The ancient craft of origami got its name from the Japanese word "ori" (folding) and "kami" (paper). Actually origami began in China during the first or second century before traveling to Japan in the sixth century. The most noticeable attribute was the tranquility that the craft provided to the participants. Instead of bringing frustration, the craft developed problem solving skills and heightened thought processes.

In 1794, a small volume, How to Fold One Hundred Cranes was published. The littlebook contained the first set of written instructions for origami. Until then, all origami directions had been by word of mouth and the directions told from one generation to another. The book contained directions on how to fold a crane - the sacred bird of Japan, and relates the story of the Japanese custom that if a person folded 1,000 cranes, he would be granted one wish. With the publication of that book, origami soon became a very popular craft not only in Japan but around the world.

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Provided by Kim Ashby

Answer the following questions:     YES     NO

Do you skip words or lines when reading?        
Do you reread lines?        
Do you lose your place?        
Are you easily distracted when reading?        
Do you need to take breaks often?        
Do you find it harder to read the longer you read?        
Do you get headaches when you read?        
Do your eyes get red and watery?        
Does reading make you tired?        
Do you blink or squint?        
Do you prefer to read in dim light?        
Do you read close to the page?        
Do you use your finger or other markers?        
Do you get restless, active, or fidgety when reading?        

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you might be experiencing the effects of a perception problem called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which can interfere with your reading efficiency. Now, for the first time, there is a simple method Irlen Colored Filters worn as glasses or contact lenses, that can help people overcome this problem quickly and easily.

Copyright © 1991 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen.  All rights reserved.
For other self tests including the long test, headache test, light sensitivity test, autism test <a href="http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests">click here</a>.

Books on tape are a great way to pass the time while driving on long road trips. My daughters and I spent two very long days driving to Yellowstone National Park and two days back; one of our all time favorite places to vacation. Since we love road trips we reminded ourselves how important it was to listen to a book on tapes series. Tradition. Having teenage girls they selected the books by Stephenie Meyer the Twilight Series http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html ~ I will admit that I had quickly read the first book Twilight before the movie opened in November 2008. The goal was to get the book finished so I could be up to speed with my daughters before I saw the movie. Speed reading Twilight was really no fun. I could not see what all the excitement was about with this book. I chalked it up to a teen girl story.... Never was I moved to read any of the other books. I believe I have been too busy with work. Not allowing myself the luxury of fiction! However, I must admit I embrace fiction on vacation and this was no different. Keeping connected to my daughters is very important to me and if it means reading fiction about vampire's and werewolves then so be it! Actually, the hours on the road listening to the books on tape, talking to the girls about story plots, character development, vocabulary and writing styles placed me in a great teaching position! Learning made fun! My daughters did not even realize it! The writing process was easy to discuss.... talking about ways to help them find their "writing voice" through the writing process became interesting discussions and hopefully, planted a process they will draw from in the future. The girls taught me so much about the author, the movie scripts and actors.....They taught me how much they had learned about the book series and movie series thus a fun way to keep mom up to speed on current fiction!

This last year, in the most difficult year of my life, struggling against a seemingly unbearable injustice and cruelty, angry and sad, trying to decide to walk the path of healing or revenge, I came across a wonderful quote.

"Cry, hurt, or call it unfair, but be grateful to the grave, that in this hurt your the one who received, and not the one who gave."

Wonderful poem, hard lesson. How can we drive this message, of choosing forgiveness and love, choosing to "light a candle rather than cursing the darkness" home to our children? Children who can encounter so much injustice and cruelty, in the form of bullying, discrimination, intolerance, and ignorance, simply walking to and from school and back everyday. How I wish my grandparents would have done what these grandparents did for their grandson. Read enjoy this powerful parable for tough times! How are you driving home these important lessons in your own families? Let us know!
http://charactercounts.org/michael/2009/04/im_better_than_that_6164.html

It is arguably the most overlooked ingredient in the recipe for student success. Encouraging words. Taking time to celebrate the little successes so that they will grow into bigger more frequent successes. Children can be such fragile little plants requiring just the amount of sunshine and water and time to grow. It is so easy in our sometimes overzealous and caring quest to create blossoming, beautiful and hopefully fully self sustaining living beings, to be inadvertently overzealous, huddling and worrying over every little thing rather than gently cheer leading, nurturing and guiding our children to the next step.

There are many tools for success you can teach a child but giving them the tools to believe in themselves and to persevere in reaching their goals even in the face of the constant criticism of others, will take them far in a world that is already full of negative feedback.

A psychologist told me today that for every negative thought that enters our world it takes ten positives to counteract it. The adult world is so full of negatives. The world needs adult children who can give out of the overabundance of positive love they have received from their parents, teachers, and others of influence in their childhood to be a life changing influence in the lives of so many peers who have not been so blessed.

What is our country becoming? Who on earth would cheat girl scouts out of their fund raising money by purchasing cookies with counterfeit money? Watch channel 5 report http://www.king5.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=337310

It is unbelievable to steal cookies from 7 year olds! Best said "That makes you feel really mad," said Swanson. Ditto from me too!

It's never too early or too late to help your child develop the skills for academic success. Learn how to build these skills and stay on track all year long.

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