night (for me), off we all went. I spent the day watching all the trees in and around the park bending and shaking as the North wind blew them with a powerful blast. I had prepared an emergency kit and had stocked my car ahead of time with pillows and sleeping bags, movies and food, books and games. So my kids were quite happy throughout the day and were unaffected by the weather raging outside.

When we arrived home that night, it was to a dark and quiet house. And it was the same every night after that until we finally regained power on Thursday afternoon. The first few days were spend helping clean up the park, and then I decided that enough time had been wasted and so I proceeded to check out every book in the library on hurricanes. After all, if life gives you lemons, then the only thing to do is to make limonada!

We were fascinated to learn how hurricanes form, where they are found, the three parts of a hurricane (can you name all three?), and finally, how one dies. Studying explained so much - especially as to why Vermont suffered so badly. Here are some of the things that we discovered:

Hurricanes always form in tropic waters. These warmer waters provide the energy for the storms as the water evaporates more easily. A hurricane is "born" when air is heated by warm ocean waters and creates two or more thunderstorms over the ocean that come together and begin to rotate.

They can have three names: in the Atlantic they are called "hurricanes," in the Indian Ocean they are called "Cyclones," and in the Northern Pacific Ocean, they are called "Typhoons."

North of the equator, hurricanes always spin counterclockwise, but south of the equator, they all spin clockwise! This is due to the Coriolis effect.

The three parts of a hurricane are: the eye, the eye wall, and the spiral rainbands.

Take a look at this small printable book on hurricanes from Enchanted Learning.

We also talked about how meteorologists name hurricanes, alternating boy and girl names.

And, of course, we talked about how a hurricane dies. These powerful storms are hungry, and in order to continue to grow, they must be continually fed by the warm waters below. When it moves over land and loses its source of moisture, the hurricane falls apart dumping incredible amounts of water - which is why Vermont was so badly affected even though they have no coast!

Take a look at these awesome books on hurricanes:

Hurricane Book & CD (Read Along Book & CD) by David Wiesner

Eye of the Storm: A Book About Hurricanes (Amazing Science: Weather) by Thomas, Rick, Shea and Denise

Kingfisher Knowledge: Hurricanes, Tsunamis, and Other Natural Disasters by Andrew Langley

El Autobus Magico Dentro De Un Huracan  by Joanna Cole

Thank you all for your prayers and kind words this past week. They have meant so much to me.

Un abrazo a todos,

~Monica

Back-To-School? Yes and No...

For many of you, today is officially Back-To-School Day!

Felicidades for surviving the summer! I hope you have all enjoyed the last few months with your children and that you spent a lot of time learning and playing together.

For those of you who are homeschooling, I wonder if you are starting the school year today, too? Or have you already started, like we have? Or are you waiting a few more weeks before your books hit the table? Maybe you are throwing a Not-Back-To-School Fiesta!

Isn't it amazing how wonderfully varied our lives are? And yet, if you are reading this, I know that we are the same in at least two ways: we love our children and value their education.

The fervor that surrounds this time of year, the excitement of beginning school again, never ceases to thrill me. Before us lies a year with infinite possibilities. It is ours to mold.

I have this picture hanging on my wall:

It is Rivera's mural at the Diego Rivera Theater in San Francisco. This beautiful piece reminds me of what I wrote last year; how I want our school year to be like a Diego Rivera mural: Bold, vibrant, eclectic, active, busy, and full of information about lots of different things. At the end of the year, I want us to look back and say, WOW! We covered so many topics, read so many books, and learned so many new and wonderful things!

I'm looking at ways to better document all of my children's work without keeping every bitty piece of paper. The yearbook is fabulous, but I want something from a more academic point of view. I'd love to hear some suggestions (hint, hint!).

I am super excited about the next few weeks, I have another great giveaway, a moving and informative guest post, and lots of books, products, companies, and websites to share with you!

