Educational Subjects Breakdown Resources

Today we will break down great resources for elementary school students by subject matter. Each resource is a great go-to for essential information and interactive materials/activities. Let's start!

LANGUAGE ARTS

teAchnology

This language arts resource has a bundle of various activities that highlight different aspects of this core subject. From vocabulary worksheets to interactive visual activities-your little one is sure to be challenged to learn through their resources.

Get Started HERE

READING

Now, there are many resources for you to choose from for this core subject-but we want to encourage you to really delve into a hands on approach for this topic. That is why for this subject's resource we encourage you to investigate your local library. At Teen with a Dream's local library there is designated story times, interactive readings and lessons at the library. The wonderful part is the hand's on approach that this resource perpetuates!

MATHMATECTICS 

MATHlanding

MATH landing provides you with endless opportunities to view lesson plans and activities. This resource allows you to choose from numerous topics which makes it the perfect fit for anyone!

Get Started HERE

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies for Kids

This site covers cultures, economics and delves into the United States history! Check out this wonderful resources and utilize the interactive timelines and work sheets!

Get Started HERE

SCIENCE

National Science Teachers Association

This website provides essential articles to vamping up your child's science education. It highlights topics from fossils to hands on science experiments

Get Started HERE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages

A great resources to begin a fabulous foreign language journey with support for parents and students alike!

Get Started HERE

Inspirational Quote [Primary Education]

Yesterday we discussed 10 Simple Ways to get your child ready for "back-to-school" mode....today we want you to remember that those simple tips can be made for fun as well! Don't forget to have a little quality play time with your child :)

10 Simple Techniques to Prepare your Little One to go to School

It seems like getting your little one ready for school can be quite the task. From simply getting them ready in the morning to actually preparing them for school itself-we want to share a few ways to make the transition from home to school easier. It is our hope that these steps are applicable to those who are participating in home school as well! Additionally, as always, this list is great for pediatric cancer patients as well as those who are not [siblings and beyond!].

1. Play board games to encourage the concept of taking turns--this could be great for those who have long treatment days!
2. Reading to your child at least 20 minutes a day, encourage interaction as you read. Ask them questions.
3. Although pediatric cancer patients are unable to frequently go to public places due to the high level of germs--come up with sanitary ways to host play dates of different ages to prepare them to interact on a multitude of levels
4. Encourage clean-up right after activity as this will be a task they are expected to complete in school
5. Ensure that you are giving them 1 step and 2 step directions to encourage the concept of following through
6. Have your child sort out various items according to a particular specification e.i. color, shape, size
7. Although high levels of activity may be difficult for pediatric cancer patients, encourage any sort of physical stimulation [this would be a great thing to consult and work with their doctor]
8. Encourage your child to draw on plain old paper. Teen with a Dream whole heartedly believes in the benefits of art therapy has on coping with cancer
9. Specifically in regards to pediatric cancer patients, discuss with your child their plan to react/discuss their cancer if it is brought up by their friends. Discuss what key words or phrases will make them feel most comfortable
10. After a day at school encourage them to discuss their day what were their favorite parts, what were their least? How can these help them grow. 

What Teachers Should Know & Ask if Their Student is a Pediatric Cancer Patient [Elementary School Edition]

Teaching is one of the hardest jobs, but also one of the most joy filled. To impart knowledge and empower children to be strong individuals truly is an amazing talent and career. 

Here is a check list of things you should know if you have a child with cancer in your class. 

1. What type of cancer they had and the side effects.
2. Things to watch for medical and emotionally after all you do see the child for a large chunk of hours each day. 
3. A plan for absences. 
4. As teachers pushing children forward to learn is a big part of what you do, but cancer patients and cancer survivors can’t always be pushed because sometimes its a large issue that is holding them back, its important to ask and see what things effect them so that you know that line. 
5. What are signs to look for that the child may need more help outside of the classroom
6. Contact information to contact parents with the most amount of ease. 
7. What goals/wants does the child want in their education.
8. What are any rules and regulations your school/districts have on situations like this, and if they aren’t effective how to make them more effective. 
9. Also ask questions you feel may better help you, cancer families at the point of reentry into school have spent 1,2,  or even 3 years dealing with this so they will be very knowledgeable on the patient side.

