MSI Press Blog

  Yesterday marked International Day of Education , a reminder that learning is far more than a system or a stage of life — it’s a force that shapes communities, economies, and futures. Education opens doors that nothing else can. It empowers people to participate fully in society, to innovate, to challenge injustice, and to imagine possibilities beyond their circumstances. This year’s global theme emphasized the role of youth as co‑creators of the future of education , highlighting how young people aren’t just recipients of knowledge — they’re architects of new ways of thinking and learning. As we reflect on the day, a few truths stand out: Access to quality education remains uneven , and millions are still left behind. Digital skills and lifelong learning are becoming essential for everyone, not just students. Inclusive, equitable education is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce poverty and strengthen peace. Honoring this day isn’t just about acknowledging a...

  Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from  365 Teacher Secrets for Parents  by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.   #75 Every Day’s a Holiday!   To show a child what once delighted you, to find the child’s delight added to your own, this is happiness.  ~J.B. Priestley   Holidays offer many ways to practice various reading skills in fun, motivating (and sometimes yummy!) ways. Try some of these ideas for some (or all!) holidays:   ●       Check out a book or two at the library about the holiday, then write out words associated with that holiday and play a special game of “Hidden Treasure!” with your child (Idea #20); ●       use those words to sort by features or put in alphabetical order; ●       write out the name of the holiday (or choose a large word associated with the holiday and see how many smaller words your family can come up with using...

  Many thanks to Cindy McKinley Alder, co-author with Patti Trombly  of 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents and 10 Quick Homework Tips ,  for this guest post Preventing Summer Slide Cindy McKinley Alder     Summer Break is long and, often, when kids go back to school in the fall, they have lost a bit of learning.   This is called “Summer Slide”.   While the amount of time out of school is not likely to change, you can absolutely cut down the amount of learning loss over the summer months.   The key is to make things fun and authentic.   Handing out workbooks might be fun for some kids.   But if you think your kids would just roll their eyes and protest, try to find some real-life (and fun!) ways to get them practicing their skills.   For most kids, having some READING time every day during the summer is an excellent way to keep skills current over the months without school.   You can read to them if they are young or the...