Thank you, Dear Readers, for helping to keep me motivated and for your interest in our children's education. This blog is a labor of love for me. I enjoy sharing with and learning from each and every one of you.

Un abrazo fuerte,

~Monica

The Latin Baby Book Club Is Celebrating Its THIRD Anniversary!

This week may be a little quiet around here on MommyMaestra. That is because I will be focusing my energy on my other site, the Latin Baby Book Club, as it celebrates its 3rd anniversary! (I can't believe it!!)

If you are not familiar with the site, you may want to explore it. It is full of information, including book reviews of Latino children's literature, author and illustrator interviews, articles by guest contributors, giveaways, ideas to promote literacy, downloads, and much, much more.

And on a related note, I am looking for regular and guest contributors to the LBBC. If you are interested in sharing a review(s) of your favorite bilingual or bicultural children's book, please contact me.

In the meantime, please consider taking the anonymous, one-question poll here on this page at the top of the sidebar. I'm trying to get a better understanding for the number of homeschooling vs. public/private schooling families reading MommyMaestra. Right now the public/private schoolers are ahead!

Con mucho cariño...

What Do You Say To Your Kids About Bin Laden's Death?

Okay, so technically I am on vacation this week. But last night's announcement by President Obama about the death of Osama bin Laden has raised an important question: What do you tell your kids about this whole issue?

I might have just not mentioned this to my little ones for now, but on the way to take my son to preschool, I was listening to NPR as I usually do (and out of habit), and of course, the stories were all about bin Laden. I was distracted and not thinking. And was listening intently to the report, forgetting that my kids were listening in the back. Then my daughter asked me who the man they were talking about was and why was everyone so happy that he was dead.

Yikes.

Now, I personally believe that honesty is the best policy. I don't like lying to my kids. But I also know that they don't need to know every detail. And I think it is important to put things in way that they can understand. But sometimes I just don't know the right answers.

So here's how our conversation went:

"Mami, who are they talking about and why are they so glad he's dead?"

Big deep breath and thinking quickly. "Ten years ago a very, very bad man attacked our country and killed a lot of innocent people. Our government has been looking for him ever since, trying to find him to bring him to justice. And now they have. Many of our soldiers have fought and sacrificed to keep our country safe."

"Why did he attack our country?"

"Oh, probably for a lot of reasons. Partially because we don't believe in the same things he did. But mostly because he went bad on the inside and was just a really horrible person."

"And now he's dead?"

"Yes. Our armies have been looking for him for a really long time, since before you were born, and they finally found him. But when they went in to get him, there was a fight and he died."

"Oh, that's good."

"Well, yes and no. It is really wonderful that he will never hurt people again, but it is sad because we should never kill someone. Doing that is wrong. And it makes other people think that it is okay to do so. And we should never be happy that someone has been killed. Life is precious."

"But he was bad. And people hated him."

"Yes, he was. And what he did was terrible and hurt so many, many families. But hating someone who hates you, doesn't make them stop hating you. It actually just makes it worse. And we should always, always try to find another way to deal with someone who is bad or hateful."

"But maybe sometimes there is no other way."

And with that I didn't know what to say. How do you tell a child that you are relieved someone so awful is dead without implying that it is okay to kill someone? That rejoicing is inappropriate, but it is okay to be grateful to the men and women who have fought and died in the war, and who finally have accomplished what we have all wanted for so long? And how do you explain how it is wrong to wish someone dead, when after 9/11, I hoped and even prayed that he would suffer and pay for what he did not only to all the people who died and their families, but to this entire nation?

It is hard to teach something that you struggle with yourself.

And so, I wish to leave you my dear readers with these quotes that I read today:

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. "

~Jessica Dovey

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.



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School Play? A Success!

Handmade costumes are the best...

Viva la primavera!

This week is shaping up to be a very busy one around here. Between meetings, my son's school play, and my daughter's 4-H field trip, I'll be struggling to get it all done.