Things Parents Should Let Their Child’s Teacher Know [Elementary School Edition]

Back to school after going through treatment is a hard thing, so here is a check list of things you should let your child’s teacher know to hopefully allow for a easier transition back into school. Just never forget that your child went through something very difficult so reentering school isn’t easy for everyone. 

1. What type of cancer did your child have and a little about it
2. Estimated time away, if you have this it may be best to share in advance however explain that cancer and being a cancer survivor has many variables. 
3. Possible side effects or the side effects your child is dealing with
4. Information on your child’s doctor/medical team should be updated at the school =. 
5. Ask to create a plan to help ease absences. 
6. If you think setting some realist goals for your child is helpful, ask the teacher for help in whatever goals you think. 
7. Important details, example if your child now has a heart condition because of treatment, or if you have to be away from school that year if there is a very severe flu season. 
8. It’s important to let them know that illness will most likely effect your child longer because of their treatment. 
9. Also important to know that fatigue is a constant battle to overcome and a break is sometimes needed. 
10. Explain what Chemo Brain is, Chemo Brain is a very real side effect that chemotherapy has that can almost be described has living in a fog, it makes your reaction to recalling things and learning things slower and can be very frustrating to the child and the teacher, it is important that teacher know what this is and does research on their one to see what style of teaching will help overcome this issue.

Exchange and establish the best form for contacting each other is also important to building an ongoing relationship. 

We could never write out all the things someone should know about childhood cancer because their is so much, so hopefully these are some of the most important ones, every year at back to school we will come up with more, and if you have any that are important to you make sure you voice them and let your child’s teacher know.

#ClassicJokeFriday

Happy SPLURGE! Friday! If you are gearing up for back-to-school we have the perfect joke for you!

Free Online Educational Games

As we are now in the mist of August, back-to-school is right around the corner! That is why today for "Program Resources" we wanted to share with you some great free online educational games and resources to make the transition from summer to school a little easier!

These resources are a great and FUN way to get that brain back into school mode. Check out our top three favorite online educational resources for your kids....

Toddlers

PBS Kids

This website is a great way to get your little one thinking. The best part is that each game is hosted by your child's favorite television character! G

Adolescents 

Kid's Pages

This website provides a wide variety of activities from flash cards to coloring pages to silly jokes making it perfect for those kids going through primary school.

Tweens & Teens

Learn 4 Good

Great for older children it is a site "where you can play free fun online games & interesting business strategy simulation activities. Exercise & challenge your brain"

Inspiration

Back to School Emotional Support

Here is an easy way to ease back into school for any age! If this is your first time back since you've been diagnosed with cancer you can use this exercise to share your journey from diagnosis on and what you want people to know for the future. Never forget you can make things your own to make them better serve you. 

Goodbye Summer Story

Help your children gain closure with summer and get geared up to work by writing a “goodbye summer” story together. Sit down as a family and recall all the events of the past summer. List the vacations, the memorable meals, the crazy moments, the adventures with friends, and then put them into story form to make a lasting memory for your family to cherish. 

A Message from our Founder [August Blog Preview]

Summer is almost over and it’s time to think about going back to school. For anyone going back to school is stressful, but for a current cancer patient or a post treatment cancer patient it brings a whole other wave of stress. Whether it is germs, dealing with doctors appointments and school, chemo brain, or general fatigue it is hard to deal with. 

Over the next coming weeks we will be giving some advice on how to communicate with teachers during and post cancer, advice on side effects of chemotherapy and school, and tips for getting through it all. From after school snacks, or what your teacher needs to know about being a cancer patient-we hope to be your Real Life Resource for going back to school. 

We have spoken to teacher in all age groups to find out the information they want to see and will also think about the information teachers should know about having a child with cancer in their class. For me personally, it was hard to go back to high school and deal with everything during my treatment. This was due to the fact that I was diagnosed a week before I started the 9th grade, and it was a rough road for me, so I hope in the month of August to help others with their journey. 


Spencer Harrison 
Cancer Survivor, Founder