MSI Press Blog

  Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from  365 Teacher Secrets for Parents  by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly. #30 Some Habits Are Hard to Make   Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it. ~Horace Mann   Have you heard the theory that it takes 20 days to create a habit? If this is true, then some of the ideas you've read about this month (intended to last not only throughout the year but perhaps a lifetime) are probably not already a part of your family's routine. That's OK! As Part 1 winds to a close, take a few minutes to review the month's ideas and decide which ones you believe are beneficial to your child and your family. Which ones have you been doing? Which have worked? Which have you modified to fit your family exactly? Which ones do not appeal to you? Now that you have identified which ideas are the most important ones, stick with them! Even if it's not always easy, remember that so...

  Today's publisher's pride is  Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain   by Kristin and Andrew Wilcox, which reached #296 in attention deficit disorder, a great achievement since these categories are broad and, therefore, competitive. Book description: In this two-part book Andrew and his neuroscientist mom each tell their story about living with the inattentive subtype of ADHD. How do you survive life and middle school with an ADHD elephant in your brain? Kids with ADHD will relate to Andrew's reactions to everyday and school-related situations, like remembering to turn in homework, staying organized, and making friends. Using practical strategies Andrew learns to manage his ADHD even when his brain sometimes feels "like and overstuffed garbage can, the lid won't stay on and garbage is falling out all over the floor". He even realizes there is a positive side to having ADHD like creativity, fearlessness and hyperfocus.   Dr. Wilcox discusses...

  Released today: Ebook edition of From Tuscany with Love by Lauretta Avina. Book description: Lauretta Avina, an Italian American immigrant, has a deep passion for sharing good food with family and friends. Her first cookbook, Ricette del Mio Paese, came out in 2011. Lauretta is the founder and president of the Franca Barsi Memorial Scholarship, created to honor her late sister, a victim of domestic violence. In addition to her advocacy for domestic violence victims, she is a staunch supporter of military veterans and their families. She also advocates for students in her role as a Guidance Technician at her local high school. Lauretta enjoys preparing delicious meals, often using vegetables and spices from her husband's garden. She is well-known in her community especially for her Lasagna alla Lucchese and her Biscotti. Endorsement:  I never had a cookbook that brought a tear to my eye, but this one did. [Lauretta's] story is simultaneously unique and universal. Different ...

  Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from  365 Teacher Secrets for Parents  by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly. #29 Get Ready… Get Set…   Blessed be the hand that prepares a pleasure for a child, For there is no saying when and where it may bloom forth. ~Jerrold   Some of the activities that you will be introduced to in this book will require a little preparation. Maybe things will need to be gathered or cut out. Maybe you've decided to have your child help you cook a meal. Sound like more work for you? Not really if you think about the process of setting up for an activity as part of the fun to have with your child. He can learn a lot about planning, preparing, gathering, sorting, and organizing from just helping to get ready for an activity. Divide up tasks, or do all of the steps together. Cleaning up will also go faster, too, if you ask your child to help you, and, again, many of those same skills come into play...