And don't forget that we have dedicated this entire month to celebrating Día de los niños, Día de los libros over at the Latin Baby Book Club. There are giveaways, guest posts, and free downloads going on over there.

So I know, dear readers, that you will understand if this week there may be a few missed posts, or some super simple ones - like this one with these images I snapped this weekend. ¡Viva la primavera!

:: Tulip

:: Isn't it extraordinary? Maravillosa!

:: How perfect are these bleeding hearts?

:: My 'Buelita loved irises, so they have a special place in my heart.

:: The azaleas around my house are amazing!

:: Qué está pensando este lagarto verde? I like to think "¡Hola, Muchacha!" But in reality it is probably more like, "¡Oye, déjame en paz, Mujer!"

:: A discovery in one of our nest boxes! A flying squirrel...

:: And just because I couldn't resist this little close-up. ¡Mira, qué cara!

Con mucho cariño....

Four Reasons Latino Parents Don't Encourage Their Children to Pursue STEM Fields

Recently, two colleagues of mine have been invited to speak on this subject – one at a conference, and the other to Latino parents of 7th and 8th grade girls. One of them asked what kinds of questions we thought parents would have for helping their daughter to become a “rocket scientist.” The other wanted to know if our children were interested in careers in Tech or Innovation fields (doctors, scientists, engineers, etc...) She also asked if we believe schools prepare Latino children to develop interest in tech/innovation careers? And how would we improve outreach?

Here are some of the reasons that I think some Latino parents hesitate to encourage their children in these areas:

Lots of familias don't think girls should be good at math and/or science. They say this is "man's work." Or maybe families worry about pushing girls into a field previously associated with boys. Either way, I think it is really important to give some examples of successful Latinas who have entered these fields.

- One great resource comes from Women of Color Magazine, which ran an article that featured three Latina Engineers.

- Take a look at Shayla Rivera, aerospace engineer turned comedian. (How’s that for a twist?)

- Latina Women of NASA; or for a more personal article, Johnson Space Center has a feature on two Latinas team members.

- Latino youth in general, will appreciate this really good page on About.com that features Famous Hispanic Inventors

Culturally, young Latinas are oftentimes expected to grow up and care for their parents. Parents may be worried that their daughter will move far away away from home to pursue a higher education or career in a STEM field. To be honest, I think this is a fear that all parents have for all of their children, be it boys or girls. But this fear tends to affect Latino families more because there is such a strong emphasis on family relationships.

Many parents worry that they just don't have the money to pay for the education that their children need to enter these fields. How about taking a hand-out with a list of scholarships, programs, and financial aid for students in this area?

Here is a list from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund that shares a wide range of scholarships available for Latino students.

Parents who are not strong in math or science may wonder how they can provide support. You don’t have to know everything about the subject. I think many parents feel as though they need to be equals with their children or be more knowledgeable. But it’s really okay to let your child know more about something. My son is four and already he knows more about dinosaurs than I could ever dream of knowing! What do I do? Supply him with books. Lots and lots of books. And I ask questions. And I listen.

You can support your child by taking the time to learn even just a little bit about what fascinates them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your children will love that you care enough to ask and to at least try to understand what inspires them. And it builds confidence. Allowing them to be the teacher helps them to develop a sense of pride.

Simply showing them that you are there to help in any way means more than being able to sit down and have an intellectual conversation with them. Urging them to follow their dreams and praising your child's interests will be the one thing that they remember. And it may be all they need to succeed. With the love of family, your child can accomplish miracles.

How would I improve outreach? I would be sure that every school had at least one person on staff whose only job was to communicate with parents. To help them help their own children. To provide resources in English AND Spanish for those that need it. Because we don’t have all the answers. We don’t always know the best way to support our kids. But we do the best that we can. And we love them. Our job is to do whatever we need to do to help them find their way.

Con mucho cariño…